The superhero workplace comedy Dispatch has emerged as a surprising hit, achieving a remarkable milestone by selling one million copies within just ten days of its launch. Developed by Ad Hoc Studios, which was founded by veterans of the now-defunct Telltale Games, Dispatch’s success has significantly increased the likelihood of a second season, even before the first is fully released.
Ad Hoc Studios co-founder Pierre Shorette shared his enthusiasm during an interview on the Friends Per Second podcast, stating that the prospect of a season two has quickly shifted from a mere possibility to a consideration. “We’re going to have to at least think about season two now,” he said, reflecting on how just three weeks prior, the future of the franchise seemed uncertain.
The success of Dispatch comes at a time when the gaming landscape has been searching for a successor to Telltale’s narrative-driven style. According to PC Gamer’s Jody Macgregor, the gap left by Telltale’s abrupt closure was noticeable, leading to questions about whether any studio could capture the same magic. While it’s too early to tell if Ad Hoc can fill that void and become the new champion of storytelling in gaming, the considerable player interest bodes well for the future.
In terms of player engagement, Dispatch has seen impressive numbers. It kicked off with 12,707 concurrent players on its Steam launch and reached an impressive peak of 66,000 concurrent players after the release of episodes three and four. This figure doubled to more than 131,000 concurrent players when the fifth and sixth episodes were released. With the finale set to arrive on November 12, expectations are high for even greater player numbers.
The enthusiastic response to Dispatch not only highlights the game’s appeal but also sets a promising stage for its future as it seeks to build on its initial success. As the gaming community eagerly anticipates the concluding episodes, it remains to be seen how this trend will influence Ad Hoc’s plans for the potential second season, solidifying Dispatch as a hopeful new pillar in the genre of narrative-driven games.