In a surprising turn of events, the cooking roguelike game, Omelet You Cook, has moved its release date up to February 8, a rarity in the gaming industry where delays are more commonly announced. This strategic decision by publisher SchuBox Games is aimed at circumventing competition from the highly anticipated Slay the Spire 2, which is set to launch in March.
Dan Schumacher, the creator of SchuBox Games and co-developer of Omelet You Cook, admitted to initially planning for a late 2025 release for Slay the Spire 2, but missed its recent schedule adjustment to March 2025. “There was no way we could release at the same time as an absolute juggernaut in our own genre,” Schumacher shared. He expressed concern that the buzz generated by Slay the Spire 2 would overshadow his game, affecting its visibility and success.
The decision to advance the release required adjusting various arrangements, including securing a prime Steam Daily Deal slot. Schumacher noted this timing aligned well with their project timeline, allowing ample opportunity for finalizing and playtesting the game without undue stress. Despite facing challenges with other events in February, they successfully set a firm launch date, ensuring critical elements like music and localization could be completed in time.
Schumacher and his co-developer, Hjalte Tagmose, dedicated themselves to an intense work schedule, often saying “No” to social invitations in order to meet this new deadline. He drew a parallel between the careful navigation of release windows in the gaming world to that experienced with the highly awaited Hollow Knight sequel, Silksong. This pattern highlights how smaller games like Omelet You Cook rely on strategic timing to maximize their chances in a competitive marketplace, especially as they transition from Early Access to a full release.
With the approaching launch, the team is eager to share their hard work with a broader audience. “We’re trading in our Early Access shield for the chance to reach more players, and we’re so proud of how far the game has come,” Schumacher stated. The game’s innovative concept, where players prepare omelets under challenging conditions, has already created buzz, and the early February launch is expected to give it breathing space from other major titles.