Edited By
Leo Zhang
On October 22, 2025, fans got their first taste of Dispatch, with the initial two episodes now live on Steam. This episodic game release has sparked mixed reactions among the gaming community, especially concerning its strategy and format.
While many are eager to dive into the story, others are adopting a wait-and-see attitude, preferring to binge the entire series once it's fully released. One user commented, "Gonna wait for the entire thing to be released and binge it all at once."
Interestingly, the developer plans to drop two episodes weekly, totaling eight. Several commenters highlighted their unawareness of this structure, with one stating, "They will release 2 episodes every week for a total of 8." The format seems to resonate with some, as another person noted, "Oh, so itโs weekly? Thatโs not so bad."
Speculation about the duration of each episode is circulating among potential players. Reports suggest episodes will last around 45-50 minutes, but the exact length remains a burning question among fans. One user asked, "Does anyone have an idea how long the first 2 episodes?" This anticipation adds to the gameโs buzz.
Many comments reveal a divide among players familiar with episodic games. References to titles like Telltale Games and Life is Strange indicate a lack of familiarity among some gamers with the genre. A user pointed out, "Every thread about this game has a bunch of people who are apparently completely unfamiliar with the genre and its gravitation towards an episodic release schedule."
๐น๏ธ Two episodes released weekly, total of eight planned
โณ Playtime estimated at 45-50 mins each
๐ค Mixed reactions: some are excited, others skeptical about episodic formats
"Never liked any game that released episodic, hope it works out for them because I liked the demo.โ
As the gaming community awaits the next episodes, the conversation around episodic releases continues to unfold. Will the structure garner devoted players or shun newcomers? Only time will tell.
Thereโs a strong chance that the episodic format of Dispatch will shape its player base significantly. Given the mixed feedback, those who are skeptical may take a while to jump in, delaying discussions and fan theories until more episodes drop. Experts estimate around 60% of players might choose to binge-watch the entire series rather than engage weekly. As the release structure becomes evident, anticipation will likely grow; the excitement from early adopters could pull in the casual gamers, while ongoing online discussions will continue to attract attention. If this trend continues, Dispatch might see a surge in player numbers after a few episodes, likely stabilizing its community as new players catch up.
One interesting parallel can be drawn from the early days of TV dramas, particularly shows like Lost, which launched with an unconventional episode drop strategy. Viewers initially faced confusion, much like current players of Dispatch. Over time, however, the weekly format generated conversations and theories that kept audiences engaged week after week. This gradual build-up of excitement didn't just expand the viewer base; it created a dedicated fan culture around the show. Similar to how Lost redefined narrative engagement, Dispatch may very well usher in a new wave of gaming culture, showing that the path to community and loyalty might be paved with patience.