Key information
AdHoc Studio is celebrating the one-year anniversary of Dispatch, a narrative-driven title that became a surprise success in 2025. Despite initial industry skepticism regarding episodic games, the title has reached over 5 million players. To mark the milestone, the studio is adding a commentary and storyboard mode to the deluxe edition, alongside a vinyl set and a concert in Los Angeles.
CEO Michael Choung describes the development as a period of extreme pandemonium. The studio struggled with self-publishing, including console certification, while working on eight episodes simultaneously. After being dropped by an initial publisher, AdHoc relied on contract work and finishing funds from partners like Critical Role to complete the project.
Choung attributes the game's success to its character-focused writing rather than complex branching paths. He argues that players feel more invested when they care about the individuals involved in their choices. Additionally, the game benefited from a consistent weekly release schedule and significant visibility on the Steam front page.
Looking forward, AdHoc plans to continue developing original intellectual property and remains open to future episodic models. While the team is currently exploring potential film and television adaptations, they have not yet committed to a specific next project, though an announcement is expected soon.
