Shovel Knight physical release for Xbox One canceled (update)

Shovel Knight will no longer receive a physical retail version on the Xbox One platform, developer Yacht Club Games announced today. A "retail update" shared by the studio explains that "because of publishing policies on the platform that are totally beyond our control, we couldn't make it happen."

No clarification as to what, specifically, about Microsoft's policies tripped up the previously-planned release is provided. We have reached out to to both the studio and Microsoft for further explanation as to what is preventing the release and will update with more as we receive it.

Update: A representative for Yacht Club Games told us via email that the studio is "still working hard to make [a physical release on Xbox One] happen."

The studio insists that it "will keep fighting to get a retail version" out on the console. A digital version remains available for Xbox One fans of the popular indie title.

Accompanying the cancellation announcement is a price increase for the physical version, which will still see release on PlayStation 4, Wii U and 3DS. Yacht Club Games has "unexpectedly" raised the price of the game from $19.99 to $24.99. This decision comes down to retailers, the studio explains. "Some retailers ran into trouble with limited space to show off their wares, and the rules in place about where games with certain prices are displayed." In order to avoid Shovel Knight's lower price point consigning it the bargain bin, the price was changed as to better match other current-generation games' pricing.

Those who have already pre-ordered physical copies of the game will still be able to purchase it at the original, lower price point, however. Additionally, all of the physically-released games will include a download for the game's soundtrack. The launch, originally planned for Oct. 13, has also been delayed to Nov. 3 in North America.

A free expansion for Shovel Knight, Plague of Shadows, came out in September. The studio also announced that it would be working with Nintendo to bring an amiibo of the character to stores. That figure is still in the works, with no official release date confirmed as of yet.

Polygon enjoyed the 2014 game, which began its life as a Kickstarter project, enough to award it a place on our Game of the Year shortlist.