Bloodstained delayed to 2019, Vita version canceled

Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, the next game from former Castlevania designer Koji Igarashi, will now launch in 2019. Igarashi announced that his Castlevania spiritual successor has been delayed in an update to the game’s Kickstarter campaign in order “to raise the quality level,” citing feedback from a demo played by backers.

Igarashi also announced that a planned version of Bloodstained for PlayStation Vita is no longer in the works.

“This decision is largely due to Sony’s plans to discontinue the Vita console, ending production of physical copies and stopping certain online store support features,” Igarashi said. “It is extremely unfortunate, but as a result, we won’t be releasing the game on Vita. For the backers who have ordered the PS Vita version of the game, you will be able to choose another platform or request a refund.”

Bloodstained’s delay to 2019 now means that the game will arrive about two years later than originally planned. The game’s Kickstarter campaign shows an estimated March 2017 release date for the project.

“We’re sorry to make you wait a little longer for Bloodstained, but you can trust that this really is in the best interest of the game – and our players,” added Roberto Piraino, global brand manager at publisher 505 Games. “We assure you we’re using the extra time to make Bloodstained even better, based on your input.”

Piraino reiterated that it was Sony’s decision to discontinue its handheld system and production of physical copies of Vita games that led to the cancellation. Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night is still in development for Linux, Mac, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows PC and Xbox One.