TBD is a common acronym that stands for “To Be Determined” and is often seen in the gaming community. It is used when details about a game, such as its release date, features or requirements, are not yet known or announced.
When is TBD used in gaming?
There are several instances where TBD is commonly used in relation to games:
- Release date – When a game has been announced but its exact release date is not yet set, it will often be listed as TBD or Coming Soon. This indicates the date is still being determined by the developer.
- System requirements – The minimum or recommended system requirements for running a game may be listed as TBD until they are tested and finalized closer to release.
- Pricing – Upcoming games that are available for pre-order sometimes list the price as TBD if it has not been officially set yet by the publisher.
- Downloadable content – Details of future DLC or expansion packs that are planned for a game after launch may have details like the release date or pricing listed as TBD.
- Patch notes – Specific changes or fixes in upcoming patches for a live game often have TBD sections for items that are still being tested or finalized.
Essentially any detail about a game that is not conclusively known will be denoted as TBD as a placeholder until definitive information is available.
Why do game developers use TBD?
There are a few key reasons developers and publishers use TBD for game details:
- The information is not yet finalized – As development progresses, new changes happen every day and plans are constantly evolving. Using TBD allows flexibility for anything not 100% confirmed.
- Avoid setting expectations too soon – If a date or feature is announced too early but ends up changing later on, it can disappoint fans. TBD avoids making promises that perhaps can’t be kept.
- Maintain suspense and anticipation – Keeping some details TBD can build up hype and speculation rather than revealing everything about a game too soon before launch.
- Holding back competitive information – In the case of pricing or system requirements, publishers may strategically keep details TBD to avoid tipping off competitors too soon.
Overall, TBD gives developers breathing room for anything in flux and prevents setbacks if plans need to change based on bugs, balancing issues, delays or other factors.
Examples of TBD use in gaming
Here are some real examples of TBD being used for upcoming or newly announced games:
- Starfield – The highly anticipated upcoming space RPG from Bethesda has a release date of the first half of 2023, but the exact date is still TBD.
- Diablo IV – Blizzard has targeted a 2023 release for this sequel but not announced an exact date yet beyond TBD.
- Assassin’s Creed Mirage – The next AC game is planned for 2023 but Ubisoft has only indicated a TBD release window so far.
- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 – Nintendo’s hotly anticipated sequel has a TBD release date with no year even announced yet.
- Final Fantasy VII Rebirth – The next title in the FFVII Remake series has a TBD release planned for next winter.
In all these cases, the developers want to maintain flexibility on dates until they know for certain when the games will be ready to launch.
When does a TBD date get confirmed?
The TBD status of a game’s release date or other details is usually removed once the company is ready to officially announce firm plans. Here’s when to expect TBD items to get confirmed:
- Release date – Anywhere from 6 to 12 months prior to launch, with a narrower 1 to 3 month window as it gets closer.
- Pricing – Usually 1 to 2 months before release, unless special editions or pre-order pricing needs to be detailed earlier.
- System requirements – Typically 2 to 4 weeks before launch so players can prepare to run the game.
- DLC/expansions – Release window may be shared shortly after launch, with pricing and firm date 1 to 2 months prior to DLC drop.
- Patch notes – Specific changes will be detailed in final patch notes days before patch is live.
Of course, the timeframe varies on a case by case basis, but in general developers want to announce details only when they are completely locked in and avoid having to delay or change them later on.
What gets announced first before TBD details?
While some game info may be TBD for a long time, certain high level details are usually revealed early in the announcement process before filling in the specifics later on.
Here are some of the first things typically shared about a game, before resorting to TBD placeholders:
- Official title
- Core concept and themes
- Setting
- Primary platforms
- Developer(s) and publisher(s)
- Target release year or time frame
- Cinematic and gameplay trailers
- Main character(s)
- Key story premise and world details
Revealing these high level details early generates initial buzz and interest for a game even if the specifics are still TBD. It gives players enough of the big picture to start getting excited well ahead of all the finer details being confirmed.
Major game announcements with TBD details
To see TBD in action, let’s look at some notable recent game announcements that contained several key details still to be determined:
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Sequel
- Title: TBD
- Release date: TBD
- Platforms: Nintendo Switch only confirmed so far
- Setting: Appears to be same world as Breath of the Wild
- Trailer showed Link and Zelda exploring underground areas
Diablo IV
- Release date: TBD (2023 target)
- Playable classes: Barbarian, Sorceress, Druid and Rogue confirmed so far
- Setting: Sanctuary world, starting in Scosglen region
- Trailer focused on dark gritty tone and story elements
Assassin’s Creed Mirage
- Release date: TBD (2023 target)
- Platforms: TBD (likely Xbox, PlayStation, PC)
- Setting: 9th century Baghdad
- Story and protagonist: Focus on Basim from Valhalla becoming a Hidden One
- Gameplay: Return to stealth action roots of earlier AC games
Even with minimal specific details, these announcements gave fans plenty to speculate about for the TBD items and start building hype.
When is TBD not used?
While TBD is commonly seen around new game announcements, there are certain situations where a developer will definitively announce details right from the start:
- Release date – If a game is releasing very soon they may announce the exact date immediately.
- Platforms – Typically all platforms will be confirmed up front unless plans change later.
- Title – Games are usually given an official name from initial reveal.
- Publishers/partners – All companies involved in funding/distribution will be listed.
- Past re-releases – Remasters or ports of older games will have set dates and details.
Essentially any critical information that is already 100% decided and locked in will be announced right away to avoid confusion. But anything that could flux or is still in progress will remain TBD at first.
Reception to TBD announcements
How does the gaming community tend to receive announcements that contain several TBD details? Here are some common reactions:
- Speculation – Fans will endlessly speculate and make predictions about what TBD items like release dates, prices or features will end up being.
- Impatience – Lack of firm details can frustrate impatient gamers who want to know when they can get their hands on the game.
- Cautious optimism – Vague announcements are met with cautious excitement until substantive details are revealed.
- Criticism – Some may criticize announcements being “empty” or containing too many unknowns to get excited about.
- Intrigue – The mystery around TBD details like the title or setting also creates genuine interest and intrigue.
Overall, TBD announcements tend to spark lively discussion and speculation within online gaming communities. The conversation remains active as fans eagerly await solid details on the TBD items to be unveiled.
Why not just wait to announce when all details are ready?
Some may wonder why game companies don’t simply wait until every last detail is finalized before announcing a game. There are a few reasons day-one complete announcements are rare:
- Build early buzz – Getting the word out, even with some TBD items, helps start creating awareness and hype building.
- Reassure fans – Announcing a game is coming, even if distant, lets loyal fans know that a sequel or new entry is in progress.
- Attract talent – Early reveals help studios attract top developer talent who want to be part of highly anticipated projects.
- Test concepts – Teasing out certain game details can help gauge fan reception on things like settings, visuals and features.
- Establish media relationships – Giving press early info helps build connections with media outlets who will cover updates.
Having some degree of TBD details is usually a necessary trade-off to enjoy these benefits and get the word out about an exciting upcoming game.
How fans influence TBD details
Although details may initially be TBD, fan feedback can sometimes directly influence what developers ultimately decide on. Elements like these are often shaped by fan reactions:
- Title – Outcry from fans over a leaked working title can lead to picking something different.
- Themes – Criticism about certain themes or concerns over representation may alter plans.
- Features – Wildly positive fan requests for rumored features could lead to their inclusion.
- Release timing – Intense hype might accelerate launch plans to release sooner.
- Post-launch content – Planned DLC may be expanded based on the most popular fan requests.
While devs have their own visions, gaming companies are ultimately trying to maximize fan satisfaction. So TBD elements directly in players’ wheelhouse are heavily shaped by fan input once it comes in.
Conclusion
From vague teasers years before release to missing details that get finalized just weeks before launch, TBD is ubiquitous in the world of gaming. It strikes a balance for developers between announcing projects early to build buzz while retaining flexibility on items still in flux. Fans may grumble about having to wait, but TBD ultimately allows devs to meet their expectations once those nebulous details can finally be locked down and confirmed. And in the meantime, it gives fans something to eagerly speculate and theorize over!