When are we expecting news?

[Darkspawn]

I don't get those who expected, or expect, the KH4 re-reveal at the D23.

In my opinion, the only chance it had to be there was if it was re-revealed before. D23 is not a big event with enough viewers to start the marketing campaign.

For me, what is reasonable to expect is Missing Link, because in this case there is no better event to promote the game. And the timing is perfect if it ends up coming out this year.

I disagree. D23 is a massive event for Disney fans. If they were having a dedicated video game panel/livestream or even just a video game segment in one of the bigger shows, it would have been the perfect place to re-reveal it. Especially with a massive live audience made up of die hard Disney fans. Plus, they won’t get another chance to market at a D23 until late 2026.

Also, they’ve done re-reveals at the concerts which are way smaller than D23. I don’t think the size of the event really matters that much. But the last D23 had 140000 attendees and this one is set to be even bigger. So I don’t think event size is even an issue here.

 

[Chaser]

I don't get those who expected, or expect, the KH4 re-reveal at the D23.

To me it just made more sense because it's a Disney game and marketing to Disney fans made sense. It'd get it's time in front of gamers at the plethora of gaming events, but I do think this is the last D23 before KH4's release.

But like any event, treat it as if it's not going to be there until announced.

 

[Launchpad]

I will say this-- I think 2024-2025 was the sweet spot for keeping the momentum going with KH after III. I'm a hardcore fan and I do not really care when it drops, as I will be there no matter what, but I think for keeping the more fickle public engaged with Kingdom Hearts, 2026 is too long of a wait. Seven years is too long, especially when there is no substantial continuation of the story in the meantime. If they can pull a cool trick and get the game out next year, I'll be impressed and delighted.

 

[olu]

I will say this-- I think 2024-2025 was the sweet spot for keeping the momentum going with KH after III. I'm a hardcore fan and I do not really care when it drops, as I will be there no matter what, but I think for keeping the more fickle public engaged with Kingdom Hearts, 2026 is too long of a wait. Seven years is too long, especially when there is no substantial continuation of the story in the meantime. If they can pull a cool trick and get the game out next year, I'll be impressed and delighted.

It’s interesting you say that, because it’s the hardcore fans that I notice that are having problems keeping patience. The general or fickle public don’t seem to care outside making jokes that it’ll take millennia to release because they have other games to play and look forward to. If I’m being honest, there are hardly any casual KH fans from what I’ve seen. You’re into KH or you’re not. There’s seldomly any in-between.

I would personally say it’s unfair to call it a 7 year wait as we didn’t even know KH4 existed until 2022. Assuming a 2026 release, that would be a 4 year wait. Which isn’t terrible. Depending on the scale of the game.

Fans need accept that a mainline KH title is a type of game that takes time. Nomura has expressed this sentiment a number of times.

No mainline title should take as long as KH3 did between its reveal and release (duh) but as time goes on, these games are only gonna become more and more impressive on a technical level - requiring more time and resources.

Biggest piece of advice I can give to a super-KH fan is to be prepared to wait a little bit longer than they’re comfortable with. The initial KH4 trailer being released early is already an indicator of this wait.

I assume Missing Link was made to alleviate this wait by having it linked to KH4 but much like the former part of its name…

 

[Launchpad]

It’s interesting you say that, because it’s the hardcore fans that I notice that are having problems keeping patience.

lol true but that's of little consequence since you know they'll be buying

I would personally say it’s unfair to call it a 7 year wait as we didn’t even know KH4 existed until 2022

I don't think it's that unfair. KH3 came out at the beginning of 2019 and ended on a note of concern for Sora, with an ending, epilogue, and secret ending that suggested a huge future story. Sure, the game wasn't properly announced (and they still were working on the excellent ReMind), but by making that ending, they were explicitly asking for you to give a shit about what comes next.

KH isn't the MOST complex story in the world, but it is a little tricky. It has a lot of moving parts, double identities, and abstract mechanics. It is my opinion, that if they want people to remember all this stuff and for it to make an impact, they probably shouldn't make people wait too long for the story to properly continue.

For me, I'm fine with it. I'm a gameplay goober above all else, so, selfishly, I don't mind if they take three more years if it's all spent making the definitive best KH yet. Lord knows I don't wanna play something that doesn't launch with critical mode or a cool secret boss. But for the average joe who isn't as deeply embroiled, seven years is not a small gap between major releases, and many might not even remember how KH3 went by that point.

 

[Liodin]

Also, they’ve done re-reveals at the concerts which are way smaller than D23. I don’t think the size of the event really matters that much. But the last D23 had 140000 attendees and this one is set to be even bigger. So I don’t think event size is even an issue here.

What games have been re-revealed at concerts?
The trailers I remember at concerts were already with the marketing campaign started.

And when I say it's not big enough I'm referring to the importance of the event in terms of gaming, not the number of people who go in person or how important it can be in other aspects.

I disagree. D23 is a massive event for Disney fans. If they were having a dedicated video game panel/livestream or even just a video game segment in one of the bigger shows, it would have been the perfect place to re-reveal it. Especially with a massive live audience made up of die hard Disney fans. Plus, they won’t get another chance to market at a D23 until late 2026.

To me it just made more sense because it's a Disney game and marketing to Disney fans made sense. It'd get it's time in front of gamers at the plethora of gaming events, but I do think this is the last D23 before KH4's release.

But like any event, treat it as if it's not going to be there until announced.

If you're a Disney fan and you go to a gaming event at D23, you obviously know KH4 and you're going to buy it. But marketing isn't just about reaching people who are already sold. It's about expanding the audience.

By focusing on major gaming expos, KH4 can capture the attention of gamers who might not follow Disney events closely but are still interested in new, high-profile games. This strategy ensures the game reaches a wider audience and maximizes its impact.

Now, Missing Link on the other hand, I think there is no better place to advertise it. The game is aimed at KH fans. No one who is not a fan is going to play it. Unless... you are a Disney fan.

If the trailer is the one they showed to the closed group with the Disney worlds, plus the release date and with the pre-registration open, I think they have a chance to reach a lot of people. And even more if they tease something about KH4 after it, like they did with KH3.

The time and place could not be better for ML.

And if they announced that it will also be released on PC and consoles, I think the interest would skyrocket. But I think that's asking a lot

 

[Darkspawn]

If you're a Disney fan and you go to a gaming event at D23, you obviously know KH4 and you're going to buy it. But marketing isn't just about reaching people who are already sold. It's about expanding the audience.

By focusing on major gaming expos, KH4 can capture the attention of gamers who might not follow Disney events closely but are still interested in new, high-profile games. This strategy ensures the game reaches a wider audience and maximizes its impact.

There will be plenty of other game expos they can show it at. This is (likely) the last D23 they’ll have a chance to show it. And if they did a livestream advertising games like Star Wars Outlaws, Marvel 1943, Indiana Jones, and maybe even Spider-Man/Wolverine, there would be plenty of non-KH fans who would tune in. Remember the D23 2017 trailer is the highest viewed trailer of KH3’s marketing campaign (with the exception of the opening movie.)

Obviously they’ll show it at other major gaming events. But it’s the same reasoning why we’ll probably get a Star Wars reveal at SWC Japan next April.

What games have been re-revealed at concerts?
The trailers I remember at concerts were already with the marketing campaign started.

KH3 was re-revealed at the orchestra concert in June 2017. That is when KH3’s marketing really began in earnest as we started getting consistent trailers from there on. FWIW, D23 was the next trailer after that one, meaning they skipped E3 in favor of the concert/D23 that year. And then the one after that was D23 Japan. Meaning they skipped both TGS, Jump Festa, and other gaming events in favor of D23 once again. You can see the pattern.

Also, not a re-reveal, but Re:Mind was announced at a concert.

 

[Chie]

I would personally say it’s unfair to call it a 7 year wait as we didn’t even know KH4 existed until 2022. Assuming a 2026 release, that would be a 4 year wait. Which isn’t terrible. Depending on the scale of the game.

I know that when I finished KH3, I was more excited about the future of KH than I'd ever been in my life.

That was a longggggg time ago now...

 

[Squood!]

KH3 was re-revealed at the orchestra concert in June 2017. That is when KH3’s marketing really began in earnest as we started getting consistent trailers from there on. FWIW, D23 was the next trailer after that one, meaning they skipped E3 in favor of the concert/D23 that year. And then the one after that was D23 Japan. Meaning they skipped both TGS, Jump Festa, and other gaming events in favor of D23 once again. You can see the pattern.

Also, not a re-reveal, but Re:Mind was announced at a concert.

That wasn't exactly a re-reveal since like...we had a gameplay trailer for KH3 alongside a 2.8 trailer back in 2016 where a flow of info[regardless of how smooth it was]was already happening. The actual re-reveal was E3 2015

 

[Darkspawn]

That wasn't exactly a re-reveal since like...we had a gameplay trailer for KH3 alongside a 2.8 trailer back in 2016 where a flow of info[regardless of how smooth it was]was already happening. The actual re-reveal was E3 2015

The footage you’re referring to with the 2.8 trailer was in 2015… There was a year and a half between that and the orchestra trailer, so I still consider it a re-reveal.

The E3 2015 trailer was a re-reveal as well but still a very early build of the game. Only about a year into the development on UE4. There can be multiple re-reveals when you have such long development cycles with large gaps of time between showings of the game.

The 2017 orchestra trailer is also what I would consider the first full look trailer at a near finished product. Aside from minor adjustments like the lighting and the lack of English voice acting, all the elements of the final product were there.

 

[Chaser]

The Orchestra trailer was a re-reveal.

It came after a decent period of silence, and kickstarted the year and a half marketing campaign.

It was glorious.

Edit:

KINGDOM HEARTS pin CONFIRMED FOR SDCC

Spoiler Show

https://twitter.com/x/status/1815069526205010005

 

[olu]

More merch from about a week ago saying preregistration is available.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1812452637897548089

 

[Launchpad]

More merch from about a week ago saying preregistration is available.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1812452637897548089

Lmao, you haven't been playing ML??? You snooze you lose, I fear. Personally, it's my GOTY

 

[olu]

launchpad if you dont behave i will eat you

 

[Launchpad]

launchpad if you dont behave i will eat you

The guppy has no business threatening the coaelacanth (typed this with my greasy, weak, sun-starved fingers and a smug look on my face)

 

[NoWay]

More merch from about a week ago saying preregistration is available.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1812452637897548089

ARE WE MOVING???

 

[Darkspawn]

ARE WE MOVING???

Those came out back in June alongside the other stuff like the wafers.

 

[Squood!]

Are they literally being so friggin' stupid they just refuse to talk about how they don't have those dumb QR codes working

 

[olu]

Those came out back in June alongside the other stuff like the wafers.

ok but why if i said nuh uh

Are they literally being so friggin' stupid they just refuse to talk about how they don't have those dumb QR codes working

it really is jarring. it's bumming me out fr

 

[HakaishinChampa]

It's crazy that we're 100+ pages in without any KH4 news

I guess we got a little Missing Link stuff this year but it's been radio silent for months now, I just want to play Missing Link lol