‘I prefer violence’: Steam developer plans funeral for their own game following Slay the Spire 2 announcement

Does a crowded release calendar inevitably spell disaster for indie titles? Many developers seem to think so, often choosing to retreat when industry titans like Grand Theft Auto 6 or Hollow Knight: Silksong dominate the schedule. The recent reveal of a sequel to Slay the Spire has sent a similar shockwave through the roguelike deckbuilding community. While most studios are scrambling to find a safer launch window, one developer is boldly defying the trend, refusing to budge from their original release date.

In mid-February, Mega Crit sent fans into a frenzy by announcing that Slay the Spire 2 will arrive in Steam Early Access on March 5. While players are ecstatic, rival studios crafting “Spire-likes” are facing a strategic crisis. At least two games were originally tracking for that same early March window in 2026.

The first, Handmancers, is a first-person deckbuilder that utilizes a strategic rock-paper-scissors combat system. Despite earning “promising” feedback during early previews, developer 58Blades decided that discretion is the better part of valor.

Originally planned for a launch in the first week of March, 58Blades has pushed the game back to an unconfirmed date. The studio candidly admitted that launching alongside the most anticipated sequel in the genre would lead to them being “absolutely crushed,” noting that few players have the budget or time for two major deckbuilders in the same week.

Standing in stark contrast is Grimslair, a deckbuilder where players step into the shoes of the Reaper’s son. Developer ThunderRam Studios had its sights set on March 6—just 24 hours after the STS2 launch. Rather than following 58Blades’ lead, ThunderRam has doubled down, explicitly refusing to move their date. In a defiant social media post, the studio rejected the idea of “hiding in the bushes” or waiting for the hype to die down, opting instead for a “send it” mentality.

While the studio acknowledges that a delay could provide extra time for polish or new features, they aren’t interested in playing it safe. According to their announcement, they would rather launch with confidence than spend months “asking the calendar for permission.”

Image: ThunderRam Studios

This industry-wide fear of “big game” shadows is well-documented. In 2025, numerous Metroidvania projects were postponed to avoid competing with Hollow Knight: Silksong. Similarly, the impending arrival of Grand Theft Auto 6 has quietly reshaped the release strategies of major AAA publishers. Since Slay the Spire effectively pioneered its own niche in 2019, its sequel carries similar weight within the indie sphere.

Whether Grimslair can thrive in the shadow of a giant remains to be seen, but ThunderRam Studios seems fully committed to the gamble, regardless of the outcome.

Source: Polygon