Hinterland Delays Blackfrost to 2027 to Double Down on The Long Dark

By Ryan Messina Gaming News
1 September 2026 no comments

Why is The Long Dark Developer Delaying Blackfrost?

Hinterland Studio delayed the early access launch of Blackfrost to 2027 to adapt to an unstable gaming industry. The developer noted that shifting market conditions and geopolitical complexities prompted the delay.

Player preference for familiar games also pushed the studio to reallocate staff to support the original survival game instead of risking a new launch.

Hinterland detailed this strategy in an official August development diary published on Steam. Studio founder Raphael van Lierop explained that players currently dedicate the majority of their time and money to established titles rather than risking purchases on new intellectual properties.

Blackfrost development remains active despite the reallocation of resources. A dedicated internal team continues to refine the core systems of the sequel. Hinterland plans to reveal the first official gameplay footage for Blackfrost before the end of this year. The studio rejected multiple funding offers from publishers to maintain complete creative independence.

HINTERLAND STUDIO SHARES FUTURE PLANS FOR THE LONG DARK AND SEQUEL BLACKFROST!

A dedicated team works on Blackfrost while original survival game support continues in parallel.

Key details:
– Blackfrost: The Long Dark 2 gameplay reveal planned before year-end, followed by… pic.twitter.com/mKXabvTnhH

— Alexandr Im (@imm_foundry) August 30, 2026

What New Content is Coming to The Long Dark Survival Mode?

The Long Dark Survival Mode will receive three distinct development streams over the next two years. Hinterland plans to deliver free core updates alongside two brand-new paid downloadable content packs.

These updates aim to sustain the studio financially while development on the sequel continues. Core updates will integrate highly requested items from Wintermute Episode Five into the sandbox mode. Players can expect to find the shotgun and the crank lamp in future survival runs.

The development team also promised long-awaited quality of life improvements, enhanced custom settings, and official mod support.

The first paid DLC will follow the episodic structure established by the Tales from the Far Territory expansion. Hinterland kept details regarding the second DLC hidden, noting only that it will introduce novel elements to the survival experience.

Will The Long Dark Increase in Price?

Hinterland is actively considering a price increase for the standalone Survival Mode of The Long Dark. The studio wants to price the upcoming DLCs higher than previous expansions. However, Hinterland refuses to make the add-on content more expensive than the base game itself.

Hinterland currently prices the standalone survival sandbox just under €20. The studio acknowledges the global cost of living crisis but emphasizes the necessity of sustainable funding to support ongoing independent development.

The developer confirmed that future sales will still feature significant discounts. Hinterland intends to offer complete bundles to provide budget-conscious players with accessible entry points into the game.

Also, learn more about the new games releasing this week!

Are Older Consoles Losing Support for The Long Dark?

Hinterland plans to deprecate support for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and the original Nintendo Switch for future DLC releases. The studio aims to focus testing resources on current-generation hardware.

Current-generation consoles presently host 85 percent of the active console player base.

The base game will remain fully playable on older systems indefinitely. Hinterland will notify the community before officially halting development for legacy hardware.

The developer also clarified its stance on the Nintendo ecosystem. Hinterland confirmed it will not drop support for the original Switch until proper support for the Nintendo Switch 2 is actively in place.

Note: Prices and availability may change. Please check the widget below for real-time live prices.

Ryan Messina

A video game enthusiast ever since I first got my hands on a Game Boy. Over the years, I've played many different games across various genres, discovering hidden gems and niche titles along the way. I'm also passionate about technology, always up-to-date with the latest news and insight in the PC and Console market. Ready to share and bring you the latest news !

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