{
  "id": 16067580,
  "title": "\"It was crushing how hard it was\" – The chaotic development of Dispatch, and what AdHoc Studio plans next",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/22/it-was-crushing-how-hard-it-was-the-chaotic-development-of-dispatch",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-22T16:15:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "GamesIndustry",
    "slug": "gamesindustry",
    "url": "https://www.gamesindustry.biz/it-was-crushing-how-hard-it-was-the-chaotic-development-of-dispatch-and-what-adhoc-studio-plans-next"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "One year ago today, AdHoc Studio launched the first episode of Dispatch, which went on to become a massive surprise hit of 2025. Since its release, the game has been played by over 5 million people, and celebrations to mark its anniversary include a new commentary and storyboard mode for the deluxe edition, a vinyl soundtrack set and book, a concert in Los Angeles, and a mobile launch on December 9.\n\nHowever, the path to this success was far from easy. AdHoc Studio CEO and co-founder Michael Choung recalls that the release of Dispatch was a time of pandemonium as the studio worked on eight episodes right up until the last minute. They were still learning the ropes of self-publishing and dealing with issues like console certification. Choung admits that it was \"crushing how hard it was\" to navigate these challenges.\n\nThe success of Dispatch surprised everyone in the publishing world. When AdHoc talked to industry professionals, no one saw the game's potential for success. They had initially signed with a publisher, but after just a third of the way through the funding, the publisher dropped them. The studio had to scramble to find the remaining financing before launch. Critical Role stepped in to provide finishing funds, and AdHoc has since supplemented its income with contract work.\n\nChoung attributes Dispatch's success to the well-received characters and their connection with players. He remembers feedback from when the studio was at Telltale, where someone said they wanted to keep playing because they felt like they were hanging out with friends. Dispatch aimed to capture that same vibe, creating distinct characters with clear personalities that players could relate to. Choung emphasizes that it's not the sheer number of choices that matters, but the player's investment in the characters that makes any choice feel significant. He also credits the reach of the game on platforms like Steam and the episodic structure for helping Dispatch reach a large audience.",
  "summary": "Today marks the one-year anniversary of the release of the first episode of Dispatch from AdHoc Studio, which went on to become one of the biggest surprise successes of 2025. Last November, the studio said Dispatch was on track to beat its three-year sales target after just three months . Read more",
  "key_points": [
    "Dispatch launched one year ago, becoming a massive surprise hit in 2025",
    "AdHoc Studio faced pandemonium with eight episodes released last minute",
    "Critical Role funded Dispatch after publisher dropped the studio"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}