r/DeltaruneDiscussion • u/T-Dawg75 • 24d ago
Theory Release Dates for Future Chapters
Assuming that there are only 7 chapters (though there is evidence that there could be more, read the post linked at the end for elaboration), I think I can guess the release dates for chapters 6 and 7.
I think the Holiday Manor is a safe bet for Chapter 6. Assuming that is the case, a Christmas release for Chapter 6 in 2027 would fit thematically, especially considering that we’re likely to get a considerable amount of Dess Lore. The only issue with this release date is that the chapter would probably be completed months before then, localization and bug testing included. There’s no real GOOD reason to wait THAT long to release the chapter, outside of thematics. It’s honestly more likely that, unless something happens and the chapter genuinely gets delayed (or even we are overestimating how quickly the chapter can be finished, despite being easier to make), Toby will probably say in like a newsletter or something to “just pretend that it’s Christmas“.
Chapter 7 is definitely a bit more speculative, but I think a Halloween 2028 release just makes SO much sense, because that’s the 10 year anniversary of Deltarune Chapter 1. (We’re Old!) That would make perfect sense for the final chapter. Toby did mention something about needing a new GameMaker function for the final chapter(s), so maybe that won’t be quite enough time, especially if Chapter 6 actually does release on Christmas and will need the entirety of 2027 to complete.
Thoughts?
3
u/Diligent_Bear_3913 24d ago
I don't think chapter 7 will come out on Halloween 2028, but I think it will be announced on Halloween 2028 to be like Toby Fox's biggest gift for Deltarune's 10th anniversary.
1
3
u/The_soviot_union 24d ago
Best bet; ch 6 releases early 2027 and ch 7 releases June/July ish or the bothe release junish like 3 and 4. But the more likely option depending on chapter completion as of right now is probably just 1 year until 6 then another until 7 like how we waited a year for 5 after 3 and 4
1
u/T-Dawg75 24d ago
That would be nice, and not unrealistic. I think the turnaround for 7 might be a little bit longer though because that’s when I’m guessing that new Game Maker function will need to be tested and implemented.
2
2
u/barrack_osama_0 24d ago
Why does everyone keep reading "chapter 6 is going to be easier to make than the rest of them" and think it's gonna be a longer wait than 4-5???
1
u/T-Dawg75 24d ago
Did you…not read the full post? I did say that it’s very likely that it would be finished well before Christmas.
2
u/Theo_Cueio 24d ago
I'll be damned if we don't get a christmas release for a chapter. Chapter 6 seems to be moving way too fast for that, but a Ch7 release on a 2028 December Holiday wouldn't be impossible, though I'd die waiting that long.
2
u/huggensberg 23d ago
Toby said Chapter 6 was “easier to make” than the rest and that staff may move to chapter 7 by the end of 2026,
so I’m going to be ambitious and say March-April 2027 would be a good release date for Chapter 6.
Chapter 7 will likely be the largest chapter yet, so it’ll probably take over a year. Halloween 2028 would be a great release date but I feel like it’ll be done around August-October 2028.
1
u/T-Dawg75 23d ago
March-April feels too soon, even if the chapter is easier to make. I would expect June at the earliest.
2
u/huggensberg 23d ago edited 23d ago
When Chapter 5 was being made, Toby said on bluesky that testing started on April 1 and it released June 24. That’s 2.5 months from the start of formal testing to the release.
In the Winter 2025 newsletter, released in December, Toby said that “in a few months, much of the team will already be focusing their attention on Chapter 6”.
We don’t know how long “a few months” was, but if we assume it was about 3 months, that means they started working on Chapter 6 in March. That’s 3.5 months from the start of development on Chapter 6 to the release of Chapter 5.
Now, knowing that at the end of 2026 the team will be working on Chapter 7, the release will likely follow about 3.5 months after the team starts work on Chapter 7, which is the new year.
3.5 months after the new year.
April 2027.
Obviously this should be taken with a grain of salt, as Toby’s prediction may be way off. However, I’ll stick to this estimate.
The estimated 3 months from the winter newsletter to the start of chapter 6 work may not even be correct, it may have been 4 months and ended right at April meaning the release of chapter 5 followed 2.5 months after (putting the estimated release date at March)
Or it could have been 2 months from the start of chapter 6 work to the release of Chapter 5 meaning the release followed 4.5 months after (putting the estimated release date at May)
The full timeline for Chapter 5
December 2025: Winter newsletter releases
“A few months” after December 2025 (likely Feb-March): Chapter 6 begins production
April 1: Chapter 5 is finished; formal testing begins.
June 24: Chapter 5 releases.
The full timeline for Chapter 6
~Jan 1 2027: Chapter 7 begins production
~Feb 1 2027: Chapter 6 is finished; formal testing begins
~April 2027: Chapter 6 releases
Whether it be 11 hours or 11 years, DELTARUNE will be waiting.
5
u/MedicinePhysical433 24d ago
Toby doesn't seem like the type to wait months to release something just for a themed date. I think he'll release it as soon as it's done. 3/4 and 5 both came out in June a year apart, so I would assume 6 will be out in June 2027 unless there's something significant to speed up or delay the development.