Are game shadow drops the new norm? I certainly hope so

With the surprise releases of RuneScape: Dragonwilds and Oblivion Remastered in the same month, it seems shadow drops are all the rage right now. And while I've always been one to ride the hype train, I'm finding myself increasingly drawn to this spontaneous approach over the long, drawn-out waits for highly anticipated releases.

Until recently, I was firmly on the side of shadow-drop skepticism. I've always preferred the comfort of knowing what to expect. But after diving into RuneScape: Dragonwilds, I discovered the magic of entering a game with no expectations. It deepened the experience in a way I hadn't anticipated. Almost as if I were stepping into the shoes of my younger self, picking up a game from Blockbuster with no prior knowledge, just eager to see what new adventure awaited.

All this happened because of the shadow drop. Although there was some marketing, there was no countdown or big release date to obsess over. The details were kept tight, leaving everyone curious. The same can be said for The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, which Bethesda dropped with almost no warning. A few rumors, and then—boom—it's here. No hype, no fanfare, just a remastered classic suddenly available to play. As someone who's never played an Elder Scrolls game, this made me more intrigued than any pre-release buildup ever could. Maybe I'm late to the party, but everyone else seems just as surprised as I am, and now I can't help but want to dive in and see what all the buzz is about.

The contrast between shadow drops and long-awaited releases becomes crystal clear when you look at these launches of RuneScape: Dragonwilds and Oblivion Remastered. With shadow drops, you simply receive the game as it is—no early reviews or detailed roadmaps to shape your expectations or opinions. Long-awaited releases, however, often carry the heavy weight of anticipation. The excitement can be electrifying, but it also brings the pressure of a flawless launch. With trailers, leaks, and endless fan theories, the element of discovery is often lost. The beauty of a shadow drop is that it's untouched by this burden. It's pure and immediate, making the entire experience feel more personal. Just a game dropped into your hands, asking nothing more than to be played.

Shadow drops have proven to be more than just bold marketing; they can be wildly successful. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered is a prime example, quickly climbing past 160,000 player sessions on Steam without the usual months of buildup. Of course, some of that success comes from the weight of the Elder Scrolls name. To really understand the strength of the shadow drop model, it helps to look at a title without that kind of legacy. Hi-Fi Rush, another shadow drop from Bethesda, had no long-running series behind it—just a fresh idea and a daring release. Despite flying under the radar, it earned strong critical praise and built momentum fast. Even after the unfortunate layoffs at Tango Gameworks, the game's quality stood out, eventually drawing the attention of PUBG publisher Krafton, who stepped in to give it a second life.

When looking at these examples, surprise game releases tend to perform better when they come from established studios or those with a dedicated fan base. As much as I'd love to see every game receive the attention it deserves, success often hinges on visibility and reputation. Unfortunately, smaller studios may not always have that, no matter how exceptional their games are.

Now, I'm not saying I only want shadow drops, especially as someone who has to be in the know within the gaming industry. Long-awaited releases still pack a punch. Just look at the hype around Grand Theft Auto 6. Sure, the hype can be a double-edged sword, but I enjoy watching the community come together to break down every little detail from a short teaser. Plus, it's not like Rockstar Games has ever let me down, constantly delivering one hit after another.

But since GTA 6 isn't out yet, you can look at the hype that surrounded Red Dead Redemption 2 and how it still delivered when it was finally released. I followed it closely ever since its announcement in 2016, and when it hit stores, I loved it so much that I honestly think it should've won Game of the Year in 2018—no disrespect to God of War.

Shadow drops being as prevalent as long-running publicity campaigns would strike the perfect balance. For too long, game releases have followed the same predictable pattern. While I don't mind that tradition, there's something thrilling about the potential of surprise launches, the same way it worked for titles like Apex Legends, Metroid Prime Remastered, and The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog.

Even if The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered ends up being the last shadow drop of 2025, it still proves that the gaming industry still has a few new tricks up its sleeves after all these years. It might even encourage other developers to take the plunge. Who knows, maybe we'll get a Hollow Knight: Silksong launch when we least expect it or, in my wildest dreams, a Kingdom Hearts 4 release out of nowhere. Either way, the thrill of the unexpected is what keeps us all coming back for more.

The post Are game shadow drops the new norm? I certainly hope so appeared first on Destructoid.