Bravely Default 2 producer Tomoya Asano reveals that the need to work from home had a major impact on the game's development.
In an interview with Japanese magazine Famitsu, Asano explained how the team behind Bravely Default 2 had no remote work plans finalized while Covid-19 restrictions occurred earlier this year. Although Square Enix is now releasing new information about Bravely Default 2 to come soon, the Asano developer has struggled in 2020.
The home-based mandate came into effect in early April and without notice, forcing the developer to plan quickly for the new process. Unpreparedness for the new restrictions hindered the game's development and caused concern. With restrictions eventually lifted in Japan, the team is now able to work in the studio once again, slowly returning to the normal development routine.
Covid-19's impact on the gaming industry was felt by both developers and publishers. Both Sony and Microsoft used livestream ads instead of face-to-face conferences to reveal the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, respectively. The virus has affected EA, Ubisoft and Nintendo's plans for game ads as well. For its part, Square Enix did not have many problems in general, without significant delays in its games, including the official announcement of Final Fantasy XVI.
Meanwhile, Bravely Default 2 was recently rated in Australia, suggesting that the game's release date could come soon. Although no announcements have been made officially by Square Enix, Bravely Default 2 is still scheduled to be released in 2020.
Bravely Default 2 will be released exclusively on Nintendo Switch.