First-person sci-fi horror game Routine is still being worked on and is "beginning to approach the finish line," according to developer Lunar Software. Routine was first revealed all the way back in 2012 and initially had a 2013 release window, though after hitting a number of development roadblocks, Lunar Software decided to shelve the game indefinitely, only to pick development back up again a decade later, in 2022, with the support of indie publisher Raw Fury.
Summer Game Fest 2022 was the site of Routine's surprise reappearance. Its 90-second gameplay trailer impressed sci-fi horror fans with its 1970s-style environments, 80s-inspired tech, and dark, moody atmosphere. The game's scanline-infused aesthetic stood out against the crowd of other big sci-fi horror games being shown off at the time, some at that very same showcase, and it was at the end of this new trailer that Routine confirmed its day one Xbox Game Pass launch.
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Despite a promising reappearance, it's now been three years since, with nothing but radio silence from Lunar Software on Routine, until now. Lunar Software made a short post on Steam giving fans a brief update on the state of the game. Titled "Heartbeat," the post mentions that the development of Routine is going smoothly, and the three-person team is now excitedly approaching the home stretch. Lunar also broke the bad news that acclaimed composer Mick Gordon, known mainly for the explosive Doom (2016) and Doom Eternal soundtracks, parted ways with Routine a year ago, though the team has been permitted to use his work in the final game.
Lunar Software Gives Promising Update on Routine
While some have undoubtedly been displeased with Routine's three years of radio silence, the game was able to get away from the 2022 and 2023 sci-fi horror hotspot, where games like The Callisto Protocol, EA's Dead Space remake, Fort Solis, and others dominated the horror spotlight. With those massive titles out of the way, Routine will surely be able to have an easier time standing out when it releases than back around its 2022 re-reveal. Lunar Software's Steam post didn't give Routine any sort of new release window, but if the studio truly is approaching the finish line as it says, it wouldn't be surprising to see it release sometime in 2026, though this is pure speculation.
With Gamescom Opening Night Live right around the corner and The Game Awards set for the end of the year as usual, there's a chance Routine could appear with a new trailer on either of these stages. It was at a Geoff Keighley event that the game made its reappearance, so Routine popping up at another Keighley show would make sense. The bigger question would be whether the potential new trailer ends with a release date. Perhaps a PlayStation version may also be confirmed, since as of now, Routine is coming only to Xbox and PC.
