AdHoc Studio’s Dispatch has quickly emerged as a notable success story in 2024. The episodic game, which launched on October 22 with its first two episodes, reached one million copies sold on Steam and PlayStation within just 10 days. As the remaining episodes of the eight-episode season release on November 12, GameDiscoverCo estimates that total sales may be approaching two million units, with roughly 70 to 80 percent coming from Steam. The title’s performance highlights an appetite for narrative-driven, single-player experiences in a market often dominated by multiplayer and live-service games.
While some view this as proof that story-heavy games have a dedicated audience, AdHoc’s approach suggests that careful design and execution were critical in setting Dispatch apart. The studio was founded by several Telltale Games veterans, bringing experience in episodic interactive storytelling. Unlike earlier post-Telltale releases that struggled to find commercial traction, Dispatch demonstrates that narrative-focused games can succeed when they combine strong storytelling with high production quality.
Superheroes and Adult Humor as a Selling Point
Part of Dispatch’s appeal lies in its genre. Superhero narratives, particularly those with darker or more mature themes, continue to attract audiences. Television hits like The Boys and Invincible have shown that viewers are interested in unconventional takes on superheroes, and Dispatch taps into this trend. The game combines workplace comedy with chaotic superpowers, offering a distinct tone that separates it from traditional superhero games. This combination of familiar genre appeal and fresh storytelling helped generate early interest and buzz prior to launch.
Production Values and Global Teamwork
AdHoc invested significant resources in the development of Dispatch, maintaining an internal team of about 30 employees while collaborating with animation studios in Thailand and Canada. Over three years, the studio worked on delivering high-quality animation and visuals, resulting in a polished presentation that stands out among narrative-driven titles released in the post-Telltale era. The game’s visual fidelity and cinematic animation contributed to strong engagement and helped draw attention on digital storefronts, particularly Steam, where presentation plays a key role in discoverability.
Episodic Releases and Audience Engagement
The game’s weekly episode release schedule also contributed to its rapid success. Rather than releasing all episodes at once or spacing them widely apart, AdHoc opted for a cadence similar to traditional television, which maintains player engagement while building anticipation. Michael Choung, AdHoc’s CEO and executive producer, explained that the weekly schedule “hits a sweet spot where anticipation builds, but not long enough to fade.” This approach encouraged discussion among players and kept the game in the spotlight during its early weeks.
Voice Casting and Influencer Impact
Dispatch benefits from a combination of professional voice acting and influencer involvement. Established actors such as Aaron Paul and Jeffrey Wright are featured alongside veteran voice actors like Laura Bailey, providing depth to the story. In addition, creators such as MoistCr1TiKaL and Jacksepticeye helped drive online visibility, with Jacksepticeye’s coverage alone reaching over four million views. The mix of traditional talent and online personalities amplified word-of-mouth promotion, contributing to the game’s early momentum.
Interactivity Balanced with Narrative Focus
Although Dispatch incorporates player choices and mini-games, the game’s main story beats remain linear. Choung emphasized that player engagement comes from emotional investment in the characters rather than branching complexity. By keeping the central narrative intact while allowing players to influence character interactions, the game ensures that key story moments are experienced as intended. This balance between interactivity and cinematic presentation encouraged players to buy and play the game rather than relying on online video coverage to experience it.
The Role of Market Understanding
Beyond creative execution, AdHoc applied strategic marketing practices to support Dispatch’s success. The studio prioritized visual fidelity, optimized its Steam page, and implemented a creator outreach program to encourage organic promotion. These measures, combined with strong storytelling, contributed to the game’s visibility and sales performance. Choung summarized the approach succinctly: “We know how to build great stories, and we know how to identify people that know how to build great stories.” This combination of creative and operational expertise was central to the game’s rapid adoption.
Future Prospects for Narrative Games
Following Dispatch, AdHoc has announced a collaboration with Critical Role to develop an interactive project set in Exandria. The success of Dispatch suggests that episodic, narrative-driven games with high production values and carefully planned release schedules can find a dedicated audience. It also points to broader trends in interactive storytelling, where elements of television pacing, influencer marketing, and player choice converge to create commercially viable experiences.
Source: GameDiscoverCo
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is Dispatch about?
Dispatch is an episodic superhero workplace comedy where players influence character interactions and story outcomes. The game combines humor, action, and mature themes in a narrative-driven format.
How quickly did Dispatch sell 1 million copies?
The game reached one million copies sold across Steam and PlayStation within 10 days of its launch on October 22, 2024.
Who developed Dispatch?
Dispatch was developed by AdHoc Studio, a team that includes several former Telltale Games veterans specializing in interactive narrative design.
On which platforms is Dispatch available?
The game is available on Steam for PC and on PlayStation consoles. The majority of sales have been on Steam.
What makes Dispatch different from other narrative games?
The game combines high-quality animation, mature superhero themes, weekly episodic releases, and a balance between player choice and linear storytelling, creating a unique interactive TV-style experience.
Are there plans for future games from AdHoc?
Yes, AdHoc has confirmed a collaboration with Critical Role to create a narrative-driven game set in the Exandria universe.
Why did the game gain attention from influencers?
The game’s mix of celebrity voice actors and online creators like Jacksepticeye and MoistCr1TiKaL generated early exposure, helping drive online visibility and sales.
