News of the release schedule change came from C#4R4CT3R regarding the project psycho-thriller them. Rain98, which was originally planned to launch in 2025, has now been officially shifted to 2026.
This decision was made not because of fatal technical problems, but to ensure a more mature creative vision. The developers want to ensure that the experience is in line with the high quality standards they are targeting for PC via Steam and consoles.
Key Reasons Behind the Rain98 Delay
In official message, Director Shoon T explained transparently why his team needed the extra time. Since full-scale development began in April 2025, game This has been taken around the world.
The development team brought Rain98 to major events such as BitSummit, PAX East, and Tokyo Game Show. The response received from hundreds of players at these events turned out to have a significant impact on the direction of the game's development going forward.
Shoon T revealed that feedback from players helped sharpen the definition and image of the game in the minds of the development team. This feedback actually opened their eyes that the potential of this game was much greater than previously anticipated.
The C#4R4CT3R team felt confident that they could dig deeper into the narrative aspect. They realized that to reach their full potential, it would take longer than originally scheduled.
Gameplay Expansion and Tokyo 90s Atmosphere
The main goal of a developer is not just to make a game that's over and done with. scene credit scrolling. They want to create an experience that stays with the player for a long time. Their goal is to provide an emotional impact equivalent to iconic scenes in anime or classic movies.
To achieve that standard of quality, the team realized the need to put in extra “soul” and effort. The delay will also mean significant content additions in the full release version.
The demo version that was previously only showcased on a limited basis at various events only featured minigame “part-time job”.
However, Rain98 will bring a wider variety of experiences. This new feature aims to represent daily life in Tokyo in the late 90s.
These new interactive elements are designed not as gimmick only. The developers ensured that each activity would be naturally connected to the character's psychology. This will also reinforce the game's narrative tone and the story's dark, rainy atmosphere.
Community Support and the Future of Rain98
Despite having to wait longer, the enthusiasm for this project has not waned. To date, the game has raised more than 45,000 wishlist on Steam. This figure is a great motivation for the development team, considering the information they have shared so far is still relatively limited.
As a token of appreciation and responsibility for this delay, C#4R4CT3R promises to be more open in communication. You can expect update regular updates on development progress and plans for participation in future events.
They also plan to launch a new demo version through official channels on Steam Community and Discord. Shoon T concluded his message with the belief that this game will be well worth looking forward to.
For those of you who are curious about how it feels to play this game live, the PlayEatSleep Team had a chance to try it out at a previous event. You can read about our experience Rain98 demo at TGS 2025 for a clearer picture.
