By “There was an abundance of experimentation”
Pragmata is finally set to launch for PS5 in 2026, and the journey to this point has been exceptionally lengthy. Recent statements from the developer provide a bit more insight into the reasons for the prolonged development.
Publisher Capcom revealed Pragmata during the 2020 PS5 Future of Gaming event, initially targeting a release in 2022.
Naturally, that did not come to fruition, and it’s now expected to debut four years behind schedule.
In conversation with TheGamer, the game’s director Cho Yonghee elucidated the factors contributing to the prolonged timeline for this sci-fi shooter.
Subscribe to Push Square on YouTube162k
It seems that Pragmata’s foundational idea has remained intact throughout the years; however, incorporating the game’s distinctive hacking puzzle component has proven quite challenging to execute properly.
“It’s a significant factor behind it [the delay]. There was an immense amount of experimentation and back-and-forth just to discover what could fit and what functions best.”
Producer Naoto Oyama elaborates, pointing to the game’s exceptional blend of shooting and hacking elements.
“The combination of the two mechanics, Diana’s hacking and Hugo’s shooting, has been one of the reasons we invested additional time in the project,” he states. “We made sure to take the necessary time to balance everything.”
It sounds as though there was also conflict regarding the presentation, with Yonghee and Oyama unsure about how much screen space to allocate to the hacking during combat.
The developers also reflect on the game’s announcement back in 2020.
“Revealing the game prematurely acted as a source of motivation for us,” Yonghee informs TheGamer. “Had we not shared that trailer at the time, Pragmata could have turned out differently.”
While it has required most of the PS5 era to release the title, we can at least affirm that it is likely to be worth the anticipation.
We’ve had the opportunity to experience it not once but twice, and both instances left us impressed with its innovative design.
Are you eager to finally experience Pragmata in 2026? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
[source thegamer.com]
Stephen has been with the Push Square team for over six years, bringing immense enthusiasm and extensive knowledge of video games to his role as Assistant Editor. Having grown up playing every PlayStation console available, he has developed a diverse taste, with a particular passion for indie titles, arcade racers, and puzzles. He’s also our go-to expert for Sonic-related topics, much to his delight/chagrin.