Torment: Tides of Numenera Delayed to 2016, Project Lead Leaves the Studio

Changes are afoot for Torment: Tides of Numenera. A new blog post reveals that the PC RPG has been delayed to 2016 and that development manager Kevin Saunders has left the studio altogether. Taking over for Saunders is Chris Keenan, who most recently served as project lead for inXile's Wasteland 2.

Saunders joined inXile in November 2012 and spent the duration of his time at the company as project lead for Tides of Numenera. In that role, he oversaw the game's successful Kickstarter campaign and all aspects of the development team and project. He's now handed over the reigns to Keenan, though it's unclear what Saunders plans to do next outside of inXile.

"I am proud of the project that I'm leaving in capable hands, and while I do not know what I'll do next, I look forward to new challenges and opportunities," Saunders said.

In an effort to "maintain the quality standard" inXile has set for itself, Keenan said the studio will take extra time to make Tides of Numenera all it can be. This means the game is now pegged to launch in 2016 instead of 2015. Keenan did not share a more specific release window for the game.

The game's full launch may not be until 2016, but Tides of Numenera is already playable for some by way of its alpha tests. Keenan thanked fans for their feedback so far, adding that the game's beta is still being readied to launch for more users before the year is out.

"The level art [for the beta] is largely done, and we're making good progress on the general game systems, level design, and UI elements," he said. "We'll keep you posted on the progress of the beta release in the upcoming updates, as we have full intentions on releasing the beta this year."

The Kickstarter campaign for Tides of Numenera cruised past its original funding target in just six hours. It ended April 2013 with more than $4.1 million, which at the time was an all-time record for a video game project on the crowdfunding site. Combined with extra funds kicked in through the game's website, Tides of Numenera has raised more than $4.9 million.

inXile's Wasteland 2 was also funded on Kickstarter, as was the developer's upcoming RPG, The Bard's Tale IV. In other recent inXile news, the studio is opening a new office in New Orleans.