Back in the summer of 2022, we highlighted an upcoming Xbox Game Pass title called Routine here at Pure Xbox - and for the first time in three years, the game's developers have provided a meaningful update on its progress.
Taking to Steam, they acknowledged it's been a long time since the previous update, and the game is still "very much in active development". However, they don't want to commit to a release window before they're 100% sure of one.
"In short, ROUTINE is still very much in active development, and we are beginning to approach the finish line for the game. We’ve learned a lot from past experiences, one of those is not to commit to a release window before we’re absolutely sure we can hit it. However, we’re confident that we’ll be able to share more news on that front soon."
Routine originally started life all the way back in 2012, and ran into development challenges along the way. Its 2022 re-reveal included the news that DOOM composer Mick Gordon was working on the soundtrack, although he's since left the project due to scheduling conflicts.
Nevertheless, plenty of Gordon's content will apparently make it into the final release:
"We are still a core development team of three, but we have been fortunate enough to gain the support and expertise of additional contributors during the game’s development. We are super thankful to have worked with a variety of awesome and skilled people over the years! One of those people we are grateful for and privileged to have worked with is Mick Gordon.
Mick spent many years working with us on ROUTINE. However, in July 2024 Mick made the difficult decision to leave the project because of conflicts in his schedule. During his time with us, Mick created many outstanding audio assets that will be featured in the final game and provided invaluable audio direction for ROUTINE. These contributions will now be implemented by a new audio designer and team."
So, that's what we've got so far! The team didn't mention anything about release platforms during this development update, but Routine has already been confirmed for Xbox Game Pass, and here's hoping it's not too far away.
When it does finally arrive, it sounds like we're getting a mix of Alien: Isolation and Deliver Us The Moon - a "gripping and atmospheric experience" set amidst an abandoned lunar base with an enemy who believes you're their main threat.
Needless to say we'll be keeping an eye on this one - hopefully we get some release date news later this year.
"ROUTINE is a First Person Sci-Fi Horror title set on an abandoned Lunar base designed around an 80’s vision of the future. Curious exploration turns into a need for survival when a lunar base goes completely quiet. Searching for answers puts you face to face with an enemy who is certain the main threat is you. Discoveries lead to deeper unknowns and the only way to go is forward."