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Development history

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The development history of Deltarune, centered on independent Chapter development. It is documented via deltarune.com's status updates, the Newsletter, interviews, social media posts from Toby Fox on Bluesky and Twitter, and the official Undertale/Deltarune Bluesky and Twitter. It also includes public commentary from the other Deltarune developers.

The development for each Chapter tends to be in certain general phases: developing the Chapter, Japanese localization, and professional bug testing.

Chapter 1

In April 2012, Toby had seen kanotynes's designs for Lancer, Rudinn, Clover, Hathy, and King on her Tumblr, and he had asked for permission to use their designs.[2][3] They were a part of a set of 52 unique playing cards which kanotynes had devised as a project for a design class, with the full set being complete by March 29, 2012.[4]

During 2012, Toby had thought of tracks for this Chapter and potential scenes, though all the tracks ended up being recycled for Undertale. This includes Heartache, sans., Nyeh Heh Heh!, and Bonetrousle. Heartache was originally titled as "Joker Battle", with its name indicating it was Jevil's battle theme.[5] Nyeh Heh Heh! was Lancer's theme,[6] Bonetrousle was the battle theme for general encounters,[7] and sans. was titled muscles, and was composed for a potential gym scene with Rudinns in Card Castle.[8]

After Undertale's success in September 2015, Toby developed Chapter 1 by himself. kanotynes's designs for Lancer, Rudinn, Clover, Hathy, King, Jevil, and the uncredited Former Kings were used.[9] Temmie Chang, who previously worked on Undertale, also worked on Deltarune's first Chapter. She contributed more graphics than she had for Undertale. Temmie is credited as "Main Artist, Animator, & Cleanup" on Background, Overworld, Battle, Sepia and Menu Art.

During development, Toby had also begun properly learning Japanese to help with smoother translations and occasionally offered ideas, such as the first person pronouns used by Susie and Lancer.[10] Keiko Fukuichi, a translator at 8-4, Ltd. who also worked on Undertale, translated the game into Japanese.[11] At some point, Toby found Laura Shigihara through Kan Gao's game, To the Moon, and had asked her to sing and arrange the Don't Forget ending ballad.[12]

SURVEY PROGRAM screenshot license agreement.png
SURVEY_PROGRAM's license agreement

On October 30, 2018, Toby posted on his official Twitter, and emphasized people who completed Undertale should check the official Undertale twitter 24 hours later.[13] The official Undertale Twitter also had a similar post which was a few minutes earlier than Toby's, and was the first instance of the voice's uppercase dialogue on social media.[14] Around the time period, Toby made another post, mentioning that it is "cold", with his description alluding to the introduction sequence.[15] On the official Undertale twitter, the voice had responded in separate posts, before sharing the official deltarune.com website.

As such, the game's folders and shortcuts are named "SURVEY_PROGRAM" by the installer, although the actual game executable is called "DELTARUNE". Toby Fox stated he really wanted players to believe the game was related to Undertale, so he tried to imitate Undertale at the beginning of Deltarune, even going as far as making two different choice menus.[16]

Players were asked to refrain from discussing what was in the game, or even what it was, for twenty-four hours after the release. On November 1, 2018, Fox made the Chapter's soundtrack available on Bandcamp.

After the release of Chapter 1, Toby would link to a post on TwitLonger with his thoughts on Chapter 1, made preemptively before its release.[17][18]

There was no projected timeline for the game's release or information about what platforms it would support in total, and Toby stated that some things about Chapter 1 may be changed prior to a full-game release.[19][20] Development updates were somewhat sparse prior to Chapter 2's release, being mostly relegated to a single post yearly (coinciding with Undertale's anniversary), though the game was actively being worked on.[21]

Chapter 1 artwork.jpg
Promotional art of Susie, Kris, and Ralsei in front of a Dark Fountain, for Chapter 1's console release[22]

Post Chapter 1's PC release, 8-4, Ltd. published the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 Chapter 1 demo in 2019. These versions have programming by returning programmer Sarah O'Donnell, who handles the console ports for Deltarune starting from 2019.[23] Similarly to Undertale's console release, Temmie also created the optional borders for the console versions of Deltarune.[24]

Chapter 2

On September 15, 2019, Toby released a series of posts on Twitter on Chapter 2's progress. These included previews of Lost Girl[25] and WELCOME TO THE CITY[26], and concept art of Susie.[27] He also expressed confidence in the game's design as it is written in his notes.[28]

On September 15, 2020, Toby Fox released a status update on Chapter 2 and future Chapters on Deltarune's website. In March 2019, Toby attempted investigating alternative engines to GameMaker before deciding to go back to it, believing it to still be the best fit for the project. The time spent searching had also given him more ideas to improve the story and characters.[29]

Development of Chapter 2 would begin in proper on May 2020. In the same update, he posted rough estimates for the completion of Chapter 2 and future Chapters, announced he now had a team helping him develop the game, and that he was looking for applicants to help develop Chapter 3 onward. On September 16, 2020, Toby edited the update to announce he had already received 1000 applications and would begin looking through them.[30]

On September 15, 2021 during a YouTube livestream celebrating Undertale's 6th Anniversary it was announced that Chapter 2 of Deltarune would release on September 17, 2021 for PC and Mac.

Chapter 3

Following the release of Chapter 2, Toby Fox stated that Chapter 3, Chapter 4, and Chapter 5 would be released as a single paid title once completed.[31]

In May 2022, Toby made an additional comment to a Deltarune concept art tweet, stating that development for Chapters 3-5 was going well, and he had hired more people to help with the game's development.[32]

On September 15, 2022, Toby announced a development update, reaffirming the steady progress and showcased screenshot and music previews for Chapter 3. At the end of the post, he revealed the Spamton Sweepstakes event, a twenty-four hour charity/auction campaign that included Deltarune-related items, teasers, and pre-game anecdotes.[33] During this, he revealed a number of sound effects used in Chapter 3: /blink/ teased Susie awakening in TV World, /d_a_m_n_y_o_u_t_e_n_n_a/ plays a static sound heard throughout much of the Chapter, /secret/ contains many of the crowd sound effects, and /changingroom/ shows a Shadowguy rolling up their socks that later appears in the S-rank changing room.

Progress updates for Chapter 3 were primarily shared through Newsletters starting in 2023. In ISSUE 2 - Spring 2023, Toby informs that the team is focusing on completing Chapter 3, and that the translation process is about to begin.[34] In ISSUE 3 - Summer 2023, Toby reveals that Chapter 3's final overworld, TV World, has begun. Toby compared TV World akin to Chapter 1's Card Castle and Chapter 2's Queen's Mansion. Toby also mentions that the TV WORLD song for this area was composed back in 2016.[35] Additionally, Toby admits that unlike Chapter 1 and 2, Chapter 3 has more focus on "unusual gameplay elements" than story.[36] In ISSUE 4 - Autumn 2023, Toby details that some sections were restructured. The team considered a stealth sneaking section for certain areas, but during concepting, they realized that it would not be entertaining. Toby supplies the unused song, sneaking in the newsletter.

In the Halloween 2023 mini-newsletter, Toby states that Chapter 3 is complete in terms of dialogue and gameplay. In ISSUE 8 - Holiday 2024, Toby shares a professional testing note for Chapter 3. The tester praises that finding all the details was enjoyable, though criticizes that the longer segments lack SAVE Points. However, the long segments were also enjoyable. Toby acknowledges this, and that for one long segment, it is also "rumored to be fun..."[37] A screenshot of an English to Japanese translations was also featured, which was of intentional typos similar to writing for ICE-E's P"E"ZZA. Additionally, a May 2025 official Bluesky[38] and Twitter[39] post revealed that extra effort was put into making the lyrics function for Rock Video.

Chapter 4

Following the release of Chapter 2, Toby Fox stated that Chapters 3, 4, and 5 would be released as a single paid title once completed.[31]

In May 2022, Toby made an additional comment to a Deltarune concept art tweet, stating that development for Chapters 3-5 was going well, and he had hired more people to help with the game's development.[32]

In the ISSUE 3 - Summer 2023 Newsletter, Toby considers Chapter 4 to be a standard Chapter compared to Chapter 3.[40] In the Halloween 2023 mini-newsletter, Toby announced that he intends to release Deltarune for purchase once Chapter 4 is completed. He also has hired Robert Sephazon as a producer to help speed up the game development process for future Chapters.[41]

In the Spring 2024 mini-newsletter, Toby updates that a few more people were also hired, and that Chapter 4 is on track to meet its internal development deadline.[42] In the Newsletter, Toby lists that cutscenes are nearly complete, encounter flow for bosses needs improvement and polish, ten overworld maps left, and a "complicated gimmick". Toby cites the Cyber World's tea cup rides from Chapter 2 as a "gimmick".[43]

In ISSUE 6 - Summer 2024, Toby states that Chapter 3 and 4 together are longer than Chapter 1 and 2 combined.[44] Toby lists that as of July 23, 2024, that all maps were finished, all battles are playable. However, cutscenes and battles need improvement in some way. Three of Toby's friends have played through the unfinished Chapter 4 in its entirety. In a side note, one of his friends kept suggesting the chairs should be named due to "Chairiel" in the Dreemurr residence, though Toby admits this is unlikely.[45] This friend was later revealed to be Brian Lee.[46]

On Bluesky, Toby announces that bug testing has begun on January 6, 2025, which is depicted with a sprite of Jockington.[47] Toby admits he was hesitant to add SAVE Points to the Light World, but did so anyways due to a tester stating that players will find them convenient.[48] On February 2, 2025, Chapter 4 bug testing and translating was winding down, and console testing would begin the next day.[49] Toby assumes that testers may dislike testing the PlayStation trophies,[50] and mentions that Pluey still needs to be implemented.[51] Pluey was confirmed to be implemented on February 18, 2025.[52] Only a few bugs were found,[53] including a game-crashing bug that involved wearing a hat.[54]

Quests to Release Chapter 3&4

In ISSUE 6 - Summer 2024, Toby revealed a series of "quests" the development team has to complete before Chapters 3 and 4 can be released. Among these was testing a new function in GameMaker LTS called game_change that enables separately launching different games in the engine. A public test of game_change implemented on an updated version of Deltarune Chapter 1&2 was released on November 25, 2024,[55][56] referred to as Deltarune Chapter 1&2 LTS.[57] Work on Chapter 5 has been done in the meantime before game_change's release.[58] Additional quests before Chapter 3 and 4's release include completing the console versions, the Japanese translation, and bugfixes.

In ISSUE 7 - Autumn 2024, Toby Fox confirmed that the development team has met the producer's internal deadline for Chapter 3 and 4's main content, and that he has completed all the work he could do before localization and testing. He additionally announced that anyone not working on localization, console porting, or fixes are now working on Chapter 5, which will be the team's main focus moving forward. On Halloween 2024 for Chapter 1's 6th anniversary, Toby Fox confirmed that Chapters 3 and 4 will "100%" release in 2025, with a more specific release date being dependent on localization and console porting.[59] He also shares a "Roast Chicken" post depicting the Annoying Dog and a sped up version of A DARK ZONE.[60]

In ISSUE 8 - Holiday 2024, Toby Fox talked more openly about game_change and its issues, remarked it seems to "work okay", and announced prior to the newsletter that Version 3 of the test will likely be the last.[61] Toby also expressed that this will not be the last time GameMaker will have to be updated for Deltarune. Chapters 3 and 4 have been completed save for translation and bug testing, and have been put on hold from releasing until those steps are completed. Chapter 3 still requires work on console-related aspects. Chapter 4's first Japanese translation pass was implemented; its final pass will take "some months" before completion and will be pending PC testing afterward, followed by console testing on both Chapters 3 and 4. Recent hires to the development team have been working on Chapter 5 in tandem with the rest of development. Toby reiterated that Chapters 3 and 4 are still releasing in 2025.

In the April 2, 2025 Nintendo Direct, the release date was revealed to be on the Nintendo Switch 2's launch date of June 5, 2025. On the same day, Toby confirmed it is also coming to the rest of the platforms and the PlayStation 5 that same date.[62] Later announcements throughout the day, including a Release Date Newsletter, updates to deltarune.com, and to the Steam page, confirmed that the game will cost $24.99 with future Chapters distributed as free updates, along with other information, new gameplay footage, and screenshots.[63] Toby also states that everyone gets Pluey for free.[64]

On May 8, 2025, Toby sent a Release Time Newsletter, which clarified the release date is June 4th in most of the world, with the exception of Japan, New Zealand, and Australia.[65] This is due to Deltarune releasing on other platforms at midnight on June 5th in Japan Standard Time. The June 5th release date pertained to the Nintendo Switch 2 version. This announcement also mentioned that it may technically be possible for those in New Zealand or Australia to acquire the Nintendo Switch 2 version earlier than intended if they were able to get the console at exactly midnight, with Toby asking anyone who managed to do so not to talk about the game until its proper release time.[66]

Chapter 5

In September 2021, Toby had planned Chapter 5 to release with 3 and 4,[31] though he later changed his mind in October 2023.[67] As of the late end of Chapter 4's development, Toby hired Robert Sephazon to help speed up overall production progress for later Chapters.[41]

Around February 2024, minor development began on Chapter 5.[68] Toby mentioned its development has been steady in July 2024 onwards, with the team working on initial drafts for maps, bullet patterns, etc.[69] By September 2024, team members not working on localization, porting, or fixes were focusing on Chapter 5.[70] With its continued steady development, Toby also informs on December 2024 that the new hires, Enjl,[71] Joost,[72] and Andy Brophy,[73] have been able to work on Chapter 5, while the others focused on bug fixes for previous Chapters.[74]

Annoying Dog as Asgore artwork.png
The Annoying Dog wearing Asgore's shirt from the FALL 2025 Newsletter

In the FALL 2025 Newsletter, Toby admits that he is intentionally vague about what Chapter 5 will be in favor of surprising everyone.[75] He instead shared general development progress: starting areas are mostly complete, most cutscenes are in the "first draft state", and most enemies and boss attacks are complete, but will need arrangement and adjustments. Overall, development has been smooth since the team's expansion, and they have a better idea on the creative process for designing events.[76] In the same Newsletter, he shares an optional Castle Town cutscene as a teaser, featuring the Mikes.

After releasing the v1.05 Steam Beta Branch for the paid release, the entire development team began focusing on Chapter 5 as of late August 2025.[77] At various months, Toby occasionally shared Bluesky posts as partial teasers and updates. On October 2025, he informs of a friend's testimonial of the unfinished Chapter 5, which had left his friend "thinking about it a lot".[78] In a December 2025 post, Toby informs the translation process will begin soon, and shares an annotation sample of the worm's "caked up" phrase.[79]

Green Pippins overworld relax.png
Green Pippins relaxing

In the WINTER 2025 Newsletter, Toby provided more progress for Chapter 5: the localization process had started and after reaching its final stages, testing will begin with a professional testing team, all the rooms in the game are more or less done, but still need a minimal amount of polishing to the background. Almost all of the scenes have been completed, but still need some more minimal visual polish, and most of the battles are done, except for some. Toby also included another video, which is a continuation of the first video from the FALL 2025 Newsletter, which also features Tenna.

Toby continued to share updates via Bluesky posts. In a February 2026 post, Toby mentioned that the first draft of the Japanese translation of Chapter 5 will be received in the next week, and the team has been working on polishing the Chapter and preliminary internal bug testing on the PC version of the game. Heavier bug testing across all platforms will begin when the Japanese translation is complete.[80]

In a March 17, 2026 post, Toby states that professional testers are familiarizing with the game, with formal testing beginning on April 1, with most of the development team moving on from Chapter 5.[81][82]

In a Nintendo Direct on June 9, 2026, Chapter 5's release date was revealed to be June 24, 2026.[83] In social medias, it was later clarified to be a worldwide release at 11:00 AM EDT on the same day.[84][85] Post trailer reveal, Toby explains he wanted the trailer to be minimal to surprise players.[86][87]

Chapter 6

In the FALL 2025 newsletter, released on September 14, 2025, Toby has confirmed that at least one programmer has begun to work on "regular enemy bullet patterns" for Chapter 6.[88]

As of March 17, 2026, most of the development team has moved onto Chapter 6.[81] In the DELTARUNE Chapter 5 Release Date Announcement newsletter, released on June 9, 2026, Toby stated that Chapter 6 has been "developing well": cutscenes and NPC interactions are "making good progress", the overworld gimmicks of the chapter have been created (but a few rooms still need to be made using those gimmicks), normal enemies and their bullet patterns are "mostly complete", and the bullet patterns of the final battle of the chapter are still being worked on. Toby also stated that Chapter 6 is easier to make than the other Chapters, so its development is "going quite fast".[89] Upon the release of Chapter 5, a projected release year was set for 2027.

Upon the release of Chapter 5, it was announced that Chapter 6 is projected to release in 2027. Uniquely, unlike with prior Chapters, this release window announcement was done via the official Steam page description updating, instead of a Newsletter or in-game statement.[90]

Chapter 7

In the DELTARUNE Chapter 5 Release Date Announcement newsletter, released on June 9th, 2026, Toby Fox stated that it is "not unrealistic" that some of the development team will start working on Chapter 7 before the end of 2026.[91]

References

  1. ↑ some draws i drew for latest undertale/deltarune newsletter — August 03, 2024.
  2. ↑ I’D PLAY WITH THESE — fwugradiation on Tumblr, April 05, 2012.
  3. ↑ He contacted me to ask if it was ok to use my designs well before he started work on any game. It’s such ancient history to me now, it feels pretty wild to see them again taking on a life of their own out there. — kanotynes on Tumblr, November 26, 2018.
  4. ↑ The reason I made them in the first place was for my design class though. — kanotynes on Tumblr, March 29, 2012.
  5. ↑ でも、そのとき作った曲のいくつかは、『UNDERTALE』のBGMになりました。たとえば「心の痛み」という曲はもともと「Joker Battle」というタイトルだったし、「Bonetrousle」は戦闘のメインテーマにするつもりだったんですよ。 — 『DELTARUNE Chapter 1』が2/28に配信決定 (Indie World, February 19, 2019.) nintendo.com/jp.
  6. ↑ A famous thing about Papyrus is that his theme song was originally lancer's theme from 2012 Deltarune concept, and his battle theme was also the battle theme from that game concept. - Toby Fox, UNDERTALE 10th Anniversary Stream, Day 1
  7. ↑ papyrus's theme (and its variation) and heartache were boss and battle themes for an rpg game idea i had before but did not do - Toby Fox, Twitter
  8. ↑ UNDERTALE 10th Anniversary Stream - Day 1 (01:59:04) on YouTube
  9. ↑ Third of all, credit for the designs of Lancer, Rudinn, Clover, Hathy, and Jevil goes to @kanotynes , whose unique art has just been inspiring me forever. Actually in a way her art is the inspiration for this game in the first place. — November 02, 2018.
  10. ↑ ちなみに、今年は日本語をちゃんと勉強していたので、今回は日本語版の翻訳をもっと手伝えました。

    例えば、スージィを　「俺使い」、　ランサーを　「僕様使い」　というキャラクターにしたのは僕の発想でした。（ヨホ）     — November 02, 2018.
  11. ↑ The translator, @keiko_fukuichi , did awesome work and I'm really proud of how things turned out. Since she also translated UNDERTALE, it feels like she understands my tone of voice really well now. I'm happy to keep working with her. — November 02, 2018.
  12. ↑ Second of all, the ending song, "Don't Forget", was sung / arranged by Laura Shigihara @supershigi (I found her through Kan Gao's @Reives_Freebird To the Moon). 'Cause of her the ending really feels special...! Also she's just extremely nice and good at music — November 02, 2018.
  13. ↑ For those who completed UNDERTALE it's really important that you check @UNDERTALE 24 hours from now.

    I want to make something new, and it all begins with your feedback.

    A Windows PC / MacOSX PC is needed.     — October 30, 2018.
  14. ↑ RETURN HERE IN [24] HOURS. — October 30, 2018.
  15. ↑ It's cold.

    It's as if everything had been enveloped in a black wind...

    You didn't realize it yet, but... it seems that there's someone who wants to talk to you.     — October 30, 2018.
  16. ↑ UNDERTALE 6th Anniversary So We Play DELTARUNE Chapter 1 For Some Reason - LIVE! (41:38) on YouTube
  17. ↑ Here are my thoughts on Ch 1 of Deltarune. This should answer some questions. — November 02, 2018.
  18. ↑ DELTARUNE Chapter 1について、僕の考えをまとめました。プレイしおわった皆さんが疑問に思っていることも、これを読めばおおかた解決すると思います。 — November 02, 2018.
  19. ↑ "It's October 4th. The DEMO (first chapter) of my game is supposed to come out on Halloween.

    Actually it was done a little while ago but I'm waiting for the translation to be finished.

    I feel like I should address what I think people will think before the game comes out.

    Of course, if I'm all wrong about this, then I just wasted my time, but..."     — Toby Fox. "Here are my thoughts on Ch 1 of Deltarune. This should answer some questions.". TwitLonger. November 02, 2018. Archived from the original on August 15, 2024. Retrieved June 24, 2026.
  20. ↑ "これを書いている今は、10月4日です。10月31日（ハロウィーンの日）に、僕が作ったゲームのデモ（最初のチャプター）が、リリースされることになっています。

    制作自体は少し前に終わっていて、今はローカライズ作業の完了待ちです。

    ゲームがリリースされる前に、皆さんから届きそうな質問を想定して、あらかじめお答えしておこうかな、と思います。

    ま、そんな質問する人がいなければ、時間のムダですけども…"     — Toby Fox. "DELTARUNE Chapter 1について、僕の考えをまとめました。プレイしおわった皆さんが疑問に思っていることも、これを読めばおおかた解決すると思います。". TwitLonger. November 02, 2018. Archived from the original on August 07, 2024. Retrieved June 24, 2026.
  21. ↑ If you ever wonder what I'm doing, I'm vibrating rapidly and working on my game. Every year it doesn't come out I shake more. I don't want it to take too long, but after a few more years I can clip into the floor while doing an ollie and earn tons of points, so it's not all bad — February 26, 2020.
  22. ↑ DELTARUNE Chapter 1 is now available to download for free on Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4! Feel free to check it out! — March 01, 2019.
  23. ↑ aw yes! now that it’s been announced I can finally share that I’m handling both the Switch and PS4 ports of Deltarune (*´∇｀*) (enlisted by 8-4, naturally) — February 14, 2019. Archived on September 13, 2020.
  24. ↑ oh btw i drew borders for this and such like featured here🚴‍♀️ — February 15, 2019.
  25. ↑ Lost Girl (Noelle) — September 15, 2019.
  26. ↑ 🎵Welcome to the CITY🎵. — September 15, 2019.
  27. ↑ Anyway here's some drawings I did. That's all for UT's birthday, on which I only tweeted about DR. — September 15, 2019.
  28. ↑ The design of the actual game and the specifics of what happen are going really well. I have a lot of confidence in the game that is currently written in my notes. At least, I think people that enjoy the things that I make, will enjoy it. That's all I'm ever aiming for. — September 15, 2019.
  29. ↑ I feel very confident. And the strange thing is, even though we ended up using the original engine, I don't regret the lost time, either. Not only was I still busy designing the game, but during that long period, I was able to think of many ideas that make the game's story and characters better. — DELTARUNE Status Update - Sept 2020 (Fox, Toby, September 15, 2020.) deltarune.com.
  30. ↑ UPDATE 9/16: Amazingly, we already received 1000 applications of various types. We'll look these over now. Thank you everyone for the applications! — DELTARUNE Status Update Sept 2020 (Fox, Toby, September 15, 2020.) deltarune.com.
  31. 1 2 3 My next goal is to complete Chapters 3, 4 and 5 for next time. Then, at that time I will ask for people to buy the game, at the price of the first 5 chapters (including 1 and 2). — DELTARUNE Status Update Sept 2021 (Fox, Toby, September 18, 2021.) deltarune.com.
  32. 1 2 By the way, the game development is going well I'm getting more and more people to help recently, I have good feelings about it — May 17, 2022.
  33. ↑ But as a treat to those fans who got a little something burning in their spacious pockets, this year we're creating a specil event -- SPAMTON SWEEPSTAKES, a SUPER SPECIL prize sweepstakes / charity auction starting Saturday 12PM PDT and running for 24 hours right here on deltarune.com ! And don't worry -- it will have content for Spamton Lovers and Haters alike! — DELTARUNE Status Update Sept 2022 (Fox, Toby, September 15, 2022.) deltarune.com.
  34. ↑ We are mainly focusing on completing Chapter 3!

    The translation process for Chapter 3 is getting really close to starting! Actually, I haven't told the translator this so she'll learn this when translating this text. Have fun with that one     — ISSUE 2 - Spring 2023, Undertale/Deltarune Newsletter (Fox, Toby, March 31, 2023.) toby.fangamer.com.
  35. ↑ As for Chapter 3, we're finally creating the final overworld area. You could think of it like the "Queen's Castle" or "Card Castle", but for this chapter. With this complete, the chapter will finally be playable all the way through...! (Fun Fact: I composed the song for this area in 2016...) — ISSUE 3 - Summer 2023, Undertale/Deltarune Newsletter (Fox, Toby, June 30, 2023.) toby.fangamer.com.
  36. ↑ As you can tell, this chapter is shaping up to be a pretty strange one. I mostly focused on unusual gameplay elements, and it's not too heavy on the story. Since it's so frivolous, I feel a bit self-conscious about it... but, at least I got to try something different! — ISSUE 3 - Summer 2023, Undertale/Deltarune Newsletter (Fox, Toby, June 30, 2023.) toby.fangamer.com.
  37. ↑ That seems like a fair assessment. there is a long section where you cannot save, but, it's also rumored to be fun... (noyo-yo, noyo-yo) (dog twiddling realistic human thumbs) — ISSUE 8 - Holiday 2024, Undertale/Deltarune Newsletter (Fox, Toby, December 18, 2024.) toby.fangamer.com.
  38. ↑ --> Don't sweat the difficulty. As long as you keep trying, you'll get it eventually.
    --> By the way, we put a lot of effort into making the lyrics work, but they're more or less impossible to read while you're playing...     — @undertale.com on Bluesky, May 25, 2025.
  39. ↑ --> Don't sweat the difficulty. As long as you keep trying, you'll get it eventually.
    --> By the way, we put a lot of effort into making the lyrics work, but they're more or less impossible to read while you're playing...     — May 26, 2025.
  40. ↑ Anyway, Chapter 4 will be a much more standard chapter! — ISSUE 3 - Summer 2023, Undertale/Deltarune Newsletter (Fox, Toby, June 30, 2023.) toby.fangamer.com.
  41. 1 2 Chapter 4 already has a very substantial amount of cutscenes and enemy work done. Also, I've hired a new producer whose entire job it will be to speed up the overall game development for future chapters. — Halloween 2023, Undertale/Deltarune Newsletter (Fox, Toby, October 31, 2023.) toby.fangamer.com.
  42. ↑ Chapter 4 development is going better than ever. We are on track to meet our internal deadline. The new hires are already making a great difference to improve the atmosphere and feel of the chapter. I feel really good about this, champ. — Spring 2024, Undertale/Deltarune Newsletter (Fox, Toby, May 16, 2024.) toby.fangamer.com.
  43. ↑ A kind of complicated gimmick nearly has all of its iterations made. Then there's whatever needs to go in those 10 maps, and one more thing. (A gimmick is something like the teacup ride from Chapter 2.) — Spring 2024, Undertale/Deltarune Newsletter (Fox, Toby, May 16, 2024.) toby.fangamer.com.
  44. ↑ I'm not sure if Chapter 2 is still the longest chapter, but Chapter 3 & 4 together are definitely longer than Chapter 1 & 2 combined. Thinking about that is kind of crazy… — ISSUE 6 - Summer 2024, Undertale/Deltarune Newsletter (Fox, Toby, July 30, 2024.) toby.fangamer.com.
  45. ↑ All of them liked it and didn't have any major criticisms. Phew! (Except for one friend, who kept mentioning that I should name all of the chairs because the existence of "Chairiel" implies that all the other chairs should have names as well... I'm probably not going to do that...) — ISSUE 6 - Summer 2024, Undertale/Deltarune Newsletter (Fox, Toby, July 30, 2024.) toby.fangamer.com.
  46. ↑ very funny thing i forgot about is i was that friend — June 05, 2025.
  47. ↑ Happy New Year, friends! Deltarune Chapter 4 now being bug tested by a professional team on PC. — @tobyfox.undertale.com on Bluesky, January 06, 2025.
  48. ↑ Translation: The text and implementation are done, working on fixing some last issues.

    Testing: Still ongoing. One tester said "players will find it very inconvenient that you cannot save or load in the Light World"... I was initially resistant, but I decided to add Save Points there in Chapter 4.     — @tobyfox.undertale.com on Bluesky, January 20, 2025.
  49. ↑ Ch4 PC Testing / Translation: Winding down. No longer looking for new issues, only fixing and checking remaining ones.

    Console Testing: Starts tomorrow. The goal is to test Chapter 1,2,3,4 on all platforms (PC,Mac,Switch,PS4,PS5)     — @tobyfox.undertale.com on Bluesky, February 02, 2025.
  50. ↑ PlayStation makes it a requirement to have trophies (achievements), so those will be one of the things that have to be tested.

    I don't think they're going to like testing the trophies though     — @tobyfox.undertale.com on Bluesky, February 02, 2025.
  51. ↑ Still console testing. There are fewer bugs, but there's a lot to go through. (Haven't even tested PS5 yet)

    In addition to fixing Ch3/Ch4, we also still need to implement Pluey     — @tobyfox.undertale.com on Bluesky, February 17, 2025.
  52. ↑ We implemented Pluey. — @tobyfox.undertale.com on Bluesky, February 18, 2025.
  53. ↑ They only reported 1 bug yesterday (we've received over 500 individual reports since we started testing Chapter 3 PC)

    Feels like they're slurping the last drops of soda from between the ice cubes now     — @tobyfox.undertale.com on Bluesky, March 03, 2025.
  54. ↑ Wearing a hat crashes the game (we fixed it)

    Tomorrow we start testing Playstation 5     — @tobyfox.undertale.com on Bluesky, February 24, 2025.
  55. ↑ Good evening. We are preparing a new build for DELTARUNE Chapter 1+2 using the latest version of GameMaker LTS. Starting next Monday, you can help us test if you are interested. (11/25 USA time) Ideally, there are no changes from the current version. — November 21, 2024.
  56. ↑ We are testing a new command to switch Chapters in Deltarune Chapter 1&2 to see if it's compatible with all computers. If you'd like to help, please see the attached images. Report any issues (if it doesn't work...) with this Google form. Thanks! — November 25, 2024.
  57. ↑ DELTARUNE CHAPTER 1 + 2 LTS VERSION

    Another patch has been uploaded to Steam and Itch to fix more issues. Feel free to check it out (if you really want to.)     — December 09, 2024.
  58. ↑ We got the new version of LTS but for some reason it's not recognizing saved files in specific scenarios when using game_change. Waiting on a response now. Working on Ch5 everyday. — October 26, 2024.
  59. ↑ I'm very eager to show you what we've made since 6 years ago.

    The specific time is still relying on localization and console porting.

    Please hear me clawing at the door trying to escape the shallow coffin I have been buried in.     — @tobyfox.undertale.com on Bluesky, October 31, 2024.
  60. ↑ (video) — @tobyfox.undertale.com on Bluesky, October 31, 2024.
  61. ↑ It's likely there won't be another version unless GameMaker updates again to change game_change() — December 09, 2024.
  62. ↑ DELTARUNE Chapters 1-4 will be released on June 5th as a launch title for Nintendo Switch 2! It's also coming to Steam, Switch, PS4, and PS5 the same day! — April 02, 2025.
  63. ↑ UNDERTALE / DELTARUNE NEWSLETTER: DELTARUNE CHAPTERS 1-4 RELEASE DATE ANNOUNCEMENT - fangamer.com
  64. ↑ And -- just to clarify for the cats in the back -- no matter what version you buy, EVERYONE gets PLUEY -- for FREE!!! — DELTARUNE CHAPTERS 1-4 RELEASE DATE ANNOUNCEMENT, Undertale/Deltarune Newsletter (Fox, Toby, April 02, 2025.) toby.fangamer.com.
  65. ↑ Anyway, the takeaway is that if you're reading this in English, there's a good chance you'll actually be able to get the game on JUNE 4th! — DELTARUNE CHAPTERS 1-4 RELEASE TIME ANNOUNCEMENT, Undertale/Deltarune Newsletter (Fox, Toby, May 08, 2025.) toby.fangamer.com.
  66. ↑ (If you're in New Zealand or Australia and are getting the Switch 2 version of DELTARUNE, you will be able to get the game a couple hours earlier if you happen to get your Switch 2 exactly at midnight. But, for convenience's sake, we're just going to ignore you guys and pretend that the game is not out... Meanwhile, don't say anything about it please.) — DELTARUNE CHAPTERS 1-4 RELEASE TIME ANNOUNCEMENT, Undertale/Deltarune Newsletter (Fox, Toby, May 08, 2025.) toby.fangamer.com.
  67. ↑ My original plan was to release Chapter 3, 4, and 5 together. However, the finish line of Chapter 5 is still pretty far off... and I don't think anybody really wants to wait that long to release anything. Especially me. — Halloween 2023, Undertale/Deltarune Newsletter (Fox, Toby, October 31, 2023.) toby.fangamer.com.
  68. ↑ As mentioned last time, the team is now mainly focusing on Chapter 4, with some minor work being done on Chapter 5. — ISSUE 5 - Winter 2024, Undertale/Deltarune Newsletter (Fox, Toby, February 14, 2024.) toby.fangamer.com.
  69. ↑ Initial development of Chapter 5 is also progressing steadily. Most of the team is still focusing on Chapter 4, but a few people are going ahead and creating an initial draft of Chapter 5's maps, working on bullet patterns, etc. — ISSUE 6 - Summer 2024, Undertale/Deltarune Newsletter (Fox, Toby, July 30, 2024.) toby.fangamer.com.
  70. ↑ Anyone not working on localization, console porting, or fixes, is now working on Chapter 5. This will be the main focus for us moving forward. — ISSUE 7 - Autumn 2024, Undertale/Deltarune Newsletter (Fox, Toby, September 14, 2024.) toby.fangamer.com.
  71. ↑ Enjl - Handled the Titan Tower and a few overworld rooms in Chapter 4, all the Switch 2 exclusive content, and Pluey. Now the main overworld programmer of Chapter 5. — CHAPTER 3 and 4 LOOK BACK! (Fox, Toby, December 18, 2025.) toby.fangamer.com.
  72. ↑ Joost - He did the tiling and assembled visual and background details for Chapter 4 and Chapter 5! — CHAPTER 3 and 4 LOOK BACK! (Fox, Toby, December 18, 2025.) toby.fangamer.com.
  73. ↑ Andy - He created 3 Michaels, and the games Jongler & Battat. Now working on things even he doesn't even know what they are. Created the game Knuckle Sandwich. — CHAPTER 3 and 4 LOOK BACK! (Fox, Toby, December 18, 2025.) toby.fangamer.com.
  74. ↑ Some team members had to focus on Chapter 1, 2, and 3 bugfixes for a while, but our more recent hires have able to work on Chapter 5 during that time, so progress has still been steady! — ISSUE 8 - Holiday 2024, Undertale/Deltarune Newsletter (Fox, Toby, December 18, 2024.) toby.fangamer.com.
  75. ↑ Instead, let's talk about Chapter 5!

    Some of you might be wondering what kind of Chapter it is...

    Well, right now, there is no reason to tell you that...

    Both of us like surprises, right?     — UNDERTALE DELTARUNE NEWSLETTER FALL 2025, Undertale/Deltarune Newsletter (Fox, Toby, September 14, 2025.) toby.fangamer.com.
  76. ↑ With Chapter 3&4, there were some creative "hurdles" which made developing parts of the game difficult. How to do the Boards of Chapter 3, how to design the events in Noelle's house, etc.

    Once we got past those hurdles and expanded the team, everything went much more smoothly.

    Chapter 5 was not without hurdles! But... we already passed all of the obvious ones, so there's little to get in our way now! We just need to keep making the game.     — UNDERTALE DELTARUNE NEWSLETTER FALL 2025, Undertale/Deltarune Newsletter (Fox, Toby, September 14, 2025.) toby.fangamer.com.
  77. ↑ We are not working on any other patches at this time. Instead, we want to concentrate all of our resources on completing Chapter 5.

    We would like to give a progress update on the status of Chapter 5 next month (September 2025) via a newsletter.     — @undertale.com on Bluesky, August 25, 2025.
  78. ↑ I had a friend play through an early unfinished version of Chapter 5!

    Their testimonial was "I am still thinking about it a lot and want to play it more and it's kawaii when toby is worried about if it's good enough"     — @tobyfox.undertale.com on Bluesky, October 27, 2025.
  79. ↑ Now that's Winter, I'm thinking about NEWSLETTER. But I haven't written anything for one yet...

    Right now, my energy is going towards preparing Chapter 5 for localization. The translation process begins next week. We have extracted all the English text and we are now annotating it.
    https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_fullsize/plain/did:plc:vshnclkqqguyg6xcz6q7g65k/bafkreie7uq5hwkgmr3fl4w4s3cfqd4h5snclsqtewajppj6tz2gbsyxxca@jpeg     — @tobyfox.undertale.com on Bluesky, December 01, 2025.
  80. ↑ We'll receive the first draft of the Japanese translation of Chapter 5 next week!

    Meanwhile, we've been polishing the game and doing some preliminary internal bugtesting on PC. Heavy bugtesting across every console will happen when the Japanese translation is done.     — @tobyfox.undertale.com on Bluesky, February 10, 2026.
  81. 1 2 The professional testers are familiarizing themselves with the game now. They begin formally testing on April 1st.

    Japanese translation quality assurance is projected to be completed in April.

    Outside of addressing bugs and translation, most of the development team has moved on from Chapter 5.     — @tobyfox.undertale.com on Bluesky, March 17, 2026.
  82. ↑ The actual testing period will last for an indefinite amount of time. After that, the game needs to get approved on consoles and we need to do various other things to prepare for release.

    That'll be all from me on this subject for a while...     — @tobyfox.undertale.com on Bluesky, March 17, 2026.
  83. ↑ DELTARUNE – Nintendo Direct 6.9.2026 on YouTube
  84. ↑ DELTARUNE Chapter 5 will be released on June 24th at 11:00AM EDT. — June 09, 2026.
  85. ↑ DELTARUNE Chapter 5 will launch simultaneously worldwide on all platforms on June 24 at 11:00am EDT. — DELTARUNE Chapter 5 Release Date Announcement Newsletter (Fox, Toby, June 09, 2026.) Fangamer.
  86. ↑ I want to surprise people playing the Chapter for the first time, so I avoided showing the most exciting moments. (Which, is the opposite of what you should do in a trailer...) — DELTARUNE Chapter 5 Release Date Announcement Newsletter (Fox, Toby, June 09, 2026.) toby.fangamer.com.
  87. ↑ There were many trailer-able moments I did not put in the trailer... I just think it's better if you experience it all for yourself! — @tobyfox.undertale.com on Bluesky, June 09, 2026.
  88. ↑ Regular enemies are mostly done. One programmer is already working on the regular enemy bullet patterns of Chapter 6. — UNDERTALE DELTARUNE NEWSLETTER FALL 2025, Undertale/Deltarune Newsletter (Fox, Toby, September 14, 2025.) toby.fangamer.com.
  89. ↑ Chapter 6 is developing well. [...] This Chapter is easier to make than the others, so the development is going quite fast. — DELTARUNE Chapter 5 Release Date Announcement Newsletter (Fox, Toby, June 09, 2026.) toby.fangamer.com.
  90. ↑ Then when's Chapter 6?
    We are aiming for a 2027 release!
     — Deltarune on Steam (Toby Fox, June 24, 2026.) Steam.
  91. ↑ This sounds crazy, but it’s not unrealistic that some staff members may start working on Chapter 7 before the end of the year. — DELTARUNE Chapter 5 Release Date Announcement Newsletter (Fox, Toby, June 09, 2026.) toby.fangamer.com.
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