With Annie’s impending release for Skullgirls 2nd Encore right around the corner, we wanted to answer a number of questions that have arisen and provide a complete and thorough overview of what to expect surrounding the release and our plans for the remainder of 2021 (and beyond)!
ANNIE DLC AVAILABILITY
We’re planning to release the Annie DLC in early March on Steam as an “Early Access” release.
After her initial release, we’ll plan to make any needed balance updates until we feel she is in a suitable state for a “final” release, after which we plan to release the final DLC on Steam and Playstation.
While these dates are somewhat in flux, here’s a rough timeline:
NOTE: Yup, your eyes do not deceive you -- Annie Story Mode confirmed! 🤩
SKULLGIRLS 2ND ENCORE - SEASON 1 PASS
In addition to the Annie DLC (and our recent announcement of a brand new character in the works), we are excited to announce the first ever Skullgirls Season Pass!
The Season Pass will (minimally) include:
- DLC: Annie
- DLC: TBA Character 2
- DLC: TBA Character 3
- DLC: TBA Character 4
- Season Pass Exclusive Palette Pack
- DLC: Skullgirls OST (including the new Annie Track)
- DLC: Skullgirls Digital Art Compendium (Fully Updated!)
NOTE: All Character DLC will include the Character, new Stage/Music, Palettes, and full Story Mode.
FUTURE CHARACTERS
Although Character 2, 3 and 4 have already been chosen (!!!), we are exploring ways in which players who have purchased the Season Pass can contribute to the DLC character release order (e.g. via some form of voting system).
Depending on how well the Annie DLC and Season Pass does - we hope to add even more FREE stuff to the Season Pass list, up to and including a FIFTH Brand New Character! We are still working on the details for this, but if this does come to pass, we will also be exploring ways in which players can also participate in the selection process.
BALANCE PATCH
In light of Annie’s inclusion, and ongoing character development in 2nd Encore thereafter, we are planning on including bug fixes, quality of life changes, and balance adjustments along with this DLC release.
These balance changes will be available (via a Beta mode, accessed from within the main retail version of Skullgirls) for free for all Skullgirls players alongside the Early Access release of the Annie DLC.
STEAM STORE UPDATES
Leading up to the release, we are going to be making some updates to the Store on Steam as we make room for these new arrivals. Most notably, this will include consolidating Skullgirls and all pre-existing DLC (including the 2nd Encore Upgrade, all DLC characters, palettes, etc) into one item and retiring the Endless Beta as a separate “game”.
If you have already purchased the 2nd Encore Upgrade on Steam, there will be no applicable change beyond older DLC no longer being listed on the store.
If you currently own the original Skullgirls (without the 2nd Encore Upgrade), congratulations! You just got the 2nd Encore Upgrade for free!
Expect to see these changes roll out on the Steam store before the end of February, before Annie’s Early Access launch.
PRICING
After all of these changes go live and the new DLC is released, the price (in USD) on the store will be as follows:
FAQ
RELEASE DATE
Early March? Why no firm release date?
While we’d love to lock down a final date, due to some external platform dependencies surrounding the release of the update, we’re not able to commit to a specific date at this time. That said, rest assured we plan to release as early in March as possible.
PLATFORM AVAILABILITY
What about Nintendo Switch or ?
Although ideally we would launch any new DLC on all platforms at the same time, unfortunately due to unique technical complications regarding the Nintendo Switch port, Annie will not be immediately available on that platform. We will provide an update as soon as we have an updated timetable on Switch availability.
We are not planning on releasing Annie and/or Season 1 DLC updates for the Xbox 360, PS3, or PS Vita versions. With this update, PS3 and PS Vita will NOT be able to cross play with the updated PS4 version.
What about Xbox One / Series X?
We are interested in bringing Skullgirls to the Xbox One / Series X in the future, but we do not have any further details we can share at this time.
Will 2nd Encore get full crossplay between platforms?
This is something we’re interested in exploring, but it is not a priority for the immediate future.
ANNIE
Who is involved with designing Annie and the new character? What will be included in the balance patch?
Beyond your friendly neighborhood Liam, we’ll be sharing more details about the experienced team who has been hard at work on Annie’s design for 2nd Encore alongside Balance Patch notes as we get closer to her release in early March.
Why isn’t Annie Free DLC like ?
Annie wasn't crowdfunded by the “Keep Skullgirls Growing IndieGoGo” campaign like the original 2nd Encore Characters, as such she will be a standard DLC release.
Will Annie’s Story mode have VO?
Eventually! Due to the logistics associated with recording Story Modes, we are currently planning to record all of the DLC character Story Modes at the same time. As such, although Annie’s Story Mode will launch without VO, we will be adding VO as an update at a later date.
FUTURE CHARACTERS
Will new characters be released on Mobile before 2nd Encore, similar to Annie?
When we developed Annie, our initial focus was fully on getting her ready for mobile with the understanding that a 2nd Encore release was possible, but not guaranteed.
While the exact release dates for the next characters are still TBD, we are building them with the primary goal to release on both Mobile and 2nd Encore ASAP. As such, minimally there should not be as significant of a gap between their release on Mobile and their release in 2nd Encore. Stay tuned for more details!
Can you reveal who the next character is?
Not yet, but we can confirm that their development is already underway. Stay tuned for more details after the Annie DLC launch!
MISC
What kind of updates should we expect for the Digital Art Compendium?
We’ve added a ton of stuff! Annie animation frames/model sheets/move concepts, Talking Heads and full screen art from the mobile Origin Stories, and much much more! We’ll share full details regarding the updated contents alongside our launch.
Will the existing cast get new color palettes in the future?
We have no shortage of ideas for amazing new palettes for the entire Skullgirls roster on both Mobile and 2nd Encore. Stay tuned for more details!
Will Mobile exclusive palettes like Beast King Beowulf be added to 2nd Encore?
There are already a number of palettes that were first introduced in Mobile that were later added to 2nd Encore (e.g. Kill Joy Valentine). I wouldn’t be surprised to see more of those palettes make their way into 2nd Encore someday...
How can I help support the ongoing development of Skullgirls?
Supporting Skullgirls Mobile and 2nd Encore when Annie releases (and also telling your friends, encouraging them to play, entering/spectating tournaments, etc) is the best way to help us continue to grow! Also, if you’d like to leave a nice review about us on your gaming platform(s) of choice it wouldn’t hurt. ᕕ(ᐛ)ᕗ
WRAPPING UP
If you have another question that we haven’t covered here, please respond below and - if we’re able to answer it - we will update this FAQ to the best of our ability.
It’s an exciting time to be a Skullgirls fan! Needless to say, we wouldn’t be here today without all of your passion and boundless support over the years. Thank you all so much for your support - here’s to even more exciting stuff for Skullgirls in 2021 and beyond!
<3
All of us at Hidden Variable and Autumn Games
