The release of Unchained Chi was complemented by a message from Tetsuya Nomura :

 

KINGDOM HEARTS Unchained χ falls into the earliest part of the KINGDOM HEARTS series chronology, and it is also the story of new beginnings. The main story may progress slowly, but part of the narrative experience is to take the time to tangibly feel other players existing in the same world as you do. By unraveling the mystery behind the era of “fairytales”, and experiencing the truth leading up to the Keyblade War, we believe players will be able to enjoy KINGDOM HEARTS II.8 even more, which is expected to launch this year. And it goes without saying that it will link not only to KINGDOM HEARTS III, but also to what lies beyond.

 

I know some people are skeptical over the release of 2.8 but c'mon. If he knows it's not ready, he wouldn't have said that.

 

Source:

http://www.khinsider.com/news/KINGDOM-HEARTS-Unchained-Now-Available-in-North-America-6420

Expected is a key word here. However, I'm sure all plans will go as expected.

feels like it's going to just barely make the 2016 release, similar to how 2.5 barely made a 2015 release by coming out in December

I have always thought it would come out this year. It would most likely be late, but still. I would say that it is not so much as evidence saying it would be out all around the world by the end of 2016, it's more that I read on here an article of when it was first announced that it will be out around the world in 2016 too. It will take me some digging, but I remember seeing it.

Edited April 7, 20169 yr by KingdomHearts3

I have always thought it would come out this year. It would most likely be late, but still. I would say that it is not so much as evidence saying it would be out all around the world by the end of 2016, it's more that I read on here an article of when it was first announced that it will be out around the world in 2016 too. It will take me some digging, but I remember seeing it.

In the description box of the western version of the latest 2.8 trailer it says:

 

Are you prepared to face Xehanort?

Is there a traitor among us?

What happened to Aqua in the Realm of Darkness?

Do you want to see a sneak peek at Kingdom Hearts III?

Find out more information about all the magical content in Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue, then prepare yourself for a sneak peek at Kingdom Hearts III and an all-new Attraction Flow attack!

The complete Kingdom Hearts saga to date is now in HD! Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue contains the newly remastered Kingdom Hearts Dream Drop Distance, the cinematics from Kingdom Hearts Unchained χ [chi], and a special all new chapter taking place after the events of Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep. Coming 2016!

 

 

 

Edited April 7, 20169 yr by Shinobi Palace

In the description box of the western version of the latest 2.8 trailer it says:

 

Are you prepared to face Xehanort?

Is there a traitor among us?

What happened to Aqua in the Realm of Darkness?

Do you want to see a sneak peek at Kingdom Hearts III?

Find out more information about all the magical content in Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue, then prepare yourself for a sneak peek at Kingdom Hearts III and an all-new Attraction Flow attack!

The complete Kingdom Hearts saga to date is now in HD! Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue contains the newly remastered Kingdom Hearts Dream Drop Distance, the cinematics from Kingdom Hearts Unchained χ [chi], and a special all new chapter taking place after the events of Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep. Coming 2016!

 

 

 

Believe me, I know it is 2016. I am not saying it isn't. I am saying that it was first announced as 2016 for JP and a little later after that, for the world, so it has always been 2016. Evidence is not necessary in my opinion to assure oneself it will be out in 2016. Have faith and trust Nomura will provide.

Believe me, I know it is 2016. I am not saying it isn't. I am saying that it was first announced as 2016 for JP and a little later after that, for the world, so it has always been 2016. Evidence is not necessary in my opinion to assure oneself it will be out in 2016. Have faith and trust Nomura will provide.

Ahh okay man, sorry, I didn't mean for it to sound like I was questioning your intelligence! Oh almighty Kingdom Hearts 3, forgive me

Ahh okay man, sorry, I didn't mean for it to sound like I was questioning your intelligence! Oh almighty Kingdom Hearts 3, forgive me

No big deal. You might have misread what I said or I misstated it.

FFXV releases on September 30, 2016. That is about 4 months and 20-ish days away. And FFXV is SQEX's front runner for this year, with the other major release being 2.8. Since both KH and FF are their strongest IP's, they will want to release them quite a few months away from each other. Hence, I believe Kingdom Hearts 2.8 will be out in the 5 months. It makes sense, because they have a bit of time, and FFXV will be able to be a holiday title, boosting sales required to get that 10 mil units sold.Tell me if you agree or disagree, but I think my theory is pretty plausible, 

 

feels like it's going to just barely make the 2016 release, similar to how 2.5 barely made a 2015 release by coming out in December

Wasn't it 2014? Correct me if I'm wrong.

If it's in 2016, I'll believe it. HD2.8 will be out around the world this year so I believe that by the end of this year, we will have it.

Wasn't it 2014? Correct me if I'm wrong.

It was 2014.

I'm going to wager on a early December release, probably the first week at that.

Wasn't it 2014? Correct me if I'm wrong.

ohhh yea you're right, actually. don't know why i was thinking 2015. my mistake. thanks

There hasn't been enough information about 2.8 yet for me to actually believe it'll come out this year as much as I would like it to. Until they have shown more gameplay or cutscene clips specifically from 0.2 and Back Cover to show their progress it'll be hard to believe that it's near completion. Even on the off chance that it is almost finished, I also think the release date of this game will depend heavily on the development of KH3. If KH3 is going to be released in 2017 then that makes it more likely 2.8 will be released this year. But I can easily see them delaying it's release till 2017 if KH3 will take till 2018.

 

Either way, as long as I can get a trailer where Aqua turns around and shows her face I'll be happy.

At this point, I'm betting on a December release for 2.8, and hopefully it's a worldwide release!  If not, then the Japanese version could release in October, and the English version could release in December, similar to how 2.5 did back in 2014 with those same months!  It's not impossible!

FFXV releases on September 30, 2016. That is about 4 months and 20-ish days away. And FFXV is SQEX's front runner for this year, with the other major release being 2.8. Since both KH and FF are their strongest IP's, they will want to release them quite a few months away from each other. Hence, I believe Kingdom Hearts 2.8 will be out in the 5 months. It makes sense, because they have a bit of time, and FFXV will be able to be a holiday title, boosting sales required to get that 10 mil units sold.Tell me if you agree or disagree, but I think my theory is pretty plausible, 

 

Wasn't it 2014? Correct me if I'm wrong.

Well that is wrong. They also have Hitman, Star Ocean and Deus Ex releasing this year, and at least Hitman and Deus Ex are pretty strong in terms of sales in the west. And Deus Ex, is releasing in August, just a month before FFXV, so that reasoning is pretty wrong. BTW: no way FFXV is selling 10 million units in its first 4 months. Give it at least a year or two, it will eventually get there. It's not like it's Call of Duty, GTA or Pokemon we're talking about, as those are more than a given to sell more than 10 mill. being heavily (and I mean it, HEAVILY) marketed to casual gamers (although hardcore gamers will obviously buy it).

Man, I really hope we get a release date for 2.8 at this year's E3!  I can't wait! X_X

Man, I really hope we get a release date for 2.8 at this year's E3!  I can't wait! X_X

Me too I'm HYPE for 2.8!!! 

Man, I really hope we get a release date for 2.8 at this year's E3!  I can't wait! X_X

They more than likely will pull a December release date to make us wait right to the end of the year.

Edited May 3, 20169 yr by KHSoraKeyBlade

Me too I'm HYPE for 2.8!!! 

 

FJSDALFJASLKDJFALKSDJFLK I NEED THIS GAME ALREADY!!!!! D:

 

They more than likely will pull a December release date to make us wait right to the end of the year.

 

Hey, as long as it comes out this year, I don't mind a December release!  That just means we'd receive a pleasant Christmas present with 2.8!

FJSDALFJASLKDJFALKSDJFLK I NEED THIS GAME ALREADY!!!!! D:

 

 

Hey, as long as it comes out this year, I don't mind a December release!  That just means we'd receive a pleasant Christmas present with 2.8!

You and me both dude 

You and me both dude 

 

Lol, yeah, but we must be patient!  After all, good things come to those who wait!

Lol, yeah, but we must be patient!  After all, good things come to those who wait!

Well I'm lucky that I am patient when it comes down to and I completely agree with you 

Well I'm lucky that I am patient when it comes down to and I completely agree with you 

 

"We're patient men.  We can take as long as we need to settle this little release date dispute!  But know this...E3's just one of many paths that we might take...trust me, we've made certain of that...hehehehehe...."

Edited May 4, 20169 yr by The Transcendent Key

"We're patient men.  We can take as long as we need to settle this little release date dispute!  But know this...E3's just one of many paths that we might take...trust me, we've made certain of that...hehehehehe...."

Lmfao I love that Xehanort reference clever thinking   

Lmfao I love that Xehanort reference clever thinking   

 

Haha, thank you, thank you!  I thought it was a perfect thing to reference! X3