The wait for Deltarune Chapter 3 and 4 feels like trying to navigate a Dark World without a map. We’ve been stuck in the hallway of the Librarby since 2021, and honestly, the theories are starting to get a little wild. Some people think we’re going into the TV; others are convinced Mike is the next big bad. But if you’re looking for the cold, hard truth about when these chapters are actually hitting our hard drives, you have to look at the dev logs. Toby Fox isn't a fan of traditional marketing. He doesn't do "The Ultimate Guide" or "Official Deep Dives." He just drops a newsletter every few months and lets the internet explode.
Where we stand with the development of Deltarune Chapter 3 and 4
It’s done. Mostly.
In the latest updates from the official newsletter, Toby confirmed that Deltarune Chapter 3 is content-complete. That’s huge. It means the dialogue is written, the sprites are drawn, and the bosses are probably ready to beat us into the ground. But here’s the kicker: Toby isn’t releasing it alone. The plan has shifted a few times, but the current roadmap is to release Chapters 3 and 4 together as a paid package. No more freebies like the first two installments. You’re going to have to open your wallet this time, which is fair considering we’ve already had about ten hours of top-tier RPG gameplay for the low, low price of zero dollars.
Chapter 4 is the current focus. As of the last status report, the team was making massive headway on the maps and "gimmicks" for the fourth chapter. Toby mentioned that they’ve even hired more people to speed things up. It’s a professional operation now. Not just a dog at a computer.
The internal shift in release strategy
Originally, the plan was to wait for Chapter 5 to be finished before releasing the next batch. Toby realized that’s a bad move. People are losing their minds. By cutting Chapter 5 out of the initial release window, the team can get Deltarune Chapter 3 and 4 into our hands much faster. It's a pragmatic choice.
The scope of these games is deceptive. Undertale was a tight, self-contained experience. Deltarune is sprawling. Every chapter needs unique mechanics, original music (which Toby handles himself), and a branching narrative that accounts for whether you’re being a pacifist or... well, not. The "Green Room" teaser from a while back gave us a glimpse into the aesthetic of Chapter 3, suggesting a heavy focus on entertainment, television tropes, and maybe a bit of noir. It looks slick. It looks polished. It looks like it’s taking forever because it’s actually several games worth of content compressed into two chapters.
The weird truth about the Chapter 3 "delay"
People love to complain. "It’s taking longer than Undertale!" Yeah, because it’s bigger.
Chapter 3 specifically had a bit of a rocky development because it’s "experimental." Toby admitted that some of the mechanics were a headache to implement. It’s not just a standard RPG loop anymore. If the rumors and the leaked screenshots of the "stealth" mechanics are anything to go by, we’re looking at a chapter that plays very differently from the Cyber World. If you’ve played Toby’s games, you know he hates repeating himself. If he can make a section where you’re playing a weird rhythm game or a top-down shooter, he’s going to do it.
Development didn't actually slow down; the complexity just ramped up. Chapter 4 is supposedly more "standard" in its structure, which is why it’s being completed at a much faster clip than its predecessor.
What we know about the story so far
Kris ripped out their soul, ate some pie, and then opened a Dark Fountain in the middle of their living room. Toriel is there. Undyne might be coming over. It’s a recipe for chaos.
The community is obsessed with "Tenna" and "Mike," names that appeared in the Spamton Sweepstakes. While it’s tempting to treat these as gospel, remember that Toby loves a good misdirection. He knows we’re looking. He knows we’re dissecting every pixel. Deltarune Chapter 3 and 4 will likely address the fallout of Kris's actions at the end of Chapter 2, but don't expect it to be predictable.
- The TV in the living room is almost certainly the next Dark Fountain.
- Susie is finally going to meet Toriel in a Dark World setting.
- The "Shadow Mantle" mentioned by Seam will likely become relevant.
Honestly, the dynamic between Susie and Toriel is what I’m most hyped for. Susie has spent two chapters trying to act tough, and now she’s stuck with the most motherly figure in the game. It’s going to be awkward. It’s going to be hilarious.
Why the release date is still a moving target
You’ve probably seen the clickbait titles. "RELEASE DATE REVEALED." They're lying.
Toby Fox has not given a specific day or month for Deltarune Chapter 3 and 4. He’s given us progress percentages and "vibes." Based on the fact that Chapter 3 is basically finished and Chapter 4 is in the home stretch of production, many industry analysts and fans are eyeing a late 2024 or early 2025 window. But that’s a guess. A calculated one, sure, but still a guess.
The translation process is another hurdle. Toby's games are huge in Japan. The translation happens alongside development now, rather than after, which saves time, but it’s still a massive undertaking to ensure the jokes and puns land in multiple languages. You can't just run Sans's dialogue through a translator and hope for the best. It requires soul.
The "Stickers" and the Newsletter
If you want the real info, you sign up for the Fangamer newsletter. It’s where the "Trucker" updates happen. Toby uses a literal progress bar featuring a tiny truck to show how close we are. Currently, the truck is moving at a decent speed. We’ve seen previews of new music tracks, which, as usual, are absolute bangers. One track, "Lancer's Theme (Remix?)"—okay, I'm kidding about the title, but the snippets we've heard suggest the OST is going to be just as synth-heavy and emotional as ever.
The team is currently in the "bug-fixing and polishing" phase for Chapter 3 while simultaneously finishing the meat of Chapter 4. This parallel development is why the gap between Chapter 2 and 3 felt so long, but the gap between 3 and 4 will feel nonexistent—because they’re coming out at the exact same time.
Misconceptions about Chapter 3's "Scrapped" content
There was a rumor floating around that Chapter 3 was restarted from scratch. That’s fake.
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What actually happened, according to the dev logs, is that certain parts of the chapter were redesigned to be more fun. Toby is a perfectionist. If a puzzle feels tedious, he cuts it. If a boss fight is boring, he tweaks the mechanics. This isn't "development hell"; it’s just development.
The game isn't being built in a vacuum. The feedback from Chapter 2—specifically how much people loved the Spamton Neo fight and the Queen’s dialogue—has clearly influenced the polish of the upcoming chapters. We’re getting a more refined version of Deltarune, one that understands its own identity better than Chapter 1 did.
Preparing your save file for the new chapters
You should probably go back and finish your "Snowgrave" route if you haven't. Or don't.
Deltarune is weird because it tells you "your choices don't matter," but then it tracks every single thing you do. Whether you recruited every enemy in the Cyber World or left them to linger in the void will likely change the flavor text in your town. If Deltarune Chapter 3 and 4 follow the pattern, the "Castle Town" will continue to grow and evolve based on your actions.
- Make sure you have a "Peaceful" save where everyone is recruited.
- Have a "Weird" route save just in case things get dark.
- Find all the Shadow Crystals (Jevil and Spamton). Seam is definitely hinting at a special reward for collecting them all.
What to do while you wait
Go play something else for a bit. Seriously. Toby himself has suggested that fans shouldn't let the wait consume them. The indie scene is thriving right now. If you want that Toby Fox energy, check out Everhood or Undertale Yellow (a fan project that is shockingly high-quality).
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But if you must stay in the Deltarune loop, keep an eye on the official @tobyfox Twitter (or X, whatever) and the Deltarune.com website. When the release date drops, it won't be through a cinematic trailer at a Sony state of play. It’ll be a tweet with a link and a piece of key art that makes everyone lose their minds.
Your pre-release checklist
- Verify your saves: Ensure your Chapter 2 completion data is backed up to the cloud or a physical drive.
- Save some cash: Toby hasn't announced the price yet, but expect it to be in the range of $20–$30 for the bundle.
- Re-read the newsletters: There are tiny lore hints buried in the "interview" sections with the characters.
- Check your system: Deltarune isn't demanding, but make sure your PC/Mac or Switch is ready for the update.
The wait is almost over. Not "tomorrow" over, but "the end is in sight" over. Chapter 3 is a lock, and Chapter 4 is rounding third base. We’re about to see exactly what Kris was doing with that knife, and honestly, I’m not sure we’re ready for the answer.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Subscribe to the Sleepless Chimney (Toby’s newsletter) to get the "Trucker" updates directly.
- Check the official Deltarune website for the Chapter 2 Anniversary archives, which contain hidden dialogue and lore hints.
- Back up your LocalLow/com.tobyfox.deltarune save folder if you're on PC to prevent data loss during the upcoming version transition.