Catherine Hu
We were supposed to be enrolling at Witchbrook College this winter.
If you’re reading this in December 2025 expecting to download Witchbrook for the holidays, we have disappointing news.
Despite originally planned winter 2025 release, Chucklefish has delayed magic life simulation game Witchbrook to 2026. It will be available for Xbox Series, Switch 2, Xbox One, Switch, and PC via Steam, as well as via Game Pass.
However, it’s not all silence from the cauldron. Chucklefish said Witchbrook needs a little more time in the cauldron, as it’s a big project and they want to make your time in Mossport as rich and immersive as possible.
We now have concrete details on why the delay happened and what to expect when this magical college life-sim finally arrives.
Here’s the definitive breakdown of Witchbrook’s status as we head into 2026.
Quick Summary (TL;DR)
- Release Date: 2026 (Exact month TBA)
- Platform: PC (Steam), Xbox Series X|S, Switch, Switch 2 (Game Pass Day 1)
- Multiplayer: 4-player Co-op confirmed
- Engine: Custom in-house engine (rebuilt from Wargroove)
- Estimated Price: Likely $24.99 – $29.99 (based on Chucklefish pricing history)
Table of Contents
- Editor’s View: The “Mossport Map” Reveal
- The Official 2026 Delay Explained
- Price Prediction: How Much Will It Cost?
- Multiplayer: 4-Player Co-op & Social Features
- New Content: The Interactive Mossport Map
- Why the Custom Engine Rebuild Changed Everything
- Estimated System Requirements
- How XMOD Will Support Witchbrook
- Optimize Your Entire Library with XMOD
- FAQ
- Conclusion
Editor’s View: The “Mossport Map” Reveal
“The Wait is Long, But The Magic is Real”
Catherine Hu | Life-Sim Specialist and Game Writer at XMOD
“I just explored the interactive map of Witchbrook’s Mossport, with key locations like Witchbrook College and Parasol Sands tagged. While the delay to 2026 stings for fans who’ve waited since 2016, the scale revealed in this map is breathtaking. The team started over completely in 2020 with new engine and art style changes—that’s a gutsy move. As a Stardew Valley veteran, I’d rather they take the time to polish this magical college experience than rush out another buggy early access title.”
The Official 2026 Delay Explained
Originally targeting Winter 2025, Chucklefish has taken the difficult decision to push back the release date until 2026 to ensure the game meets the studio’s and fans’ expectations.
Why the delay?
In their Steam update, Chucklefish explained that the delay was necessary to polish the game’s world and its in-game systems. Chucklefish are proud to be a zero-crunch studio, which does mean that development has taken slightly longer than some people may be used to.
December 2025 Update:
Chucklefish shared an interactive map of Witchbrook’s Mossport and promised updates on character customization in the next several weeks. While this confirms active development, it notably stopped short of giving us a specific quarter or month, simply reaffirming the 2026 window.
Price Prediction: How Much Will It Cost?
While Chucklefish has not confirmed the price tag, we can make an educated guess based on their previous releases:
- Stardew Valley (Published): Launched at $14.99
- Wargroove 1 & 2: Launched at $19.99
- Witchbrook Prediction: $24.99 – $29.99 USD
Why the mid-range pricing?
Witchbrook is a spellbinding witch life-sim for up to 4-players, and adding robust networking infrastructure typically increases development costs. However, Chucklefish tends to price below AAA standards for indie-friendly accessibility.
Pro Tip: Game Pass users on Xbox and PC will get it Day 1 for “free” (subscription included).
Multiplayer: 4-Player Co-op & Social Features
Witchbrook is a spellbinding witch life-sim for up to 4-players. Unlike single-player life-sims, this is built with native co-op from the ground up.
What Co-op Means:
- Shared College Experience: Attend classes together and compete in exams
- Collaborative Farming: Tend Shadbrook Cottage gardens as a group
- Social Events: Participate in festivals and markets on Mossport High Street together
- Relationship Dynamics: Develop relationships including romance and rivalry with NPCs, with co-op adding social complexity
Server Stability: Built on their Wargroove engine networking foundation, expect smooth multiplayer without the desyncing issues of modded solutions.
New Content: The Interactive Mossport Map
The recently revealed interactive map showcases Witchbrook’s ambitious world design:
Witchbrook College & Student Village:
The Student Village buzzes with energy beneath the grand facade of Witchbrook College, housing a lively community of young witches.
Mossport High Street:
Often home to festivals and markets, Mossport’s high street is the lively heart of the city, with shops to browse, delicacies to sample, and friendly faces to meet.
Shadbrook Cottage:
Shadbrook Cottage and its verdant garden offer a quiet retreat to transform how you see fit, with peaceful farmlands and even a secluded spot to fish along the winding river.
Parasol Sands & Shadhollow Forest:
Hike through the concealed paths of Shadhollow Forest, or take in the salty sea air on the beaches of Parasol Sands.
Why the Custom Engine Rebuild Changed Everything
For hardcore fans, understanding the technical pivot explains the extended development:
Early on Witchbrook was being coded in the programming language Rust, but it eventually switched to an in-house engine created for Wargroove. The team started over completely in 2020 with new engine and art style changes.
Expectation: Smoother multiplayer integration, better performance optimization, and visual consistency with Chucklefish’s modern art direction.
Trade-off: Originally announced in 2016, the game has been in development for eight years—but the foundation is now solid for long-term support and content updates.
Estimated System Requirements
With the custom Wargroove-based engine, hardware demands should remain modest for a 2D life-sim:
Predicted Specs:
- OS: Windows 10/11 (64-bit)
- RAM: 8 GB minimum (16 GB recommended for hosting 4-player co-op)
- GPU: GTX 960 / RX 560 or higher for 1080p
- Storage: SSD Recommended (likely 5-8GB)
How XMOD Will Support Witchbrook
Witchbrook promises deep simulation—from spell mastery to relationship building to exam schedules.
When it launches in 2026, XMOD will be ready with Day 1 Trainer support:
Time Management: Freeze in-game days to complete all activities without rushing through college life.
Infinite Resources: Unlimited crafting materials for potion brewing and magical crop farming.
Skill Mastery: Instant spell progression and exam success for players focused on social features.
Relationship Tracker: Never miss important friendship or romance events with automated progress indicators.
XMOD will provide full trainer support upon the game’s official release, ensuring compatibility and stability from day one.
Optimize Your Entire Library with XMOD
While you wait for 2026, you’re likely playing other cozy gaming hits. XMOD is an all-in-one client that supports the biggest life-sims on PC right now:
Stardew Valley: Skip the energy grind and get instant crop growth with our Time Manipulation tools.
Coral Island: God Mode farming and unlimited resources.
Stop downloading risky, separate trainers for every cozy game. Get XMOD and manage your entire library in one place.
FAQ
Q: Is there an exact release date?
A: As of now, no details have been provided as to when Witchbrook might launch in 2026. Chucklefish has only confirmed the year.
Q: Will it come to PlayStation?
A: Currently confirmed for Xbox Series, Switch 2, Xbox One, Switch, and PC via Steam. PlayStation versions typically arrive post-launch for Chucklefish titles.
Q: Can I play solo?
A: Yes. While the game supports 4-player co-op, it’s fully playable as a single-player magical college experience.
Q: What languages are supported?
A: Witchbrook will be available in English, French, German, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, Japanese, Simplified Chinese, and Traditional Chinese.
Conclusion
While the delay is disappointing for fans as the game has already been in development for eight years, the switch to a custom engine and the addition of native 4-player co-op promises a polished magical life-sim worth the wait.
The release of the interactive Mossport map proves active development. The extra time has opened the door to exploring additional opportunities, including additional platforms and language support.
Until launch day, XMOD is here to support your cozy gaming adventures in Stardew Valley, My Time at Sandrock, and beyond.
[Download XMOD to Prepare for Witchbrook’s 2026 Launch]
Nancy Miller