Dispatch goes mobile this December, with half its story free to play
AdHoc Studio’s superhero workplace comedy is coming to iOS and Android on 9 December, while a first-anniversary update adds commentary and a remarkable look at how the adventure was animated.
After winning over more than five million players across its first year, Dispatch is preparing to punch the clock on a new platform. Developer AdHoc Studio has announced that its choice-driven superhero comedy will launch on iOS and Android on 9 December 2026, giving players the entire opening half of the story at no cost.
The announcement is part of a substantial first-anniversary celebration that also brings new behind-the-scenes modes to the Digital Deluxe Edition, physical-edition updates, an art book, and even a one-night concert built around the game’s music.
Four free episodes, and a full adventure adapted for phones
Rather than asking mobile players to buy the full game before trying it, AdHoc says the first four of Dispatch‘s eight episodes will be free. The remaining story can be unlocked through a $19.99 USD purchase, with regional prices varying. This is a free-to-start release, not an announcement that every episode will be free.
The team says the base game is being rebuilt for touch controls and vertical play, rather than simply transferred to smaller screens unchanged. The announcement also includes support for Google Play Games on PC. Availability is planned for regions where the existing PC and console versions are sold, apart from China and Japan. Google Play pre-registration and App Store pre-orders are expected to be available ahead of launch.
For a game built around dialogue choices, managing a chaotic team of superheroes and watching relationships shift between episodes, a touch-friendly version is an intriguing fit. How that adaptation feels in everyday use will be something to judge when the mobile edition arrives, not something we can confirm from an announcement alone.
Deluxe owners can now hear how Dispatch was made
The anniversary update is available now for owners of the Digital Deluxe Edition on supported platforms. Its new Commentary Mode includes more than 16 hours of recorded material across the eight episodes, divided into cast and crew tracks selected in Settings. Because dialogue choices influence what commentary plays, there’s a reason to revisit scenes beyond simply replaying them in the same order.
AdHoc says featured contributors include Aaron Paul, Laura Bailey and Travis Willingham, along with the game’s writers, animators and designers. It’s a window into the decisions behind the finished story, rather than a new episode of the narrative.
Storyboard Mode takes players back to the drawing board
Alongside the commentary is Storyboard Mode, which lets players experience the complete story through its original storyboard animatics instead of the finished animation. Both modes can be used independently or together.
For anyone interested in game development, especially how animation supports interactive storytelling, this might be the most fascinating part of the update. It effectively offers a playable look at the work that usually stays behind studio doors.
These two new modes are free for existing Deluxe Edition owners. Players with the standard edition can purchase a $10.99 USD Deluxe upgrade, which also includes the digital art book and four digital comics. The commentary is English-only without dedicated subtitles; the game’s normal dialogue subtitles remain available.
Physical editions, art books and a night of live music
AdHoc’s anniversary plans extend beyond the game itself. A physical Deluxe Edition for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and Nintendo Switch 2 is planned for shipment during the 2026 holiday season, accompanied by printed extras and access to the soundtrack. The studio has also previewed Dispatch: Design Works, a hardcover making-of volume planned for 2027, developed in partnership with Lost In Cult.
Fans of the soundtrack can also look to Dispatch: Night Shift, a one-night performance at AVALON Hollywood on 3 December 2026. The studio is marking the anniversary with merchandise, vinyl records and community giveaways as well.
Why Dispatch’s next chapter matters
Dispatch began life at a studio formed by veterans of Telltale Games, Ubisoft and Night School Studio. Its combination of workplace comedy, relationship-driven choices and superhero management has resonated with a substantial audience. AdHoc’s own figures put that audience at more than five million players since the game’s October 2025 debut. Crucially, that number is described as players by the studio, not verified paid unit sales.
With an accessible first half on phones and a substantial behind-the-scenes addition for returning fans, the anniversary announcements do more than celebrate an existing hit. They offer new ways to get into the story and to appreciate the people who made it.
Editorial note: Information is based on AdHoc Studio’s official announcement dated 22 October 2026. This is independent news coverage, not a hands-on review of the mobile version. All in-article promotional assets are official AdHoc Studio/Steam images, credited to the developer. Dates, prices and platform availability may change; readers should check AdHoc’s announcement for updates.