Superhero Workplace Comedy, Dispatch Launches on XBOX Today

AdHoc Studio's superhero workplace comedy Dispatch launched on Xbox platforms on July 29, 2026. The game, which combines narrative storytelling with strategy mechanics, is available as an Xbox Play Anywhere title, sharing purchases and progress across Xbox consoles and PC.

In Dispatch, players take on the role of Robert Robertson, also known as Mecha Man. After his mech-suit is destroyed in battle, Robertson takes a job as a dispatcher at a superhero center. Players must direct a team of misfit heroes using a strategy deployment map, navigate office politics, and manage emergency calls while attempting to rebuild Robertson's suit for revenge. Player choices directly impact hero allegiances, narrative branches, and story outcomes.

The game features an ensemble voice cast that includes Aaron Paul, Laura Bailey, Jeffrey Wright, Matthew Mercer, Erin Yvette, Travis Willingham, Alanah Pearce, Lance Cantstopolis, Joel Haver, THOT SQUAD, Yung Gravy, MoistCr1TiKaL (Charles White), and Jacksepticeye.

A Turbulent Path to Launch

Founded by former Telltale Games developers, AdHoc Studio navigated a difficult development cycle to bring the game to market. The project originally started as an interactive live-action series for an entity associated with Walmart before being canceled at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Following the cancellation, the team pivoted the concept into an animated, strategy-focused game.

During development, the studio faced additional financial obstacles when its publisher dropped the project amid broader games industry volatility.

"The industry was collapsing, if you recall, two years ago. We were right there," co-founder and writer Pierre Shorette said in an interview with Eurogamer. "Without really getting into the details, we were at the tip of the spear of it all popping. The publisher we were at was connected with Embracer, and I feel like Embracer was one of the first dominoes to really set the industry shaking, so we were right there at the edge of it. It was a weird place to be."

Game director Nick Herman noted that the team was dropped mid-development due to "financial things," while Shorette recalled industry feedback during the process: "I'll tell you how: you have basically everyone tell you it's a bad idea for seven fucking years!"

AdHoc Studio ultimately self-published Dispatch, partnering with Critical Role for publishing exposure and branding support.

Platform Details and Future Plans

Optimized for Xbox Series X|S, the Mature-rated title includes cloud saves, Xbox achievements, 14 accessibility features, and support for 16 languages.

While AdHoc Studio is actively evaluating the future of the Dispatch franchise, no official sequel or second season has been announced. The studio is currently balancing plans for its next steps alongside another project set within Critical Role's campaign world of Exandria.

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• Xbox Wire