2010 is looking even better for gamers
Two big titles that were originally planned for release this holiday season have fallen out of the pack.
Sony has delayed “Heavy Rain” until 2010, while Take Two Interactive has done the same with “BioShock 2”. The moves are bound to upset some fans, but could ultimately prove beneficial for both titles.
“Heavy Rain” is an original IP – and would have found itself up against some serious competition during the holiday period. Historically, big sequels rule the sales charts at the end of the year. With eagerly awaited installments in the “Call of Duty” and “Splinter Cell” franchises leading the way, it’s very possible that “Heavy Rain” would have fallen by the wayside as consumers curb their spending.
It happened to EA and “Mirror’s Edge” last year. The game was a sales dud, never gaining any traction against bigger titles.
The story’s a bit different for “Bioshock 2”. As the sequel to one of the biggest games of 2007, it has an established fan base. The new game, though, isn’t being made by the same development team that created the original. Four studios are working on “Bioshock 2” at this point, which has set off warning bells for fans. The game did not have a particularly strong showing at E3 last month either.
“The decision to shift a release date is never an easy one, especially with a product as highly anticipated as ‘BioShock 2’,” said Ben Feder, CEO of Take-Two in a statement. “We felt that it was essential to invest the additional time to ensure that this title will deliver what its fans expect and deserve.”
Technically, Take Two did not officially say the game (which was originally due in early November) will not be released this year. It simply moved it out of its fiscal 2009 earnings release schedule. But reading between the lines, it sounds like this could be a noteworthy delay.
The original “BioShock” was scheduled to be converted into a film helmed by Gore Verbinski, though that production was stuck in a holding pattern earlier this year. Producers are considering moving the production outside of the U.S. to take advantage of a tax credit.
Chris Morris reports on the business and culture of video games and offers analysis of recent events and industry trends.
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And I'd be really pissed if Halo ODST, project Natal, Alan Wake or Forza 3 don't make that xmas list as well. Hope M$ don't release beta trash like Too Human or Fable 2 or Halo Wars.
Posted by: namo | July 14, 2009 at 08:42 AM
Alright, to everyone complaining that God of War was delayed until next year, it wasn't! Sony never gave any due date for GOW, ever!! People just assumed it would be out this year and it's not going to be so they're crying. Should be a good 2010 though!
Posted by: Smitty | July 14, 2009 at 04:34 AM
is their any game thats supose to come late this year still late this year?
red dead redemption delayed to next year.
max payne 3 delayed to next year.
bioshock delayed to next year.
heavy rain delayed to next year.
god of war 3 delayed to next year.
GT5 (release date still TBA but sonys latest comment does not strike confidence in me so lets just say) delayed to next year.
quantum theroy (now known as quantum) delayed to next year.
mafia 2 delayed to next year.
just cause 2 delayed to next year.
shit i could go on for another hour.
is their 1 game thats due late 09 comming in 09?
if uncharted 2 R&C a crack in time assassins creed 2 assassins creed bloodlines modern warfare 2.
if any of those slip to 2010 im going to be so pissed.
Posted by: name | July 14, 2009 at 03:31 AM