So, the holiday is quickly approaching and the big game houses are prepping their holiday wares. However, unlike last year, many titles have decided to sit out the season and ship in the early part of 2010.
Here’s a list of what I found that was delayed:
Bioshock 2
Bayonetta
Splinter Cell Conviction
Dark Void
Singularity
Red Steel 2
MAG
Starcraft II
Ghost Recon
Mafia II
Red Dead Redemption
Everyone knows that delays in the video game industry are a staple and that some games may seem like they are never being released (I.E. Final Fantasy XIII), but the publishers are being remarkably honest with the reasoning this year. In the past publishers would not vocalize that they were trying to dodge the larger releases, but this year several marketing departments are admitting to moving their games to avoid competing with Halo 3: ODST and Modern Warfare 2.
- Modern Warfare 2, the newest survival horror game…since publishers are scared shitless of it.
This proves that the economy is finally affecting the industry. With families having less disposable income, their gaming budget is lower. Publishers know this and with Modern Warfare and Halo predicted to sell between 5 and 10 million copies each, unknown titles such as Bayonetta, Dark Void and Singularity would probably have trouble gaining enough footing to make an impact.
Here are some games that have not been delayed and should ship with no problems…assuming they don’t get delayed.
Halo 3: ODST
Modern Warfare 2
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2
Dead Space Extraction
Brutal Legend
Borderlands
Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time
Blur
Tekken 6
Assassin’s Creed 2
Left 4 Dead 2
Guitar, Band and DJ Hero
The Beatles and Lego Rock Band
Obviously, there is no shortage of games, but we might finally be getting closer to what I thought should happen to the holiday release season.