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BioShock 2 Delayed To Fiscal 2010

While the game was originally scheduled to launch on October 30 in Europe and on November 3 in the US, no new release dates were provided, meaning the title might not hit stores in time for the Christmas period.

"The decision to shift a release date is never an easy one, especially with a product as highly anticipated as BioShock 2,” said Take-Two CEO Ben Feder. “We felt that it was essential to invest the additional time to ensure that this title will deliver what its fans expect and deserve.”

Earlier this week Arkane Studios was confirmed to be the fourth developer working on BioShock 2.

The game’s delay, in addition to “reduced sales of catalogue products and lower than anticipated initial retailer orders of new releases,” led the publisher to reduce its financial outlook for the year. The company now expects to generate $350 million to $400 million during the fourth quarter, and $0.96 billion to £1 billion for the entire business year.

"We recognise that our revised outlook for the balance of fiscal year 2009, due to both internal and external factors, is a disappointment,” said chairman Strauss Zelnick. “That said, we concluded that moving the release of BioShock 2 into fiscal year 2010 was the right decision for the product. We believe the result will be a more compelling consumer experience and a better performing product in the marketplace.

“At the same time, near term retail conditions have proven to be more challenging for our business than the assumptions built into our prior outlook. We remain confident in the long term potential for Take-Two’s business, and our ability to capitalise on that potential through our exceptional creative talent and solid balance sheet."

BioShock 2 now joins Mafia II, Red Dead Redemption - both of which were previously delayed - and Max Payne 3 on the publisher’s fiscal 2010 release slate.

“These titles will anchor our lineup for fiscal 2010, and along with other products planned for next year, provide a platform for enhanced financial performance in what we hope will be an improved retail environment," added Feder.