BioShock Infinite Delayed to 2013
BioShock Infinite Delayed to 2013
A personal address from Ken Levine reveals that the anticipated title is being moved to next year for further tweaks and refinements.
Published on May 9, 2012 12:32 PM
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This morning Ken Levine made a personal address to BioShock fans to inform them that BioShock Infinite will no longer see release in 2012. Originally scheduled for release October 16, 2012, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC owners now won't be getting their hands on the title until February 26, 2013. The delay, according to Levine, is because the team at Irrational Games wants to make "some specific tweaks and improvements [that] will make Infinite into something even more extraordinary."

Levine likens the delay to that of the original BioShock. As the release date approached, key elements still weren't to the liking of the team and they needed that extra time to set them straight. Perhaps more devastating for fans is that they won't get a glimpse of the upcoming title until it's in a completed form. As such, Infinite won't be present at this year's E3 or Gamescom conventions.

To read the specific address from Levine click here. For more information on the series, be sure to check out our BioShock and BioShock 2 reviews, as well as our coverage thus far on Infinite.

A MESSAGE FROM KEN LEVINE
When we announced the release date of BioShock Infinite in March, we felt pretty good about the timing.
Since then, we’ve come to realize that some specific tweaks and improvements will make Infinite into something even more extraordinary. Therefore, to give our talented team the time they need, we’ve decided to move the game’s release to February 26, 2013. We wanted to let our loyal (and very patient!) fans know this as soon as possible.
I won’t kid you: BioShock Infinite is a very big game, and we’re doing things that no one has ever done in a first-person shooter. We had a similar experience with the original BioShock, which was delayed several months as our original ship date drew near. Why? Because the Big Daddies weren’t the Big Daddies you’ve since come to know and love. Because Andrew Ryan’s golf club didn’t have exactly the right swing. Because Rapture needed one more coat of grimy Art Deco.
The same principle now applies to BioShock Infinite.
What does this mean for you? It means a bit more waiting, but more importantly, it means an even better BioShock Infinite. The great can be made greater, and we owe it to both ourselves and to you, our fans, to take this opportunity. Irrational Games is one of those rare developers lucky enough to ask the people who sign the checks: “Hey, can we have a few more of those checks?”
We are also going to hold off on showing BioShock Infinite at the big events of the summer, like E3 and Gamescom. That way, the next time you see our game, it will be essentially the product we intend to put in the box. Preparing for these events takes time away from development, time we’re going to use instead to get the best version of Infinite into your hands in February.
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Comments
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Nick DiMola
Posted on May 9, 2012 12:35 PM

I'm kind of happy about this, oddly enough. It moves it out of the already hectic fall release schedule and gives it some breathing room in early 2013. Furthermore, I'm sure the team at Irrational is genuine when they say this will help make a better Infinite.

For one, they're not rushing to finish anything, especially with skipping E3 and Gamescom. Two, they have an extra three or four months of production to ensure that everything is as tight as can be.

A little baseless speculation... but I wonder if they're doing anything with Wii U given the extra time...

Angelo Grant
Posted on May 9, 2012 2:35 PM

I agree with you.  I'm thrilled to hear this.  I don't care how long it takes for the game to come out as long as it's amazing, and this gives them plenty of time to polish it to a nice chrome finish.

Jesse Miller
Posted on May 9, 2012 12:48 PM

Given this news, I'm actually becoming more interested in the 2013 releases at this point than 2012.  BioShock Infinite, Metro: Last Light, Prey 2 and Rainbow 6: Patriots are all some of my most anticipated titles and are all slated to come out next year.

Michael117
Posted on May 9, 2012 3:12 PM

What's up with Prey 2 J-Bone? A week or two ago I heard about cancellation rumors and I haven't heard much about it in a long time. I loved how it was looking at E3 last year and I need more Prey 2.

Jesse Miller
Posted on May 9, 2012 3:36 PM

Originally it looked like Prey 2 was getting the axe, but Bethesda announced that the game was being pushed back due to quality assurance purposes.  

I was certainly glad to hear this, since it is one of my most hotly anticipated titles in quite some time.

Michael117
Posted on May 9, 2012 3:47 PM

That's awesome, at least it's still on the rails and not getting axed. I'm with you on the fact that next year is looking great. Most of all I'm excited for Rainbox 6 Patriots. I wonder if they'll have anything to show at E3?

Jon Lewis
Posted on May 9, 2012 1:52 PM

I'm a tad bit surprised. This game was surely on a lot of people's most wanted list for the year, but delays are usually good when it comes to games like this. Plus they get to avoid the mad rush of the holidays.

Im personally happy about this because now I have a chance to finish the original game.