In typical Irrational Games fashion, BioShock Infinite has been delayed. Originally slated for an October 16th North American release, the game will now launch worldwide on February 26, 2013.
"When we announced the release date of BioShock Infinite in March, we felt pretty good about the timing. Since then, we’ve uncovered opportunities to make Infinite into something even more extraordinary," Irrational Games' creative director Ken Levine said. "Therefore, to give our talented team the time they need to deliver the best Infinite possible, we’ve decided to move the game’s release to February.”
"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," Levin added.
"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?'"
BioShock Infinite won over 75 editorial awards at E3 2011, including the Game Critics Awards' Best of Show. It won't be winning any this year. Levine also announced that Irrational Games will hold off on showing BioShock Infinite at many of the industry's big gaming events, like this year's 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," Levine justified, "time we’re going to use instead to get the best version of Infinite into your hands in February."
While the delay is surely disappointing news for BioShock fans, I'm choosing to look at it on the bright side. Not only are they assuring Infinite will be the game we all hope it will be, but with its new launch at a relatively quiet time for the industry in terms of game releases which will likely result in better sales for Infinite.
