BioShock 2 delayed

By Robert Purchese Published 14 July, 2009

Needs more time. First half of 2010 likely.

Take-Two has announced that BioShock 2 has been delayed.

Following the announcement, CEO Ben Feder told investors he expected it to be released in the first half of 2010. The company had said at the very least it wouldn't appear until fiscal 2010, which begins on 1st November.

"The decision to shift a release date is never an easy one, especially with a product as highly anticipated as BioShock 2," said Feder 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.

"As a result, we will now be launching sequels to several of our strongest franchises - including BioShock 2, Mafia II, Max Payne 3 and Red Dead Redemption - during the next fiscal year."

Feder mentioned moving to an "improved retail environment" too, which may be an admission that the economic crisis along with crowded Christmas schedule represents big risk to a publisher.

We got our last look at BioShock 2 in late May, scrutinising the brand new multiplayer sections. Head over to our BioShock 2 multiplayer preview to find out more.

The game currently has four lots of developers contributing to it. 2K Marin is top dog, with Digital Extremes working on multiplayer, and 2K Australia and Arkane Studios also involved.

Picture of Robert.

About Robert Purchese

Bertie is Eurogamer's Senior Staff Writer. When he's not hunting down news stories he's often found playing with his kids or gabbling about fantasy games and strange online worlds.

Read more articles from Robert by visiting the Robert Purchese archive page.

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Comments (18) Latest comment 3 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Darren #1 3 years ago

    With the multiplayer elements, I was getting worried that the single player would be compromised for the sake of getting the game out in time for Christmas. The news that the game is being delayed until 2010 is great because it means the publishers want to make the best game possible and aren't just interested in a quick buck. Take 2 also delayed Red Dead Redemption for the same reasons.

  • Chufty #2 3 years ago

    This is absolutely fine by me, as the comment above says. Besides, there are far too many games coming out in November.

  • bluem4gic #3 3 years ago

    More time to refine those old rehashed art assets no doubt

  • Nephirion #4 3 years ago

    Its essentially more of the same, but your going to have to wait longer ^^

  • TheTingler #5 3 years ago

    No problem with this. With just three months to go, barely any showing and Arkane Studios having to help it, it was obvious they weren't going to make it in time.

  • darkmorgado #6 3 years ago

    I really, really don't want to read this as "the game is shit so we need time to polish a turd", but experience has taught me to be cynical.
    Please don't mess this up! Please? There's a cupcake in it for you!

  • #7 3 years ago

    Disappointing? Yes.
    Frustrating? Yes.

    "We felt that it was essential to invest the additional time to ensure that this title will deliver what its fans expect and deserve."

    That sounds like typical corporate guff to me.
    Still, if it's anything like (or even better than) the original it will be worth waiting that little bit longer for.

    [edit] Now that I've had time for this to sink in I'm actually pretty pissed off about it, just like I was furious when GTAIV got delayed. There's not much confirmed for this winter that I'm personally bothered about so potentially losing this until next year is close to ruining my end of year gaming plans. GRRRR!!
    Edited by 1 at 14/07/09 @ 09:58

  • StueyBoy16 #8 3 years ago

    Typical. The 2 games that I am most looking forward to are both out next year.
    I was hoping this would occupy me until Mass Effect 2.
    Oh well hopefully Halo 3 ODST, MW2, Splinter Cell and Forza 3 will do the job.

  • TOOTR #9 3 years ago

    Always happy to see a game delayed if its not ready (unless it gets to DNF levels of waiting time) or even for just polishing. From a consumer point of view I think its a good thing.

    From a company point of view looking for investment return it could be a nightmare but I, too, think avoiding the pre-xmas release schedule blockbuster madness is a wise move.

  • Clive_Dunn #10 3 years ago

    £20 says this is awful.

  • Darren #11 3 years ago

    I suspect if anything that the single player is already finished and the developers just want more time to work on the multiplayer modes. I highly doubt the game will be crap myself, the original was so amazing (weak boss fight aside) that it would take a rea amount ofl effort to make the sequel terrible IMO.

    What I've seen of the game so far from the gameplay videos looks like more of the same but a bit better which suits me fine. The world of Rapture was an atmospheric and immersive place so I'm itching for a reason to revisit it in a new game.

  • glaeken #12 3 years ago

    I have mixed feelings about this one. I am unsure the first game really required a sequel from the story perspective. It just feels complete.

  • makeamazing #13 3 years ago

    Really looking forward to this game, but I guess there are still lots of games coming out at Xmas... got concerned when they said they were getting another team in last week for level building.

    Is it me or is 2010 is going to be a strong year for games also.. which is great :D

  • #14 3 years ago

    @ makeamazing
    Replace 2010 with any other year for the same effect.

  • Phishfood #15 3 years ago

    Ack! Though I am glad they are making a better game its still somewhat dissapointing.

  • DrRobotnik #16 3 years ago

    This is what happens when you give a good license to an average team.

    Case in point - Infinity Ward, CoD and Treyarch.

  • Fleeby #17 3 years ago

    The fact that they have brought in four teams now to work on it had alarm bells ringing anyway – so this is hardly surprising news.

  • Hicksy #18 3 years ago

    Boooooo!

    But i'd rather they get it right than rush it out : )

  • makeamazing #19 3 years ago

    @JazzIIIXL no i just think the last year was good, but this year and next are alot better, of course the first few years of new consoles is always alittle hit and miss... but now there are some real quality titles towards the end of this and next year (even if most of the have the number 2 at the end of the game name ;)

  • Rodriguez #20 3 years ago

    I was looking forward to Red Dead Redemption more than this, didn't realise that had been delayed too. To be honest though, I think it's nice to see some common sense from a developer/publisher for once and make sure they polish a product as best they can before release, rather than patch it later after it's out and to be aware of the ridiculous circus that is end of year game release schedules. There's more than enough stuff coming out this year to sap plenty of time and effort in to. Personally I'm a big Bioware fan and can't wait to try Dragon Age: Origins, so that will take up most of my gaming time at the end of the year, plus Left4Dead 2!