Settlers IV delayed
Blue Byte hold off strategy sequel's release until January to give developers more time
"Settlers IV" seemed to be in trouble when publisher Blue Byte recently announced that the planned public beta test of the game had been cancelled, and so it comes as little surprise to hear that the game's release has now been delayed until next year. Before fans of the popular strategy series start leaping off tall buildings, the good news is that the new release date is expected to be January 2001, so you won't have too long a wait if everything goes to plan. The delay will also "allow more time for the game's development and quality assurance", which has to be a good thing.
"This was a very difficult decision for us to make", admitted CEO Thomas Hertzler. "However, at the end of the day, we have made this decision with Settlers players in mind. We know that the game won't be ready before Christmas, but fans will be getting a game that lives up to Blue Byte's high standards. We will continue with the tradition of only releasing games when they are ready."
If only ever publisher stuck to that philosophy...