The lights are on
We've been excited to see Rockstar's take on the 1940's detective story since we did our cover story earlier this year, but the closer we get to the game's planned fall release, the more convinced we become that it's going to be delayed. It looks like we aren't alone either.
GameSpot is reporting that Pacific Crest Securities analyst Evan Wilson believes the delay is inevitable. In a note to investors, Wilson wrote:
"We have confirmed the delay of L.A. Noire from fiscal Q4 (Oct.) well into [fiscal] 2011 [November 1, 2010 to October 31, 2011]. As far as we can tell, Take-Two has not shown the game to retailers."
To add to what Wilson said, as far as we know of, Rockstar has not shown L.A. Noire to any press either recently. We haven't seen it since we checked it out near the start of the year. Normally if a publisher was preparing for a fall launch, it would be active at E3 and other events and arrange previews and interviews in the months leading up to the game's release.
Wilson said that this is the 20th delay for Rockstar and Take-Two since 2007, when the current management took over. He said the delays "have reinforced the low confidence we have in current management," and basically suggested that investors cannot trust whatever Take-Two tells them regarding their planned release schedule.
It seems pretty unlikely that L.A. Noire will release any time soon at this point, but here's hoping we find out something solid either way soon.
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I say take as long as Rockstar and Team Bondi need, Mafia 2 will fill the void. I just want this game to be great
I'd rather wait anyway. With all of the great games coming out during the fall and in the beginning of the year, I'll have no money to commit to Noire, so hopefully it comes out next fall, when I'll have enough money.
yeah take two never arrives on time
Wow I am shocked(sarcasm)
Well duh, 6000 pages of dialogue, I want them to perfect that beauty.
I don't see what the problem is with delays when they keep churning out great games. I'd rather them delay it till 2012 then end up dissapointed with the final product after all the hype.
at least they take their time, but this game needs to come out!
Normally I'd be like whatev, but after playing Red Dead, I'm actually looking forward to this one. Take your time boys, the bar has been raised pretty high. Raise it.
there are way too many games i got my eye on this year anyway games that im gonna buy so rockstar need more time its cool with me, i read the cover story back in march and this game looks like it could be somehing special so hopefully we see a release in early 2011.
I can't wait for this game. Hopefully they narrow the release date down at least to a single season soon.
ive been waiting for this game
Seems like there's a lot of bad-business talk going on in-between the lines here. Hopefully this is not a sign of bigger problems for Take2/R*, been too much of that going around in 2010 already.
Other than this sour note from the investors, it seems like you can count on R* to deliver AAA titles that bring in big sales numbers- and you can count on them to delay these big titles whenever R* sees fit to do so.
From the gamer's perspective, this is a good thing I think; I'd take delays of rush-jobs any day.
That sucks I'm looking forward to this game coming out.
The confidence of investors may be low, but the strong confidence of consumers in Take Two and their products is on display here. Rushing titles may lead to more regular returns, but the profits inevitably suffer, as does the reputation of the studio...and what's worth more than a reputation? A name that can open doors rather than close them is the gold standard in business, and you only get there one way...
...well, two ways if you include not always bending to the will of your investors.
take all the time you want, just make sure you deliver an outstanding game
their was no way I thought this game would come out this year or anytime soon, especially with the new facial capture tech their working with.
Hopefully the delays are because they are concentrating their firepower on the next Grand Theft Auto. At least thats what i hope.
this game is gonna have alpha protocol syndrome it is gonna get massive hype becuz of the delay then it gonna not be that good
Aww man another cool looking game looking to be further away. And while is this rated 1 star? It's not GI's fault don't take it out on them!
This game looks so awesome... but the fact that I have heard literally nothing about this game since your cover story has led me to the same conclusion as you.