Delayed Games Of 2011

2011 is quickly becoming one of the best years for gamers in recent memory. But it should have been even better.

Game delays are common, especially nowadays where timing is everything. Publishers such as Microsoft and Activision seem to own the fall months with their big holiday shooters every year. You can also count on Rockstar Games to put out a big title every spring, too. But the rest of the year is up for grabs. 

Below is a list of some major titles that were supposed to come out in 2011, but were delayed until next year and beyond.

Kinect Star Wars (Xbox 360)

Then: Kinect Star Wars was pegged as one of Microsoft’s big exclusive titles for the holiday. The company even planned on releasing a Star Wars themed Xbox 360 Kinect bundle. After a recent press event, however, Microsoft decided to delay the title to next year to "ensure the full potential of this title is realized."

Now: Microsoft hasn’t given a new release date for 2012 yet. The length of the delay may depend on how much more development time is needed with the game.

Mass Effect 3 (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC)

Then: Believe it or not, Mass Effect 3 was originally scheduled for release this holiday. BioWare decided to move the game to early 2012. Given the success that Battlefield 3 has had so far and next month's release of Star Wars: The Old Republic, it was probably a wise move by EA. “The development team is laser focused on making sure Mass Effect 3 is the biggest, boldest and best game in the series, ensuring that it exceeds everyone’s expectations.”  said Casey Hudson, Executive Producer Mass Effect series.

MNow: At E3 2011, BioWare announced Mass Effect 3 will release on March 6, 2012. It doesn’t seem likely the game will be delayed further.

The Darkness II (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC)

Then: The Darkness II should have been out by now. 2K pushed the game back from its original October release to February 2012. A reason for the delay was never provided.

Now: The Darkness II now ships on February 7, 2012. Parent company Take-Two likes to shift release dates around quite often, so I wouldn’t put this date in stone.

The Last Guardian (PlayStation 3)

Then: The Last Guardian has seen numerous delays since its reveal back at E3 2009. At the Tokyo Game Show 2010, however, Sony said the game would finally be out Holiday 2011. That didn't happen, though. Game Director Fumito Ueda published a statement in April confirming its delay to "provide more challenging and better quality of content to users and to fulfill First Party Studio’s obligations."

Now: No new release date has been announced. It's entirely possible at this point the game may not even come out in 2012. Hopefully we'll get an update on the game in the coming months.

Ghost Recon: Future Soldier (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3)

Then: Ubisoft's latest shooter in the Ghost Recon series was originally pegged for release by the end of 2010. The publisher had the game set to come out this fall, but delayed the title yet again due to the crowded holiday months.

Now: Ghost Recon: Future Soldier now hits March 6, 2012, the same day as Mass Effect 3.

XCOM (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC)

Then: The somewhat controversial reboot of the classic strategy game was supposed to come out in 2011. Take-Two made the announcement during E3 2010, but the game continued to slip. The following E3, it was announced XCOM would arrive on March 6, 2012, the same day as Mass Effect 3.

Now: During Take-Two's latest earnings call the company announced it was delaying the game beyond March 2012. XCOM will now ship during Take-Two's 2013 fiscal year, which begins on April 1, 2012 and ends March 31, 2013. 

Spec Ops: The Line (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC)

Then: First revealed in December 2009, Spec Ops has also seen its share of delays. Similar to XCOM, Take-Two said Spec Ops: The Line would ship in 2011 at E3 2010. This past May, though, the company delayed the game until spring 2012. A reason for the delay was never provided.

Now: Spec Ops is still on course for this spring. A slew of new previews and media recently hit the Net confirming the game's existence.

[Click below for more delayed games]

Twisted Metal (PlayStation 3)

Then: The reboot of one of PlayStation's classic franchises was originally slated to come out on October 4, 2011. This past August, series creator David Jaffe confirmed the game is now shipping in 2012. "With Twisted Metal we plan to ship a multiplayer classic. We plan to ship the best Twisted Metal ever made. We plan to convert a lot of folks who think vehicle combat is a relic best left to 90′s nostalgia," he said. "You only deserve our best and we appreciate your understanding as we take a little more time to guarantee that our best is what we deliver."

Now: Twisted Metal is scheduled for release on Valentine's Day, February 14, 2012. "It is a very romantic game, as you know. Here's what I predict is going to happen: You're going to have people going out to very romantic dinners and coming home and playing the crap out of local split-screen, and then obviously you know what happens after that," Jaffe said. "Because you know there's nothing more romantic than blowing your significant other up with a maniacal, demonic ice-cream truck."

Silent Hill: Downpour (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3)

Then: Konami's upcoming Silent Hill title was originally pegged for release this holiday, November 4. It wasn't until last month the publisher decided to delay the title to next year. No reason was given for moving the game's date.

Now: Konami says the game will arrive in the second quarter of 2012, putting a release sometime between March and June of next year.

Hybrid (Xbox 360)

Then: 5TH Cell's first console title for Xbox Live Arcade was supposed to come out this year. This past May, the developer delayed the title for additional development time. “Hybrid was very well received this past GDC; people really seemed to enjoy it,” said CEO and creative director Jeremiah Slaczka, “but with an additional year, we can take what we've learned and really drill down on our ideas to hopefully transform this game into something great.”

Now: No new release date has been revealed for the game. Gamers will likely hear more about the title, and when it's coming out, early next year.

Journey (PlayStation 3)

Then: Thatgamecompany's upcoming adventure title was supposed to his sometime in 2011. But after a recent online beta, creative director Jenova Chen announced it's being delayed for additional polish. "For the past few months, we kept getting asked about Journey’s release date. Yes, we haven’t said anything about our release in a while mainly because we really couldn’t tell. And we don’t want to throw out a date that we are not sure about, and later disappoint our players," he said.

"Fortunately, the online beta went very well, and our continued playtests have given us great feedback on the work we have left to complete. While there is still a ton of care and polish needed, we can’t wait to finally deliver Journey, TGC’s take on an online adventure game."

Now: Journey is currently slated for release this spring on PlayStation Network.

Witcher 2 (Xbox 360)

Then: The promising port of one of 2011's best-looking titles was supposed to hit late this fall. CD Projekt head Adam Kicinski said the game needed more time, however. "The extra time will allow us to polish the title to perfection, so that the game offers an ideally balanced, fantastic experience to gamers. As the launch of the game approaches, we will be sharing more details how it will be released on Xbox 360. I trust that despite the release date shift, players will be satisfied with what we are planning for them."

Now: No new release date has been set as of now. Fans can probably expect the game to drop sometime in the first half of next year.

Torchlight 2 (PC)

Then: Another late 2011 release, Torchlight 2 simply needed more time. Runic Games president Travis Baldree explained: "We've probably had 18 months of full development time on it so far – not excessively long yet, as far as that goes. The amount of time we need to take it the rest of the way is relatively small. We feel pretty safe in saying that if you enjoyed Torchlight at all, this sequel is superior in every respect. Right now our job is to ensure that the quality level is consistent all the way to the end."

Now: No new date has been set. PC players probably won't have to wait too much longer, though.