Haze, Assassin's Creed, Rabbids 2 delayed?

Ubisoft is to delay four games until next year, possibly including heavyweights Haze, Rayman Raving Rabbids and Assassin's Creed, the French publisher has announced.

In a financial report put out by Ubisoft, the company announced that, "As a result of the positive trends observed during the first half of the year as well as the positive outlook for the third quarter, Ubisoft has decided to postpone the release of certain games".

[aiphanes]

The other games might be delayed...Has anybody seen the latest Assassians Creed build? It is any good? I have not seen this running on the PS3 yet.

I heard Haze went gold already...so why would it be delayed?
There is also a demo comming out next month...

[Captain Tuttle]

Are you 6 years old?

[Tsalagi]

Assassins Creed is a great game and i can't wait to play it now that i know it's went gold and not delayed. 8D

[Twizlex]

No, I'm pretty sure the games that are being delayed are games they haven't even announced to the public yet. They want to give them more time in the oven BECAUSE of the success of their recent games and how much better they ended up being because of sufficient development time. They also want to spread out their release dates so they're not competing so much with themselves for sales.

"There's one franchise title that has been pushed into a release during fiscal year 2008/09 (starting on April 1st 2008), which is likely to be Might & Magic (specifically the Dark Messiah title). Additionally, three new brands have been pushed to fiscal 2008/09; candidates for these delays include the untitled Shaun White Snowboarding game, and possibly two eagerly awaited TV series licensed games (Lost and Heroes)."

http://www.totalvideogames....

I hope this eases some peoples' minds!

[Kleptic]

if Haze does get delayed, it appears it would be a move only by Ubisoft to "strengthen" 2008...I have no idea what that means, but Free Radical has confirmed many times that they have been on track for a November release with no issues...and being that they are only working on a PS3 version, there is no real reason why they would have issues...

Assasin's Creed is annoying anymore...its been nothing but flames surrounding that game...yet when they actually showed it, it looked and played like crap...now its just ammo for both camps to fire at each other on which console is better in pointless arguments...I think a ton of people have really lost interest in that game, I know I have...as well as most of my friends...

I hadn'teven heard of the other games...so w/e...I hope Haze doesn't get delayed just for marketing crap...if it is having problems that need addressed, by all means do it...but if they are just sitting on it because Ubisoft has nothing in the pipes that impressive for 2008...thats their fault, now ours...just release the game...AC, go ahead and cancel the whole annoying thing for all I care...

[TheSadTruth]

I wonder if M$ is the reason for Lair being bad and the PS3's non-stop production of mediocre games. Maybe M$ actually pays PS3 developers to make mediocre games and worse versions than their xbox 360 counterparts so more people will buy the xbox 360! PS3 fans, lets start a petition! We will buy any PS3 game no matter how bad it is and start throwing around the word "AAA"

Lair AAA! Heavenly Sword "AAA"! Genji "AAA"! PS3 fans unite!!!!

[Gamespot-equals-EGM]

Where's Assassin Creed's spinmeister, where is she? I want to see her in a bikini next she's in front of the camera.

[Seraphim]

Assassins Creed was ALREADY delayed and ENTIRE YEAR to "ensure quality" so another delay? Unlikely. I'd certainly bet against it. Can't wait to get my PS360 running this one...

[Covenant]

http://kotaku.com/gaming/go...

Thank God. This was one title I wanted under the tree this Christmas.

[VaNdAl]

Today Ubisoft, one of the world's largest video game publishers, announced its highly anticipated Assassin's Creed(TM) video game has gone "gold” and is set to launch in North America on November 13, 2007. The title is one of the most anticipated games for the holiday season, arriving on the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system and the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft at the MSRP of $59.99 with the Limited Edition priced at $69.99 – rated "M” for Mature by the ESRB. In addition, those who pre-order Assassin's Creed at GameStop will receive an exclusive Assassin's Creed art book bonus when they pick up their game.
"We've been working very hard for nearly four years to make Assassin's Creed a reality and now there is a confirmed date when players will get to experience the results of our efforts,” shared Jade Raymond, producer of Assassin's Creed. "This is a huge event for the team. Our biggest reward will be everyone having a lot of good solid fun.”

The game is set in 1191 AD, when the Third Crusade was tearing the Holy Land apart. Shrouded in secrecy and feared for their ruthlessness, the Assassins intend to stop the hostilities by suppressing both sides of the conflict. Players will assume the role of the main character, Altair, and will have the power to throw their immediate environment into chaos and truly experience the art of a master assassin. For more information, please visit http://www.assassinscreed.c...

[XboxOZ360]

Isn't it amazing how so many people:
• 1) don't bother to read an article 'properly' and
• 2) Automatically jump to sensationalised assumtions ..

If you read the small section of the report that was printer over at 360Gamer.com just below:-

That, “As a result of the positive trends observed during the first half of the year as well as the positive outlook for the third quarter, Ubisoft has decided to postpone the release of certain games”.

The titles in question weren’t confirmed, but the report went on to state that, “Six franchises are now scheduled for release in 2007-08 (Brothers in Arms, Far Cry, Rayman Raving Rabbids, The Settlers, Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell and an unannounced franchise), compared with the previously announced seven.”

The report then added: “Three new brands are now scheduled for release in 2007-08 (Assassin's Creed, Haze, Tom Clancy's End War), compared with the previously announced six ... the four games concerned will now strengthen Fiscal 2008-09”.

Source: http://www.gamer.tm/news.as...

You'll read that 4 games that have YET to be announced will make it into the 2008/9 fiscal year, andthat the other remainiing 9 games, Assassin's Creed, Haze, Tom Clancy's End War, Brothers in Arms, Far Cry, Rayman Raving Rabbids, The Settlers, Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell and an unannounced franchise, will be releasesed on schedule in the 2007/8 fiscal year.

Good god, do people on the net 'actually read' stuff, or just go by what the made up headline is . . . and then assume it to be so. You know what assuming does . . . it makes an Ass out of You and Me . . . Read the above excert, and you'll see NOMENTION that the games in question are being pushed to 2008 . . .

[JasonPC360PS3Wii]

To bad about the Halo wannabe, opps I mean Haze. Assassin's Creed is one of those rent first games for me.

[thatdude]

How is Haze a wannabe Halo, that makes no sense.

[Blood_Spiller]

Apparently Halo was the first FPS, all other FPSs created after it are clones.

*NOTE*
For the guy who disagreed, turn your sarcasm radar on.

[DrPirate]

Apparantly because it has guns and vehicles..................

I must've missed the parts of Halo that take place on Earth, play with drugs, and have wars between corporate soldiers....Unless the covenenant were owned by a private military company.

[JasonPC360PS3Wii]

but that doesn't change the fact that Haze is a wannabe. I am a FPS super whore and I know a wannabe when I see/play one. They might as well have come out and named Haze "Hazo" or somthing. Wannabes arn't bad they are just annoying because they "wannbe" someone else.

Edit: Lots of good games snd ideas come from clones but they are still clones at the end of the day.

[VirusE]

It isn't a 100% clone but all you have to do is look at the screen shots and the influence halo had on the design is obvious. It looks a lot like halo and the name is even a 4 letter word that begins with H. As for how it plays I would imagine it plays closer to timesplitters than halo.

[Blood_Spiller]

You've still failed to state how it's a clone. You people do know Halo wasn't the first FPS with vehicles in it right?

[macsto]

I think what he means is, Halo sets the benchmark.

[DrPirate]

What is unanimously agreed upon is that, Halo changed the way we look at console shooters.

We should just end this discussion there. What Haze is or isn't is really irrelevant. It has loud weapons, a "warthog" like buggy. However, it also has factions, PMC's, rebels, gameplay mechanics like nectar and playing dead, disarming opponents and flipping their weapons on them, wide breath of urban and natural environments, etc.

[Regret]

Quake on first PLaystation is better than Halo ^^

[Stormon]

OMG! is final fantasy a copy of halo too? I heard you could walk in it...and it has GUNS. wow...I wish I knew before I bought it.

you guys need to grow up.. you can construe any game and make it seem like another game.

[Evo9]

do u hear the song: a bi*&%h cant doit like me lol

[FF7numba1]

haze is nothing like halo. lol HALO IS GOOD BUT COME on its success is just luck. Right place right time. Xbox had a lack of good and halo filled the void first. But I kinda see where hes coming from when he says wanna be halo. Playstation is known for being more balance out of the 3 companies when it comes to types of gamess. The only major area they lack is the fps section. Ps3 has resistance but its far from halo series success. So the ps3 fps section is lacking.

[JasonPC360PS3Wii]

So I guess you could say that Playstation is a Atari, Nintendo or PC wannbe?

[FF7numba1]

ps1 was a nintendo wanna be, only to become a Nintendo killer. lol nintendo isn't dead but sony raped them Ms and sega for 2 gens.

[THE_JUDGE]

Haze would be delayed. They have been hyping it up alot and the whole release of the game along side the single 'HAZE' by Korn is supposed to be happening around the same time. That would suck if they did though.

[DrPirate]

If true: 2008, year of the gamer.

I still think Assasin's creed is being delayed.

Bugs have been crawling from that game like mad. Every showing they have, there are game breaking bugs that make themselves apparant. Imagine that, times two because it's multiplatform.

I hope it's AC being delayed because it's looking to be the next major stealth action game series after Metal Gear is over and I want it to be great. The free-running aspect to it is really well done, and I can only imagne a sequel maintaining and expanding on the intensity of the thrill of the kill and the escape/chase sequences.

[skagrerrrr]

2008 will be a good year for gamers on all platforms

[Blood_Spiller]

I doubt it, the positive outlook for the third quarter that they speak about is positive because of those games, wouldn't make any sense to delay them.

[Bloodmask]

That is one of the stupidest comments I have ever read. Yeah it "must be" viral maketing by "Xbots", even though Ubisoft has officially announced this themselves through their financial reports. I guess that must make "Ubisoft" a bunch of "Xbots".

If Haze gets delayed along with Unreal Tournament for PS3 this year sales are really going to stagnate for the PS3 for Christmas. As most of the other game releases are multiplatform and the 360 is cheaper than the PS3.

360 has enough other AAA titles to pull it through without Assassin's Creed. Halo 3 and Mass Effect being two of the most probable.

[DrPirate]

". I guess that must make "Ubisoft" a bunch of "Xbots". "

Lmao Bloodmask, that made me laugh.

Seriously eh? They're delaying because they're Xbots? They bloody announced it in a financial report. Some people, I tell you....

[segasage]

these kids understand x-mas time is the best time for SALES.

they think after x-mas time when parents and grandmas and most kids are out of cash that sales are going to sky-rocket.

Don't you know how important big sale months are?

just cause a game is delayed till 2008 does not make it alright for sony. Well it is Ok for those that doesnt have money to buy most games but console sales are big around certain times of the year. Spring and summer is usually not one of them.

Yes this is the so called wanna be "halo killer", I mean look at it? you f$%kn kidding me? Nothing new here except nector. we'll see how well this sell...hopefully it is not delayed cause that is bad news for Sony and business.

@DrPirate, since Microsoft pays cash for reviews maybe Ubi are xbots...haha anything happes on news by gamers.

@DrPirate 6.3, do you know how I came to hear about this game? I think one of Ubi's dev was talking sh#t..I cannot forget. A new IP talking sh#t about a popular game.

[DrPirate]

Although Haze was touted as a Halo killer (By it's devs no less...), I don't think it has a chance in hell, it looks to be competing with games the likes of FarCry and Crysis.

I think what makes Halo really special is the art direction, the stylistic enemies and architecture and music.

If there's a Halo "competitor" (Lets not use the word killer), even though the original wasn't great, I think Killzone 2 is dripping with artistic direction and should be immersively compelling to offer an FPS experience like no other. That's a debate for another day though.

Haze being delayed, IN MY OPINION, is no big deal. There's other great games in 07, I'm just getting a little worried about 08 being way overcrowded first quarter.

Edit @ 6.2: Dude, same thing with me man. The first thing I heard about Haze was how, "Halo was shallow and had no story depth". Honestly, I don't know what they were thinking. I think the only reason it's getting a real bad rap is for this reason alone. I agree though, it was definitely uncalled for.

[ry-guy]

I'm sick of people saying Microsoft pays people to give poor reviews to Playstation games and excellent reviews to Xbox games.

Give it a rest.

Until someone comes up with some concrete proof just shut up.

[Twizlex]

Thank you. It's funny how some people just can't understand that some guy's opinion about how good or bad a game is is different than your own opinion, and the only reason you hear about it and care is because that guy gets paid to have his opinion and you don't. Get over it! I mean, Jericho got a 3/10 from 1up and a 9/10 from GamePro. One guy loved it, one guy hated it. So just because you think all these PS3 games are awesome doesn't mean the rest of the world is going to agree with you. Reviewers are paid to be objective, not paid to be pro-Microsoft. I'm sure there are some people that lean that way, and some people that lean towards Sony, but that's why sites like Metacritic exist - to give you an AVERAGE of what all these different people think. Reviews don't affect sales anyways - nobody bought Beyond Good and Evil or Psychonauts, and they were reviewed as some of the best games around. So at the end of the day, why do you care what reviewers say? Obviously, most people ignore them. If you like a game, play it, tell your friends about it. If you don't, then don't. Simple as that.

[Evil0Angel]

..

[Kleptic]

DrPirate...Free Radical didn't say it was a Halo killer with a straight face...they were making fun of the industry and how retarded fanboys are...they made comments like "Haze has more vehicles than bioshock and the vehicles have more physics/damage than vehicles in halo 2...making it a halo killer"...they also said one gun has a weed-wacker mounted underneath it, making the game better than Gears of War...and one of the closing comments of that Haze Hype Week stuff, was how sad they were that a lot of gaming fans wouldn't get the jokes they were trying to make...

it was all a joke...that Doak dude has been like that since Goldeneye when people started comparing it to Quake, and which was better...

regardless it really doesn't matter...we know enough of the story and gameplay that it is nothing like halo...its not doing anything closer to halo than any other console fps...it will probably have some auto aim stuff, to help with analogs...and will probably have a gun viewable on screen with a reticle to sight out targets...but with the nectar, playing dead, weapons stealing, nectar grenades...the gameplay is setting up to have as much in common with Halo 3 as it does with a pint of beer...

[Captain Tuttle]

Really bad news about Haze if this is true. It's really becoming embarrassing for Sony if this stuff pans out.

Assassin's Creed wouldn't surprise me...I haven't had much faith in that title for a long time.

[Expy]

How is it embarrassing for Sony? I don't see the logic there.

[VirusE]

Expy i think he pointing out that a lot of stuff for the ps 3 has been delayed which is the truth.

[Expy]

Then it should be embarrassing for the developers and not Sony. Sony has nothing to do with the lack of competence of the developers/publishers.

[Captain Tuttle]

Expy, if this stuff is true it just adds fuel to the fire about Sony developing an incredible piece of hardware that very few can or are willing to take advantage of. If this continues it shows that Sony made an arrogant, flawed business decision...pretty embarrassing at best and financially damaging at worst. You can blame the developers all you want but they're under no obligation to make games for the PS3...if they don't think they can get a decent financial return they won't.

[Expy]

An Assassin's Creed delay due to issues in development, such as DVD space or PS3 memory issues. Even though Jade Raymond said issues should have been resolved.

[creeping judas]

what this means is that Ubisoft has earned their projected income for their 2007 fiscal year, and do not need any more earnings. Earning way above expected can make the next fiscal year harder to achieve. So they postpone their best games to be released in the 1st quarter of the next fiscal year.

ubisoft is notorious for this action.

it has nothing to do with who is a better system 360 or ps3.

[AllroundGamer]

Assassin's Creed was delayed because of the upcoming nude photoshoot of Jade Raymond which will be as unlockable after finishing the game on hardest difficulty :)

Edit: Tsalagi and the ultimate edition would include this bonus toy :) http://www.fleshlight.com/

[DrPirate]

Assasin's Creed Preorder +1 confirmed.

[Tsalagi]

The "Legendary" edition of Assassins' Creed comes with the game, Jade Raymonds nude photo's, some lube, and a box of Kleenex. Orders yours today!!! 8D

"Edit: Tsalagi and the ultimate edition would include this bonus toy :) http://www.fleshlight.com/&...

LMAO Gamestop's going to be busy when it comes out. I feel sorry for whoever gets a "used" version from them though.

[Apocwhen]

LOL, that's a great one Allround

[Ares84]

Army of Two already deleyed....and now this!!! What are we left with???

[Ashta]

Army of Two for the Ps3 was actually completed. It had gone "gold" but Ubisoft wanted to hold it back so they could tweek it and streamline the experience for the next-gen consoles. So, development processes aren't the issue here.....Ubisoft just wants to take a finished product and make it better.

So, a delay with that type of reasoning behind it I can go along with.

[Apocwhen]

If I'm not mistaken Army of Two is an EA game, but I see your point.

[segasage]

did you jsut magically appear from under a rock? go do some research on al the games that are or might be delayed unto 2008 for the Ps3.

It's bad becasue sony will miss a chance to capitalize on big holiday sales with the enticment of new IPs and games.

yes the games eventually come out but during cold months for console sales.

imagine UT3, AC, and army of two delayed well you have uncharted and racket and that card game. mind you the xobx has plenty of games and those 3 games i mentioned are multi as well.

[Expy]

There are plenty of games to play on the Playstation 3 as well, and quite some good ones still to be released (and it hasn't even been a year yet). R&C, Drake's Fortune, Eye of Judgement, Time Crisis 4, UT3 (still no set date, but i'll assume a 2007 release for which it'll be a console exclusive until 08), GT5 Prologue, Singstar, Rockband (w/ wireless controllers), Haze (not officially delayed and hasnt really seen development problems or published problems).

[jctoyou]

tosser

[kss]

god damn it you guys

[ATLRoAcH]

...I will be pissed.I pre-ordered the limited edition a couple of months ago and have been counting down the days.Its not that its surprising, I just think they could have delayed it a month ago instead of less than 3 weeks from launch.Even though I feel the delay will happen I still have my fingers crossed.

[Ashta]

This news story has already been on the wire for about a week and a half now and the games listed for delay were not Haze or Assassin's Creed. The Ubisoft games that were delayed were Rabbids, Army of Two, Splinter Cell, and an unannounced game in development.

Considering that Haze's marketing advertisements are starting to ramp up with KoRn jumping on board to record a track and Gamestop has begun advertising the game I doubt that it will be delayed until next year. Assassin's Creed can probably be taken off that list too considering the comic series is hitting up the internet and advertisements have already begun for it as well. It would be stupid to postpone a game thats already getting street word.

As for the other games? Army of Two is actually -completed- and has been reviewed by a few sites. However, Ubisoft wanted to "iron some things out" so they held it back until January. the reviewed and finished code was the Ps3 version in case anyone wanted to know.

So, Until we actually hear the words "Assassin's Creed and Haze have been delayed" we don't need to be bummed out just yet.

[DrPirate]

Army of Two is EA.

[THE_JUDGE]

Although those titles will be missed I think we all can make due with the ones that we have.

[Ashta]

Dang, your right. AO2 is EA, so that is totally my bad.

Still, AO2 is completed and has already been reviewed by a few sites, so that part of my post was accurate. If EA is holding it back to streamline it then that makes it even better. After the whole fiasco with the PS3 versions of Madden 08 and Skate I'm glad to see they will take the time to improve the overall gameplay and graphical experience.

[judd]

If you read the article, it doesn't look like any of these will be pushed back. It depends on if those games in parentheses are the six in the first comment and the three in the second comment.

“Six franchises are now scheduled for release in 2007-08 (Brothers in Arms, Far Cry, Rayman Raving Rabbids, The Settlers, Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell and an unannounced franchise), compared with the previously announced seven.”

6 games listed to go along with 6 scheduled, no longer 7. There is 1 franchise game pushed back.

“Three new brands are now scheduled for release in 2007-08 (Assassin's Creed, Haze, Tom Clancy's End War), compared with the previously announced six ... the four games concerned will now strengthen Fiscal 2008-09”.

3 games listed to go along with 3 scheduled, no longer 6. There is 3 new brand games being pushed back.

3 new brands + 1 franchise brand = 4 games pushed to Fiscal 2008-09!!!!

So, it all depends on if the games in parentheses were put in by the person writing the article or if they are actually part of the quote. It doesn't say those currently scheduled in the article for 2007-08 have been pushed back from their release dates.

P.S. First time commenting. If I'm offbase, go easy on me :)

EDIT: Thanks JUDGE. I have been around for about 2 months reading, but never got a screenname until a couple days ago.

[THE_JUDGE]

and welcome to N4g!

[ATLRoAcH]

Got tired of reading from the sidelines huh? Well Welcome.

[Covenant]

Welcome aboard. Keep your fanboy shield in working condition...you'll need it. :)

Also, a flame-resistant outfit doesn't hurt, either.

[MajorgamerQc]

Haze have just release a demo. I dont think it's been delayed.

[MrWonderful]

where is this demo you speak of? i would like to play it

[ATLRoAcH]

Where is this HAZE demo you speak of?

[Apocwhen]

There is to be a public demo this weekend so there's obviously a demo available, just not on PSN right now

http://www.gamesindustry.bi...

[straightpiff420]

haze delayed!!! NOOOOOO =[