Microsoft has announced that the release of Crackdown 3 will be delayed further. It has been almost three years since the game was announced, and the wait for the open world shooter game seems to be never-ending. This is the second time Microsoft has delayed the game.
Crackdown 3 delayed again
The game was originally announced at E3 2014, and its first target release date was in the second half of 2016. From there, it was postponed to Nov. 7, 2017. Microsoft now says that Crackdown 3 will be available some time next spring.
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Microsoft Studios Publishing boss Shannon Loftis told Polygon that the company is determined to get the game right.
“We’re very excited about Crackdown 3, and so are many fans, and so it’s a difficult call to move the release date. However, we want to make sure to deliver the right game, with the right quality, and at the right time,” Loftis said.
The executive said that given the popularity of the game, Microsoft just wants to deliver the perfect experience to players, whether they’re playing in campaign, co-op multiplayer or competitive multiplayer mode. The team’s priority is fine-tuning all three modes to get them right right, Loftis said.
She believes that Crackdown 3 is an ambitious project because it takes a step toward true 4K gameplay, cloud-computing competitive multiplayer, and a sprawling and futuristic open world. However, there was no specific information on the challenges that the company has been facing in getting the game right.
Delays are a necessary evil
Fans were not happy with the recent gameplay videos that were shown at E3 in June, as the graphics were less than ideal. Therefore, Loftis says that the developers are taking extra time to work on it.
“I’m proud of the progress and dedication the Crackdown 3 team has shown and their deep passion and love for this IP,” the executive said.
Some fans and players, however, think that delays are a necessary evil, as faced by some of the greatest titles launched in the past. Both Witcher 3 and Grand Theft Auto V were delayed a few times. If nothing else, Microsoft needs a pat on the back for its decision to stay true to its commitment to delivering a great title. There are reports that Crackdown 3 will be better in terms of engine performance, content and polish.
The delay also means that Crackdown 3 will be able to avoid a crowded season. This holiday season will bring the release of some of the most popular titles, such as Middle-earth: Shadow of War, Assassin’s Creed Origins, Call of Duty: WWII, Star Wars Battlefront II, Destiny 2, and others.
“With so many great exclusives and new games to play, Crackdown 3 would have shipped into an incredibly crowded market,” Loftis said.
For Microsoft, the delay also means that it now has just one big-budget game for the year, Forza Motorsport 7, which will launch on October 3 on the PC and Xbox One. Other than this, the company only has smaller downloadable indie games slated for launch before the holiday season.
