Unreal Tournament 3 delayed ... or not?

by Nick Doerr { Oct 3rd 2007 at 12:45PM }

A big hubbub has been made due to the announcement that Unreal Tournament 3 has gotten delayed into 2008, coinciding with the PC and 360 releases. But has it, really? First up, Mark Rein tried to comment on the delay announcement at the Epic Forums, but apparently Midway had the thread deleted. He's created another thread repeating what he said, which is basically "Midway felt an obligation to its shareholders to let them know about the possibility of a delay. Our goal is still to get the PS3 version of UT3 in stores before the end of 2007. However, we will only ship it once it's ready and is the best game we can deliver."

The good news, he says, is with the extra time the PS3 version will have all the maps the PC version will offer -- so complaining is neither here nor there. You can check out the quote on ThreeSpeech in case Mark's second post gets knocked off the forums again, due to unnecessary flaming on other members' behalf. In any case, the game has not officially been delayed, but it's a warning to expect a delay. For extra dev time, though, we don't really mind. We've got a lot to play this holiday season already.

Tags: epic-games, mark-rein, unreal-tournament-3, ut3

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Frank @ Oct 3rd 2007 12:50PM

Judging by past history, I'm gonna go with yes :(

finelicker @ Oct 3rd 2007 1:10PM

I read this on another forum, but its a good point, the delay could be seen as a belssing in disguise for a couple of reasons.

1) HAZE will now not have its thunder stolen by UT3, and people that could only afford to purchase 1 FPS, but couldn't decide, now don't have any issues.

2) The game will recieve the necessary polish to really stretch the ps3's elusive muscles.

Random1448 @ Oct 3rd 2007 1:10PM

Why don't they release it now with less maps, and just put the other maps on PSN when they're ready?

Egster @ Oct 3rd 2007 1:12PM

"coinciding with the PC and 360 releases."

Wrong! The PC version will be out in novermber, the xbox 360 version wasn't even mentioned.

sicklesdawg @ Oct 3rd 2007 1:13PM

They could give a DEMO? Also we have HAZE, CoD4, Drake and Ratchet plus Folklore!

Elliot J @ Oct 3rd 2007 1:14PM

@2
UT3 counter Halo 3? haha, nice one :)

I'm a fan of both systems but I gotta say, I just can't see UT3 'countering' H3. I logged on last night to do some matchmaking and there were 700,000 people online all around the world. I doubt UT3 will even sell 700,000 copies before the year's end IF it gets released this year.

Frank @ Oct 3rd 2007 1:25PM

"This is a big deal and was to be the PS3 sci-fi based exclusive to counter Halo 3."

This isn't an exclusive at all, just a few months, maybe not even a few months now.

Emophia @ Oct 3rd 2007 2:02PM

As much as I like Halo...

UT is in a totally different ball game... Halo can't even touch it...

mlmitton @ Oct 3rd 2007 2:10PM

It may or may not be delayed, but Rein's comments are completely reasonable. Go read any company's annual report and you'll see a lengthy section where they detail all possible things that could go wrong for the company, including things that would seem too obvious to state (if terrorists blow up all of our airplane, our ability to service customers could be severely affected).

I don't know the precise legal rules that lead to extensive disclosure, but it's at least necessary for companies to say everything that could go wrong to cover themselves. If and when something does go wrong, shareholders can't say they weren't properly warned of all the business risks.

I still think it will be delayed, but we are making too much of a statement in a shareholder conference call.

drizzlelicious @ Oct 3rd 2007 2:23PM

@11
PS 2.5? The difference between the PS2 and the PS3 is much bigger than the one of Xbox and Xbox 360. Get a brain and stop trolling.

The Twizzler @ Oct 3rd 2007 2:38PM

I've been a bit annoyed about the Stranglehold delay, but if it's going to make that and Unreal Tournament play better and utilize the PS3's power then I'm all for it.

At least these games will actually play at a REAL HD resolution, 1080p, rather then Halo's upscaled 680p. I guess the 360 just couldn't handle HD after all the hoopla about it's HD capabilities. I know I know, Halo 3 looks great... Well it's kind of like listening to the Bose two speaker "Surround" system. Sure it sounds great but its not real surround and if it was it would sound even better.

Popfrogs @ Oct 3rd 2007 3:47PM

Sweet, some guy waiting for his console to get shipped back is trolling.

ShaggyB @ Oct 4th 2007 10:39AM

Lots to play?!??!? like what?

OOO Uncharted....
OOO Ratchet and Klank.....
OOO Haze.....

What else you got to play? Having all 3 systems I can safely say when its a multi-platform release i jump on the 360 version. Regardless of what system you personally pick for multi-platform games.... Multi-platform dont count when discussing if a delay is bad for a system or not.

Guitar Hero 3
Rock Band
Tony Hawk
Skate.
Call of Duty 4

these are all great games but i can get them on both ps3 and 360, therefore they add nothing to the "I have to have a ____ because it has these games and ___ doesnt." That being said, I knew of four games. UT3 was the 4th and it was only a timed exclusive.

Haze's release is most likely getting delayed and ive also read that early builds arent too fun.

Uncharted... well im not impressed, looks like indiana jones /tomb raider game

ratchet... never liked the other ratchet games.

lets look at ps3 exclusives thus far

Resistance (last year)
Motorstorm
Ninja Gaiden Sigma
WarHawk
Lair
Heavenly Sword

Ok 360s for this year (so far)
Overlord
Forza 2
ShadowRun
Blue Dragon
BioShock
Eternal Sonata
Halo 3

now its up to you to decide which list is better. And i know ps3 will get more games next year but thus far any and all delays just compound the fact that the 360 has games and lots of them.

UT3 missing this year puts it in jeopardy of being a multi-platform release. In fact if it is out next year i personally dont think it can be even taken into consideration at all as the 360 will launch right behind it. We are talking 2 months or so. with most saying February/March on 360.

Playstations constant delay of games is only hurting it. There is no way around that. You guys may have lots to play but nothing that a 360 owner doesnt already have.

Spoon!! @ Oct 4th 2007 1:43PM

I bet the XB360 version of UT3 is ready to ship alongside the PC version... they're just holding back the game because Sony paid them off. Look at the amount of XB360 games already released using the UT3 engine.

Having both systems and looking at the list of games, XB360 has more AAA titles TODAY... BUT if it's a multi-platform release, I'll buy the PS3 version because of free online play. Paying to play online is just so... wrong.

Eagerly awaiting:
Area 51 Blacksite
Uncharted
COD4

ShaggyB @ Oct 4th 2007 2:30PM

#21. The 360 version of UT3 is most likely being held back to force microsoft's hand on user created downloads. Remember PC and PS3 get user created mods. 360 currently has no way to do that. They recently unveiled a server that did this....

I would say the delay is more of a do it or watch the Sony get the game sales.

Now with a delay though that timed exclusive looks to be a joke. Ooooooo 4 - 8 weeks before 360 version.... big deal. Its hard to even count Ut3 as a feather in the Ps3's expensive hat.