Developer Ubisoft has announced significant delays for its upcoming Driver and Ghost Recon titles. Initially slated for 2011, both Driver: San Francisco and Ghost Recon: Future Soldier have been pushed back to indefinite 'fiscal 2012' release dates as a result of the mega-studio's new and improved development philosophy.
In a recent meeting with investors, CEO Yves Guillemot emphasized that this latest batch of unnamed cancellations and delays were part and parcel of the studio's plans to refocus its efforts on delivering quality over quantity. To that end, Guillemot noted that giving Driver: San Francisco even more time to marinate was in the best interest of gamers and investors alike: “It's not one more year; it's we are taking the time to create an outstanding game. Seeing the competition, it's very important to bring all the fine touches to the game so that it can become a good racing game that helps us to establish Ubisoft in the racing genre."
One can't fault a developer for wanting to improve upon the quality ofits games, but it's unlikely that quality is the only motive. In the last fiscal year alone, Ubisoft saw its research and development spending increase by $68.4 million to $133.8 million; a cost that ultimately ate into 37.8% percent of its total sales.
In the same meeting, CEO Yves Guillemot himself noted, "Games offline and online... are more difficult to create now,” further lending credence to the idea that Ubisoft's restructuring is just as much about slowing down and pooling its resources as it is about giving gamers a better Ubisoft experience.
Whatever the motive, this should be a win for us, aslong aswe can be patient. Rushed games are no good for anyone.
Nov 16, 2010
[Source:Gamustra]
E3 2010: Driver: San Francisco, E3's most bizarre game revisited
So, wait, the entire game is some kind of coma dream? WTFF?
