You know, I’m sat here scoffing a pizza and drinking an extra strong Margarita and wondering what the flip just happened. Gran Turismo 5 was weeks away – weeks – and it’s suddenly been knocked back to ‘before Christmas’, dashing the hopes of Sony fans worldwide and simultaneously giving Microsoft and their decidedly iffy Forza 3 Extra Mega Stig Edition some breathing space.
There’s a reason, of course, for the delay. We’ve asked, politely even, but we’re thinking that if the delay was something Sony wanted to talk about, they would have. I’m confused though – surely they’ve had a meeting (or ten) about this delay over the last few days and weeks and, thus, surely Polyphony could have told them how long the delay is going to be for – a vague ‘holiday season’ just doesn’t ring true.
And then there’s the notion, a not unfounded one even if I’m admittedly ignorant of the exact process, that the disks are probably already pressed, packed and ready to go, sat in a warehouse somewhere – it’s not unreasonable to think that the game was pretty much done, meaning whatever’s holding it back is game-breaking and can’t be fixed in a patch.
As they do, analysts have spoken out already, saying that (in the whole) the delay doesn’t really matter to sales and that Sony will do just fine out of this. “I don’t believe a GT5 delay impacts Sony’s current momentum,” Capital Research’s Jesse Divnich told Eurogamer. “GT5 is such an anticipated title that delays are unlikely to impact consumer’s purchase intent. Whether released a week later or the last week of December, sales will be astronomical.”
He’s missing the other elephant in the corner, though – the one shaped like Need For Speed, and EA, apparently reeling (again, according to analysts) about Medal of Honor, will be lapping up this news as it potentially frees more pounds for Hot Pursuit – depending of course, on when Gran Turismo 5 finally rolls out of the stables. It’s that unknown again – why don’t we have a date yet?
It’s all just zeroes and ones, of course, but days have been booked off, wheels have been bought, assembled and screwed to expensive coffee tables – hell, I was even expecting review code soonish, but I’m guessing that’s out of the window too. So, whilst we wait for Sony to give us a) a date and b) a reason, I’ll go back to my dinner and dream about the 5th of November we could have had.
Still, at least my pizza came on time.
This blog does not necessarily reflect the views of TheSixthAxis.
Pemberton_
So close and yet so far. It’ll come when it’ll come.
In before the obligatory “That’s what she said”.
BIGAL-1992
Sony probably getting pissed off at this. Aroundn twoo-three years worth of delays, a producer unwilling to sign off on the product and the (and this is really a bit off)possibility of losing sales is starting to grind on them, along with a furious sales market.
Anachronous
To be honest I’m not that fussed about the delay. I’ve not really been a big GT fan, but after watching/playing some at the Eurogamer expo a few weeks back I must say that my interest has been piqued.
What I AM fussed about, though, is the fact that Nofi got his Pizza, whereas mine HAS been delayed. :-(
3shirts
Now I want pizza :(
MegaBonez
It’s a game!!!!!!!!!! So it’s been delayed, it’s not the end of the world! I was looking forward to LBP2, but I’m not pulling my hair out. These things happen, it’s only about another month.
3shirts
It’s a gaming site!!!!!!!!
What do you expect people to talk about? It might not be a big deal to you but a lot of us were really excited about this and are now very disappointed.
Blayney
A lot of people have had plans ruined by this. I’ve seen many on different forums and this one saying they have booked time off for this.
So that sucks for them.
I’m gutted because we’ve been waiting so long, and I think we’re right on the crossing point of these two view points.
1. “It’s okay that they have delayed it, because it improves the game”
or
2. “Now they are taking the piss, if I missed this many deadlines I’d be out of a job”
Of course, they can get away with it, because Sony know that GT5 is going to sell well, over time Gran Turismo has always sold well. This is gonna make them a lot of money, and raise the profile of the PS3. So PD get away with it.
Another interesting consequence of the delay is the people who think that because they preordered it that they suddenly deserve compensation for the delay. I can’t follow that one at all! Very interesting.
As for the reason behind the delay, as has been said we may never know. Same as we may never know the reason behind the Japanese March release change (although it was almost certainly adding Weather/Track Editor). As nofi says in the article the game must’ve gone or been very close to going gold. It’s very late in the day to push a delay.
So is it down to adding a feature? Removing a bug? Or simply moving the release date to what Sony deem to be better for sales?
Blayney
P.S it’s articles like this that make TSA the best gaming website I’ve found. Down to earth, yet sparking excellent discussions. Thumbs up.
stingraz
That’s one hell of a risky move. I mean if it was a bug, they surely have enough time to fix it before 3rd November? They were in prime position to take people’s money first there, but now they’ve been pushed back til after people have spent lots of money on CoD7, NFS Hot Pursuit, AC Brotherhood, etc. I can see them losing a fair few customers, who will have, like me, had enough of this “It’s out for sure now” then 2 weeks before launch “Oh, maybe not”.
Saying that, the number of comments alone, says that they’ll far exceed any game sales before.
Jumping Monks
Like I said in the original article, I may now be more likely to buy games coming out around now. I know that GT5 isn’t just about to come, and completely devour my whole gaming time.
Jumping Monks
(commented on the original I mean)
Quinlank
I’m kind of glad it got delayed for the pretty hilarious shit fit mega pitch the entire internet seemed to take at the news.
Like others have said, if I’m buying any racer this year, it’s Need for Speed, but I’m grateful to GT5 for so consistently bringing the lulz.
dude90
Look guys its worth the wait.
hunterstryfe
As they do, analysts have spoken out already, saying that (in the whole) the delay doesn’t really matter to sales and that Sony will do just fine out of this. “I don’t believe a GT5 delay impacts Sony’s current momentum,” Capital Research’s Jesse Divnich told Eurogamer. “GT5 is such an anticipated title that delays are unlikely to impact consumer’s purchase intent. Whether released a week later or the last week of December, sales will be astronomical.”
Who cares what the analysts or SONY think – what about the fans who have patiently waited this long – ever thought about them!!!
astronomically short rant over lol