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.
Kennykazey
I think this is great news! (hate me if you wan’t) It makes november cheaper, and makes december brighter.
3shirts
I agree with a comment on the other article. They are doing this purely to push hype and sales, specifically with the console bundle. I just can’t believe that this close to launch there is a a bug serious enough that they can’t just patch it
cc_star
So what’s the consensus?
1) Delayed because they forgot to include fw3.42 (non-Jailbroken) firmware on the disc and obviously lock the game to that firmware or above
2) The CoD factor really is that powerful
MornelitheVT
Well, I really want to play this thing before the year’s out. I bought a launch 60g, for GT5 solely. The rest has been a bonus, really. But, I’m starting to get overly anxious and losing my patience. I won’t cancel my preorder or anything though heh. Whenever it does come out, it’s going to rock.
There is definitely 1 good thing about this though, the new Wheel of Time book hits Nov 2nd, and I was pulling my hair out trying to figure out how I’m supposed to read and race cars at the same time. Problem solved!
cam the man
I think I might be in the minority but in a way I’m pleased it’s delayed.
I’m about to start my 5th race of 133 (7 seasons) with F1 2010, it’s gonna take quite a while to finish all of them and practise the tracks for the TSA Championship.
So if GT5 is delayed for a week or six I’m happy to spend my gaming time with F1.
Manorhowze
Same as me cam, I’m going to be involved with F1 2010 for quite a while so this news doesn’t really bother me although I do understand why it is annoying others.
BadBoyBoogie
I can’t deny that I’m disappointed, but on a positive note, at least I’ll be able to give Need For Speed Hot Pursuit the full attention it will surely deserve!! ;)
MXZ
Perhaps Sony found a satanic tyre screech and had to pullblack the game until it was altered.
3shirts
Doubtful, the tyre screech is the same as every GT so far :)