Red Dead and The Warriors delayed, while GTA: San Andreas could miss E3
Publisher revises forecasts downwards, CEO resigns, and key games slip.
Take-Two has delayed the release of Red Dead Revolver (PS2/Xbox) and Rockstar North's The Warriors (PS2), and indicated that Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (PS2) may not appear at E3 this year after all.
The company's financial forecast statement this week reveals that Wild West shooter Red Dead Revolver has been delayed by a week in the US, and will be released in Europe on May 28th rather than the previous late-April estimate. The Warriors, meanwhile, has been pushed back from the third quarter of the publisher's current financial year (late summer) to the first quarter of financial year 2005, meaning that the Rockstar North-developed title will probably be released this winter.
That 'other' Rockstar North project, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, remains on track for an October 19th US release and an October 22nd debut in Europe, but the game is by no means certain to appear at E3 as had been anticipated. Take-Two yesterday claimed that subsidiary Rockstar Games "plans to begin previewing Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas to key retailers and industry trade publications in June," although a spokesperson indicated that the firm's E3 plans were still under review.
In terms of the company's financial progress, this week's statement also confirmed the resignation of CEO Jeffrey Lapin following talk of a surprise loss in the second quarter. Take-Two's share price reacted badly, but you'd imagine it will find its way back to giddy heights towards the end of October...
For more on Take-Two's financial forecasts, check out our sister site GamesIndustry.biz.