Watch Dogs delayed until spring 2014
UPDATE: Amazon and GameStop to offer bundle pre-orders ala carte PS4s
UPDATE: Amazon and GameStop have both confirmed that they will offer those who've pre-ordered the Watch Dogs PS4 bundle the option to receive just a PS4 instead upon the console's launch next month.
"All orders for the Watch Dogs PlayStation 4 bundle will keep their place in line and we will fulfill the PlayStation 4 (without the Watch Dogs game) in accordance with your current delivery estimate. We are working on adjusting these orders and will update you as soon as we know more," wrote Amazon US on its Watch Dogs PS4 bundle page.
Additionally, a GameStop rep told Polygon that those with pre-orders could either receive the PS4 at launch and then pick up their copy of Watch Dogs when it comes out, or could swap this bundle out for a different one. "Customers can elect to keep their current bundle orders and their consoles will ship as scheduled with the game shipping separately once it is available, or customers can choose another bundle to replace their current order," GameStop explained. "Customers should also note that there may be a difference in the price if selecting another bundle and that all reserved orders will be charged upon shipment."
ORIGINAL STORY: Ambitious open world adventure Watch Dogs has been delayed until spring 2014 on all platforms, publisher Ubisoft has announced.
The game had been due to launch in just over a month's time - on 22nd November for PC, PlayStation 3, Wii U and Xbox 360. It was also set to be a launch title for both PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Indeed, launch day PS4s had been offered in a bundle with the game.
In a statement on the delay from Watch Dogs' development team, Ubisoft said that it had made the decision to make sure the game launched without a compromise in quality.
"Our ambition from the start with Watch Dogs has been to deliver something that embodies what we wanted to see in the next-generation of gaming. It is with this in mind that we've made the tough decision to delay the release until Spring 2014," Ubisoft said.
"We know a lot of you are probably wondering 'why now?' We struggled with whether we would delay the game. But from the beginning, we have adopted the attitude that we will not compromise on quality. As we got closer to release, as all the pieces of the puzzle were falling into place in our last push before completion, it became clear to us that we needed to take the extra time to polish and fine tune every detail so we can deliver a truly memorable and exceptional experience.
"We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you. We thoroughly enjoy and appreciate the way you respond on the web, at events, press conferences and during other opportunities we have to interact. Your passion is what drives us.
"We can't wait to see you in Chicago next Spring. We are confident you'll love this game as much as we love working on it."
Ubisoft still has the launch of Assassin's Creed 4 in November - which will now surely get more breathing room. And it has, of course, been a busy month for open world games, with the enormous launch of Grand Theft Auto 5.
