The Last Guardian, Ico and Shadow of the Colossus Collection delayed

by Ludwig Kietzmann on Apr 20th 2011 5:55AM

Perhaps it's best that we don't hasten the inevitable, tragic death of a majestic creature or its adventurous boy companion. Sony has announced a worldwide delay for The Last Guardian, the third of Team ICO's wistful adventures and the first to debut on PlayStation 3.

In a statement on the PlayStation Blog, creative director Fumito Ueda says The Last Guardian had to be bumped out of its original holiday 2011 launch window "to provide more challenging and better quality of content to users and to fulfill First Party Studio's obligations." He assures readers that the development team is working at a "fast pace," while ensuring a "First Party Studio" level of quality. "I sincerely apologize to all the customers who have been waiting for "The Last Guardian" for so long, but I beg for your patience," he said. "I will also announce the new release timing at a later time."

Please, Mr. Ueda, there's no need to beg. We understand, and appreciate your dedication to -- what's this? The ICO and Shadow of the Colossus Collection has also been pushed out of Spring 2011? So ... whoa.

UEEEEEDDDAAAA!!!!!

Source: PlayStation Blog (US), PlayStation Blog (EU), Sony Japan

Tags: delay, fumito-ueda, ico-and-shadow-of-the-colossus-collection, playstation, ps3, release-date, team-ico, The-Last-Guardian

Reader Comments (102)

As disappointing as this is, I'd prefer the team gives us the best product they can, as opposed to rushing it out and tarnishing their amazing track record.

@XeroAF

Agreed, I'd rather any game be delayed in order to fix or improve it.

@XeroAF

But I need it nooooowwww....

*looks at his backlog of 23 games*

Oh.. N/M. I guess I could wait...

@XeroAF I disagree. Just release it and fix any problems thru patches.

@XeroAF

Exactly. I always think of the Zelda series and how every single game is delayed numerous times, but when it's finally released, it's amazing and you know that they needed that time and took advantage of it to make the game even better.

I have no doubt that this will be a great game when it's released and everyone will be glad that they took their time with it.

@Punkrawk Bbob

I'm still working on FFVIII....

@Jay Z

Terrible Idea, then you get the game and hate it cause there are crashes, freezes, and many other issues (Think Fallout Series).

I admire developers that are willing to delay the game in order to deliver Higher Quality Product.

On side note, they probably delayed other collection so that it will bring awareness to The Last Guardian, hence they will not be too far apart.

@Punkrawk Bbob Its my money, and I need it now!

All joking aside, I also would rather have a polished game than a rushed one.

@XeroAF

The only thing I don't get is the people who did the God of War collection said it didn't even take 2 months to make GoW1&2 into an HD collection. All they did was basically make an HD texture pack and add trophies. I know they're taking their time making the Last Guardian and they probably want the ICO/SotC collection coming out around the same time to boost sales, but they could've easily had the collection done by now.

I guess I just want to play it so much I'm getting a little bitter towards them...but I have a ton of games I still need to play through so I guess it's not the end of the world.

@XeroAF

I can't rationalize it like that.

I'm not mad that they are delaying it to improve it / make sure it's a great game.

I'm mad that they promoted a release date and missed the mark.

@XeroAF

i'm personally cool with them taking their time on The Last Guardian (like they care about my approval lol) but i was planning on playing the collection to start the summer. kind of frustrating when you know that that particular game probably just got delayed for marketing purposes. oh well, i'll be here waiting whenever it's ready.

That's too bad. I've been jonesing a replay of ICO/SotC for almost a year now, which I've held off on because of the collection.

Also, GOTY 2012 confirmed.

@Epoque

Bioshock Infinite

@FuriousMailman

Why the hell not? You can't tell me the 'Shock won't be a serious GOTY contender.

@FuriousMailman

If it's anything like Bioshock 2, it won't be.

@Apsac D Irrational is working the project it wont be anything like Bio2.

@FuriousMailman

Dunno why you got so downvoted, I agree - Bioshock Infinite looks amazing. I guess there's hate from Bioshock 2 being 'okay' instead of 'amazing' like the first.

@Apsac D i actually really enjoyed BioShock 2, but i agree it was definitely not GOTY material, still a great game in my book

@FuriousMailman

Honestly, any well done new (distinctively) game will stand a better chance for a GOTY over a sequel. The exception would be if they REALLY were innovative or enhanced the game to such a degree that it almost felt like a huge jump forward.

I don't think they can do this for Bioshock...

@Epoque The weird thing is, I've only played each of them once, but I still rate both way up there as some of the best experiences I've had on ps1/ps2.

Bioshock could have been a GOTY contender last year but its not competition to Last Guardian, its a 5-6 year game being made by one of the most creative developers ever.

Playing a 5 year Ueda game will probably be like looking into the ark of the covenant, you will DIE.

@aarontuyet

i think they can. lets all just forget that bioshock 2 ever happened for a minute, and compare bioshock 1 with bioshock infinite. from what we have seen so far through previews and videos, they are very, very different games. irrational has changed everything, except the first-person perspective (of course). it's just as fair to say that bioshock infinite is a goty contender for next year as some team ico game that we know basically nothing about. irrational is quality, team ico is also quality. the 5+ studios it took to make bioshock 2 were obviously not of the same caliber.

I agree with FuriousMailman. Bioshock Infinite is going to get multiple Game of the year awards, as will The Last Guardian. Besides, not like it matters. Both will be great.

A shame, but fall 2011 is looking incredibly packed at the moment what with Skyrim, Uncharted 3 and Batman: Arkham City. They're better off staking their claim on a piece of early 2012. This is the kind of game that could do a lot better that time of year...

@bobiroka

A conspiracy theory could be made that Sony already has a lot of first party games coming out this year and pushing it to next year on purpose would be better.

Infamous 2
Motorstorm
Uncharted 3
Resistance
Killzone 3
SOCOM 4
All for One

Sony has to save something for next year when Microsoft releases a inevitable Halo game. Microsoft saved Gears for this year because it was Halo last year. So a conspiracy theory is not totally without history.

@FriedConsole You could be right there, cos they won't have any of those franchises for next year I guarantee... makes me wonder now if a new God Of War game will get announced at E3 for 2012...

@(Unverified)

Dude you have to consider how much work goes into building hte characters and the framework of the game. It's kind of dumb to build all of those assets and then do nothing with them after one game.

also keep in mind that four of those franchises are new to this generation. that's pretty good.

Also this is a post about a new IP

@(Unverified)
A lot of them started only on this generation (inFAMOUS Uncharted, Resistance, Motorstorm). It's not like they're sequels to sequels to sequels to sequels.

@(Unverified)

It's impossible to keep coming out with new IP's every year. The development cost is too high.

@FriedConsole

The developer here is known for their pickyness in getting things just the way they want them and thus constantly pushing back release. They did it for Ico and SotC as well. Honestly, it's par for the course, so I wouldn't read so much into such a conspiracy. Also, if it produces a game even half as good as those, it's a wait well worth it.

That said, the delay does make me cry tears. :/

Don't care if they take another year on this. It'll be amazing. And amazing is what I can wait for.

At this rate, we may all be dead by the team this is released.

@Revengez
*TIME.

@Revengez
this game better be great... because you're right... to much delays...

@andreopalomino
To much delays where? Where is much delays located?

@Revengez

I'm pretty sure this is thier first delay :/

My god...You son of a bitch...Dear god...

Whyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!

@psnNukdollars

Didn't you read the article?
To ensure that when the product is released, it is at the highest standard possible.

You should read more Shigeru Miyamoto quotes.

@Esposch - To be fair, we're..what..five years into the development of The Last Guardian at this point? It may very well have been six full years from conception to launch by the time the game comes out. I think it has had more than enough time to bake.

I'm curious as to whether or not this is a 3D (or Move control) implementation issue. I can't see any other reason for the delay, because the engine has been solid, and the game has been in top form since at least two years ago (when that first E3 trailer was shown). I hope it's not, and that it really is just Fumito Ueda being a perfectionist and delaying the game until it is absolutely perfect, but I'm worried.

Either way, I can understand the delay of The Last Guardian, but why would the Team Ico Collection be delayed? It's a port for Gods sake.

Meh.. I need breakfast. I'm cranky when you tell me my most anticipated game of the past few years has been delayed, especially on an empty stomach.

@psnNukdollars

Not just that...but they are kinda having a few issues over there. :(

@BananaBoat

Maybe they want a certain time frame for the release of the ICO/SOTC before The Last Guardian (TLG) drops. Kind of like using the collection as another marketing tool for TLG. Perhaps its in their strategic planning to have it drop no more than X amount of days before the release of TLG. Thats the only logical reason for a delay of the ICO/SOTC collection.

@BananaBoat

This isn't just your average game, though.
It's a Team ICO work of art.

@Johnnynumber5 is powered by cell - I guess that makes sense. It was supposed to be a spring release, in advance of a fall release for TLG, so assuming that distance stays somewhat consistent, I'd think we would see the release of the Team Ico collection sometime around November (with a March/April release for The Last Guardian). Team Ico made a demo to show the press, and I'm hopeful that it will make it into the collection.

@Esposch - Don't get me wrong; I'd wait another year if I had to. I don't want to, but I will.

I read it well...It's just that both games are on my list...Really wanted to get them...

2011 is looking real good gaming wise...

@psnNukdollars

2011 already has enough juicy goodness, let's hope it's a good end to 2011 or start to 2012.

@Apsac D I think 2011 has been a very weak year so far.

Child of Eden and Skrim might save 2011.

@Jack Kevorkian

Wow, really? What about Dead Space 2, LBP2, Crysis 2, Dragon Age: Kirkwall Kops, Bulletstorm, Portal 2, Pokemon, and Mortal Kombat?

I think this year's been great so far. Not entirely original, granted, but high quality nonetheless.

@baby sea tuna I am comparing it to the past few years and therefore I dont think it is exciting at all. Now or going forward. It's my opinion sure but I have never been wrong even when it is subjective.

@baby sea tuna

pokemon? c'mon man...

this year, it's all about uncharted 3 and gears 3. that is all that is needed to make this year worthwhile.

I never knew there even was a release window for these. Everywhere I go they all say TBA 2011 or just plain TBA. Oh well. I can wait. I've been doing it all this time.

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The Last Guardian

The Last Guardian, Ico and Shadow of the Colossus Collection delayed

Reader Comments (102)

Posted: Apr 20th 2011 6:01AM XeroAF said

Posted: Apr 20th 2011 8:10AM Negatron said

Posted: Apr 20th 2011 8:59AM Punkrawk Bbob said

Posted: Apr 20th 2011 11:17AM Jay Z said

Posted: Apr 20th 2011 11:56AM Uncle Jesse said

Posted: Apr 20th 2011 12:19PM Marco le Polo said

Posted: Apr 20th 2011 1:54PM pickupdoctor said

Posted: Apr 20th 2011 2:00PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Apr 20th 2011 3:00PM Ospov said

Posted: Apr 20th 2011 3:54PM JasonA said

Posted: Apr 20th 2011 6:18PM SoCoolCurt said

Posted: Apr 20th 2011 6:02AM Epoque said

Posted: Apr 20th 2011 6:07AM FuriousMailman said

Posted: Apr 20th 2011 7:20AM FuriousMailman said

Posted: Apr 20th 2011 7:32AM Apsac D said

Posted: Apr 20th 2011 7:53AM Jack Kevorkian said

Posted: Apr 20th 2011 9:00AM Punkrawk Bbob said

Posted: Apr 20th 2011 9:44AM phatman516 said

Posted: Apr 20th 2011 10:48AM aarontuyet said

Posted: Apr 20th 2011 11:17AM kentuckyfried said

Posted: Apr 20th 2011 11:42AM aughscreennames said

Posted: Apr 20th 2011 12:48PM Liquidfingers said

Posted: Apr 20th 2011 1:55PM TraceurRyuk Part III said

Posted: Apr 20th 2011 6:06AM bobiroka said

Posted: Apr 20th 2011 8:53AM FriedConsole said

Posted: Apr 20th 2011 9:02AM bobiroka said

Posted: Apr 20th 2011 9:59AM eat it said

Posted: Apr 20th 2011 11:08AM PointlessPuppies said

Posted: Apr 20th 2011 11:16AM kentuckyfried said

Posted: Apr 20th 2011 3:12PM TheGrandHero said

Posted: Apr 20th 2011 6:10AM VeeDeeVee said

Posted: Apr 20th 2011 6:14AM Revengez said

Posted: Apr 20th 2011 6:14AM Revengez said

Posted: Apr 20th 2011 7:39AM andreopalomino said

Posted: Apr 20th 2011 9:17AM VeeDeeVee said

Posted: Apr 20th 2011 10:12AM Spunky Monkey 190906 said

Posted: Apr 20th 2011 6:19AM psnNukdollars said

Posted: Apr 20th 2011 6:34AM Esposch said

Posted: Apr 20th 2011 9:25AM BananaBoat said

Posted: Apr 20th 2011 9:44AM ShadowXIII said

Posted: Apr 20th 2011 12:39PM Johnnynumber5 is powered by cell said

Posted: Apr 20th 2011 9:26PM Esposch said

Posted: Apr 20th 2011 11:09PM BananaBoat said

Posted: Apr 20th 2011 6:40AM psnNukdollars said

Posted: Apr 20th 2011 7:35AM Apsac D said

Posted: Apr 20th 2011 8:07AM Jack Kevorkian said

Posted: Apr 20th 2011 8:20AM baby sea tuna said

Posted: Apr 20th 2011 9:41AM Jack Kevorkian said

Posted: Apr 20th 2011 1:06PM Liquidfingers said

Posted: Apr 20th 2011 6:44AM KenobiEagle said

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