Ubisoft has issued an announcement which not only declares that Far Cry Instincts, the console version of the popular PC game, will be delayed into Q1, 2005 but also that confirms the existence of a PS2 version of the game. The official reason given by Ubisoft for the delay is that it... will ensure that both the Xbox and PS2 versions have the same impressive graphics and unique immersive gameplay elements as the highly-regarded Far Cry PC version.
The console version will be developed by Ubisoft Montreal and the creators claim it will be a completely new game based on the Far Cry engine. Until now, only the XBox version had been mentioned but this delay statement confirms that Far Cry Instincts will be a multi-console title.
Although a delay is always a step backwards for a publisher, it may not be a problem in the development process that is responsible. Ubisoft may be doing the reverse of what most publishers have done this summer. While summer titles have been pushed back to fall in order to avoid the sales lull (i.e. Shellshock Nam '67), Ubisoft may be choosing Q1, 2005 for FCI in order to avoid the busy holiday 2004 season which may drown out its title.
Whatever the release date it would seem that the success of the PC version of Far Cry has been the best advertisement for Instincts.
