Activision: Singularity Delayed Due to Modern Warfare

July 8, 2009 3:30 PM

Activision has confirmed to Shacknews that Raven's shooter Singularity has been delayed to March 2010 due to strong demand for the publisher's upcoming sequel Modern Warfare 2.

Singularity, a new IP developed by Raven, was originally slated for a fall 2009 release. The highly anticipated Modern Warfare 2 is set to launch on November 10, leading Activision to space out Singularity's release in avoidance of the busy season. "The level of excitement for Infinity Ward's Modern Warfare 2 coming out of E3 well exceeded our expectations and therefore we have decided to move Raven's upcoming sci-fi first person action title, Singularity, from 2009 to Q1 2010," said Activision in a statement.

"We believe that the March quarter will provide a better opportunity to establish the new cutting-edge action IP as a 'must-have' title and clears the way for Modern Warfare 2 to dominate this holiday season," the company added.

Nick Breckon

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MechBFP

 reply
July 8, 2009 3:34 PM

This is exactly the type of shit that caused ID to abandon Activision and go in with Zenimax.
- DogDharma
  
   reply
  July 8, 2009 3:39 PM
  
  If I was Raven I would be glad they are not releases my new FPS right next to modern warfare 2. Too many times publishers try to cram everything into the holiday period and all but the top 5 games go practically unnoticed and fail.
  - MechBFP
    
     reply
    July 8, 2009 3:42 PM
    
    Do you actually think Activision is going to spend even 10% of the advertising costs on this compared to Modern Warfare 2 after the Christmas season? HAH
    - [deleted] 596928900
      
       reply
      July 8, 2009 3:46 PM
      
      [deleted]
      - dancingpolkabear
        
         reply
        July 8, 2009 3:52 PM
        
        25% is a stretch though
    - DogDharma
      
       reply
      July 8, 2009 4:06 PM
      
      Better then what they would get during the Christmas season
  - silverback1138
    
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    July 8, 2009 8:17 PM
    
    Raven has just as many top notch FPS's as IW. I would want both developers to succeed.
    - VisitorQ
      
       reply
      July 8, 2009 11:48 PM
      
      More like they have an entire portfolio filled with PC classics, while IW only has one game which they re-skin every couple of years.
      - MeestaNob
        
         reply
        July 9, 2009 1:42 AM
        
        Correct, one game that they allow Treyarch to re-skin ever couple of years. At IW make it feel like you're getting a new polished game, a zombie mod isn't enough.
      - [deleted] 2147343529
        
         reply
        July 9, 2009 4:38 AM
        
        [deleted]
        
        anal justice
        
         reply
        July 9, 2009 10:46 AM
        
        No, fuck uncleanmonkey.
  - h0cake
    
     reply
    July 9, 2009 6:09 AM
    
    I agree. Singularity might have a chance now.
- JuffoWup
  
   reply
  July 8, 2009 4:06 PM
  
  yeah, I was going to say, didn't carmack prophesied just this in his remarks at going with zenimax.
- henrikb
  
   reply
  July 8, 2009 4:27 PM
  
  But I do think it makes sense to spread the titles out across the year.. And MF2 is a definitive holiday title.
- K1Bond007
  
   reply
  July 8, 2009 5:18 PM
  
  This is good for Raven. Not saying it should have done amazingly great or anything, but Quantum of Solace got decimated last year by Call of Duty. Even Activision acknowledged that and for a Bond FPS it should have done better sales wise. That said the game wasn't that good, but didn't deserve what it got.
- Tech T
  
   reply
  July 8, 2009 6:09 PM
  
  Yup, if both games are good they'll sell copies, release dates means shit, if it's good the sooner the better. Dick move by Activision if Raven was prepared to ship.
  - K1Bond007
    
     reply
    July 8, 2009 6:15 PM
    
    This is absolutely false especially from the perspective of Activision who is publishing both and especially for same-genre games.
    - Tech T
      
       reply
      July 8, 2009 6:17 PM
      
      If I like both games, i'm going to buy both of them. I fail to see why this is different for anyone else here.
      - bryanvlo
        
         reply
        July 8, 2009 6:21 PM
        
        Us hardcore gamers on these sites make up a small fraction of the actual gaming market. It all comes down to which title has a better grip on the gaming populace on the whole. Releasing anything next to the juggernaut of the Call of Duty series is tantamount to suicide.
      - LordPhobos
        
         reply
        July 8, 2009 6:40 PM
        
        You might, yes, but not many casual gamers out there are going to plop down $120 so they can take home two games on the same day. Many people will probably go to the store thinking "Ugh, I'm sick of the same old shit that I have... I need a new game!" They'll walk into that GameStop or Target or whatever and see Modern Warfare 2, which is a series they're long familiar with and have thoroughly enjoyed, and next to it (or possibly tucked further back on the game racks and not on the shiny display that MW2 will be on) and their decision will be an easy one. They'll go with the game that all of their friends are going to buy, the game that has a proven track-record, and the game that has gotten 95% of the advertising.
        
        This might seem like a dick move by Activision, and while I'm sure the guys at Raven are probably hoping to get the game out sooner than later, I would bet that they're happy that they're not going to be directly competing with MW2 in terms of sales. They're smart enough to know that they would lose. This at least gives them a chance.
        
        LordPhobos
        
         reply
        July 8, 2009 6:42 PM
        
        Oops, I meant "and next to it (....) will be Singularity".
      - DogDharma
        
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        July 8, 2009 6:43 PM
        
        Yea, but the kids that rely on thier parents income won't get both.
        
        K1Bond007
        
         reply
        July 8, 2009 7:29 PM
        
        ....or maybe people just have a budget?
      - [deleted] 2147343529
        
         reply
        July 9, 2009 4:39 AM
        
        [deleted]
  - bryanvlo
    
     reply
    July 8, 2009 6:22 PM
    
    Activision is doing this for more sales. Ultimately, the more sales, the better for Raven too. Both publisher and developer win.
  - Dr_Cube
    
     reply
    July 8, 2009 11:07 PM
    
    You are so wrong. MW2 is going to soak up a big chunk of the spending public's money. Lots of people will be too busy with it to bother with another shooter. Even Bungie knows that which is why they are releasing ODST well before MW2. You are nuts to release a shooter against MW2.
- matthaeus
  
   reply
  July 9, 2009 12:22 AM
  
  Totally agree. I think even Carmack mentioned that.
- sithspawn
  
   reply
  July 9, 2009 4:43 AM
  
  From a gamer perspective, how the fuck can a company send out a press release like that? Pompous bullshit.
  
  But, even if I was a stockholder...
  I'd be concerned they are damaging their relationship with Raven and other developers. Especially after the loss of ID.
  
  Activision seriously needs a reality check...
  - Aztiel
    
     reply
    July 9, 2009 11:57 AM
    
    I think the people at Raven were pretty solidly behind the move.