industry news
Mercenaries 2 Delayed To August?
Posted by Michael McWhertor at 5:05 PM on January 24, 2008
It would appear that the wait for Mercenaries 2: World In Flames may have gotten a little bit longer, as multiple retailers are listing a late August 2008 release date for the Pandemic Studios shooter. Reader Patrick pointed out that online retailer Amazon was now showing an August 25 release date for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions of the game, with GameStop showing the same for the PlayStation 2 and PC versions. The last official word on the game's release was April, something that is now starting to look less likely. The game was originally planned for a holiday 2007 release, but pushed back in September.
We've contacted EA to see if we can get confirmation on the delay, but our requests haven't yet yielded a response. We'll let you know when we know.

Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
There are currently no AU comments for this post.
okenny :)
Posted 2:46 PM 24/1/08
@Witzbold: The holiday glut is just packing the cannons. Expect another delay :(
okenny :)
katorok
Posted 2:46 PM 24/1/08
I rather have games delayed then get half-assed releases.. Besides, more time to save up money =D!
katorok
ExtremeOne316
Posted 2:46 PM 24/1/08
This is smart to stay out of GTA IV 's way since it will destroy any other game released near it. In March or April
ExtremeOne316
Gunhaver
Posted 2:46 PM 24/1/08
Delay is the name of the game today.
Gunhaver
ceilingFANBOY: sponsor me for PolarBearPlunge, link in profile
Posted 2:46 PM 24/1/08
Remember when R&C was undelayed and everyone was like "DIVINE INTERVENTION FTW!!"? Maybe they are just blindly throwing out delays in the hopes that the games will be undelayed and get the same response as R&C got for being undelayed.
ceilingFANBOY: sponsor me for PolarBearPlunge, link in profile
Samos42
Posted 2:46 PM 24/1/08
Hey, guess what, I just sent in an article to tips about another delay (for Battlefield), post it McWhertor. If you post it fast enough, the number of delays posted on Kotaku today could reach the double digits tonight! Just a few more delays and we'd be set.
Samos42
Shindokie (PSN and XBL)
Posted 2:46 PM 24/1/08
@McWhertor:
It better because so much saddening news today :(. Doggies make me happy.
@ceilingFANBOY: sponsor me for PolarBearPlunge, link in profile: Delaying dates is the next best thing.
I don't understand. Is it production cost, polishing, or whatever. I wish i had a real insight as to why delays come more then games do. Can anybody tell me why?
Shindokie (PSN and XBL)
Witzbold
Posted 2:46 PM 24/1/08
@McWhertor: You promise? *crosses fingers*
Witzbold
DARK DVNT [XBL];8908-2379-8728-6953 [Wii]: Fused with juice!
Posted 2:46 PM 24/1/08
@alizerothree: true.
But what gives. maybe they are trying to pull one on us in some really horrible way to trick people who have done nothing wrong. (*winks* hopes they do or someone will in the future)
DARK DVNT [XBL];8908-2379-8728-6953 [Wii]: Fused with juice!
Raziel3333
Posted 2:46 PM 24/1/08
This just in All games will be releaced when Duke Nukem Forever Comes out!
Raziel3333
alizerothree
Posted 2:46 PM 24/1/08
But again, this IS unconfirmed until we hear from EA.
alizerothree
resetbutton
Posted 2:46 PM 24/1/08
what a day
resetbutton
ceilingFANBOY: sponsor me for PolarBearPlunge, link in profile
Posted 2:46 PM 24/1/08
Next companies are going to start delaying their delays. This just in, the delay on MGS does not go into effect until March 1st.
ceilingFANBOY: sponsor me for PolarBearPlunge, link in profile
DARK DVNT [XBL];8908-2379-8728-6953 [Wii]: Fused with juice!
Posted 2:46 PM 24/1/08
Like I said, it scares me.
I personally am not a fan of this franchise but I have left the pain of being stung by a delay. Ah, screw it. What's with all the delaying now-a-days?
DARK DVNT [XBL];8908-2379-8728-6953 [Wii]: Fused with juice!
alizerothree
Posted 2:46 PM 24/1/08
Yea it's tough. But it gives us enough time to polish and make sure we are delivering simply one of the best experiences. Remember what a clusterF*ck last year was with all those games coming at all around the same time?! Jesus, my wallet was crying for weeks, as well as my credit cards! I think the delay should be a good thing for consumers and game lovers. It's better than rushing something out the door to meet a deadline.
There are a good amount of goodies coming that will to you and I over until Mercs2 let's us unleash pure chaos. What do we have coming up, Army of Two, Burnout Paradise (today), Devil May Cry 4, Duke Nukem Forever (lol), Bionic Commando, Rainbow Six Vegas 2, Metal Gear, GTA, REZ. I dunno, any others I've missed? :)
alizerothree
McWhertor
Posted 2:46 PM 24/1/08
@Shindokie (PSN and XBL): Pony war is hell. This is much more fun!
McWhertor
Shindokie (PSN and XBL)
Posted 2:46 PM 24/1/08
@McWhertor:
Is as cool as Ponies with nades? i sure hope so.
Shindokie (PSN and XBL)
mossberg
Posted 2:46 PM 24/1/08
@McWhertor: OH hell yeah thats the coolest thing ever
mossberg
mechis
Posted 2:46 PM 24/1/08
Didn't seem like it'd be all that difficult of a game to produce. Then again what do I know about making video tube games.
mechis
InsidiousTuna (XBL and PSN)
Posted 2:46 PM 24/1/08
Well, dammit.
InsidiousTuna (XBL and PSN)
rickyyo
Posted 2:46 PM 24/1/08
@Raziel3333:
Yeah I just shot myself down by looking at the DS article and what you just mentioned.
rickyyo
rickyyo
Posted 2:46 PM 24/1/08
@rickyyo:
At myself my bad didn't read the last article... Stupid me...
rickyyo
Raziel3333
Posted 2:46 PM 24/1/08
@rickyyo: oh just read the gamestop going more causal gaming on its marketing was more of a joke than anything.
Raziel3333
McWhertor
Posted 2:46 PM 24/1/08
Don't worry guys, I have a post going up on a game announcement from a beloved developer that focuses on soft nuzzling puppies that shit rainbows! Any minute now! Hang in there!
McWhertor
phinehas
Posted 2:46 PM 24/1/08
Man, and all this after the recent article about delayed games, too. Did you know all this was going to happen?
phinehas
Witzbold
Posted 2:46 PM 24/1/08
Oh fuck me. D: August?!
Ah well as long as they are making the game better Im all for it, granted August is a damned long time away.
Witzbold
zerbrechen
Posted 2:46 PM 24/1/08
@ssjmichael: Get ready to Brawl in '09!!
zerbrechen
Scazza
Posted 2:46 PM 24/1/08
delays, cancels... this is pretty shit... will gta be released this quarter?
Scazza
rickyyo
Posted 2:46 PM 24/1/08
@Raziel3333:
The Casual Game aregument is just stupid please explain the logic behind casual games winning...
rickyyo
rickyyo
Posted 2:46 PM 24/1/08
I'm guessing the game went through a huge rethinking... I hope they recreate Venezuela nicely and the online coop is solid.
rickyyo
Raziel3333
Posted 2:46 PM 24/1/08
hey kotaku your turning into the news i hear at night cept not Murder Murder Fire Fire Death Death Homeless its more Delay Delay Cancel Delay Delay casual gaming winning. Will the madness ever end?
Raziel3333
ssjmichael
Posted 2:46 PM 24/1/08
How many delay posts are we going to have today :(
ssjmichael
Erwin211
Posted 2:46 PM 24/1/08
More good news. I guess I'll have to wait a little longer to destroy everything.
Erwin211
jynxce
Posted 3:46 PM 24/1/08
Was looking forward to this since last year. Sad fact of the matter is that the 360 version could have been out already, but since they're looking for a simultaneous release.
Before some get their panties in a bunch about bias, there's more than enough examples of other games being delayed continuously on a certain console for the statement not to hold some validity...
jynxce
okenny :)
Posted 3:46 PM 24/1/08
@slomo788: I heard that game may be in bad shape on a podcast. Not sure if it was PC Gamer, 1Up Yours, or Game Theory.
okenny :)
Stormrider (XBL: Lilarcor)
Posted 3:46 PM 24/1/08
Too bad, I'm looking forward to this one a lot more than GTA 4.
Stormrider (XBL: Lilarcor)
slomo788
Posted 3:46 PM 24/1/08
@Samos42: Damn. It was supposed to come out at the end of march. Fuck!
I think all these delays are actually business moves to force us to endure games of lower quality but (supposedly) high budget. Think about it. Personally, I have to appease my gamer thirst with games that I would never buy in a normal situation- that is, quality games were still flowing normally. Today I received my Dual Shock 3. In my hunger to find something to play with it (that I didn't play for at least 15 hours) I had to order Assassin's Creed, despite my informed consumer standards. If that continues, I might have to even buy Kane and Lynch!! *gasps*
slomo788
Hitokage
Posted 3:46 PM 24/1/08
@Raziel3333:
Hahahahah. XD
I wish I could figure out how to nominate you for the post of the week.
Hitokage
jfx316
Posted 3:46 PM 24/1/08
what, no "delaystation" cracks?
mercs 2 wasn't on my radar in the first place. i sold alot of the original when i worked at best buy, but never ended up getting it. it should be on greatest hits by now, right?
DMC4 demo tomorrow. word.
jfx316
edb87
Posted 3:46 PM 24/1/08
Damn!
Oh well, I'd rather it be delayed and be awesome than finished/rushed and be turd.
edb87
Samos42
Posted 3:46 PM 24/1/08
@slomo788: It actually is! Look on IGN. Now due between April 08 and March 09.
Samos42
ShirtGuyDom
Posted 3:46 PM 24/1/08
Okay, all of these game delays are really getting on my nerves. I hate how publishers announce the most optimistic release dates to please their shareholders. Multiple delays are even worse.
ShirtGuyDom
slomo788
Posted 3:46 PM 24/1/08
*Sighs* At least Battlefield: Bad Company is not delayed (yet?).
slomo788
Witzbold
Posted 3:46 PM 24/1/08
This "rumor" sure as hell puts my "World in Flames" D:
Witzbold
mossberg
Posted 3:46 PM 24/1/08
to think this game was due out in November at one point
mossberg
Samos42
Posted 10:22 PM 23/1/08
@slomo788: It was probably delayed since it was looking bad. But honestly, not sure what types of games you like or what systems you have but (until recently), February is a bit packed but the thing is, you may not be interested in ANY of the games or you could be interested in all of them really. There's the Club(has a demo out), Culdcept Saga (also has a demo), Conflict Denied Ops (the co-op is the main feature), Dark Messiah of Might & Magic (also has a demo), DMC4 (will have a demo tomorrow), Frontlines (has a demo), Lost Odyssey (JRPGish), Turok (has a demo in stores), Turning Point (has a demo out now), Universe at War (360 RTS port), and World in Conflict (360 RTS port). Then there are quite a few games in March as well: Army of Two, Baroque (some type of RPG for the Wii), Crisis Core (for the PSP), Dark Sector (looks awesome), God of War PSP, Ninja Gaiden for the DS, Rainbow 6 Vegas 2, and Viking (some God of War Dynasty Warriors type of hybrid).
There's plenty of stuff (so long as none of is delayed...), but you may not like any of it. But I can guarantee you most of those games are better than Kane and Lynch.
Samos42
Darth_Tigris
Posted 10:20 PM 23/1/08
This can be fixed easily in the future: DON'T OFFICIAL SHOW/ANNOUNCE A GAME UNTIL ITS 9 MONTHS FROM RELEASE.
These delays truly hurt these games like Mercs 2 and Haze more than it ever would something like GTA IV and Halo 3 (which, for the record, was never delayed and stuck to its release date).
Darth_Tigris
Witzbold
Posted 10:11 PM 23/1/08
@slomo788: DONT DONT DONT DONT DONT DONT buy that game.
Seriously.
I own it, dont buy it. Rent it. Dont give the devs $$$ for something as half assed as K&L was.
Ive said it a few times already and Ill say it again, damn fine characters wasted on a shit game.
Real shame there. :x
I wouldnt be so pissed too if the story was actually good and not the erratic mess that ended in a wet fart. :/
Yes Im being overly negative, but I was really let down by an Eidos published game once again.
Witzbold
slomo788
Posted 10:03 PM 23/1/08
@jynxce: In fact there are countless examples of 360 games getting steady date releases and PS3 versions only gettig delayed. So if both keep getting pushed back it's for a reason. Same thing for GTA. The fact you bring up are not biased, just your interpretations of them.
@okenny :): Damn I thought IGN's last preview was pretty promising. Oh well. I guess I'll have to learn to enjoy Kane & Lynch. FUUUUUUUUCK!!!
slomo788
ot79
Posted 9:59 PM 23/1/08
@ jynxce: I wonder when a troll get in this new,and I guess you're!! you don't have anything to prove this,an example is not a prove,this game was in development from long ago,blaming is easy,give solid facts don't,just accept they don't finish it and get over it.
ot79
ot79
Posted 9:47 PM 23/1/08
@ slomo788: Oh my God!me too!!!AC and think seriously about K&L!we have to be hopeless,je je,at least I'm not the only one feeling dumb about it :)
ot79
McWhertor
Posted 12:10 AM 24/1/08
@Witzbold: Promise! *fingers also crossed*
McWhertor
giantenemycrab
Posted 11:09 PM 23/1/08
Rockstar, your turn.
giantenemycrab
ninjapirate2000
Posted 11:09 PM 23/1/08
I hope the delay adds some kind of online co-op
ninjapirate2000
slomo788
Posted 10:55 PM 23/1/08
@Witzbold: @Samos42: Lol don't worry I'm not suicidal nor maso. I exagerrated a bit I'm not that despereate for games. Like Samos said there's a good deal of good stuff coming. But my point stays. I'm going to have to buy games that I had no intent on buying one week ago. I have a PS3 and PSP by the way. From all the games you mentioned only R6V2 sticks out. I don't buy PSP games anymore (CFW FTW). But even then. I was not going to buy R6V2 because it's basically the first with better graphincs and some CoD4 gameplay elements. Good game, but since I own both games, it's a waste of money, that I could spend playing games that bring new things to the table.
slomo788
edb87
Posted 7:45 PM 24/1/08
@McWhertor: Nominating you for comment of the week wouldn't work, would it? xD
edb87
Gahro
Posted 3:07 AM 24/1/08
Retailer dates are becoming annoying. According to all the UK retailers, including Amazon UK and GAME, the release date is 8th February. *sigh* I guess I should do more research before putting in a preorder.
Gahro
PapaBear434
Posted 12:45 AM 25/1/08
F**k you, delays. You've went to far this time. I was looking forward to turning the jungle into a huge crater.
PapaBear434
LordMaim
Posted 12:45 AM 25/1/08
@jynxce: Let's not get into that trap again. The game was running on the PS3 before it was even an XBox 360 title. The delays are not PS3 related.
LordMaim
tiberianviper
Posted 2:46 AM 25/1/08
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
...dammit
tiberianviper
DelaysSuck245
Posted 4:31 PM 16/2/08
They alread have the frecken gamplay for mercs 2 so why delay till then damm i was hopping to have the game this month but no it has to be till then but if you want to see some cool gameplay for mercs 2 go to www.mercs2.com and then click on press and then you will see like 4 videos with the damm gameplay!!! Pandimic quit with the frecken delays but if it takes longer to make the perfect game (unlike nfs pro street or sims 2 pets)
DelaysSuck245