Ubisoft delays release of key franchises

Ubisoft's first quarter financial results are in, and the publisher has delayed the release of Splinter Cell and Dark Messiah.

Ubisoft's first quarter results show an increase in revenue over the same period in the previous year, up by 73% to 70 million euros. This rise has been attributed to the success of Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter for Xbox 360 and PC, and Heroes of Might and Magic V. In fact, the Xbox 360 and PC account for 73% of the publisher's revenue in the first quarter.

Looking ahead to the second quarter (July-September) the publisher expects revenues of 78 million euros, down from 110 million the previous year. This can be partly explained by the announced delay of Splinter Cell Double Agent, which has been pushed from its September release to the end of October. Dark Messiah of Might and Magic has also been bumped out of the second quarter and will join Splinter Cell in October.

While disappointing, this does give Ubisoft a very strong third quarter line-up, with Splinter Cell and Dark Messiah joining the likes of Rayman Raving Rabbids, Red Steel, and Rainbow Six Vegas.