PS3 Informer

Blur Delayed to 2010

As a publisher looking to release its new racing game, Activision would have to be crazy to send Blur to retail during holiday 2009. That's because some very big names in the automotive simulation genre - Forza 3 and Gran Turismo 5 - will be shipping around that same period. Electronic Arts also has the arcade racing side covered with its own franchise spinoff, Need for Speed: Shift.

So, Activision has decided to tuck its tail between its legs and do what a number of other publishers have done: delay their game until 2010. Officially, the company told investors that it is moving Blur from 2009 to 'give the development team more time to enhance the game's innovative and distinctive online multiplayer gameplay.' The game was originally expected to ship in November. Early demo footage of Blur from E3 shows a fairly intriguing concept and most who played it walked away satisfied. However, it is extra important to get a brand new IP as polished as possible before it ships. Blur features real life licensed cars but adds a few new twists: powerups can be collected on the course so players can battle each other like Death Race.

"We are committed to making Blur a great new racing franchise, and we are very encouraged by the game's design," stated Mike Griffith, President and CEO, Activision Publishing. "The additional time will allow the studio to fully optimize the vision they set out to create for Blur including a distinctive and groundbreaking multiplayer mode that will appeal to a broad audience."

In separate news, Activision Blizzard reaffirmed the 2009 release of Modern Warfare 2, which the company hopes will be a big hit this holiday shopping season. Nonetheless, because of the continuing uncertainty in the global economic climate, Activision Blizzard urged investors to be cautious and prudent in evaluating the company's forecasts and projections.

This is what the Blur box art looks like on the PS3.