Update: Bandai Namco UK's Twitter account has confirmed the game's delay to March 2015 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. No word on whether the Wii U version will now release on the same date.
#ProjectCARS will come out 20th March for PS4/XB1/PC. This is to allow @slightlymadteam to polish the ground-breaking racing experience.
— Bandai Namco UK (@BandaiNamcoUK) October 17, 2014
Original Story Below
Rumors have appeared that Project CARS is now delayed for all platforms until 2015. If the rumor holds true, the game’s backers themselves may be responsible for leaking the news.
Allegedly, development director Andy Garton revealed to backers an upcoming press release that the game will be rescheduled for release for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Windows to March 2015. Subsequently, several of these backers revealed the news in separate outlets.
Andy further explains that they are deliberately avoiding the immediate holidays, where a large number of major games are scheduled for release. Scheduled AAA games in the coming months include Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, Assassin’s Creed Unity, Halo: The Master Chief Collection, Dragon Age: Inquisition, and Far Cry 4.
Andy also states that they want to give the game more polish prior to release. He makes it clear that they can make the original planned release date of November 21, but have opted to prioritize quality. As for choosing March, Andy points out January and February are generally slow months, with most players having spent their budgets over the holidays.
Bandai Namco has shared an email response, but are neither confirming or denying the rumor. Their exact words are “we don’t have any information to share.”
Slightly Mad Studios originally delayed the game only for Wii U. Wii U fans who were heavily anticipating the game, some of whom were themselves backers, felt jilted by the sudden decision to break parity when the studio originally promised this in the crowdfunding phase. SMS had to release a statement that there was no conspiracy behind it; and that they were only delaying the game for that platform to give it polish. If the rumor turns out to be true, perhaps this is an opportunity for Slightly Mad Studios to bring back the parity they originally promised to their backers.
On the other hand, this incident may raise questions on the nature of crowdfunding; particularly the issue of disclosure to backers. Backers have demonstrably leaked information on crowdfunded games before, including information that may have adversely affected development. At the very least, developers need to recognize this as a potential additional risk.
Stay tuned to GameRanx for the latest news on Project CARS.
