Troubling times are still apparent at THQ, despite the current releases of Darksiders 2 and the more recent WWE ‘13. (Check out our review of WWE ‘13). In a recent report coming from THQ regarding their Fiscal 2nd Quarter Results, the company announced a delay on three of their more anticipated titles: South Park and the Stick of Truth, Metro: Last Light, and Company of Heroes 2.
Originally, South Park and the Stick of Truth was officially slated for March 5th, 2013, but is now on target for release in early 2014. The explanation behind the delay was to give the developers more time to work on Metro: Last Light and Company of Heroes 2, both of which are now pushed back to late 2013, most likely in time for the holidays. THQ has stated that they will still remain in contact with South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone throughout the development cycle of Stick of Truth, in spite of the recent delay.
In order for THQ to remain financially stable with these titles in a holding pattern, the report states that the company will initiate financial cutbacks, attempt to pursue additional funding and most likely cancel currently unannounced projects. THQ Chairman and CEO Brian Farrell was quoted, “I am confident about the opportunities that lie in our robust slate of games and in our studios. But we also face challenges operating with limited capital resources in the highly competitive market for games, and we are working diligently to resolve those challenges.” THQ seems uncertain that these strategies will translate to success, but they seem clear in making South Park and the Stick of Truth their most important priority.
In the wake of this report, does THQ have a sound strategy in delaying these titles with a greater sense of quality in mind, or is this just another step towards the beginning of the end?