Reports indicate that we will see Crackdown 3 delayed until at least 2019.
Crackdown 3 has already been postponed on two separate occasions since it was first announced, back at E3 in 2014, as an essential Xbox exclusive. The game was initially planned to be released in late 2017, but Microsoft decided to delay it to 2018.
Reports Indicate Delays
Now reports from Kotaku claim that two reliable sources close to the game development believe that it will now be released next year.
This is a massive blow to Xbox and their exclusive titles. Xbox look to be left in the wake of a competitor, PlayStation, which has already released Yakuza and God of War 4; with the Last of Us 2 on the horizon.
A likely reason for the delay is due to a poor showing and reception at E3 last year. There have also been some apparent development ‘issues’ that plagued the game as of late.
Tactical Retreat?
However, another important reason could be intentional; they won’t release Crackdown 3 into a saturated market.
The Last of Us, Red Dead Redemption, Call of Duty, and Battlefield all have titles coming approaching. That’s some heavy competition for the third installment of the Crackdown series.
Xbox One owners will be praying that the company puts on a great display at E3 this year. So far the console’s two AAA title; Sea of Thieves and State of Decay 2, have been met with mixed reviews, and concerns regarding quantity and quality of content.
With Crackdown 3 potentially delayed, we may well see Microsoft push out an alternate AAA title to compete with PlayStation.
During E3, we’ll have all the latest news and trailers from both Xbox and Playstation so check back each day for more news.