Cyperpunk shooter Crackdown 3 delayed till 2018

This could potentially spell bad news for the upcoming Xbox One X launch…

Microsoft has now lost another game leading up to the Xbox One X launch in November as it was announced that the exclusive title, Crackdown 3, has been moved to a 2018 date. This means that Xbox has to look to other exclusive titles like Forza Motorsport 7, Cuphead, Super Lucky’s Tale and PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds for the console’s gaming line-ups.

Yes Terry, we too, are wondering why…

According to Microsoft Studios Publishing General Manager, Shannon Loftis, they want to deliver the best product possible, even if it means delaying the game which has been long anticipated since its announcement at E3 2014.

Crackdown 3:campaign, coop, & Wrecking Zone is moving to spring 18 so we can make sure we deliver all the awesome that Crackdown fans want. https://t.co/dwWPJ25NXq

— Shannon Loftis (@shannonloftis) August 16, 2017

To clarify: the entire game is moving to Spring 2018. It's super ambitious, and we want to make sure the game delivers. https://t.co/cGdHTnuI2b

— Shannon Loftis (@shannonloftis) August 16, 2017

Xbox head, Phil Spencer, also tweeted his disappointment on having to delay the game:

It's always disappointing to move a date. We are very committed to shipping @Crackdown 3 to the level of quality the fans deserve.

— Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) August 17, 2017

As expected, the news didn’t go too well with Crackdown and Xbox fans alike:

Xbox has a serious issue when it comes to delays. CD3, SoD2 and SoT were all supposed to launch 1-2 year(s) ago. Not a good look. @xboxp3

— Mr. Leflus (@leflus) August 16, 2017

This has been a horrible year w/ exclusives, both w/ releases and announcements. You guys have given people little reason to buy a XBOS. pic.twitter.com/Ixp7ZxqVuJ

— Mike Skiles (@z0mbiepixel) August 16, 2017

The Xbox game line up has never looked more disappointing. Lack of First Party IP's and this one just can't seem to catch a break.

— Ranald Savage (@RSAVAGE350) August 17, 2017

And others believed it was the best move Xbox could make, considering the plethora of major third party titles releasing in November which includes Call of Duty: WWII, Need For Speed Payback, Star Wars: Battlefront II and The Sims 4 plus a number of expansions scheduled for November:

Crackdown 3 would've been eaten alive releasing in November anyway. Best move they could of made.

— ✖️ Xbox MadHatter ✖️ (@XboxMadHatter) August 16, 2017

Thats why everyone is glad red dead got pushed back. NO ONE wants to come out alongside it. It will bury everything around it.

— Nick (@Nick_Doran) August 17, 2017

It's disappointing but you gotta do what you gotta do. I'd love to see an RPG or action/adventure game from you guys. Thanks

— K. Ale✖️ (@K_Alex1) August 17, 2017

This does put Xbox in a precarious position but with the number of third party titles that will have 4K support for Xbox One X come launch day, it can, somewhat, minimize the problem for a short period. But on the other hand, this announcement can bring down the value of the Xbox One X as they aren’t many exclusives left to launch this year. Also, the game was meant to display the console’s 4K capabilities, rather than having a third party title demonstrate it, can play a factor in terms of sales for the console.

While this may be disappointing news (alongside the delay of Red Dead Redemption 2), the studios involved are racing against time to produce a product worthy for gamers to be proud of. And although we don’t know what goes on behind closed doors, we can’t imagine how tense the environment must be.

Has Xbox made the right decision to delay Crackdown 3 till 2018? Let us know in the comments section below or follow Xbox Players SA on Facebook and Twitter.