Top video game maker Electronic Arts Inc. said Thursday it will delay the launch of "The Godfather" game, based on the book and movie of the same name, until the first quarter of 2006, sending shares down by nearly 3 percent.
The highly anticipated title was to be on sale in time for the Christmas holiday. But a spokesman for the No. 1 video game maker said the "Open World" interactive element that allows characters to move freely through the game was not "quite ready."
Electronic Arts said that "The Godfather" game for current Microsoft Corp. Xbox and Sony Corp. PlayStation 2 video game consoles will be available in the company's fourth fiscal quarter, which ends March 31, 2006.
Electronic Arts said a version of the game for next-generation consoles such as the Xbox 360 will appear later. It has not yet set a specific date.
