Ubisoft delays 'Splinter Cell', 'R.U.S.E.'

Ubisoft has shifted release dates for Splinter Cell: Conviction and R.U.S.E. to its 2010/11 financial year amid tough operating conditions.

Despite both games being previously pegged for release in the three months to March 30, 2010, they will now be moved to April to fall under the publisher's next fiscal year.

The firm also moved to revise down its full-year sales target for 2009/10 from €1.04bn (£923m) to €860m, due in part to its declining strength in the DS casual games market.

Even though Assassin's Creed II achieved sell-through close to 6m copies, Ubisoft's other major titles, such as James Cameron's Avatar, have performed well below expectations.

"Despite a number of highly successful titles, such as Assassin's Creed II, which is expected to reach nine million sell-in units by the end of March 2010, and Just Dance, Ubisoft has not met its financial targets," said Ubisoft chief executive Yves Guillemot.

"The considerable contraction in the DS market during the year particularly affected Ubisoft, leading to a €160 million, or almost 50%, year-on-year drop in the company's casual segment sales. At the same time, like in 2008, the year 2009 saw the release of many more very high-quality games than in the past."

He added: "Against this backdrop and with a view to further reducing our exposure to the DS, we intend to continue to refocus our development resources on our major franchises and on the Xbox 360 and PS3, the two consoles which are expected to see sales growth in games for gamers in 2010.

"Ubisoft has already demonstrated its capacity for success in the high-end games market thanks to Assassin's Creed II, with sales 40% higher than for the first title. The 2010/11 lineup - which is stronger in franchises for Xbox 360 and PS3 - reflects our refocusing efforts and should enable us to both win market share and enhance our profitability."

Ubisoft's release slate for 2010/11 includes new games in the Driver and Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon franchises, along with Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands and a new episode for Assassin's Creed II.