Crackdown 3 Delayed Again, Microsoft Now Promises Early 2019 Launch

Gamers have been patiently waiting for the next game in the Crackdown franchise. Crackdown 3 is the next installment and last summer the game was expected to launch alongside the Xbox One X, but that didn’t happen. Instead, the game was delayed with Sumo Digital and Microsoft pushing the title to a promised spring 2018 launch.

Microsoft has confirmed another delay for Crackdown 3, and now promises that the game will launch in February 2019. At least this time out Microsoft has given a specific release month rather than a vague "this fall" or "this spring." Microsoft has also promised that more Crackdown 3 content will be shown off at E3 this Sunday.

Microsoft wrote, "Our fans' response to the signature antics and explosive gameplay of "Crackdown 3" has been incredible. To ensure we deliver the experience they deserve, "Crackdown 3" will be launching in Feb 2019. We look forward to sharing more on "Crackdown 3" this Sunday during the Xbox E3 2018 briefing."

As for why the game is delayed, there is no official answer. The assumption from many is that Microsoft and Sumo Digital simply don’t want to go head-to-head with the glut of games launching this fall, including Red Dead Redemption 2. Word is that Microsoft wants to push Crackdown into the upper echelons of Xbox franchises on par with Halo, Gears of War, and Forza. Crackdown 3 was originally announced back in 2014 at E3.