Max Payne 3 delayed to ‘ensure quality’ [UPDATED: Special edition pre-order]

Take-Two has delayed Max Payne 3 from it’s expected March release date to May, 2012. 

Strauss Zelnick, Chairman and CEO of Take-Two, revealed this morning the company’s decision to delay Max Payne 3 until May. Take-Two also expects to report a net loss for the year 2012, says the publisher.

“We do not take changes to our release schedule lightly, and this short delay will ensure that Max Payne 3 delivers the highest quality, groundbreaking entertainment experience that is expected from our Company,” said Strauss Zelnick.

“Max Payne 3 promises to be one of our most exciting releases to date, and we are confident that consumers will once again be amazed by Rockstar’s ability to take interactive entertainment to another level.”

“With Max Payne 3 now slated for May, our robust lineup of upcoming releases for fiscal 2013 is even stronger, including BioShock Infinite, Borderlands 2, Spec Ops: The Line, XCOM, XCOM: Enemy Unknown, and other titles yet to be announced for release that year.

“Fiscal 2013 is poised to be one of our best years ever, with anticipated substantial revenue growth and Non-GAAP Net Income of over $2.00 per share. We are well positioned to deliver growth and profitability over the long term.”

It’s a disappointing announcement to say the least, but given the success of their past titles we’re certain Take-Two’s decision is justified. The only thing we can do now is wait and see what they have in store for us in May. That is if it releases in May.

[UPDATE] ]Following up today’s announcement, RockStar has extended the pre-order deadline for the Max Payne 3: Special Edition until April 2nd.

The Special Edition will be expanded an extra two months to accomodate the game’s delay. If you’re wondering the Special Edition will feature, check out the list below:

The Max Payne 3 Special Edition includes:

• A copy of Max Payne 3;
• 10′ tall Collectible Max Payne Statue created in acollaboration between TriForce and Rockstar Games;
• Series of game-inspired Original Still Life Art Prints thatdepict some of Max Payne’s inner demons and vices;
• Copper and brass-plated iron, bullet-shaped Bullet Keychainfeaturing a screw-off back;
• Classic Multiplayer Character Pack of eight playablemultiplayer characters for Max Payne 3 Multiplayer, including fan favorites from the original Max Payne and Max Payne 2 like Max Payne from Max Payne 2, Mona Sax and Vladimir Lem;
• Disorderly Conduct Multiplayer Weapons Pack for Max Payne3 Multiplayer that includes the Hammerhead Auto Shotgun, G9 Grenade Launcher and Molotov cocktail;
• Max Payne 3 Official Soundtrack featuring thegame’s instrumental score.