Sequel to sci-fi videogame 'Prey' delayed

Videogame powerhouse Bethesda Softworks said Thursday that it is delaying the sequel to alien-abduction videogame "Prey" because it is not up to snuff. Bethesda made the announcement amid rumors that it had pulled the plug on a "Prey 2" science-fiction shooter videogame planned for release in time for the year-end holiday season. "Development of 'Prey 2' has not been canceled but the game will not be released in 2012 as planned," Bethesda said in a release. "The delay is due to the fact that game development has not progressed satisfactorily this past year, and the game does not currently meet our quality standards." The publisher got kudos in online forums for being willing to miss having the game in stores during the prime Christmas shopping season in order to craft a better experience for players. "We have made a substantial investment in game development to deliver the experience fans want," Bethesda said. "We are determined only to release the AAA game that fans rightfully expect, and are unwilling to compromise our quality standards to meet a release schedule." The original "Prey" was released in 2006 and featured a Native American hero pitted against aliens abducting humans. Bethesda bought the rights to the game and enlisted Human Head Studios to make the sequel.