BioShock Infinite delayed to 2013

BioShock Infinite is going through some "tweaks and improvements," according to Irrational's Ken Levine, forcing the company's upcoming shooter into a Q1 2013 release. Oh, and don't plan on reading about it from E3 or GamesCom, either.

In a note to fans on the Irrational site, Levine said the size and scope of the game forced them to delay the game until Feb. 26 of next year:

We had a similar experience with the original BioShock, which was delayed several months as our original ship date drew near. Why? Because the Big Daddies weren't the Big Daddies you've since come to know and love. Because Andrew Ryan's golf club didn't have exactly the right swing. Because Rapture needed one more coat of grimy Art Deco.

Levine said they plan to use the time they would normally be preparing for upcoming conventions to refine the game so the next time it is shown, it will be "essentially the product we intend to put in the box."

We already knew that Irrational was staying focused on the main game and trying to avoid distractions, but if delaying it a few months will make it play like the originals, then the added wait will be forgotten quickly.