Activision evolving Geometry Wars 2?

While the PC, Wii, and DS editions failed to live up to the Xbox Live original, Bizarre Creations may be returning to the well for a Retro Evolved sequel, if a listing in the online database for the Australian Classification Board is to be believed. According to the listing, Activision will be developing and publishing Geometry Wars Retro Evolved 2 on multiple platforms, and the game has been given a G for General rating--the Aussie equivalent of the Entertainment Software Rating Board's E for Everyone.

The listing looks plausible for a couple of reasons. First, Activision as publisher and developer makes sense, considering the megapublisher warmed up its corporate comingling machine with the buyout of Bizarre in September 2007. Further, it is unlikely that a rating for Retro Evolved 2 would be for any of Bizarre's previously released installments in the franchise, as both the original Geometry Wars and Geometry Wars: Galaxies have received ratings of their own in the Aussie database. The classification date of April 3 also seems to be a clear indication that the rating is for an upcoming product, and classification boards typically abstain from rating nonexistent games.

What casts a glimmer of doubt on this listing is the economic viability of the title. As both the Xbox Live and PC port of the original game were downloadable titles, sales data isn't readily available. However, the Vivendi-published redux Wii and DS versions fared less than spectacularly at retail, combined selling just over 61,000 units in the US, according to the latest available figures from the NPD Group. That could be due to the games' pricing schemes, though, which at $30 and $40 for the respective DS and Wii versions and $8 for the inferior PC port were a far cry from the original game's $5 price tag.

The official story: Activision had not responded to requests for comment as of press time.

Bogus or not bogus?: Looking not bogus.