Ghost Recon: Future Soldier pushed further into future

When announcing its $54 million full fiscal year net loss today, Ubisoft addressed an ongoing reorganization of its studio teams "to release new iterations of our major franchises on a more regular basis." A post-earnings conference call underscored the need for regularity, as Ubisoft used the forum to announce the delay of the upcoming tactical shooter Ghost Recon: Future Soldier.

Previously expected to launch during the 2010 holiday season, Future Soldier has been furloughed until next year. Citing "a very competitive environment," Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot said it would be holding the game back until the quarter ending March 31, 2011.

While the holiday season's lineup won't be brought into focus until next month's Electronic Entertainment Expo, the last stretch of 2010 could play host to a veritable brigade of military shooters. In addition to Activision's Call of Duty: Black Ops, Electronic Arts is preparing a revival of its Medal of Honor franchise, and even in the tactics-focused subgenre, Sony has the Zipper-developed SOCOM 4 set for release by year's end.

First announced in April 2009, Ghost Recon: Future Soldier gets its name from the "Future Soldier" programs being conducted by the US and its NATO allies. The initiative, currently part of the US Army's Brigade Combat Team Modernization Program, focuses on outfitting infantrymen with networked communications and high-tech equipment.

For more on Future Soldier, check out GameSpot's previous coverage.