No Xbox Doom 3, Resurrection of Evil until March 2005

Though many Xbox owners are likely headed for hell, it doesn't look like they'll get there this year. During an earnings call this afternoon, Activision president Ron Doornink said that his company is now planning to release the Xbox version of Doom 3 in March 2005.

This comes as little surprise, since id Software CEO Todd Hollenshead basically said that the console version of the best-selling PC shooter--which places players in the role of a space marine guarding a research facility that literally opens the gates to hell--isn't coming this year. Although Vicarious Visions is developing the Xbox Doom 3, id is overseeing the process and has final approval.

Doornink also said that next March is when Activision is tentatively planning to ship Doom 3: Resurrection of Evil, the expansion pack for the PC Doom 3. However, responding to a response to a question by UBS analyst Mike Wallace, Doornink conceded that these dates were "for planning purposes only." "id Software makes the final decision as to the release date," said the executive, obliquely referring to the developer's now-notorious motto regarding game development: "It's ready when it's done."