THQ Cancels The Sopranos For Xbox 360

THQ has confirmed that earlier announced plans for development of a video game adaptation of HBO's original television series The Sopranos have changed. While the game is still in development for the PlayStation 2 and is expected to ship during the fourth quarter, the company has canceled the Xbox 360 version of the title. According to consumer website GameSpot, THQ chief financial officer Edward K. Zinser confirmed the decision during a conference call with analysts that took place following the company's recent earnings announcement. “Amortization of 18 percent was up three points versus the prior year quarter,” commented Zinser. “This is primarily due to our decision to discontinue development of The Sopranos for Xbox 360. There is no change to our plans to replace it, [but] we will release it on PS2 [during] the holiday [season].” The game, which centers on a mob war brewing between Philadelphia's and New Jersey's most powerful families, was first announced just prior to E3 in May, and at that time was confirmed to have the backing of key members of the show's cast who will lend their voices and likenesses, including James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano.