Infinium Labs have announced today that the on-demand broadband console will be delayed until 2005, in order that and marketing partners have time to build interest towards the system's debut, amid fears that the innovative new system could be lost amongst the insanity of gift-buying. "The decision comes at the request of both its retail and marketing partners, who have told the company they want more time to plan promotional and merchandising activities for the new games-on-demand service," read an official statement. COO Kevin Bacchus added: "We were on track to offer the Phantom Game Service later this year. However, we can't do it alone; we need our strategic partners to help us get the word out. And many of our key marketing and retail partners, as well as publishers, have told us they believe the best way to make the service successful is to hold off for now."

So no sign there that the is related to Infinium's widely reported funding issues, which many thought could hamper the product's original November18th date. "Our capital acquisition plan is fine with the move to next year," assured Bacchus, who recently announced twenty-two partners who'll be offering their wares to Phantom gamers to download. Despite having confirmed several new game providing friends, Infinium has yet to speak of retail partners who'll be selling the system and subscription to its services. We also await word of when the Phantom will be out in 2005.

By Luke Guttridge