Take-Two's 'Red Dead Redemption 2' pushed back to fall

Video-game players will have to wait a little longer to go West.

Studio Rockstar Games announced Thursday it is pushing back the launch of its anticipated Western game Red Dead Redemption 2 to Oct. 26.

The game was originally slated to launch during the fall of last year, but in May the studio announced it was delaying its release to early 2018.

"We apologize to everyone disappointed by this delay," a statement published on Rockstar's website read. "While we had hoped to have the game out sooner, we require a little extra time for polish."

Shares in Take-Two Interactive (TTWO), the publisher of Rockstar Games' titles, have fallen 3% since Wednesday following news of the delay.

The game from the creators of the popular Grand Theft Auto series is a sequel to 2010's Red Dead Redemption. It stars John Marston, who must help federal agents track down his old gang in exchange for the release of his wife and son.

Players were able to travel through deserts, snowy mountains and other landscapes tackling missions such as hunting, skinning animals and helping local sheriffs.

Expect a similar experience in Red Dead Redemption 2, likely with a much larger frontier to explore and a stronger focus online. In a statement released when the game was first announced in 2016, Take-Two and Rockstar said the game's "vast and atmospheric world will also provide the foundation for a brand new online multiplayer experience."

Follow Brett Molina on Twitter: @brettmolina23.