Atari and Artifact Entertainment announced that Horizons: Empire of Istaria will ship to retail outlets nationwide on December 9th.

The massively multiplayer online (MMO) role-playing game was previously scheduled to release in November. The extra time will allow Artifact Entertainment to continue to make optimizations and improvements to the game in order to provide one of the most compelling MMO experiences this holiday season.

“Our decision to do the retail launch of Horizons in December allows us to optimize code, polish our extensive tradeskill system, refine combat, engage new modules of monster artificial intelligence, expand the deep quest system and ensure a stable and fun online experience,” said David Bowman, creative director and co-president, Artifact Entertainment. “I think players will be suitably pleased with the end result as we deliver a world where players have a massive impact on their environment -- a dynamic place where cataclysmic events could change the appearance and function of the world in real time right before your eyes.”

Horizons takes place within the world of Istaria -- filled with cities and towns, castles and strongholds, villages and mystical structures, in environments ranging from tropical jungle and arctic tundra to windswept plains and mountainous wilderness. Whether adventuring by themselves or questing with a group of friends, players are free to choose their own path and encouraged to create their own stories. Fierce warriors, arcane spell casters and challenging combat will rule the frontier lands, but skilled craftspeople will play an absolutely critical role in overall character and world development.

Horizons: Empire of Istaria will be available at retail stores nationwide on December 9th with an estimated retail price of $49.95 and an ESRB rating of “T” for Teen. Additional information about Horizons: Empire of Istaria can be found online at www.istaria.com.