No surprise here: Electronic Arts has confirmed that the upcoming game-based-on-a-movie-based-on-a-book Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince has been delayed. The game will ship alongside the film's Summer 2009 release.

The news follows the delay of the film, which was originally slated to hit theaters this November. With the film essentially in the can, the move was made to guarantee another successful summer blockbuster hit for Warner Bros., who sold a few tickets for The Dark Knight this past season.

Hamza went hands-on with the Wii version of the game, which was essentially complete not long ago. No word on whether the delay will give the development teams more time to spend on the titles, or if they'll just sit on the games until release.

EA AND WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT CONFIRM

HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE VIDEO GAME TO SHIP WITH FILM IN SUMMER 09

Harry Potter Video Game is THE place for fans to live the thrills, action and excitement of Harry Potter next summer

REDWOOD CITY, Calif – September 8, 2008 – Electronic Arts Inc (NASDAQ:ERTS) and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment today confirmed that the Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince™ video game will be released globally Summer 2009, alongside the Warner Bros. Pictures’ film based on J.K. Rowling’s sixth Harry Potter book.

“We’re excited about the Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince video game in development and its high level of authenticity and playability,” said Robert Nashak, Vice President EA Casual Studios. “We are creating an immersive game experience that Potter fans around the world will really enjoy playing as they fly and duel their way through the story of the film. The game will feature new Wii gestures and increased gameplay capabilities across all of the platforms.”

“The Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince game will be an excellent interactive extension of the film and all of the new action that comes with it,” said Martin Tremblay, President, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. “EA is creating the Harry Potter video games that fans will love, and this game will deliver new gameplay elements and the magic players are looking forward to.”

“We have enjoyed a wonderful partnership with EA in collaborating on the videogames for all of the Harry Potter films,” said Harry Potter film Producer David Heyman. “The visual look of the game for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is incredibly authentic to the film and will provide a truly compelling experience for everyone who plays.”

In the game of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, players will return to Hogwarts to help Harry survive a fraught sixth year. They will also have a chance to engage in exciting wizard duels, mix and brew magical ingredients in Potions class and take to the air to lead the Gryffindor Quidditch team to victory. Players may even get sidetracked by Ron’s romantic entanglements as they journey towards a dramatic climax and discover the identity of the Half-Blood Prince.

Developed by EA’s Bright Light Studio, the team behind the worldwide success of the Harry Potter library of games including the most recent game released in the summer of 2007, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is scheduled for release Summer 2009 for the Wii™, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, Nintendo DS™, Windows PC, Macintosh and mobile devices.