THQ Inc said late Wednesday that it will delay the release of the second installment of its successful “Saints Row” game franchise by nearly two months due to what it called product quality and marketing concerns.

The company said that the new release date is Oct. 14. The delay could hurt sales for the Agoura Hills-based videogame developer’s second quarter earnings, but should have little effect on the entire year’s earnings, the compnay said.

The delay should allow THQ more time to boost its marketing effort for the game, titled “Saints Row 2,” THQ said. THQ was counting on the sequel to the game to help boost sluggish sales.

Shares in THQ closed up 1.6 percent to $20.80 Thursday.