Why are PS3 games always late?

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We do a few case studies to find out

Metal Gear Solid 4

Original release date: Winter 2007

Current release date: Q2 2008

Like Home but even moreso, this is a case where a delay is actually welcome in a round about way. And with a game of the scale of MGS4, probably not unexpected. Metal Gear Solid director Hideo Kojima is notorious for his complex ideas, perfectionism, and liability to put several hundred hours of cut-scenes into every game, so it was disppointing but no real surprise when the latest game is the series was last month announced to be slipping from this winter to next summer. A big delay, yes, but it seems for the right reasons. Says Konami’s official statement:

“Konami has decided to delay the title's release in order to make further improvements to the quality of the game and provide even greater enjoyment for more customers worldwide.”

Metal Gear Solid 4 has to be right. It’s important for gamers and possibly even more important for the PlayStation 3. After such a long wait, the series’ justifiably rabid fans will not settle for less than perfection from the latest intallment, and given that the games are both legendary and synonymous with the PlayStation brand, a flawless MGS4 will sell a lot of PS3s when it eventually lands. A lot.

Additional reporting by PSM3 magazine. Issue 95 out now.

David Houghton
David Houghton
Former GamesRadar+ Features Writer

Former (and long-time) GamesRadar+ writer, Dave has been gaming with immense dedication ever since he failed dismally at some '80s arcade racer on a childhood day at the seaside (due to being too small to reach the controls without help). These days he's an enigmatic blend of beard-stroking narrative discussion and hard-hitting Psycho Crushers.