Delayed: Metal Gear Solid 4 held hostage until Q2 of 2008

When Metal Gear Solid 4 was given a spring 2008 release date, people bemoaned the long wait as if they didn't expect it. It seems they better get moaning some more, as it's been announced that the game has now been pushed back even more to Q2 of 2008, turning a March release into an April-June one.

Konami's press release states that, instead of March, the developers had been working toward a winter 2007 launch, which has confused some people, although it could just be suggesting that this had been the company's intention before Kojima announced the 2008 launch window. 

Konami had initially intended to release Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots this winter and has been working on the production of the title. 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.

This is sure to cause a great wailing and gnashing of teeth among the local villagers, as nobody likes a delay. Still, if it makes sure Guns of the Patriots is as excellent as I'm hoping it'll be, one can't really complain.