Damned the folks at Game Informer for starting a silly rumor that we simply don't want to believe.

According to the magazine that broke the news on Batman: Arkham Asylum earlier this year, the game may not meet its target ship date. Right now, retailers and print ads are suggesting a June 23 release, in line with Eidos Interactive and Warner Bros. blanket "summer statement." According to Game Informer, sources close to the game are saying it's being shuffled back to the fourth quarter of 2009. When contacted by Game Informer, the publisher had no comment.

Bad news for a few reasons, the first of which is OMG WE WANNA PLAY BATMAN RIGHT NOW!11!! But on top of that, we hardly have a full picture of what's coming this holiday, but we expect it to be packed with heavy-hitters. Does Batman really want to contend with that? 

For those of you who can't wait, a PlayStation 3 demo of Batman: Arkham Asylum is playable in kiosks at GameStops around the United States. It features one brawler challenge room, with a few waves of baddies to pummel with your batfists and batfeet. When we asked Warner Bros. when or if a demo would come home, we were told that the plans were unclear.  

[Update: Eidos Interactive and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment have confirmed the release date shift for Batman: Arkham Asylum. The new date is slated for a very vague "summer 2009."

"This additional time will allow us to ensure Batman: Arkham Asylums is of the hightest quality for gamers," they said.

When asked to clarify what they meant by "summer," Eidos/Warner Bros. wouldn't clarify.]