I have to wonder if there is ever going to be another high-profile game that actually hits its release target. The latest broken promise comes in the form of SOCOM: Confrontation, a PS3 exclusive that was originally supposed to make its debut in September. Instead, official word has come that the game won’t be shipping until October 14th, giving you a bit more time to stew.

The development team gave the typical "we’re adding more polish" routine when asked about the delay, a phrase so meaningless that it’s just become an excuse for not being done. Not to get on a soapbox here, but in what other industry can you set a date, miss it, and then tell everyone it’s OK because you’re "polishing" things? That sure didn’t work when I was in school. "Oh, sorry my paper isn’t done, I’m adding polish. I should have it to you in another six months or so." Maybe we should just stop putting release dates on games until we know that’s when they’ll be done. Sure, you may have to wait longer, but the dates we’re given these days are so meaningless, would it really matter?

/rant. I’m done now, I think I’ll go have a soak and cool off.