Tomb Raider Jumps, Misses, Slips Into 2013

Obviously by now, everyone is applying what I assume is known as the Walker Principle, which states whatever first release date is given for a major game is to be ignored. So no one will be in the least surprised, let alone disappointed, to learn that Tomb Raider now won't be with us until 2013.

The original date had set it some time this Autumn, which was certainly ambiguous enough. But they've added half a year onto that, now looking at Spring 2013 to unleash Lara's reboot as a gritty, grumpy younger hero, trapped on an island and allowed to wander in whichever direction she so chooses.

The news comes via the Tomb Raider dev blog, in which Crystal Dynamics bossman Darrell Gallagher explains, as is always the case, that the delay is so they can ensure it's "the best game of our careers". Using what I believe is called the "Levine Delay Technique", he goes on to explain that it's because of us, because of their unquenchable love for us, that they have overrun.

"We're doing things that are completely new to Tomb Raider in this game and the additional development time will allow us to put the finishing touches into the game and polish it to a level that you deserve."

So yes, of course, we're all used to release date slips and games having fixed themselves overly ambitious development periods. We're also used to developers realising they've gone in the wrong direction, and need time to amend. It's good news that Square Enix are letting that happen. But, here's my thought, eh: Maybe stop saying when games are going to come out when you don't know?