Rockstar Games put up a small announcement on their website this morning to share with their fans that upcoming game Grand Theft Auto V, which is their hugely anticipated title, will not be released in the spring as they had originally announced. The game will be pushed back four months and will not hit store shelves on September 17th, 2013.

“We know this is about four months later than originally planned and we know that this short delay will come as a disappointment to many of you,” the letter wrote. “GTAV is a massively ambitious and complex game and it simply needs a little more polish to be of the standard we and, more importantly, you require.”

The delay has not been met by much support from the fans of the series as nearly 300 comments were up on the website post within thirty minutes.

Fans have reacted to the news with anger and frustration, which can be expected with a delay. But delays are a part of the game and happen in every medium, including video games.

Last spring Paramount Pictures pushed back the release of their G.I. Joe sequel from summer 2012 to March 2013. This passed fall NBC pushed back the season premiere of my favourite television program Community from fall to February only a few weeks before it was supposed to be televised.

It happens. It’ll be okay. You’ll still get your game.

Some have demanded that Rockstar give some sort of pennance for the delay, with some suggesting free downloads of PSN. (Rockstar released GTA: Vice City on PSN yesterday). Rockstar may throw in a bonus for the delay, but don’t expect free loot. Rockstar doesn’t OWE their fans anything except a great game. And if this delay makes for an even better game then Rockstar, take all the time you need.

I’ll see you in September.

* Originally published on Darkain Arts Gamers