Game Delays

[Trace17]

So I got to thinking about this a lot today and figured I'd post a thread and see what people think. If that's permissable

So here's a few game delays I've gathered up as of late:

LittleBIGPlanet 2 - Two month delay
SOCOM 4 - Four to six months
Gran Turismo 5 (lol!) - Multiple delays, final delay three weeks
Portal 2 - Two Month delay
Ghost Recon: Future Soldier - Multiple delays, recent one about two months
Driver 2 - About two months, so far

I'm sure there are more out there, and some of my estimates might be off so please forgive me if they are. If you know more, feel free to add.

Anyway, I understand that some games do need to be polished more. I also understand that sometimes strategy comes into play with release windows, i.e. shooters not wanting direct competition with Call of Duty. But, that being said, as a consumer, I would rather them not even give us a release date than be told something is coming out only to be let down a couple months later.

To me, it's like someone giving you a balloon and slowly filling it up. Then right before it's ready, popping it. I'd rather just not know when I get the balloon and get it when it's full of helium.

Am I the only one that thinks this? Is there any reason that game companies are consistently putting out "target dates" and consistently missing them? Is it for temporary rise in publicity? Seems not worth a temporary spike in press to be followed by a low point soon after that negates the spike altogether.