id Software Delays RAGE

id Software's RAGE has been pushed back, possibly due to avoid clashing with Gears of War 3.

Although Bethesda and id Software have yet to offer a formal announcement, the official RAGE website and GameStop clearly shows that the mutant-infested first-person shooter's launch has been pushed back to October 4, 2011 here in the States, and October 7 in Europe. The game was originally slated to arrive on September 13 for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Windows PC.

It's entirely possibly that the delay may be related to the Xbox 360 version. Currently Gears of War 3 is still slated to launch on the console September 20, just days after RAGE's debut. Bethesda may be worried that RAGE, if immediately launched prior Epic's third installment in one of the most popular Xbox 360 franchises to date, may simply get forgotten. Microsoft could have requested the delay as well based on a possible clash.

The delay however could simply mean that the team has a few things to iron out before going gold. After all, it's been in development for over seven years – another few weeks isn't going to hurt anyone. Honestly, it's not surprising given that id Software typically said "it will be done when it's done" prior to the studio's purchase by Zenimax. It isn't the first time an id game has been delayed and certainly won't be the last.

In the meantime, check out our hands-on with RAGE just a few days ago at E3 2011 by heading here. To quote the experience, "RAGE is everything you'd expect from an id Software game (sans the closet monsters): genre-leading graphics, unique and deadly weapons and plenty of things to kill."

We'll update this post if Bethesda and id Software release an official statement.