So reading some threads on Gaf and here, a couple of recurring "questions/statements" have come up about the release schedule such as:

What does the PS4 have for Holidays?

What does the XO have for Preseason(what a stupid name, thanks GAF aka Q1-Q3)?

Nobody is waiting for Halo 5/GOWRE/Uncharted 4/P5/MGSV/Xenogears etc/Zelda, cause they already bought the system for it.

Many people are waiting for Halo 5/GOWRE/Uncharted 4/P5/MGSV/Xenogears/Zelda etc, to buy the system for it.

PS4/XO/Wii U spreads out its release, PS4/XO/Wii U doesn't, etc...

You get the gist of it.

THESE ARE NOT THE QUESTIONS I AM ASKING/STATEMENTS I AM CLAIMING!!!!!!

My question is, and its so complicated it comes with a poll is, how does controlling the release schedule actually affect console sales? Does it differ according to console, regional market, price, or another factor? How does the controlling the release schedule affect game development itself, do we see a decrease in quality, no change, better quality? What happens when you don't give a deadline, do you end up with things like Duke Nukem Forever and FFXIV? And what about those gosh darn Delays?(Thanks ReimTime)

Feel free to answer what you can. There is also a poll so you don't have to think too hard.

I got a bone to throw ya, which did not have a question attached to it:
How would Battlefield Hardline have fared if it had released in the fall (like it was supposed to) instead of being delayed? It would have released alongside Destiny, Halo MCC, and COD AW. Can we assume that EA controlling the release schedule resulted in the game faring better critically and commercially, without competitors to inevitably compare and compete to/with?
Perhaps we do not see a decrease in quality; perhaps there is just a contrast in critical and commercial success (public approval being heavily related to those aspects) based upon what other games are released at that time.