Thus far, the status of God of War III has been very much up in the air, as the hopeful and optimistic put the game's release in 2009, while the negative and pessimistic say it won't arrive until next year. According to V for Video Games, things are looking up from a development standpoint, but 2010 is a more realistic time frame.

It seems as if the Santa Monica studios are in "full steam ahead" mode for GoWIII, as they've recruited "a new batch of highly talented employees" over the past few months. Furthermore, the "core structure of the game has already been completed," and they're pushing forward with the highest quality production in mind. On the downside - although the realistic may have expected this - God of War III is expected to hit store shelves "around Q1 2010," which would fall right in line with the releases of the first two entries in the revered franchise. Obviously, this is a very rough estimate and is subject to change, so there is the possibility it could be moved up to Q4 2009 so as to coincide with the holiday rush. Then again, maybe Sony won't want it to compete with Uncharted 2: Among Thieves and the possible launch of Gran Turismo 5. Timing is crucial when it comes to raking in sales for big titles, and perhaps even more important when you're competing against yourself...

Right now, the 2009 lineup looks pretty damn solid so perhaps it won't matter too much if GoWIII doesn't launch until 2010. On the other hand, gamers are always looking for the next huge title that comes down the pike, so Santa Monica's project will always be under the spotlight until the game releases.

http://www.psxextreme.com/ps3-news/4446.html

I hope it's true, because there are too many good ps3 games in 09.

I hope you are wrong becouse I'm not even interested in Gran Turismo

I wouldn't be suprised if GoW got delayed to Q2 or Q3 of '10. They might be able to finish sooner if they'd cut some corners like dropping from 1080p to 720p and not do the rumoured online aspects like possible deathmatches or some kind of coop.

But '09 is far too busy for great first buy games, so I'd prefer it to come out next year :)

Please don't tell me that game is coming out in 2010. That would be another upset.

I hope GoW3 comes out for next holiday. It was suprising and fast when they released GoW for the PSP.

I think either GoW3 or Gran Turismo are slotted for 2/2010 release. I think it is more likely that GT slips to 2010. I doubt both will be released in 2009.

There are quite a few big PS3 games currently slated for Q3 and Q4 2009. It wouldn't surprise me one bit if some of them get delayed due to development issues, or deliberately spaced out to improve sales. I don't think it would be the first time for either to happen with a big exclusive this gen.

Hmmm, sooner rather than later would be better....maybe not for the quality of the game but...

March 2010 wouldn't be surprising. If it was hitting in 2009, it would've had a date at the end of the trailer shown at the VGAs. Uncharted 2's trailer, if you recall, ended with the words "Fall 2009".

The only question is whether GT5 will hit in 2009 or not. On the one hand, Yamauchi is a perfectionist and Sony basically lets him do what he wants, so a delay to 2010 is possible, but on the other hand, Gran Turismo is SCE's biggest franchise, and would do wonders for them over the holiday season. That combined with the fact that the game has been in development for quite some time (plus Sony's financial troubles) could lead to them forcing Yamauchi to release the game in 2009.

I expect one to be released in 2009, however.  Sony usually releases 3-4 big titles over the holidays.  In 2007 it was Uncharted, Ratchet & Clank, Heavenly Sword, and Warhawk.  In 2008 it was LittleBigPlanet, Resistance 2, MotorStorm 2, and Socom: Confrontation.  In 2009 it'll be Uncharted 2 , Ratchet & Clank Future 2, and...?  I thought God of War would fit in perfectly with the others, but that's apparently not going to happen.   I think GT5 would destroy the sales of everything else around it if it hit over the holidays, though.  That'll probably sell a few million the first week alone.

I also can't see both hitting in Q1 2010, as both games are their only remaining system sellers (games with a hardcore following that may have not yet purchased a ps3), and I can't see either hitting any later than Q1 2010.  I think it's either/or for both.  One over the Holidays, and one in Q1 2010.

Killzone 2 was delayed partly so that it, Resistance 2, and Socom: Confronatation wouldn't cannibilize each other's sales.  Plus, Call of Duty was hitting right at the same time.