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Uncharted 4 delayed to spring 2016

Naughty Dog explains the delay.

Uncharted 4: A Thief's End has been delayed to spring 2016, with Naughty Dog explaining it needs more time with the PlayStation 4 exclusive to meet the team's standards.

Originally anticipated for the end of the year - although no firm release date was ever set - the details behind the delay were laid out by directors Neil Druckmann and Bruce Straley on the PlayStation blog.

"After spending so many years with Nathan Drake, he means a lot to the team, and telling the climactic chapter of his adventures is a task we don't take lightly - this game deserves every bit of the attention to detail, precise pacing, and nuanced storytelling Naughty Dog is known for," the pair said in an official statement.

"So we've made the difficult choice of pushing the game's release date. Giving us a few extra months will make certain that Uncharted 4: A Thief's End not only meets the team's high standards but the high standards that gamers have come to expect from a Naughty Dog title.

"Thank you for your patience," the statement concludes. "We know the extra wait will be excruciating, but you'll see it will be worth it as we reveal more about Uncharted 4 over the next year. The team at Naughty Dog will be heads down working through 2015 making sure that Nathan Drake's story gets the closure it deserves. Come Spring 2016, you and Nate are in for one thrilling, emotional ride."

First announced in 2013, the world got its first look at Uncharted 4: A Thief's End last December, with Digital Foundry providing some analysis of the footage soon after.

Cover image for YouTube videoUncharted 4 trailer breakdown - Eurogamer