Release date delays can be a bummer, but can also be a very good thing when they mean the game in question is getting the development love it needs before being unleashed on the masses. I can think of a number of major PC releases this year that really could have benefitted from a few weeks of patching before going live (I’m looking at you Batman and Witcher).

Originally slated for a PC, Mac and Linux release on September 8, Sword Coast Legends is being bumped back a few weeks, until September 29. All told the delay isn’t terribly long, and folks who pre-order the game will now also receive the first official DLC, Rage of Demons, for free.

Release dates for the PS4 and Xbox One versions of Sword Coast Legends are still TBA, but sound to be on track for a release in late 2015.

In the meantime, the development team shared some insights as to what prompted push back to a Sept. 29 release date.

"We're extremely excited to show everyone what we've been up to with Sword Coast Legends, but it looks like our dungeon bosses need a few more hit points ... Larethar needs even more of a Scottish accent ... and the game itself could use a touch 'more cowbell,'" said Dan Tudge, President of n-Space and Director for Sword Coast Legends.  "All kidding aside, our fans deserve nothing less than whatever it takes on our part to deliver the compelling roleplaying dynamic of Dungeons & Dragons tabletop to the world of cooperative multiplayer video games.  If that means the game needs a few additional weeks of balancing, tuning and general polish -- so be it."
 
"While it's hard to wait a few more weeks for Sword Coast Legends to drop, I'm happy the n-Space team is dedicated to crafting a quality D&D experience. All pre-orders getting the Rage of Demons DLC for free is exciting news," said Nathan Stewart, Brand Director of Dungeons & Dragons at Wizards of the Coast. "And for D&D fans, the Rage of Demons DLC gives them another exciting way to face the demon lords in the Underdark."

I genuinely enjoyed my hands-on session with Sword Coast Legends during E3 back in June which also showcased the power of the real-time DM tools bundled with the game. It’s a very simple, streamlined, but ultimately powerful system that I’ve been quite eager to get my hands on ever since.

While that wait may be a few weeks longer, I certainly won’t complain about receiving some free DLC when Sword Coast Legends hits on Sept. 29. Pre-orders are currently available via the official website, including a fairly badass Collector’s Edition, or you can also pre-order the Digital Deluxe and Collector’s Editions right now on the Steam and the PlayStation Store.