After a long delay and the axing of some content it might just be that Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning or WAR, as it is known, has a release date. The Singapore localized site of publisher Electronic Arts mentioned, on a page which now appears to be gone, that the game is slated to launch on September 23, which is rather soon.

Previous statements made by various Electronic Arts people mentioned that they planned to do a simultaneous release around the world for WAR. Such a launch would benefit the MMO because it make it possible for more players to get into the game world right from the start and it's very important to have players in an MMO as it debuts.

The game was initially scheduled for a May release, but the developers Mythic asked EA for a delay so that they could make sure that the game delivers an incredible massive multiplayer experience. Back then producer Jeff Hickman said that the delay is "not six months. Let's call it three to six months". A September release date would perfectly fit that schedule.

Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning is set to be Electronic Arts' attempt to break into the MMO market, which is now heavily dominated by Blizzard with World of Warcraft. It makes perfect sense to try and get the game out as quickly as possible, because Wrath of the Lich King, the second World of Warcraft expansion, will also arrive later in the year, possibly around Christmas. The worst thing that could happen to WAR would be to compete for sales directly with Wrath of the Lich King.

Electronic Arts representatives have not confirmed the September 23 launch that appeared on the website, but they are saying that confirmation of a release date will come very soon. We'll be sure to keep you posted.