Ubisoft has told Eurogamer that Splinter Cell: Conviction was delayed to add "a bit more polish", and not because Q1 2010 is unconventionally bursting with big-name releases.
"The game looks brilliant, but we want it to be awesome," a spokesperson added.
The move was made overnight, when Sam Fisher's latest romp went from a confirmed 26th February release into the murky waters of FY2010, which begins 1st April 2010.