How do you plan purchases amid uncertain announced release dates?

[Jason_M]

I'm trying to plan my game purchases and budget for the next six months, but with so many upcoming game releases being announced and then delayed, it's hard to know what's actually going to stick to its release window. I'm particularly interested in the new fantasy RPG and the sci-fi survival title that were shown at the last showcase, but their dates seem tentative at best. For gamers who follow development cycles closely, how do you gauge which announced titles are likely to actually release on time versus those that might slip into the next year? Are there specific publishers or developers with a track record of hitting their dates, or certain red flags in announcements that suggest a game needs more time? What sources do you trust most for accurate release date information beyond the initial hype trailers?