It is now likely that EA’s highly-anticipated Sims 3 title will not be making its February 20 launch date, after its publisher issued a statement claiming that it is now “evaluating the launch window.”

Speculation on a possible delay began to surface after EA removed the game’s release date on its own official web page and replaced it with a TBA notice. A number of retailers have listed the game for a release in the first half of 2009, as opposed to the previous February 20 launch date.

“The game looks great and in the near future we'll have more information,” EA said.

It is unknown what is the cause for the evaluation, though what’s clear is that The Sims 3 will be a decisive game for EA. Despite critical praise, games such as Spore, Dead Space and Boom Blox had missed sales expectations in 2008. Early in December EA announced it would be shedding 1,000 jobs to recover losses, with a number of high-profile studios closing since, and speculation about the health of others amassing.