Anytime before December 15th could be classified as the "first" part of December since it's technically before "Mid Month." Businesses release a tentative schedule for a reason. If they know they can't release something by the first part of that schedule, they still have time to make the "deadline" due to the freedom such a schedule gives.

It'll get released when it's ready to be. Plenty of other good games out at the moment. You don't have to be playing FF14. I'd like to be playing 1.20 as much as everyone else, I just have other things to occupy my time until that day arrives.