"Kingdom Hearts 3" won't be released this year, but developer Square Enix plans to quench the thirst of gamers who have been waiting for more than a decade for the game with the launch of "Kingdom Hearts 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue."

The said game, which is designed to further prepare gamers in taking on the world and story of Sora come "Kingdom Hearts 3," will be released this December.

"Kingdom Hearts 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue" will center on Keyblade Master Aqua, who will be of serious importance in "Kingdom Hearts 3."

"It's really necessary before you play Kingdom Hearts 3, with you playing with Aqua, who is trapped inside the Dark World, that connects to Birth by Sleep," "Kingdom Hearts 3" co-director Tai Yasue told GameSpot.

"You experience her sorrow and torment... Her destiny is really intertwined with Sora's in Kingdom Hearts 3, so learning about her adventure, and her pain, really gives meaning to when you start Kingdom Hearts 3," he added.

This should keep fans occupied while waiting for "Kingdom Hearts 3," which is expected to be released next year. The earliest estimated launch date is April 2017.

In the financial report of Square Enix that runs up to March next year, "Kingdom Hearts 3" wasn't included in the lineup, leading fans to believe that the game won't be out early next year.

Meanwhile, there are other rumors suggesting that "Kingdom Hearts 3" should be ready before March 2017, which is the month the Kingdom Hearts Orchestra begins.

It is said that it will make more sense for Square Enix to release "Kingdom Hearts 3" first before moving into the orchestra, the first showing scheduled March 10.

There's no way of knowing for sure for when "Kingdom Hearts 3" will launch. It's not looking like Square Enix is ready to talk about that aspect yet so fans are in for a long wait.