I think both sides have valid points, but the real issue here is expectation management.
Players aren’t really upset about delays themselves, but about being given timeframes that keep changing. Even if something is labeled as an “estimate,” it still creates hope, and repeated changes can slowly erode trust.
On the other hand, the developer is right that timelines can be unpredictable and it’s impossible to satisfy everyone. A better approach might be to avoid giving specific dates and instead focus on sharing clear development progress so players have a more realistic understanding of the situation.