GameBanshee Forums

[QUOTE=fable]There's no such comment about "stalling" or development by the site owners up on the EB site. What it says is this:

The ship date and retail price have not been confirmed and therefore are subject to change. If the retail price is decreased you will receive the lower price.[/QUOTE]

Take Two (publisher) announced the delay, no reason just a simple delay. I'm not fussed, if it means a better game in the long run then so be it, I don't want another Ultima IX on my hands.

It's official:

Pete the PR guy wrote:So Todd and I were talking last night and decided that we, or I, should post something on the forums to try and bring fans up-to-speed on what's up. So here goes.

In short, the game is coming out in early 2006 because it isn't done yet. We still have things that need to be done before the game is released. So we continue to optimize, test, balance, etc. We've already gone way beyond what we did in any game previously in playtesting and balancing this game. Way beyond. But there is work that needs to be done and so development continues to go on pretty much around the clock. We will not put out a more specific date until we are certain we will be ready then. Like system specs, we aren't fans of putting out info that changes later on and only confuses or annoys our fans.

We have a number of site updates planned between now and the game's release that we hope to do on a regular basis each week. We'll do the best we can to make it every week, but understand that sometimes PR/marketing stuff gets in the way of game development and so it has to get set aside sometimes for the good of the game (and the people making it). We'll be updating the Codex in stages, adding new concept art, screens, etc. in the coming weeks and months. We're open to doing another fan interview in the coming weeks as well to let you ask what it is you think we aren't telling you. In short, we aren't holding out on you, we just don't want to be done telling you about the game before it comes out.

We appreciate your patience and continued support and ensure you that your dedication will be rewarded with what we think is the best RPG you've ever played.

Best,

Pete (and Todd)

Link

Works for me. I'd personally rather see a finished product in March, rather than an unfnished one in Nov/Dec, but I have to say that it is extremely unusual for the accountants (who rule today's gaming industry) to forego a holiday sale season on a big title like this.

I can deal with it i guess, i was looking forward to the after christmas sale to get the game a little cheaper, but oh well... as long as this game doesnt freeze every 20 minutes like my morrowind game does for a day or two every two weeks or so, annoying it is... the less buggy the more complete, i dont want another Kotor II and the way this is sounding, i dont have much to worry about.

December 6

I was told today that the relese date has been delayed until December 6, at least for the US

No, the most recent post in Gamebanshee News states that the game has been further delayed to early 2006. Also it was stated in the post by Monolith.

So, no, it will not be in time for the holiday season. Well, in one way it is good, as they are not releasing an unrunnable game too early. Although considering that everyone here will have bought games, I do hope that they said early 2006 as including the first 3 months.

Official site says "Early 2006", Take 2 officially said the delay was to their financial quarter which starts February 2006, so at least another 2 months to wait.

As regards Accountants ruling the industry it just isn't true, delays will be caused by budgeting constraints and/or software development problems, both of which come down to inadequate project management - unfortunately anybody can (and does) call themselves project managers these days.

[QUOTE=Kborom]As regards Accountants ruling the industry it just isn't true,[/quote]

Based on what information? I've been writing reviews professionally of a variety of software, including games, in magazines since 1987. I've visited many software offices, made many friends among producers and programmers, even got involved in the production of one title. I've heard many, many stories whose truth was confirmed showing that the gaming industry is often run by the accountancy department, who have the power of life and death over any title or idea. (The state of release for DL and KotoR2 are two examples of games where accounting demanded release with certain penalties in the wing if that demand wasn't met.) Feel free to disagree, but it might make better sense if you explained in some greater detail your rejection of this, and what grounds it's based upon.

[QUOTE=fable]Feel free to disagree[/QUOTE]

Go on then I will

Basically it just doesn't make sense, why release a game when it is unfinished? That is almost guaranteed to hit sales of that title and also reduce the standing of the developer and the other parties involved, and accountants more than anyone in an organisation understand the importance of maximising future revenue streams.

Publishers/marketing/sales people in general are much more likely to get the software out before it is ready because they are more removed from the development process - and not forgetting customer pressure which can be whipped up by the media.

I am not doubting your experiences for a second, my experience is mainly in business packaged software not aimed at specific customers but I believe the pressures are similar and the process should be identical. I have been involved in a major banking programme where software was released early, and this was nothing to do with Accountants and everything to do with inadequate project management (not knowing exactly what was finished/tested/untested/signed off dev etc), penalty deadlines (customer enforced) and poor communication (sometimes deliberate).


Phew, that's enough of that, at least I won't need my therapist this week

[QUOTE=Kborom]Phew, that's enough of that, at least I won't need my therapist this week [/QUOTE]

Just wait until fable gets started


Btw, there is something I don't get. The release date is officially delayed. Why do they keep on with the promotion in that extent? Two days and what do we have? Three interviews (mostly the already-told stuff just refurbished) and new concept art. I understand that they want to release "new" stuff from time to time, but three months is a long time. If they want to go on in this manner they'll be out of material in a month or so. Perhaps an act of reconciliation with the fanboys..err...fanbase?

[QUOTE=Kborom]Basically it just doesn't make sense, why release a game when it is unfinished? That is almost guaranteed to hit sales of that title and also reduce the standing of the developer and the other parties involved, and accountants more than anyone in an organisation understand the importance of maximising future revenue streams.[/quote]

So the reason accounting doesn't generally rule the gaming industry is that it's illogical for titles to be forced out the door before they're finished? That doesn't even make sense to me, and I'm far from logical. Do you know that KotoR2, despite its unfinished, heavily flawed state, was still a big hit? Do you know the logic that went into that particular decision-making process? I don't, and if you're like me, maybe you should find out a bit more about the computer gaming industry before telling me what I've written is nonsense, or that the industry doesn't pay obeisance to the financial bottom line nearly every chance they can.

And who said that Rule by Accounting Departments was a form of government concerned only with game release dates? I mentioned above that quite a few Accounting VPs exercise complete power of veto over ideas, and that means game proposals, or the shape that ideas take once developers find themselves with one foot in the door. If you don't believe this, send a note to the good folk at Frog City who created Tropico II and the Imperialism series, and mention the word "Pantheon." Ask them to recount that time--well, the story's theirs to tell or not. With names included, if they will. Or ask Warren Spector what individual gifted with monetary clout forced his retirement "to pursue personal interests" after such success with the first two Thief titles.

I am not doubting your experiences for a second, my experience is mainly in business packaged software not aimed at specific customers but I believe the pressures are similar and the process should be identical.[/b}

Why? Not meaning to be snide, but your industry probably succeeds based on maximizing efficiency at all links down the product line. You've got a set product for a known audience, and you build relationships based on branding, meaning reliability and development. The computer gaming industry bears a greater resemblance to Hollywood in the 1930s: relatively new, owned and run by dictators like Tripp Hawkins (formerly of EA and 3DO) who hold onto power and petty dictatorships by dint of financial ruthlessness. As one developer once told me, "Behind every moron with a large mansion who has never created a game but tells you to kiss his boots each morning there's a group of suited bookkeepers whispering numbers in his ear."

Just wait until fable gets started

No, I'm finished. I can't be on much, these days, not for a while; but hopefully... In any case, I do what I can.

[QUOTE=Kborom]Go on then I will

Basically it just doesn't make sense, why release a game when it is unfinished? That is almost guaranteed to hit sales of that title and also reduce the standing of the developer and the other parties involved, and accountants more than anyone in an organisation understand the importance of maximising future revenue streams.<snip>
[/quote]

From a purely economical standpoint, then when the cost of continued production on a product get larger then estimated loss at releasing an unfinished product, then it is quite economical feasible to realse said product ahead of time. When using economical termonolgies, then it isn't about maximizing income from the game - it is about maximizing profit, which amongst other things revolves about keeping cost down. (Revenue is not the same as profit, a company can have huuuuge revenues, but have a huuuge loss as well if costs overtakes revenue)

One could also contemplate if the majority of the sales of most games isn't amongst the first year or so where the news value and "buzz" of the game is highest. Then the games usually (where I live) get discounted and get thrown in bargain bins. Thus to "maximize revenue" it is important to get as many people to buy the game fast - and thus releasing it at the most optimal sales time, could superseed the cost of releasing a unfinished product.

Combine this with the fact that it is the exception and not the rule that games need updates in form of patches, and that the playerbase still accepts flawed products by happily buying games which needs patching, and doesn't seem to "punish" developers/publishers/investors who are releasing unfinished products.
If anything - the community seems to revel in this fact giving them something to talk about, which also causes buzz about a game because people start thinking if it is so bad and then they buy it to see for themselves.

Thus I think your reasoning is flawed, because it is extreemly logical and makes perfect sense that (some) developers/publishers/investors <insert your random decisionmaker here> push for products to be released as unfinished, and the clean up/patching process taking over from there. Especially if up to a tradiotionally high sales periode.

Now back to the REAL thread question...

I pre-ordered OBLIVION for my PC and got a notice today that it won't be out until MARCH 2006.
Anybody back that up?

[QUOTE=Gobatcha]I pre-ordered OBLIVION for my PC and got a notice today that it won't be out until MARCH 2006.
Anybody back that up?[/QUOTE]
Did you somehow manage to miss the last two pages of discussion?

Please at least skim through the thread before replying.

Originally Posted by Kborom
Basically it just doesn't make sense, why release a game when it is unfinished? That is almost guaranteed to hit sales of that title and also reduce the standing of the developer and the other parties involved, and accountants more than anyone in an organisation understand the importance of maximising future revenue streams.

You don't want E4 Oblivion to turn out like Dungeon Lords, now do you?

hahaha.....no really just listen to fable he knows what he's talking about.

:speech:

March 2006? Take2, mentioned 2nd quarter - so it might be possible, that realse
date could be in June 2006 too. Well lets wait - Bethesda's page says early 2006, March ist the last month of first quarter and if it should be early 2006, then March is probable .... keep keep waitnig

Just got a pre-order update..

I got a pre-order update from Best Buy stating that OBLIVION will be in on the 15th of Feb, 2006.

As has been remarked before in these forums and elsewhere, disregard the "firm dates" set for preorders from distributors. The date is simply the latest one set by the developers, but still subject to change.

[QUOTE=fable]As has been remarked before in these forums and elsewhere, disregard the "firm dates" set for preorders from distributors. The date is simply the latest one set by the developers, but still subject to change.[/QUOTE]

I agree, well until it is not at the Bethesda page, it is not definitive. Todd Howard was rasther reluctant about a firm date and he spoke about months of
tweaking the quests et al. I bet on rather on early March.

Oblivion Release Date

The Release date in the US Was set for late December early January like the other guys said. But reciently i got new info on the game, it's release date has been pushed back for late March. I beleve it will come out 3/26/06. And it shoudl be a great game. I'm in college for graphic design and video gameing.