Point Blank: Why did you release it early?

from Elemental Forums

I just really want to know why it was released so early? I mean about the time it was released was about the time I was ready to start actual beta testing. I assumed it would be primarily for gameplay balancing and polishing, like 3-6 months. I mean leave the gameplay the way it is, i won't get into that argument, but I just am befuddled as to why it was released so early.

I can actually understand if the civ5 argument thats going around is the reason but if you truly thought this was a finished 1.0 piece of software ready for use by the general public then i guess I have lost faith in pretty much every single game developer out there except Blizzard and Bioware. At least their software works well enough bug/balancing/gameplay/UI wise to qualify as a 1.0 release.

I mean come on SD the UI system needs tons of tweaks and polish, inventory is still a mess (did anyone think of doing the classic paperdoll/grid system?), numbers don;t make sense pretty much anywhere balance wise units/spells/items/quests/combat/etc, no multiplayer (i did actually try to test mplayer like around 10 times during the mplayer specific beta portion and never got a game going), and on and on.

I mean come on guys 3 months of polish with the strong beta community you had this would be an altogether different game. Seriously I really really want to know what is going on in the minds of developers like yourself and paradox to release software in this state? I applauded your strategy for developing Elemental alongside the community in the Paradox forums as a model they needed to follow now im just dumbstruck that you didnt allow that process to get you to a polished true 1.0 product. Why? Why?

elemental
304 views 7 replies
Reply #1 from Elemental Forums Top

They don't release the game at will. It needs to be coordinated with retail outlets. It was explained they could commit to a choice between the release date they went with, or next year. They thought they could make it, and weren't able to pull it out. 

 

That's why. No conspiracy to screw you, no intentionally cutting corners. A tactical error between two less than ideal choices.

Reply #2 from Elemental Forums Top

Wow, this is the first thread like this I've seen.   :rolleyes:

 

please lock.

Groupy 2 - Organize multiple applications into grouped tabs on your Windows desktop
Reply #4 from Elemental Forums Top

the game really doesn't need that much work.  maybe a few more weeks.  i would rather play the game now as is, and get most everything fixed by the end of september, than to wait until February to play it. i mean if nothing this gives the modders a nice headstart on getting early stuff out like modding tutorials.  whats the big deal anyways?  i was in the beta, so maybe i gave up my blown away surprised stage for an early peek and a chance to shape it to my liking as well.

i guess i just can't put myself into your shoes. 

Reply #5 from Elemental Forums Top

Spyndel, perhaps that's what happened, but SD's stated position is that the gold master was a finished and playable product containing 8.2 gigajoys right at launch.

Reply #6 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting hairrorist, reply 5
Spyndel, perhaps that's what happened, but SD's stated position is that the gold master was a finished, playable, and contained 8.2 gigajoys right at launch.
End of hairrorist's quote

 

Which really has nothing to do with the reason *why* they were releasing when they did, as per the OP's question. Only that they were overly optimistic about the product that was going to be released regardless.

Reply #7 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting Spyndel, reply 1
They don't release the game at will. It needs to be coordinated with retail outlets. It was explained they could commit to a choice between the release date they went with, or next year. They thought they could make it, and weren't able to pull it out. 

 

That's why. No conspiracy to screw you, no intentionally cutting corners. A tactical error between two less than ideal choices.
End of Spyndel's quote

 

I have read Brad's posts and don't remember this information, could have honestly missed it. This doesn't make alot of logical sense though I mean games are released pretty much up until November almost right before thanksgiving and black friday. I mean are they just poor negotiators? Every week the beta community could have had with the current version of the game would have done immense things for the polish level. From a testing standpoint I honestly don;t believe the beta community ever saw an actual "Release Canidate", regardless if this was the choice they should have waited til early next year 4 months of solid beta testing from sept to jan would have released a much more polished game.

I don't think anyone is screwing me I have worked in the software business for many a year (business software) and just can't understand why this early release mentality is still alive in the gaming business. The only argument that makes sense is short term financial. But with Elemental, SD, and Brad I expected ALOT more.