Delayed Games - What's acceptable?

[Lvl 64 Klutz]

First of all, yes, if you really want to boil it down, this is just an excuse for me to complain that Harvest Moon: Tree of Tranquility has been delayed yet again. This makes 6 times in the last 5 months, and 8 times in the last year. Not to mention, the last release date was for Sept. 16, next Tuesday, and they delayed it today, less than a week away from the planned release date.

Usually I'm forgiving with delayed games. If the developers or producers decide they can make the game better, smoother, or just improve on it in any way, that's awesome. However, Natsume has constantly delayed this game two, three, or four weeks at a time, dangling it in front of fans like a reward at the end of a treadmill. Not to mention, from a PR point of view, hasn't posted anything about the delays on their website.

So what do you find acceptable and unacceptable in terms of anything related to delayed games?

 

[Flunk]

For me it's about 2 years. If a game doesn't come out for 2 years after it was first announced to come out (not first announced but first claimed ship date) then to me it it effectivly dead. I know this seems like a long time but I believe games should come out when they are finished but also that too much development time often leaves use with a terribly over-reworked product (like Daikatana, which by the way is Japanese for GreatSword. Kinda cheesy if you understand Japanese).

If anyone is counting I wrote off Duke Nukem forever long ago.

 

[Sethran]

However long it takes to make the game is however long it takes.

Rushed games tend to lack quality, so let them take however long they deem necessary.

 

[Audemas]

I would rather have the game delayed and it be much better than it be rushed and suck.

 

[ElephantGuts]

I have absoultely no problem if the developers have stuck to a realistic schedule but found that they will need some more time to fix bugs or add new features or overall make the game into what they want it to be. I'd rather a great game comes out later than they send out a crappy game sooner.

What pisses me off is when the developers have absolutely no idea what they're doing, have absolutely no schedule and don't know if the game will be finished in a month or 5 years. When they give out shaky, contradicting, or no information on the game and delay it again and again spouting out meaningless dates and frustrating every single person looking forward to the game, not to mention embarrasing themselves...well, that's what I hate.

 

[kbag08]

i dont mind if it improves its quality but i hate finding out about new games that look amazing then see a release date of 18 months away

 

[Eldritch Warlord]

Don't delay the game. If it takes you a long time to make it then fine (well, not fine, but better than delaying it). I'd rather have you wait till it goes gold then say "Half-Life 2: Episode 3 comes out next week!"

 

[The_Deleted]

However long it takes to make the game is however long it takes.

Rushed games tend to lack quality, so let them take however long they deem necessary.

Too Human..?

 

[squid5580]

I hate when a game I want gets delayed. Well at least a part of me does. The other part says well it is probably for the best so they can give it the ole spit and polish. Unless it is one of those stupid "oh you gotta wait 1 week" deals for no good reason (cuz what can you do with 1 week?). At this point I'd like to see some scheduled games over the next few months get delayed just cuz he sheer number of good lookin games comin out.

 

[TomNook]

It will be ready when its ready is my favorite phrase from game developers.

 

[Lvl 64 Klutz]

Some people are theorizing that Natsume didn't want to release Harvest Moon on the same day as TFU. I hope the theory is wrong, because it's one awful reason. Don't get me wrong, it's a great strategy, but they're game producers and could not have possibly just thought of that this week.

I agree with most everyone else: Don't give me a release date unless you're 98% sure you can make it. Hell, why not try something new? Overshoot your expected release, then when you manage to hit the expected date, it'll actually be a GOOD surprise instead of a bad one.

 

[DeadlyFred]

However long it takes to make the game is however long it takes.

Rushed games tend to lack quality, so let them take however long they deem necessary.

Quite so. Delays tend not to bother me much as I don't spend every waking hour counting down the moments until a game's release.

If games didn't have to sport such flashy-ass graphics to appease the masses they wouldn't take so long to begin with. Hell knows they sure aren't pouring all that time into gameplay, artificial intelligence and overall content. Is it just me or are games not only taking longer to get out but also turning up with a higher ratio of suckage per capita? Having a handful of shitty new releases is fine when you've got a truckload to choose from, kinda sucks when you only have a handful to begin with.

 

[the protaginist]

As long as they're out before 3 months after they're supposed to,i'm good.

 

[yanri]

hmm... yeh duke nukem : whenever springs to mind.

and wasnt team fortress 2 about 7 years late or something rediculous like that?

 

[Dr_Zaius]

I'd love to see Valve release a game on time but i think thats a big BIGG ask. I can't wait to see anything half-life 2 episode 3 related

 

[Dapper Ninja]

I'm usually fine with a few delays, because I prefer great games later over good or bad games now. However, I do get annoyed when a game is delayed three or more times, but in those cases I just keep repeating to myself "It's to make the game better, It's to make the game better".

 

[Lvl 64 Klutz]

I'm usually fine with a few delays, because I prefer great games later over good or bad games now. However, I do get annoyed when a game is delayed three or more times, but in those cases I just keep repeating to myself "It's to make the game better, It's to make the game better".

Until it's released and has a level of quality that makes you wonder how bad it was BEFORE any last minute fixes that caused the delays.

 

[DeadlyFred]

It's called hype, plain and simple. If you announced the game and then said nothing until development was complete and the street date was a month away there's no build up. When you announce it then proceed to tease the public with delay after delay it keeps the name there and the interest up, even if the audience is a bit annoyed at the fact. "Oh man, when that game finally comes out it is going to be so awesome!" Rather than "Oh, hey... that one game just came out."

 

[Jamanticus]

I would rather have the game delayed and it be much better than it be rushed and suck.

The problem is that there are so many games that *are* delayed and suck....Worst of both worlds, really

 

[Wewt]

Hey guys when is spore coming out?
;D