Talk to Mark about the delay

[Mbj]

Folks,

So, I'm going to go ahead and create a topic here in which I'll be happy to talk about the change in release day and other associated subjects. As usual, I'll ask people to be polite and I will be so in return. Below this paragraph I have included some questions I expect you'll ask with some answers in advance. Please take the time to read this Q&A before asking me a question in return. I hate to be rude but I don't want to have to answer the same question again and again. Also, please read the entire thread (or at least my responses in it) before asking a question for the same reason.

And please, if you are going to use this thread to either outrage, disappointment and/or anger (real or feigned), I ask you please to do that in another thread. This topic is for people who want to talk to me about the delay, the reasons behind it, the effect on WAR, etc. As I said in the Eurogamer thread I expect lots of visits from trolls (just as we got the last time) from other games looking for an opportunity to pile-on because of this announcement.

Mark

1) When’s the release date? We are only prepared to say that the game will launch Fall 2008. Given the highly competitive nature of the MMO industry right now, we feel it is best not to establish a set launch date at the present time.

2) Will you still be able to launch the European and North American versions of the game simultaneously? That’s always been our plan for WAR and nothing about this delay endangers that at all. Actually, it gives us a little more time to make sure that everything is ready to go at launch.

3) How’s the beta going? It’s going quite well. We’re getting tons of great feedback and overall, we are quite pleased with the game’s progress. Given the rather complicate nature of MMOs in general, and the fact that WAR is both a PvE and an RvR game, getting it right at launch is paramount to the game’s success.

4) Do you think you are going to hit this release date? About as sure as we were the last time, which means that we’ll be sure that we’ll hit the date when the game goes gold master. Our confidence only increases the longer we are in beta.

5) It seems that WAR is taking a long time to develop, is this true? Mythic began work on WAR in Fall 2005. Even with this delay, if the game launches within the new window it will be only a three-year development cycle. That is far less than most other MMORPGs ... other than Dark Age of Camelot, of course.

6) How does EA feel about this delay? They feel the same way about it that we do, sad but supportive. We all would have loved to release this game in the 2nd Quarter but it wouldn’t have been a great game at launch we know it can be. A good game absolutely, but not great. Our CEO has been a vocal proponent within EA and spokesmen outside of it of the need to improve the quality of all games, including EA. We are thrilled to be happy to help meet his trumpet call.

7) It’s going to be a pretty crowded couple of quarters in the MMORPG space, why do you think WAR is going to be able to stand out? One of the lessons from developers like BioWare and Blizzard is that you can’t rush a great game to market. By taking the necessary time to make WAR a great game, we feel it will be able to stand out in any season. We would rather release a great game in the fall then a good one any other time.

Do you see any positives in the delay of the game’s release? Yes, lots of them. Extra time for polish, more time for iteration and a chance to be one of the standout products of the biggest selling season for the industry.

9) Why did you announce the date now? We could have waited to announce a delay, and in doing so take advantage of the hype surrounding the of the Collector’s Edition to sell a ton of copies. However, that has never been the way we’ve done business and that is not about to change now. We’ve always told the community that when a delay was necessary we would tell them right away, and we’re doing just that. I wish I could say all other developers do this but the fact is that they don't. We did what's right for the game but delaying the release and what's right for the community by announcing it now.

10) Will this have any effect on any other overseas launches for WAR? This has no impact on our plans for Asia.

[Slash]

You say the game is progressing well, however, is there any key reason the game was further delayed. For example, end game PvE, RvR etc. Or was it a reaction to a further polish of existing systems? Perhaps a mixture of the two.

Btw.

Originally Posted by Mbj

9) Why did you announce the date now? We could have waited to announce a delay, and in doing so take advantage of the hype surrounding the of the Collector’s Edition to sell a ton of copies. However, that has never been the way we’ve done business and that is not about to change now. We’ve always told the community that when a delay was necessary we would tell them right away, and we’re doing just that. I wish I could say all other developers do this but the fact is that they don't. We did what's right for the game but delaying the release and what's right for the community by announcing it now.

/respect.

[CapnSquig-WHA]

Thanks for the thread Mark.

We will be watching this thread like a hawk, so there will be no stepping out of line. Mark has been gracious enough to start his own thread about this so I expect everyone to respect his guidelines for the thread.

[Zyzus]

Alright, I'm sorry if these sound silly, but my mind is racing right now.

1) You stated this next release date is set in the mud, however.. Do you have an opinion on having any other delays after this new one? Like, do you believe this will impact the release significantly, by numbers of players, etc.

2) Is this delay caused mainly by the feedback from the beta, or overall feelings from the team? Or combination of both?

3) Is this a polish issue, or more so a gameplay issue. Or once again, a combination of both?

4) Is this going to impact the Collector's Edition of it at all?

5) How is the developing progress going for the game, is it more than 50% done?

6) Is this going to be impacting the availability of the game in Australia when it's released?

Like before, I am typing quickly, skimming through what you said, but these are the main

[genesis885]

Well it is a sad day for some, but a happy day for others. Many people do have the argument of, "don't take a cake out of the oven until its done." So cheers to a finished product.

Two quick things:
THANK YOU MARK! You are truly great for coming on these forums so much, and actually given us the feel that the devs care about us gamers lying in wait. Whats your favorite drink? I live in Maryland, I'll run down to VA and drop you off a six pack

As to a question: Beta. When will we see more of an outline for it?


EDIT: Mark also rocks for being here at 7am, way before the official fertilizer hits the ventilation.

[Fexxe]

Hi Mark, thanks for making this topic.

I've got a question for you:

Have you consideret making the beta an open-beta, since you now have more time on your hands?

[Familiar]

EDITED for content - Please be constructive and on topic.

[Aenigma]

Will the push-back have any effects on Open Beta, or on the lifting of the NDA?

Also, you have my fullest support for this decision, a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do.

[Anomander]

Mark,

Thanks for this. I've been a long time follower of this game, and the news was disappointing.

Were there any particular aspects that stood out as just not being ready?

Do you worry that delaying it too long could be counter productive?

Finally, do you have plans in place to sustain hype over the coming months?

Again, sad news, hard to take, i only hope things go well.

[Xeraxus]

Dear Mark!

You have my symphaties. I've been waiting for this game for very long now, a few months of extra delay will not diminish my appetite. I'm just a tad bit sad I'll have to wait longer. (Mind you, Guild Beta will save my sorry self from waiting too long. ) In comparison, I waited for World of Warcraft for long as well and I was pleased with the game to the maximum. Speaking of which, try not to hit the stores at the same time Wrath of the Lich King does, okay?

Yours sincerely,

Xeraxus

P.S. I'm your local version of Paul. Less crazy and vocal, but where ever I go, I advertise the game. (Mostly to my WoW guildies and RPG groups.) I tell people how great it's going to be! If a delay is required to fulfill this promise, then by all means, you've got it!

[Varvidos]

Very positive, Mark glad you and the team had the balls to make this decision and have enough power in your relationship with EA to see it happen.

Good stuff.

[SKYeXile]

Its good to see you guys are taking the time you need to create a great game, and that EA are giving you more time to create a top quality game. I don't have anything to discuss about the delay itself, i think most people felt that the game was going to be delayed anyway and that further delays are only a good sign that WAR wont be just another failed MMO that was rushed out.

However i would like to ask about this line of text:

2) Will you still be able to launch the European and North American versions of the game simultaneously? That’s always been our plan for WAR and nothing about this delay endangers that at all. Actually, it gives us a little more time to make sure that everything is ready to go at launch.

While I'm aware that Australia falls under the category of North America, can you say if we will be included in the simultaneous launch for NA and Europe? Will have access to the boxed game at the same time these other countries will? (allowing for minor timezone differences)

[Varvidos]

Mark I do have a question though:

With this extra time will you now be able to setup Oceanic servers for launch?

We're a big community and would love to be supported, especially considering the importance of pings in RvR and that US East coast is along way for us.

[Slash]

Originally Posted by SKYeXile

While I'm aware that Australia falls under the category of North America, can you say if we will be included in the simultaneous launch for NA and Europe?

I would say so.

Mythic would be much to afraid I would unleash a black ark and skin them all alive.

EDIT:

Originally Posted by Varvidos

Mark I do have a question though:

With this extra time will you now be able to setup Oceanic servers for launch?

We're a big community and would love to be supported, especially considering the importance of pings in RvR and that US East coast is along way for us.

Apparently three Oceanic posters in one page. Must be a sign aye? Hehe. We are getting far off topic, my apologies.

[Gonzales]

Thanks Mark, it's much appreciated.

What the disappointed people should realize is this:

Not many MMO companies have the ressources to delay the game's release for the better and must release in a too buggy / unfinished state (see Vanguard, Hellgate etc).

EA Mythic has the ressources now and I'm glad they are taking advantage of them to "bake" (/wave Paul) the game a little longer.