Originally posted by alyndale
This is game #1 to announce a pull back in release...

Who will be next to get "cold feet"?

hmmmmm....

Age of Conan...possibly...?

Warhammer announce earlier this year that they were moving their timetable back...that may even get a further pull back as well...

The "Sigil/Vanguard Effect"  the disorder of gaming companies

Originally posted by brostyn
I don't know why anyone would think release dates aren't going to be pushed back. Is this the first game you've ever followed? Hell, PotBS was suppose to be released in 10/30/2005 at one point. Its part of a game coming out. People don't refuse to play a game, because its not out "on time". A game is done when its done. I'd much rather play a finished working project than crap. Lots of crap out there, and not enough good games.

It is difficult to predict when a game will be release when it is still in closed beta, which obviously involves finding and reparing bugs and possibly widening the scope of systems on which the game is supposed to run without error, and what not. SIL has said again and again that they will release the game when it is ready for release and will not take into account when some other big games will be released. How would they be able to anyway, because those other games might face being postponed too. It is all very unpredictable.

Will Spellborn suffer when it will be released together with other big titles? Of course, but so will the other big titles. However, for each and every title it will mainly influence the sales in the first few weeks. It usually takes players a few weeks to discover whether the hype is justified and whether a certain game is for them. When there is doubt they will start trying other games before making a final decision, well at least a percentage of them, an equally large portion of players do have limited amount of money to burn and need to make a decision before release and will try to get into open beta for that purpose.

I predict that each of these games will find its own audience, and from what I see here and in other forums of other games I think I will stick to this game, because of the type of players this game seems to attract and the look and feel of the game itself of course. Maybe this game will not be a mega hit, but it will not make this game any less than the other titles mentioned in this thread. Maybe even on the contrary, but that will only become clear when we come closer to the release of each of these games. It is a luxury to be able to make a choice between 3 such great titles (assuming they all live up to the hype that is created around them).

This game is for me. I wish others with more problems making a decision good luck and loads of fun with the game you decide to play. Or lots of free time when you want to play them all.

I used to have hopes for this game, but they can't even properly update their website. I JUST copy/pasted this from their FAQ on their website...

"Having entered Beta testing, we have regularly expanded the scope of the tests as well as the number of participants. While we do not have fixed numbers of testers planned, you can make the assumption that the total we require will grow relatively rapidly throughout 2006 until release. Our internal milestones have dictated the flow of new testers into the game, and during the International Closed Beta it is possible that we will make extreme changes to systems as we balance. Character wipes may very well take place at intervals as balancing progresses. The expectation during the Closed Beta testing is that we will be making notable changes and closely working with the Beta community (as well as the community as a whole) to tune the game into a cohesive, enjoyable product.

In late Q3 2006 we plan to begin an Open Beta period. During this time relatively large numbers of testers will be given access to the game. This will allow us to "rehearse" for our release, as well as test hardware on a larger scale. The word "Open" refers to the fact that at this point we will be removing our NDA (non-disclosure agreement) and that people will be allowed the freedom to discuss the game with players outside of the Beta. Until that time, all breaches of our testing NDA will be met with direct and immediate action. The Open Beta period is expected to extend all the way until the release of the game. During this period the focus will be on any remaining large-scale issues we find, and the game should feel relatively "ready" to be played."

Not only that, but I brought this to their attention over a week ago. I made a post in the community forum and the community manager responded within an hour saying they were going to update it, but still they haven't done it. While its a good thing the community manager actively browses their official forum, if they can't manage to update a simple text-based FAQ I'm afraid to see how the actual game will be managed.

Originally posted by Infliction

Not only that, but I brought this to their attention over a week ago. I made a post in the community forum and the community manager responded within an hour saying they were going to update it, but still they haven't done it. While its a good thing the community manager actively browses their official forum, if they can't manage to update a simple text-based FAQ I'm afraid to see how the actual game will be managed.

I have to disappoint you, you are not the first to point this out to them, and it has been acknowledged a couple of times before. It is a fact that updating their own FAQ has no priority whatsoever.

Their community manager for the English forums is new. Until recently they were understaffed and the French community manager was doing the English forums too. Perhaps they are still understaffed. They are no Blizzard or SOE. Postponing the game for over a year must have financial consequences. Still they are not cutting corners here. They take their time polishing the game. Time they do not spend updating FAQ's apparently. Does that mean that they will manage their game poorly in the future? Only the future will tell. But I think you are jumping into an unjustified conclusion at the moment.

Originally posted by Delanor

Originally posted by Infliction

Not only that, but I brought this to their attention over a week ago. I made a post in the community forum and the community manager responded within an hour saying they were going to update it, but still they haven't done it. While its a good thing the community manager actively browses their official forum, if they can't manage to update a simple text-based FAQ I'm afraid to see how the actual game will be managed.

I have to disappoint you, you are not the first to point this out to them, and it has been acknowledged a couple of times before. It is a fact that updating their own FAQ has no priority whatsoever.

Their community manager for the English forums is new. Until recently they were understaffed and the French community manager was doing the English forums too. Perhaps they are still understaffed. They are no Blizzard or SOE. Postponing the game for over a year must have financial consequences. Still they are not cutting corners here. They take their time polishing the game. Time they do not spend updating FAQ's apparently. Does that mean that they will manage their game poorly in the future? Only the future will tell. But I think you are jumping into an unjustified conclusion at the moment.

Originally posted by Infliction

You need to understand that a FAQ is a very important item for a game in development such as this, and also it would only take about 5 minutes to update those dates/release information. And you can bet your ass anyone visiting that site for the first time will look at that FAQ, and very likely be deterred from the game (or at least be mildly confused) just for the lack of updated information.

Originally posted by Infliction

You need to understand that a FAQ is a very important item for a game in development such as this, and also it would only take about 5 minutes to update those dates/release information. And you can bet your ass anyone visiting that site for the first time will look at that FAQ, and very likely be deterred from the game (or at least be mildly confused) just for the lack of updated information.

Originally posted by brostyn

Originally posted by Infliction

You need to understand that a FAQ is a very important item for a game in development such as this, and also it would only take about 5 minutes to update those dates/release information. And you can bet your ass anyone visiting that site for the first time will look at that FAQ, and very likely be deterred from the game (or at least be mildly confused) just for the lack of updated information.

Why is it important?