General Discussion

After yesterday's announcement that EA Mythic would be delaying the launch of their upcoming MMORPG Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning, MMORPG.com Managing Editor Jon Wood spoke with VP Mark Jacobs about the move.

Yesterday, EA Mythic announced that they would be delaying the launch of their upcoming MMORPG Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning, until Fall of 2008. Reaction to the announcement has been somewhat mixed with some applauding the move in the name of a fully polished product, with others suggestion that the move may mean doom and gloom for the IP game. Yesterday, I had the opportunity to speak with EA Mythic VP Mark Jacobs about the move.

The first question that I asked Mark was whether or not this delay should be seen as a sign that their game is in some kind of serious trouble.

“Oh God no,” he responded in his usual candid way. He went on to tell me that if the game was actually in trouble, we would have been more likely to see one of two things happen. First, we would have seen changes at the company, most likely starting with Mark himself and second, EA wouldn’t have granted the time extension. Since everyone is still employed, and the delay was announced, we can assume that the game isn’t in trouble. In answering the question, Mark also pointed out that if the game were in trouble, it would be far more likely to go the way of EA Mythic’s last project, Imperator, which was “postponed indefinitely”.

Read the whole thing here.

I want it when its 100% done. Not a day before. Anyone whining about not buying the game, because of a pushed back date is childish.

Are people not going to buy GTA4, because it was delayed? No. Did people not buy Oblivion, because it was pushed back? No.

Anyone who has been a gamer for more than 5 years knows that every single game is pushed back. Especially the great ones.

I am still waiting for Oblivion to get to 19.99 - 30.00 before I bite.

I'm actually surpised that Mythic gave a launch date to begin with...a "when it's done " Would have served them better.

Just work on the game until it's done and just then release it, stop saying  the game will released on a certain date and then delay it again and again, making people angry. It's better you work on the game and release a great product like Blizzard did instead of just working by dates, in the long run, if you want alot of money and success like Blizzard you have to create a game that actually will last and not only  gain money just from the hype about it.

Although I'm screaming out for a decent new mmorpg I'd rather wait for a finished game than end up with the dross that was Dark and Light or the definately nowhere near finished Vanguard.

They are trying to give people some idea of when it's due out but obviously they are so commited to producing a quality product that they are not prepared to release it unfinished, this only makes me want to play it more. As with all IT projects delays are inevitable as it's so damn complex.

I've preordered my collectors edition. ;)

I'm guessing that this is good news for AoC, frankly, as now it will get a hefty head start over the other big MMORPG contender of 2008. Assuming WAR keeps to the new release date, I assume it will end up launching at about the same time as Stargate Worlds, which I also think may hurt them a bit.

Of WAR and Stargate, the latter MMO interests me more.

Am I disappointed that the game was delayed? Yes. Am I angry about it? No. There's plenty of other things to play.

Saying it would be released in Q2 2008 was not giving a date for release, but instead a time frame when they expected to be able to release. Just like saying Fall of 2008 could be Sept, Oct and maybe even Nov. That's not giving a set date but instead an estimate. Giving an estimate and then changing it is one thing, giving a specific date and then pushing it back is another.

Think about it like this, you take your car to the shop to get fixed and they tell you that it will be ready in 15 minutes because they know it'll make you happy. In 15 minutes they tell you that it'll take another 20 minutes and they keep doing that for two days. You'd be angry as hell! But if they are up front and say that they aren't sure how long it'll take but should be ready in a couple of days. They call you in a day and say it's going to take longer. You are upset but not  near as upset as you were in the first scenario.

I respect them for not giving a specific date but instead an estimated release time even though they realize it's going to upset people. These guys are building something that could very well determine whether they have jobs two years from now. I'd be really careful to get it right before I released it too.
 Responsibilty ultimately rests with the leader for a failed project and it seems Mark Jacobs is determined to make sure things go like they should and deliver a quality game.

If they are saying the same thing this time next year I'll figure this was all just a scam to get more pre-order money.

          I hope the game is all it can be. I am saddened as i have nthing I really enjoy playing. Wow as polished as it is  did not hold y interest as UO and DAPC did. I have preordered but I also will tey AOC as I have nothing to play. All my friends are playing war so I will but this is a reason I will buy a game I never would have tried. it does give AOC a chance to really get me hooked hat thye never would have.  All the space games have been poor so Stargate or Star Trek or Star anything has my interest at all.

They pretty much have the upperhand on the genre for their title, anyway. May as well delay it for the better..!

Anyone know what specific areas of the game they are hoping to improve with the extra time?  I'm curious.