Darkfall

Originally posted by Theodgrim

Simply allow a few from the reputable press organisations play that feature complete and stable beta that was announced in Jan 2007 (now with 15 months of additional polish) and write an article. 

Agreed.

Like it or not, Marketing is part of MMORPG development.   Any company that ignores Marketing will suffer for it.   Allowing the press to preview a game is part of marketing and most interviewers from the major sites/magazines are reasonable enough to understand if they see bugs or glitches. 

Darkfall's problem is the Devs only went half-way into their Marketing.  They release a trailer that makes incredible claims as if their game is going to change the entire genre then don't follow up.

If they didn't want to show anyone their game before release, they should have been completely secretive and not revealed ANYTHING.   Then imagine the splash they would have made then they released it onto an unsuspecting MMORPG market. 

That is, if they actually have a working game.   I don't think it's vaporware but after disasters like Vanguard and Gods and Heroes, I'm amazed anyone in the MMORPG community is willing to simply accept claims from Developers without indepedent sources as back-up. 

As good as darkfall looks, they have a point. Seems to me they could.. with minimal effort, destory all the naysayers claims and add tons of free marketing..... why wont they??

This is just free advertisement for Aventurine. I think those articles are fun to read.

Originally posted by Seggallion

This is just free advertisement for Aventurine. I think those articles are fun to read.

Now all Aventurine needs is an actual product to advertise, and they will be all set!

Originally posted by Roin

 

Originally posted by Fukkfase

You don't make sense. There is no reason for them to prove anything until release or open beta. Considering they don't have a marketing department, they are probably making as much publicity as possible with as little work as possible the way they are doing things right now. I don't think its the right thing to do, but it sure beats the shameless marketing some other MMOs have had.

 

What does having a marketing department have to do with anything? So you really believe anytime one of the more credible gaming sites on the net.  Does a hands-on preview of a game it's because the developer or even the publisher paid for it?  Not all trips as those are paid for by the developer/publisher.   Sometimes it is out of pocket expenses.

Do you really expect people to believe for even a moment.  Considering ALL the features that Darkfall promises to bring to the table.  That if they contacted a creditable gaming site/gaming mag.  Saying we'd be more then happy to show you the current build of our game.  That their response would be "Sure, but only if you are paying for our travel cost?" Alot of the more creditable sites even have over-sea's affiliates.  That they could send in their place, just to keep the cost down.

Very good point, I have to agree with you.

I will make a speculation though: In the long run, being so dubious might have gotten them more publicity than if they were 100% credible from the start.

I don't actually think that's true, and if it was true, I don't think it's true anymore. If they did what you're proposing, and got good reviews, the hype would explode I think.

And another thing:  "Considering they don't have a marketing department, they are probably making as much publicity as possible with as little work as possible the way they are doing things right now" actually seems much more accurate if we assume they don't have a game they will ever be able to release in a proper condition. I don't see what the point of that is, but still :D

Originally posted by steve-irwin

As good as darkfall looks, they have a point. Seems to me they could.. with minimal effort, destory all the naysayers claims and add tons of free marketing..... why wont they??

 

Unfortunately the most simple explanation for why they don’t is they can not do so, or they do not want to.

Originally posted by Fukkfase

I will make a speculation though: In the long run, being so dubious might have gotten them more publicity than if they were 100% credible from the start.

If by dubious you mean show hardly anything and by credible you mean honestly show what state of development they are in.

Then I agree if the true state of development was/is incapable of meeting the expectations of the community that was/has been built by all the developers promises.

Then it would be in there interest to keep the truth hidden and at the same time continue to encourage and benefit from the community’s ignorant expectations based on the developers unfulfilled promises.

I don't actually think that's true, and if it was true, I don't think it's true anymore. If they did what you're proposing, and got good reviews, the hype would explode I think.

The problem is they actually require an MMO beta version that is capable of getting good reviews from professional independent members of the press.

But I agree if this level of expectation and excitement built up by the developers was to be actually demonstrated to be warranted it would have a huge effect on all the negativity and doubt.

And another thing:  "Considering they don't have a marketing department, they are probably making as much publicity as possible with as little work as possible the way they are doing things right now" actually seems much more accurate if we assume they don't have a game they will ever be able to release in a proper condition. I don't see what the point of that is, but still :D

The point of it is to maintain or increase the community’s interest and enthusiasm for as long as possible whilst working on the game to implement there promised features as part of the process of getting investors and publishers and any members of the press that are willing to give coverage without actually demonstrating the true state of the games development until they think doing so will be advantageous.

So that they eventually might be able to meet the demands and expectations of all the promises they have made.

 

I’m almost certain that they have mentioned how many members they have registered on the official forums, how many posts and hits they receive, how many people signed up for there beta’s etc. to every potential investor and publisher as part of there sales pitch.

Polarization you make great points, I think you've zeroed in on the most likely explanation anyone can make with the available information.

What really sucks is Darkfall is the only hope for a good MMO out there. Also seems to be the game whose future is most uncertain. All we have is the same old ezmode games like WAR and AOC that require minimal skill and all gear or level based crap to make the kiddies who lack skill feel good at games.

Why couldnt they be the vapors? I must ponder on this.....