We just learned that helmets will be an on-off toggle (maybe, Mike made no promises). Good good.
But the game is 3-4 months from release, and maybe even sooner. This is not the stage in healthy game development in which interface issues still may or may not be decided on. We keep getting told that the gameplay footage we've seen isn't indicative, but are very close to release and nothing else is available for us. The character releases are concept art for god's sakes.
A large part of the justification for pre-order exclusive DLC was that artists and programmers would otherwise be twiddling their thumbs in the months between the game going gold and actual release, but if interface decisions are being made then the game cannot be ready to go gold. If the only thing ready to be shown is one area we've been told isn't indicative then I honestly worry how much game they even have to show us. A recent article called Kirkwall spartan and empty, and the devs reassured us that someone is working on making the city actually have some life to it. Still.
I suspect that EA want to make the Dragon Age franchise a nerd version of Madden, with frequent, highly profitable releases. We know that DA:O was a commercial success, but that the development costs were large which bit into its profitability; it's only natural that the sequel be cheaper (quicker) to produce.
But the release is damn soon, and the time for it to go gold and by physically made and shipped is even sooner. And the time for proper playtesting to begin is even sooner. And even speaking as a fan, this doesn't look as though it will be ready.
Are Bioware having to rush this?
Débuté par
Big Blue Car
, déc. 07 2010 12:18
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#2
Posté 07 décembre 2010 - 03:28
Stanley Woo
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- BioWare Employees
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- 8 368 messages
Yeah, we don't respond well to "rude and unreasonable," but we do like "well-reasoned and courteous," regardless of whether they're agreeing with us or criticizing us. That whole "treat others as you would like to be treated" thing? that "be excellent to each other" claptrap? Yup, we like that.
the problem comes when every single person wants the game to be more of what they like and how they play, forgetting that there are millions of other gamers out there who want the same thing, only they might not play the same as you or like the same things as you. If someone wants toggleable helmets and another doesn't, who do we listen to? that's right, the ones who send us the most pie!
Seriously, though, the final say in what goes into the game and what gets left out is ours and ours alone. the risk is ours, the work is ours, and so the decision must ultimately be ours as well. Occasionally, we'll make decisions as a result of some of the feedback we've gotten. That doesn't mean we're not listening to those who liked the game the way it was, however, and in no way are our game features or decisions a competition over who we love the most (as i said before, it's always going to be the people who have the most pie. Or bacon.). maybe in a future product, we'll side with the gamers who have the most chocolate ice cream, or maybe we'll favour the lactose-intolerant gamers out there. We just won't know until we get to that point, so until then, let's please remember that we're all here to enjoy BioWare's games and have fun, and be excellent to each other.
the problem comes when every single person wants the game to be more of what they like and how they play, forgetting that there are millions of other gamers out there who want the same thing, only they might not play the same as you or like the same things as you. If someone wants toggleable helmets and another doesn't, who do we listen to? that's right, the ones who send us the most pie!
Seriously, though, the final say in what goes into the game and what gets left out is ours and ours alone. the risk is ours, the work is ours, and so the decision must ultimately be ours as well. Occasionally, we'll make decisions as a result of some of the feedback we've gotten. That doesn't mean we're not listening to those who liked the game the way it was, however, and in no way are our game features or decisions a competition over who we love the most (as i said before, it's always going to be the people who have the most pie. Or bacon.). maybe in a future product, we'll side with the gamers who have the most chocolate ice cream, or maybe we'll favour the lactose-intolerant gamers out there. We just won't know until we get to that point, so until then, let's please remember that we're all here to enjoy BioWare's games and have fun, and be excellent to each other.
#3
Posté 07 décembre 2010 - 03:35
Stanley Woo
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- BioWare Employees
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- 8 368 messages
Let's try to keep this on topic, please. thank you.
#4
Posté 07 décembre 2010 - 07:05
John Epler
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- BioWare Employees
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- 3 390 messages
This has taken the topic, offed it, then wrapped it in an old rug before tying large weights to it and throwing it in the river.
Let's get back on topic.
Let's get back on topic.
#5
Posté 07 décembre 2010 - 04:57
John Epler
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- BioWare Employees
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- 3 390 messages
Of course, the 'old fashioned way' was really to release the game and anything that wasn't in it would never see the light of day.
But I've had this argument many, many, many times, so I'm not going to flog this expired equine once more.
But I've had this argument many, many, many times, so I'm not going to flog this expired equine once more.
#6
Posté 07 décembre 2010 - 05:40
David Gaider
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- BioWare Employees
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- 4 514 messages
Alright, sorry to barge in, but this doesn't even seem to be about Dragon Age anymore but more about RPG's in general -- and some nasty back and forth regarding personal preferences. I'm going to close down this thread. If you want to discuss the "state of RPG's" or "the state of BioWare" then take it to Off Topic. If you want to discuss Dragon Age specifically then please start another thread, but keep it relevant and civil. This is a warning.
