1868 replies to this topic

[Victor Wachter]

To those 360 players affected by the Title Update issue this week, our sincere apologies.

The situation is something we are taking very seriously and the team is continuing to work around the clock to rectify.

DA:O is an incredibly large, very deep and complex game, making it virtually impossible to test every system and permutation possible for each update/DLC.

When testing any large endeavor like that, we depend on selectively targeting systems related to the changes being made, prioritized by order of perceived risk.

Unfortunately we did not foresee the changes being made to impact the systems it did, which is how something seemingly so visible still managed to avoid the dev team, and multiple test cycles of seasoned QA all through our internal teams, and EA & MS cert teams, and ultimately ended up out to the public.

To help us avoid similar problems in the future, we're updating all our test plans across all platforms to take additional edge cases into account, as well as committing to more detailed test passes that will also prevent something like this happening again.

Short term, this means another delay across all platforms for the immediate console patches and Return to Ostagar DLC releases as this is a substantial increase in test coverage, and that time is needed to do so and ensure there are no other knock on issues with either the main game, the updates or the DLC.

In the meantime, there is good news - a fix is already in test for the 360 issue and looking very good, we hope to have a new update out as soon as possible and will update you as best as we can. If successful through the updated test plans, it will still deliver the expected fixes as well as restore the game saves for anyone affected by this week's title update. For now, we do not have a timeframe for when the fix will pass approval and certification, but we will keep you updated.

In addition, while this creates a delay with the immediate content already expected to have released, the additional testing actually benefits some of the upcoming DLC and expansion pack, and as such is not expected to impact dates of the future content.

Thank you again for your patience.

[Victor Wachter]

Note: The above message comes from Fernando and the Dragon Age team, who are hard at work getting things sorted out. But they also took the time to work with me, so we could get some messaging out to community to let you know how we are addressing the situation.

[lRavenl]

Thank you for the information.

[DoctorPringles]

Thank you, and send warmest regards to the Team. We do appreciate their work!

[exorzist]

thanks victor!

[jennamarae]

Victor Wachter wrote...

DA:O is an incredibly large, very deep and complex game, making it virtually impossible to test every system and permutation possible for each update/DLC.

First, thank you Victor for the update. It's much appreciated.

I'm a bit confused here though with the part I've quoted... The title update was solely for the 360, correct? And aside from memory storage size differences an Xbox 360 is an Xbox 360, correct? I'm confused what testing every system has to do with an Xbox 360 title update since the configuration isn't varied much if at all between them. For DLC's and updates for all systems I understand it, but for a title update that was meant for the 360 I'm afraid what I've quoted is just not making sense to me.

[EverlastingFantasy]

Great

[AntiChri5]

So long as it is in the works im cool to wait.

[Graciemae]

Whoever composed that post should be promoted



This is what people had hoped to hear 4 days ago, but better late than never

[vortican]

Thanks Victor.



Might I suggest trying to get information in a more timely manner and perhaps offer smaller updates more often? That may placate some of those who are somewhat put off by the infrequency of updates, especially for issues as serious as this. When confronted with an issue such as this, frequently your customers would be satisfied with an update every other day or so, even if it is just to say that the developers are still working on it. Sometimes, people just like to feel like they are noticed and their concerns are being heard. The content of the message isn't always the most important thing.



Don't worry, I won't charge you for this advice.

[Rendar666]

No problem. Thanks for the info. I finished Return to Ostagar-- which was a little short and the final battle could have been more epic'e'er-- but I don't think I got this problem. Maybe I did and I just didn't notice it but... I digress. Information regarding this bad*** game is always appreciated.

[Darth Sithari]

Any news is good news, I guess.

[DoctorPringles]

jennamarae wrote...

Victor Wachter wrote...

DA:O is an incredibly large, very deep and complex game, making it virtually impossible to test every system and permutation possible for each update/DLC.

First, thank you Victor for the update. It's much appreciated.

I'm a bit confused here though with the part I've quoted... The title update was solely for the 360, correct? And aside from memory storage size differences an Xbox 360 is an Xbox 360, correct? I'm confused what testing every system has to do with an Xbox 360 title update since the configuration isn't varied much if at all between them. For DLC's and updates for all systems I understand it, but for a title update that was meant for the 360 I'm afraid what I've quoted is just not making sense to me.

They are being safe. They want to ensure the same thing doesn't happen to the other platforms as well. It's merely a precaution, I would think.

[Silensfurtim]

so I guess thats a 4th delay for RtO.

[jennamarae]

DoctorPringles wrote...

They are being safe. They want to ensure the same thing doesn't happen to the other platforms as well. It's merely a precaution, I would think.

Like I said, for DLC or something that is meant for every platform it makes sense that something could be missed do to configurations of the machines. (PC's specifically) This was meant solely for the Xbox 360 though so multiple platforms weren't an issue and I'm not understanding how multiple platforms would affect the title update when there was only one platform to test it on. I'm not being difficult, not trying to be anyway, I really am confused here.

Edited by jennamarae, 19 January 2010 - 12:36 AM.

[Fates end]

Thanks for the Info, Victor.

[bconk55]

Thanks for the information.



Round 2 (or, well, round whatever) incoming.

[General Balls]

I want to be a part of the group thanking Bioware for the update and wishing them well in the testing process before the seedier participants of this forum get a chance to drag their rabid forms into the thread.



So...thanks for the update, and I hope the testing goes well (and quickly!).

[Fangirl17]

THANK YOU!I was going insane with days of no information at all. I wish you guys luck and I hope that this delay doesnt last for too much longer.

[bconk55]

jennamarae wrote...

DoctorPringles wrote...

They are being safe. They want to ensure the same thing doesn't happen to the other platforms as well. It's merely a precaution, I would think.

Like I said, for DLC or something that is meant for every platform it makes sense that something could be missed do to configurations of the machines. (PC's specifically) This was meant solely for the Xbox 360 though so multiple platforms weren't an issue and I'm not understanding how multiple platforms would affect the title update when there was only one platform to test it on. I'm not being difficult, not trying to be anyway, I really am confused here.

It sounds like a general explanation as to why they are withholding RtO, rather than for why they missed the issues with the Title Update. The Title Update is addressed specifically later on in the post.

Edit: And upon rereading, I do not believe "system" was meant in the manner you took it. That is, I don't think it is referring to the various platforms the game is released on (Xbox 360, PS3, PC).

Edited by bconk55, 19 January 2010 - 12:42 AM.

[DoctorPringles]

jennamarae wrote...

DoctorPringles wrote...

They are being safe. They want to ensure the same thing doesn't happen to the other platforms as well. It's merely a precaution, I would think.

Like I said, for DLC or something that is meant for every platform it makes sense that something could be missed do to configurations of the machines. (PC's specifically) This was meant solely for the Xbox 360 though so multiple platforms weren't an issue and I'm not understanding how multiple platforms would affect the title update when there was only one platform to test it on. I'm not being difficult, not trying to be anyway, I really am confused here.

Again, I doubt they are concerned about the Title Update occuring on, say, the PC. I would assume they are concerned that something similar could also happen on another platform. They do need to update the achievments and trophies for the PC and PS3 as well, so they want to ensure the same doesn't happen in those updates. Again, it's purely a precaution for other, seperate, issues that may arise.

[Victor Wachter]

jennamarae wrote...

Victor Wachter wrote...

DA:O is an incredibly large, very deep and complex game, making it virtually impossible to test every system and permutation possible for each update/DLC.

First, thank you Victor for the update. It's much appreciated.

I'm a bit confused here though with the part I've quoted... The title update was solely for the 360, correct? And aside from memory storage size differences an Xbox 360 is an Xbox 360, correct? I'm confused what testing every system has to do with an Xbox 360 title update since the configuration isn't varied much if at all between them. For DLC's and updates for all systems I understand it, but for a title update that was meant for the 360 I'm afraid what I've quoted is just not making sense to me.

Actually, we mean gameplay systems (like achievements and specializations) here, not platforms.