Following high-profile delays to Watch Dogs and now The Witcher 3, gaming enthusiast Mark Butler argues that he’d much rather sink into an incredible experience a year from now, than endure an average one tomorrow.
This is true but it's also a double-edged sword. Many people expect the delay to reveal a more polished game and when it falls short (according to gamers expectations), the develops still receive a lot of negative feedback.
By delaying, they were simply admitting the game was not ready. Gamers don't need to like it, but they should strive to understand that it was necessary.
While I agree on this, I dont believe this to be the case with Watch Dogs
What was Ubisoft going to release around the console launch? - Assassin's Creed 4 - Watch Dogs - Rayman Legends on next gen - South Park Stick of Truth
Releasing Watch Dogs would have impacted the sales
However, if this game ends up being downgraded from what we've seen in 2012, then all my hopes with the crew and the future games will be gone
Releasing a downgraded game graphically supports the delay was real and necessary.
Although I do think publishers work with each other and manipulate to maximize sales (Ex. Dark Souls II released yesterday on PS3 and X360, and Titanfall was delayed on X360... Coincidence? Nope. AAA RPGs need no other AAA releases in the same week they release to maximize sales), you look at the factual record and it supports the theory that Ubisoft had real issues with this game working just before launch. They spent a lot of money and effort marketing for last year, I doubt it would've been easy going to their Board of Directors/Shareholders and saying the launch would be delayed.
Agreed. But what also seems to happen is hype dies, so I can see why a company wouldn't put it out right, then patch it later :/ as much as it pains me to say. I'm not sure how many but the loss in hype plus the recent feedback of the new reveal WILL effect their sales of this future franchise. It still has so much potential. I want Ubi to realize that potential. I just hope it doesn't flop. But I doubt it will. :)
Agreed, way too many games being shipped with major issues recently.
BF4,CoD,N4S,FIFA,Madden,Killzo ne,Knack,NBA live,Thief,Batman Arkham origins.
I agree
I agree...
By delaying, they were simply admitting the game was not ready. Gamers don't need to like it, but they should strive to understand that it was necessary.
Honest CD Projekt being honest.. Like :D
Agreed. But what also seems to happen is hype dies, so I can see why a company wouldn't put it out right, then patch it later :/ as much as it pains me to say. I'm not sure how many but the loss in hype plus the recent feedback of the new reveal WILL effect their sales of this future franchise. It still has so much potential. I want Ubi to realize that potential. I just hope it doesn't flop. But I doubt it will. :)