Sony’s PS4 First Party Game Delays: Are They A Problem?

There’s really not a whole lot to hold against Sony this generation then, at least as far as video games, which are, after all, the primary purpose and reason for any gaming console existing in the first place, are considered. Not much at all, except for one thing that has become a repeated and troubling trend with Sony over the last few years- and that’s their propensity to delay their marquee first party titles, often repeatedly, over and over again.

[Nyxus]

Not as long as there is enough other stuff to play, which is the case with PS4, if you ask me.

[DrierofLeaves]

Yeah, the article basically says there is no problem with Sony taking their time on games- that said, it would be good if they didn't announce games so early.

[Nyxus]

Well I think it's nice to have something to look forward to, even if it takes a while to release. But that's a matter of personal preference I guess (of course, it shouldn't take too long, like The Last Guardian or FFXV).

[amiga-man]

I would sooner have a finished game than an unfinished one, And far from being a weakness it's a sign of the quality of Sony games and is one of the reasons the Playstation is so well supported by consumers.

[Jburr94]

Let's stop beating around the bush, Sony devs are fooling around or they have too much time on their hands. Stop giving release dates on huge AAA games and they end up getting delayed. I'd rather they take a little backlash than being told "it's ok" all the time. Let's be real.

[SweatyFlorida]

I agree, but that's not limited to Sony at all nor should it be directed at them. Microsoft, and Nintendo are are culprits as well, announcing games way before hand, some get delayed, it's reality. Same goes for other publishers. Sony's probably "targeted" because they're announcing far more games than either competitor I guess.

Though imagine if these games didn't get announced "early", we'll be left scratching our heads on wtf is going with the gaming industry and where are the games. Think it makes the future of gaming look bleak if SOME games weren't announced 3-6 months, even a year from now in advanced.

[freshslicepizza]

Sony is able to delay their games and not have any pressure to release big titles during the holidays. They can and will rely on third party publishers. Those who keep talking about playing on the PC to counter any argument meant to be made about what the Xbox is doing is not that widespread. Sony will keep partnering itself with games like Destiny and No Man's Sky

[generic-user-name]

Well that's what we've seen at this years E3. You may have noticed Sony got some flak online for the games they showed not having dates (clutching at straws if you ask me). Of course if they gave dates there's a chance they'd have to delay, so they have noticed this trend themselves and are now doing the smart thing.

[Silly gameAr]

There's nothing wrong with announcing games early. It builds excellent and hype. If they didn't announce anything, people would think they're just sitting around twittling their thumbs.

[Jaqen_Hghar]

only some are announced super early. Stuff like Bloodborne and LBP3 were announced less than a year before release.

[nX]

Some of you guys are missing the bigger picture. People were waiting for years to see what Sony Bend or Santa Monica have been working on, even if they were announced with no release dates their announcements actually came later than most people expected them. Sure there is Gran Turismo or TLG that missed their schedule completely but I still wouldn't say they were announced too early. If 200+ people are working on a game they'll eventually come to a point where they just want to show it off to receive some external feedback, it's funny that some think Sony is "purposely" announcing games too early and actually doing any kind of damage with it.

[RosweeSon]

Like Nintendo with Smash Bros or Microsoft with Gears 4? Or Microsoft with Scorpio? They all do it.
Majority of the time it's because they are forced into revealing due to impatient leakers and entitled gamers demanding stuff.

[Thatguy-310]

The funny thing is that I agree with the article but it should generalize all companies since this generation the majority of the publishers can't keep up with the dates that they first announce.

[XanderZane]

This is normal for Sony. They always have delays first their 1st party games. Just look at The Last Guardian. No one should be surprised at this. I'm used to it now. When they announced Horizon, Shenmue 3, GT Sport, The Order 1886, etc... I knew not to expect these games anytime soon. It doesn't bother me much since I also own a XB1 and Wii U. So I always have something great to play on any of these 3 systems if there are game delays.

[andibandit]

They should just announce the games later, that way the hype train wont derail the game reviews when it releases

[MyDietEqualsGames]

If the end result is a better game.overall then delay away. If a delay still leads to something short or close to regret, as in regret buying; yes, then it could be a problem. I don'the see a problem with delays as long as the delays aren'the stemming from financial mismanagement. Rather a game be delayed for not being up to a set standard that we may benefit from as a buyer.

[rainslacker]

They can be annoying. A problem they are not....at least not when there is plenty of other stuff to play. People don't like to wait obviously, but the problems only exist because it can be used as a console war argument.

Problem more is that they get release dates well before the publishers(because it's not just Sony), have a release date which they don't know with reasonable certainty they can actually meet. But nowadays, give a release date, get criticized for not meeting it, don't give one, get criticized for none of your games at a trade conference getting a release date. Then there are some games which I believe get delayed to not put out too many games within a certain time frame...but that's another issue.

[VoodooProject]

Agree. PS4 has a bunch of party of first party games coming out this year. Sony keeps their word!

[SpaceRanger]

Games have been releasing all year with still more games to come these last few months. I get that it's one less game, but I also see no problem with them taking their time instead of rushing.

At least it wasn't 3 delayed games or 1 game in the spring with a 6 month wait for the rest of the competition. That in itself really shows why people are taking to the PS4.

[slate91]

Do you fist-pump every time you finish writing your comments?

[SpaceRanger]

Is trolling the first thing you think of when you see a comment you don't like?

[100_SavAGe]

@slate91
You sound butthurt

[KwietStorm_BLM]

It's not just one less game though, and it's become a trend. Just a couple of recent examples, last year was Uncharted and Ratchet. This year it's Horizon and Gran Turismo. This whole "conceding" the holiday rush thing to Microsoft is blown out of proportion, but it's no less annoying having the games that were at the top of my list get delayed every year that they are given a release date.

[DigitalRaptor]

Well said.

These games should not be announced so early, and Xbox fanboys should stop acting like a holiday with less games means that they've "won".

[its_JEFF]

agreed! It's weird, cause it's not the hardware. The architecture isn't exotic or hard to develop on. A part of me is glad that they are willing to delay to get it to where the game needs to be, but another part of me is thinking "another 1st party delay?"

[GrmpyolGamer]

What first party AAA games does Sony have releasing for the rest of the year? And what big AAA games has Sony released this year overall? I can give u the answer if u like. ONE. That's it. Uncharted 4. No one gives a shit about all those indie and Japanese games I assume u r talking about hence why the sales of those games where so bad. Sony has more shitty games then Xbox. Good for them

[SpaceRanger]

Listen here @FattBoy3D, no one needs to make you a list when the search bar is right there on your screen.

But since you've asked...I shall feed your hunger:
- Uncharted 4
- Rachet and Clank
- Street Fighter
- MLB The Show
- No Mans Sky
- The Last Guardian
- Gravity Rush 1
- Gravity Rush 2
- The Tomorrow Children
- Persona 5
- All of the PSVR games coming as well during the holidays.

I'm sure I missed some, but others will be able to help you if you want more! If you're happy with 3-4 games a year. That's your deal. Not mine. No need for you to start cursing out people on here.

[generic-user-name]

I mean, just the PSVR games alone are enough to dwarf the competition.

[Stogz]

This is a pretty goofy argument, if you want first party games then for the entire 2016 MS only has Gears 4 and Forza Horizon 3...2 games.

[CaptainObvious878]

It must be hell being an 'enthusiastic' ms fan.

[Mr_Writer85]

@fatty

Games are sold 12 months of the year not just 2.

Hope this helps.

[RosweeSon]

Haha so because Microsoft have saved 2-3 of theirs for the same period of the year Oct/Dec you think you've got a leg to stand on PlayStation have pretty much had one out a month or every other month all year for the last 3 years. I can count Microsoft exclusives on one hand, two at a push at that would include this years games as well.
Uncharted 4 is already out for starters then there's the Last Guardian? There was Gran turismo but got delayed, they got VR with many exclusive VR Missions and titles. Nice try Sony are far from lacking on the exclusives front.... God of war upcoming ;)
Once gears 4 launched crackdown 3 and halo wars 2 Launch oh and new forza horizon what you gonna get after that little lot? More halo gears 5 and forza whatever numbers they are on now... Meh! It's not sold the console to me previously so more of the same ain't gonna do it, rare replay tho yeah, sold!

[Aloy-Boyfriend]

As long as I have games to play, I don't mind.

They also need to realize that announcing release dates early then delay it when shit happens annoys people more than getting them hyped. there's more pressure to them to deliver since they are on the lead, and every thing they do will get more weight than other companies, who delay games as well and get less flack.

[Rimeskeem]

I just wish Sony would announce a game and release it within the year (not like show E3 2017 and release 2017 but show E3 2017 and release prior to E3 2018). That way the game maintains the hype it may have built and Sony has the other games conferences through the year to really nail the marketing. And then of course a month prior the studio can do streams and such answering questions and so on. I feel like that would generate hype and keep people interested.

[RosweeSon]

Like Gears of war 4 being announced at E3 2015 and well E3 2016 has been and gone but it's ok to wait because it's Microsoft?

[NeoGamer232]

I don't remember anything in Rimeskeem's post saying MS was any better.

I think this is a problem the industry needs to fix. People buy consoles based on the games they can and will be able to play. When console vendors essentially lie about when games will ship they are lying to consumers on reasons to buy their consoles.

Take for example, The Last Guardian. It was promised as a PS3 game and the E3 Sony was declared the winner of E3 because of it. So, many consumers went out and bought the PS3 just for the chance to play Team ICOs next epic game. Here we are 7 years later and the game will finally ship.

You go through the E3 presentations and they are yearly events. So why do you need to show stuff that won't ship in the next year? Whether it is Crackdown, Quantum Break, Scalebound, The Order, God of War, Horizon, etc. I don't care. There is no reason to show vaporware.

[Rimeskeem]

What?

No, come on man I just want the games to be shown when they are almost ready for releasing.

[RosweeSon]

That's fair enough I just think they all do it I don't know why people get themselves so worked up about boring stuff like them announcing games to in advance better than not getting announced just go and play other stuff get on with life and before you know the games are here sure the waits can be annoying but they all do it Nintendo announced Smash before the chap had even finished Kid Icarus let alone started making smash for Both 3DS And Wii U.
Duke Nukem forever got announced when ;) bothered I didn't lose any sleep over a 14 year wait mainly as I wasn't waiting but yeah these things happen I don't see why everyone gets so dramatic about it all.
Nothing personal tho Rimeskeem just whenever I see one company mentioned and the others doing exactly the same not being mentioned, all the best.

[rainslacker]

That's reasonable. However, with a year or more left in development, it's kind of hard to actually predict if a big budget game will be ready in time. For the most part, the big AAA games that most get delayed, are the highest quality that Sony puts out in terms of functionality, and for the most part, they seem to want to make sure that they actually don't deliver an unfinished product. These are Sony's showcase games, the ones that people most look forward to from Sony. Because of that, they tend to make sure they're as good as they can be.

I also think that they know these games will still sell well in Q1 or Q2, so there isn't the impetus to try and drive hardware sales during the holiday by propping them up as system sellers during the holidays. Going forward, they could just start announcing them for first half of a year release time frames, and save some of the frustration.

I don't really see the problem with starting the hype train early...even if it's a couple years, because gamers generally like that kind of stuff, and it does do what it's supposed to do, and gives people something to look forward to. If people are on the fence because there are a few games they may want, but can't find other things, but if they know there is something big coming later which could entice them, they could jump in earlier. That's why we see these early announcements for 1st party IP's, because they're the games that tend to push people over the fence.

The problems though is that they announce release dates which they can't be sure they can meet within the time frame allotted, and any publisher that announces such things so early is just putting things up for chance...as that's a long time to say you can definitely get something done....or those same publishers are willing to push out products which are unfinished just to meet a deadline. The former scenario leads to delays, the latter leads to us bitching about broken or incomplete games.

[ocelot07]

I don't have an issue with them taking time with their games. I wish they wouldn't announce a release date until they are 100% they can release on time.

[DrierofLeaves]

Basically, this :)

[leoms]

They've done that at E3 and people were saying that they showed games without release dates.

@rainslacker

Could not have put it better myself.

[rainslacker]

Damned if you do, damned if you don't. Kind of the way things go in the console war. In the end though, nobody really cares that there was no release date, since it's reasonable to assume we'll see it within a reasonable time frame. The number of games that go into development hell are pretty slim, and citing a couple examples doesn't make it common practice that a game is in development for 10+ years. Those same people that cared that there were not many release dates given, are the same people who would jump at the chance to criticize the perceived numerous game delays....but will never give credit when those delays bring out working and complete games.

[_-EDMIX-_]

Why don't we have an article by these people about games that are releasing in terrible states that clearly could have had a few months? Why question the company that's delaying a game for the better yet not these companies that are releasing games knowing that there's still a host of serious issues?

Assassin's Creed Unity , Witcher 3 ,no man's Sky , Fallout 4 just to say a few.

Mind you whats so ironic is Fallout 4 probably released a little more solid than the rest of those games and it's probably due to the game being fully playable a year before its actual release.

[USMC_POLICE]

Not having a racing sim or a socom year 3 of ps4 is a problem.

[TwoForce]

Nope. PS4 still doing fine. But I understand your frustration.

[RosweeSon]

Asetto Corsa? Socom.. Meh

[Petebloodyonion]

Edit: Some parts were altered to reflect more my thinking on the subject.
1) It's important to point that many companies (MS, Nintendo, Sony,etc) delay theirs games If Sony is clearly mentioned in this post is because the article is In regard to Sony's practice not Microsoft, Nintendo other companies).

2) By delaying a game for marketing purpose I mean Stating a release date (ex: fall 2016) knowing full well that the game won't be ready for the said date.
Edit out
----------------------------- ------------------------------- ------------------------------- ------------------------------- ----------
Delays are now a established marketing strategy for Sony that started with Nintendo (yeah the Big N has been using it since the end of Snes day)
Like it or not it's working and Sony perfect it since the the release of the PS4 (Sony had a great record for delivering on time before that).

Step 1 Announce project at E3 with a trailer with no date
Step 2 Next E3 announce a date for fall coming year
Step 3 Delay game for Spring
Step 4 release game in spring to Fall windows.

This practice may seem irritating but it does give lots of benefit to Sony.

1) Please the fan base with wanted announcement.
2) It create hype thus giving media attention to the Playstation Brand.
3) Allow Sony to judge the budget for theses projects according to reaction and interest in them.
4) Allow Sony to space their games in time schedule.
5) Help increase the pre-order thus giving a initial profit margin before the game is actually release.
6) Help create a demand and usually translate in big sales number at launch due to Hype no matter the quality of the game (see no Man Sky here)

So no unfortunately this practice will continue and we can expect it to be more and more used from Sony MS and Nintendo in the future who will fight even more for the best media coverage due to the over saturation of games.

[DigitalRaptor]

Microsoft is doing the exact same thing despite their fanboys acting like they don't.

Quantum Break - Announced pre-E3 2013, delayed to 2016 in 2015.
Scalebound - Announced E3 2014, delayed to 2017 in 2016.
Crackdown 3 - Announced E3 2014, delayed to 2017 in 2016.
Phantom Dust - Announced E3 2014, cancelled(?) in 2016, delayed to 2017(?).
Sea of Thieves - Announced E3 2015, delayed to 2017 in 2016.
Halo Wars 2 - Announced GC 2015, delayed to 2017 in 2016.
Fable Legends - Announced GC 2013, delayed to 2016 in 2015, and then taken out back and shot.

There are only a select few games that Microsoft announce and release in the same year or within 2.

As for games that didn't get delayed, the Xbox One's launch lineup needed more time for QA, and games like Halo: The Master Chief Collection needed at least an extra 12 months in development to save it from launching as a broken disasterpiece, an unfixable product even today, and leaving in its wake a tarnished series with dwindling trust from its fanbase.

Where are the underlying "cloud" technology benefits that were promised for XB1?
Announced in 2013 pre-launch and only in a handful of games in minor regards with the main proponent of Cloudgine being Crackdown 3 - which is not even out more than halfway into a generation.

[Petebloodyonion]

I guess you missed the part where I said that MS will also use this a lot in the future.

But to satisfy your needs to defend your Console like a personal attack here's my respond:

Sure MS also use delay for more obscure titles and new IP but They don't rely it as much as Sony for main IP.
Forza do come every years at planned date
Gears, Tombraider Halo did came at promise dates.

Again NOT stating that doing delay is bad for lots of reason but just that it's more a trend and the reason I mentioned Sony was that the article was about SONY and I mentioned Nintendo because they were the 1st in my opinion to use delay as Hype machine to gauge things.
See Nintendo CD, N64 and Bulky drive.

[DigitalRaptor]

Your comment focused specifically on Nintendo and Sony, with a rather large focus on Sony as though it was unique to them. If you actually wanted to fairly represent, you would have mentioned what I mentioned about Microsoft doing the exact same thing, or would have kept it generic without mentioning specific companies. You squeezed in Microsoft at the end, implying that delaying games is a future "marketing strategy", when in fact it's been that way for years on the Xbox side of things. So I didn't miss anything.

Aside from Gran Turismo and just one Uncharted game that was delayed that time, what other of their main, non-"obscure" IPs is Sony delaying as a "marketing strategy"? The excuses you're using are terrible.

Tomb Raider is not an Xbox nor a Microsoft exclusive either, and only fanboys still refer to it as such, so I don't know why you're bringing that up - it's not helping your argument.

[Petebloodyonion]

@Digital Raptor.
Okay I edited my initial comment to reflect what I'm saying in hoping to be clearer.

Now:
I Know that Tomb Raider is a time exclusive but the game was published by MS on Xbox 1 and SE did release the game at the proper date.

Also, I never said or imply delaying as a marketing tools was never done in the present or in the past I just mentioned that this trend will probably increase even more from major companies. (As I edited in my initial comment, Sony was quite spotless before PS3) for several reasons including controlling the media space.

From the article: "This generation alone, it has happened with inFamous: Second Son, DriveClub, The Order 1886, Bloodborne, Ratchet and Clank, Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End, Horizon: Zero Dawn, and most recently, Gran Turismo Sport." How about I ask you the opposite? name me the big major hyped (or AAA) games that weren't delayed by Sony?

Now before you reply just pointing that my original answer is in regard to the article Sony’s PS4 First Party Game Delays: Are They A Problem? To which my answer is I believe the trend will increase when relating to game.
and that practice is a benefit for Sony (Just look at No Man Sky day 1 purchases).
And not to who's right or wrong with delay or who do it more.

[DigitalRaptor]

I appreciate that you've edited your original comment, but it makes no sense to keep bringing up Sony as though it's unique to them. Your point, or should I say the intention of your original point, was to paint it as though Sony is the worst offender, and now you're backtracking.

Bloodborne and inFamous: SS were delayed by ONE month.... what are you trying to prove about Sony here?

Microsoft has delayed just as many of their big games, so are just as guilty of what you claim. Just stop.

[_-EDMIX-_]

Sorry buddy but it's not a marketing strategy it's very much just the reality of software development.

[Petebloodyonion]

Sure it can be software relate but like the article mentioned: EA, Bethesda, Sega don't seem to have problems about respecting release date.
And honestly do you really believe that there's no marketing ploy involved with games like Uncharted 4?
It was clear as day that Sony was to delay Uncharted 4 since day 1 because they were releasing the Uncharted trilogy as a AAA experience couple months before UC4 (you don't go into a big media blitz about a game just to have your sales cut by the better version).
But by doing so UC4 had hype for the whole 2015. Heck how many article on N4g was about this game and a great reason to Buy a PS4 in 2015 instead of Xb1.

[DigitalRaptor]

@ Pete

Keep donning the tinfoil hat, sunshine. It provides me endless entertainment! 😉

"a great reason to buy a PS4 in 2015 instead of Xb1" - jesus that's salty.

[_-EDMIX-_]

@Pete- EA has delayed several titles and they've made a great point about now delaying their games as suppose to release buggy games at launch.

BF4's launch got a lot of negative publicity, since then EA has delayed titles that they feel need more work. Sooooo no.

"don't seem to have problems about respecting release date"

Persona 5 was delayed.

Doom was actually delayed because of Rage's development

I'm sorry but no software company can be listed that has NEVER delayed a game. Its not about "respecting release dates" its about releasing games in stable conditions.

EA, Bethesda, Sega etc won't release titles they KNOW have issues at a date just because it was promised, it was also promised an actual working game too bud.

Sorry but all you have is conjecture. You don't have any real evidence or proof bud. We have games that are not even huge AAA titles that get delayed. They getting delayed for huge media reasons too?

Sorry but your theory is a baseless assumption with not much to really support it, other then....well an assumption of. Every time I hear stuff like "It was clear as day" or "don't seem to" or "do you really believe that" etc its clear as "day" that you are assuming ,you are leading to a conclusion, you are making statements based on a belief and not real evidence and your choice words show that very clearly.

if its real, true...your statements should be more like "Sony said themselves that" or "Blank publisher has stated for a fact" (with link) etc.

EA had ironclad releases many times, they also had bugs in their games like with BF4. What happened?

BF Hardline was delayed to improve the title, Dragon Age 3 was delayed too, Mass Effect was delayed too, Mirrors Edge delayed too,

http://www.fool.com/investi...

Sooooo why keep holding ironclad releases when its shown that if issues come up, people view the quality and reception poorly? Soooooooo keep making rushed games as suppose to adjusting release dates to fit games?

[Petebloodyonion]

@digital
I don't understand your reference about being salty
but I remember that lots of article like theses were on N4g in 2015.
http://n4g.com/news/1566139...
http://n4g.com/news/1782530...
http://n4g.com/news/1643057...
http://n4g.com/news/1537210...

I don't understand why you absolutely want this to be about Sony vs MS when it's not.
There's countless of article like theses on the net with comments from ppl saying that they will buy a PS4 or Ps4 already won showing that it's working. And in my opinion, is a great strategy.

[Petebloodyonion]

@Edmix
OK first I have edited my main article with what consider a delay for marketing purpose: Announcing a future release date of a game knowing full well that the game won't be ready for the release date.

Now with that in mind, that is what I meant by others companies.
From the article: " We can, however, question the wisdom of the publisher announcing their games so far out in advance- especially when, after a few delays, it has become clear that there is a trend of all their announced games slipping from their scheduled dates. When every major Sony game this generation has been delayed at least once, and sometimes for as long as a full year, then you need to ask yourself why Sony aren’t learning to not announce their games so far out from completion already.

This is especially a lesson that publishers like Bethesda, and of late, EA, have started to imbibe- they simply don’t announce their games until they are very close to release. Once the games are announced, they are announced with final shipping dates that they always hit. Bethesda have done this with The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Fallout 4, while EA have done this with Star Wars: Battlefront and Battlefield 1; it also looks like they do not plan on unveiling Mass Effect: Andromeda until it is very close to completion, and therefore, release."

Now my answer about "for marketing purpose" is in regard to the question asked in the article.

I will agree with you that theses are assumptions because no company will say: we're pushing back a product because we want to inflate demands for our product or Here's the release date for our software but in reality it will be release the year after.
But there's many marketing tools, tips and book illustrating it.
https://www.fastcompany.com...
http://www.elleandcompanyde...

Quantum break was Delayed for a better time window
http://ca.ign.com/articles/...

Pc games often had delayed releases to counter Piracy and to create a second hype
http://www.pcgamesn.com/why...

The N64 release date media trick
https://en.wikipedia.org/wi...

And lastly there's tons of article like this on the net.
http://www.thosegamers.com/...

Again not saying that your reasons for delays aren't valid just saying that, like many others, I believe that some date are often announced to create a buzz around a game and some expectations thus creating one of the key rules of marketing : having ppl talk about your product.

[rainslacker]

I actually believe Bloodborne was delayed so it didn't have to compete with The Order...or rather to not cannibalize sales of the Order. I think The Order could have probably used the delay more, but that's another topic. Those two were originally set to release within a couple weeks of one another, although the Order got other delays before they got lined up with Bloodborne, and in the case of TO, it's pretty apparent that if it had been a launch window game, it would have been nowhere close to ready to deliver.

I think UC4 was delayed to give UC:NDC some breathing room, and then given another month for R&C to get some room to itself, but R&C had to be out in time for the movie. The game went gold before was typical, so it's possible that they wanted the time to make more copies, but that seems kind of a stretch to say that was the sole reason.

Beyond that, I can't think of any Sony released IP that was delayed for such intent, as it's known a couple years in advance to try and not have two bigger games release at the same time. I'm sure a lot of games get shifted around, which is why most companies won't commit to closer release dates beyond Q4 or Holiday, so they have some room to play based on other announcements which may impede the sales of their game...like FO4 and ROTTR releasing on the same day, where Square didn't have time to react except to maybe push it into an even busier holiday season, or release the game earlier....which does happen sometimes.

[Petebloodyonion]

@Digital Raptor.
Okay I edited my initial comment to reflect what I'm saying in hoping to be clearer.

Now:
I Know that Tomb Raider is a time exclusive but the game was published by MS on Xbox 1 and SE did release the game at the proper date.

Also, I never said or imply delaying as a marketing tools was never done in the present or in the past I just mentioned that this trend will probably increase even more from major companies. (As I edited in my initial comment, Sony was quite spotless before PS3) for several reasons including controlling the media space.

From the article: "This generation alone, it has happened with inFamous: Second Son, DriveClub, The Order 1886, Bloodborne, Ratchet and Clank, Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End, Horizon: Zero Dawn, and most recently, Gran Turismo Sport." How about I ask you the opposite? name me the big major hyped (or AAA) games that weren't delayed by Sony?

Now before you reply just pointing that my original answer is in regard to the article Sony’s PS4 First Party Game Delays: Are They A Problem? To which my answer is I believe the trend will increase when relating to game.
and that practice is a benefit for Sony (Just look at No Man Sky day 1 purchases).
And not to who's right or wrong with delay or who do it more.

[_-EDMIX-_]

The issue with a lot of your notion of Sony delaying games is that you could say this about any other publisher in existence...

I'm sorry but you've yet to offer any real evidence to support your claim .

[masterfox]

Problem ? Why ? Almost 90% of their exclusives they deliver are awesome and above every other videogame . In other words when they say will be worth the wait those words actually have a meaning, like i said 90% only hehe NM...

[joab777]

I often wonder if most delays are financially motivated. They could be released but the publisher realizes that more money or expisure could be had by changing the release schedule.

[badboyz09]

How many First Party Games released this year on the Xbox One?

[IndominusRex]

Why bring xbox one into this?

[Rude-ro]

Because the media never does... It is always Sony

[Rude-ro]

Example, their two delays this year just got the a-ok! Do not rush it. Etc

[gamerswin24]

Why are you so defensive about an inanimate object and a company that doesn't give a %uck about u lol He mentioned it because all the companies delay just like Zelda is nowhere in sight and crackdown on Xbox :). Its just games man take it easy.

[DigitalRaptor]

One AAA game so far, with the rest being low-budget timed-exclusive indie games.

This is 9 months into the year as well.

No sign of the "biased towards Sony" gaming media talking about it though, or them talking about Quantum Break, Scalebound, Crackdown 3, Phantom Dust, Sea of Thieves, Halo Wars 2, Fable Legends all experiencing delays, or the sweeping closure and cancellation and closure of 8 first-party studios/projects leaving them with the sparsest of first-party studios the Redmond company has ever had. https://twitter.com/vg_dave... ! 😂

[Germany7]

But these games are not even exclusives.

[ninsigma]

It'd not like I've been left wanting so not a problem for me. I would be annoyed if nothing was released all year but that's not the case so I'm good.

[IndominusRex]

Seems like a point less article... to me delays = a better game.

[admiralvic]

Uh, I think the point is less about delaying giving us a better game and more about the practice of announcing as quickly as possible to build up hype. A good example being The Last Guardian, which was announced and expected to release five years prior to its current release date. Despite this, practically anyone on N4G could attest to the fact that almost every announcement, big event or thing of the like would have additional details on this game.

Furthermore, the idea that delays equal a better product is somewhat flawed. A lot of games are delayed and have plenty of problems or are delayed over things besides bug fixes/development issues. Sometimes it is a business decision, like knowing you can't beat a game/the time is too flooded and other times it is just a random choice. To put it another way, take Mugen Souls, which I was assigned to review.

I got the game on August 17, which, to my knowledge, was complete and fully working (I never encountered an issue anyway). However, the game itself didn't release until October 16. Two months of it being "done" and it didn't release and event got a delay for reasons... Anarchy Reigns, which released like six months prior in Japan, had full English audio and got a last minute delay for no real reason.

[gamerswin24]

Lol hahaha yeah its a problem when you offer the most robust, most variety, constantly new IPS (not regurgitated IPS like the rest) and highest rated games this gen. Delays happen in every system lol five years later ppl still waiting for a Zelda on Nintendo and crackdown has been just as long. Tlg is like ten years but we have so many other games to pass the time. Ppl say don't announce games so early? Are u serious with that bs they all do it. If anything Sony more times than not follow through.

News flash e3s are to announce new projects whether they are two or three years off.

[rainslacker]

Yeah, a company waits to announce, then all you get is arguments about how they have no games, and the side that prefers said console saying, "we know they have all these games in the works, because they told us so."

Only need to look at how the current conversations go on such matters to really know how things will go to fan boy rhetoric, so one doesn't even need to assume, because it happens every day already. Like right now, people keep saying how MS has all these games in reserve they're just waiting to annouce when people criticize their sparse line up throughout the year and their focus on a couple staple IP's for the holidays. On the Sony side, Sony doesn't announce release dates, people say, "They had no release dates", but if they did have them, they say, "Sony delays all it's games".

Can't win in the console war.

Nothing wrong with announcing the game, but release dates should come closer to when the companies actually know they can get the game done, and be able to deliver at the level they want to deliver the game at. I don't fault Sony for it's delays, because those high profile games which get delayed tend to come out and be remarkable and they work. I wouldn't fault any publisher or console maker should they do the same thing, and would much prefer it to the stream of articles and hate that comes from people being disappointed with lackluster launches....or the even more robust influx of comments about how publishers/devs suck because they release broken games, or in the case of 1st party titles, how the company can't seem to deliver quality.

[MasterCornholio]

Well as long as they produce a quality title I have no issue with a short delay. However, my problem is when any developer announces a game 2-3 years before it's even ready.

[zivtheawesome]

better to release an amazing but delayed game, than a recycled same game every year IMO so keep doing what you are doing sony.

[Chevalier]

Shigeru Miyamoto said it best — 'A delayed game is eventually good, a bad game is bad forever.'

[lunatic0001]

Yes and no because 1st party sony games tend to take so damn long to come out but for the most part...they tend be great experiences...you wait long...but you get a damn good game...for the most part (I'm looking at you order 1886)...let's see if the last guardian can be an example of waiting way too long...but worth it at the end

[rainslacker]

The order was supposed to be a launch window game. It got a couple delays, and eventually got pushed out the door. I think the Order actually could have used another 6+ months in development, but there are times when a company has to draw the line because the longer it takes, the more it costs to develop. There were several instances in the Order which seemed like they were going for something more, but never got around to implementing it, or didn't do a very good job implementing it.

[ssj27]

They have delayed a proper Socom game for this whole generation so far. Even a confrontation 2.0 will do the job as long as is mostly bug free. F even a remastered confrontation bug free will be fine. Better than noting.

No Motorstorm? What is Sony thinking about. Now is perfect time to deliver that trailer gameplay the first one had.

And hopefully sony guerrilla Cambridge is making Killzone 4 to be more like Killzone 2 and less like a cod game.

That's all i want. Besides what is coming next month tlg!

[Rude-ro]

Ummmm that's not a delay.
That is not announcing a game. I mean, they did close the studio that made socom and motorstorm soooo

[ssj27]

They did say they will bring a new socom at the end of the generation but i was been sarcastic when i say delay i mean.. they haven't made their most played famous ip from the ps2 generation. They treat it like shit last gen even dare to close the Studio. Just instead of firing the big heads and hiring people who could bring the ip back to it roots. Even a blind guy could tell what the ip needs bit they somehow end up releasing the game without a classic mode.

The point is.. sony keeps realising stupid games and ignoring socom ip and now motorstorn. And making Killzone more like a cod instead of a Killzone

[Rude-ro]

The core devs were making a new game, basically socom online, but I do not know what happened to it. It went quiet.

I do not think Sony treated it like anythin. I think they gave the devs ample opurtunties to try and capture the market and failed what in 3-4 attempts?
To Sony, that is getting the heads of the dev teams fired. They own the ip. But if the studio failed to pull a profit, you have to close it.
Sony keeps releasing stupid games to you. The reason is the cost of developing and the time to code the engines is taking way to long and by the time they finish, they release a new console. Hopefully the neo and Scorpio put an end to this and support the current engines. Then we can get games made.

[KwietStorm_BLM]

The fact that it's become expected says a lot. At the end of the day, it doesn't matter for the gamer what time of year certain games are actually played. But let's not lie and say there's no disappointment when another highly anticipated title from one of their studios announces a release date, only to rescind yet again. Was REALLY looking forward to Horizon and GT this year.

[Tobsesan]

Naaah ppl don't buy consoles to play games, we like to buy hardware to look at it.

[Haru]

That's what xbox is for : ) I keep looking at my xbox on the shelve everyday while i play games on my PS4, sucks that xbox gets only 1 or 2 exclusives each year and you have to wait until november for them :/

[DragonDDark]

It's 0 exclusives now

[Tobsesan]

Looks like someone is mad. No Problem, maybe one day you really get an xbox.

[TwoForce]

Your fanboy are very predictable to be honest. Here the thing, I still have a problem with 343 Studio which they never take on New IP. People buy console for playing new game, not same old francises.

Edit : Nope, that's different from Sony. Uncharted 4 is final of Uncharted series. God of War have been reborn with new direction and people love it unlike Gears of War 4 which keep the same thing and stuck the old fomula. GT series take more longer but it can take what it is to become a great game. Rachet and Clank reimagined bring new taste for old and new audience. You could say these milking franchise, but they dare to change it unlike MS first party studio which stuck the old formula. GT Sports took a risk of partnership with FIA ( correct me if I wrong ). The reason God of War didn't put 4 on it because this is new beginning for Kratos which change a lot in good way. Uncharted 4 is the last Uncharted series and the last of Nathan Drake. I respect what MS doing but I think they need to dare to change. For example, Halo need to change something which add human enemy, a story isn't about good vs evil. If I remember Halo lore, the UNSC did faced terrorist which I found interesting.

[Tobsesan]

ye so sick of all the gt, uncharted, r&c and god of war games. They keep milking those games over and over.

[Flewid638]

I'll still be a gamer when those games are finally released, so no.

[mysteryraz11]

Not a big deal

[uth11]

It is completely unacceptable that they delay games ever.

It's also unacceptable to release broken games ever.

By can't they learn to use their magic wands properly and release working games on time?!? Is that too much to ask?

[DrierofLeaves]

Do you actually have anything of substance to add to the discussion?

[DigitalRaptor]

Yes and no.

If you're looking forward to a game, you don't want it to be delayed.

But there's always 12 months of video games and a wide diverse library each year on PS4, and nobody should want to prevent a game from getting more time in the oven, if its makes it a better game.

[King_Lothric]

I see no problem and let's remember that Sony is not the only one. This happens to any publisher.

[Redx165]

I believe they need to stop announcing games so early. Uncharted 4 had this problem. God of War 4 might have this problem as well. I don't want to know about a game 2 years before its close to release. I wish companies did what Bethesda did. Announce it when you're done with the game. No delays and etc...

[Platformgamer]

Yes, because waiting more than expected sucks;
No, because with the delay they've more time to make a better game;
Conclusion: waiting sucks but it's for our good.

[DrierofLeaves]

Well, the solution then would be to not announce games until they are clearer a concrete release date that they can realistically hit- basically like how Bethesda do it.

[buttcheeks]

Why is always Sony that gets all the attention for delays all three publishers have delayed many games this gen where was all the disappointment when Microsoft delayed quantum break, recore , fable , phantom dust , crackdown, halo wars and scalebound but Sony gets all the attention just like they do for remasters and indies .

[DigitalRaptor]

Yup. The gaming media is weird like that.

Just as many (if not more) Xbox games have been delayed as PS4 games this generation, but the media brings up PS4 and the Xboys laugh and called it the "DELAYSTATION".

Last year Xboys laughed at the PS4 lineup called it "sparse" and dubbed the console "INDIESTATION", but this year, they have been waiting 9 months for a quality AAA game whilst being offered nothing but one underwhelming AAA game and a bunch of low-budget timed-exclusive indie games. They are either burying their heads in the sand over the matter, or diverting their attention to a console that is well over 12 months away, to distract them from the reality of the present. Or both.

In March of this year, Microsoft closed and cancelled EIGHT of its first-party studios / projects which means that their internal source of game creation is dryer than it has been in years, and the gaming media didn't pipe up, except this one guy from Videogamer.com who seems to value his integrity: https://twitter.com/vg_dave...

Microsoft closes Lionhead and cancels Fable Legends disrespectfully without even informing its own employees before the public found out, makes things as sudden and painful as possible for them. Sony closes Evolution Studios with respect, lets them keep the studio's name and culture in tact, and ensures that they go on to great things as a subsidiary of Codemasters - and all hell breaks loose and Sony's first-party output is a cause for concern....

I can't be bothered going over the double standards over remasters, but just know that Xboys are the biggest hypocrites and quickest flip floppers in all of gaming. And the media will do whatever they feel like on any given day, rather than uphold consistency to any high standard.
--------

@ zb1ftw777

Woah there horsey.... Come back to me when Xbox One has a 90+ rated "exclusive" game under its belt.

[zb1ftw777]

Because MS delivers on quality.

Sony releases have been disapointing train wrecks.

[GrmpyolGamer]

Nah, that ain't no problem. Who buys gaming consoles to play games? LOSERS, that's who. Any real gamer knows that u only buy a console to brag about power and resolution. So for xbox to have Gears 4, Forza Horizon 3, Recore and Deadrising 4 this holiday is meaningless because Ps4 has..........1080p and $5 themes and a 10 year old game mean for Ps3. Games on gaming consoles. Lol. Could u imagine?

[AmUnRa]

O boy you are delusional really. "Losers buy consoles for playing games"
O i did not no that. I buy games for my PS4 cous it is a GAMINGCONSOLE.
So i am a loser?? No you are the LOSER.

[GrmpyolGamer]

Did I hurt your feelings? 😞 I'm sowwy.

[GrmpyolGamer]

Yes. If u buy gaming consoles to play games u r a loser. I think I made that pretty clear in my first comment. U r only a true gamer if u buy a ps4, take it home and set it up then walk away and jump on your computer and go to websites like this and write 1080p as much as humanly possible. It is so obvious that I don't even know why I have to explain it but I'm a nice guy so I will. 👍

[ShadowWolf712]

Unexpected delays happen, especially in large-scale games. Fix the coding here, it can cause unexpected issues to pop up over there. Game development isn't quite so assembly-line precise as some people seem to think.

If I have to chose between a delay and massive issues in-game, I'll take the delay.

[PhoenixUp]

No because Sony still evenly spaces out its releases throughout the entire year

[hahaha]

First party game delays is better than no first party game.

[superterabyte]

The problem that gaming corps have is the immense pressure to perform well at conferences such as E3. They therefore will rush initial announcements and trailers in order to produce a good show.

[iTechHeads]

No.
Plenty of games to play the holiday. GT Sport won't be missed.

[DigitalRaptor]

Same here.

DriveClub VR is going to fill the spot that GT Sport would've taken, and I couldn't be happier.

[Babadook7]

Bloodborne in 2015. Uncharted 4 in 2016. Horizon Zero Dawn next year. As long as there is one truly great 1st party game a year I won't be too critical.

[DigitalRaptor]

OMG, you just reminded me that PS4 has had one 90+ rated first-party game each year since 2015.

I guess Horizon Zero Dawn could be "the one" for 2017.

[subtenko]

No cuz its no where near the amount that xbox has

[Jamesx82x]

Its only a problem if they delay games and still release a sub par product. To my knowledge that has not happened yet.

[zb1ftw777]

The Order, Driveclub, No Mans Sky.

PS4 exclusives have been nothing but delayed trainwrecks.

Uncharted being the exception.

[rainslacker]

So three cited examples out of about 20+ 1st party exclusives is enough to say "PS4 exclusives have been nothing but delayed trainwrecks?"

Are you aware of the term overstatement?

I mean, most PS4 1st party exclusives don't get delays....so there is the first part wrong with your argument.

In any case, NMS isn't even a 1st party exclusive, and Sony didn't set it's release date, or delay the game. That was all on the developer, which decided to release it's game when they did, and Sony published the PS4 version. Basically moving your cited examples down to two....making it even less relevant.

[Jamesx82x]

Lets go ahead and remove No Mans Sky off your list since Sony had no control over that games development.

The Order I havent played myself its in my backlog but I know plenty of people who enjoyed the game and while it may not have reviewed well it was not a sub par product full of glitches and bugs that should have been ironed out during a delay.

Driveclub had major issues so yeah I will give you that one even after a delay it struggled.

[XXanderXX]

Not really

[Kiwi66]

It depends upon if a game gets delayed then delayed again for some stupid reason otherwise most don't care as they just go and carry on playing games until the other game finally gets released

[Jaqen_Hghar]

Well they've already come out with plenty of exclusives to crush the competition. So yeah delaying a couple by a little bit doesn't hurt. At least their exclusives don't come to other consoles like Rise of Tomb Raider

[Marugo]

They shouldve focus more on a last gen old remasters

[kassler]

When games are delayed, many peiple get angry and that's not good for hype.

[Silly gameAr]

You mean people over exaggerate?

[NotanotherReboot]

Yep. They made me turn into a PC gamer

[Mrveryodd]

just finnish the games so there not broken the damm day of release like far too many games this gen .... imo

[Manubiggs]

No, rather a delayed game than a bad game.

[zb1ftw777]

900p machine with all the third parties and connected to the platform with all the amazeball exclusives vs 1080p third party machine that cant deliver any decent unique experiences.

Hmmmm.....

Sony is getting smashed by MS right now.

Strange how fast the tides can turn.

[AmUnRa]

Hahahaha thats all what i can say about your delusional comment, do you reread what you write?? Mmmm no you dont..

[LexHazard79]

I don't see a problem. Also it seems this gen all games get delayed and the ones that don't, ship broken with tons of updates after release. I rather a delay so they get it right.

[mike32UK]

Yes they're a problem, just like they have been on EVERY PLATFORM in EVERY CONSOLE GENERATION... And yet the world still continues to turn

[Inzo]

This is a BS article, it makes it sound like only Sony's devs delay games.

[DrierofLeaves]

If you had actually read the article, you would know nothing you are saying is true :)
But keep on posting angry BS in the comments without reading, makes you come off real nice.

[rainslacker]

Only real problem is saying "sony" in the title. Why not just say 1st party game delays. Then you'd have a lot more examples to pull from and actually force people to see that it's not just Sony that is delaying their games, but all three console makers?

[Inzo]

Actually I have read the article, and I still stand by what I said, that its a BS article.

[RosweeSon]

No because there a plenty of them, not in short supply if they are not ready yet then at least they have the sense to give whichever Devs some extra time and at the end of the day with ps Now, Ps2 classics VR soon to be launching and all the other multiformats available on ps4 if there is nothing else for you to play then what the hell are you as not a gamer ;)

[pootymcpoockle]

I don't know about everyone else, but I've been thinking recently that this year has kind of sucked for new releases across all platforms.

My wallet was dead last year with all the new releases, but this year I swear i've only bought 3 or 4 retail releases so far.

Theres obviously a little bit more still to come, but delays have really hurt all platforms this year.