'You Guys Will Judge Us By the Game We Ship'

SBFord · May 2016

'You Guys Will Judge Us By the Game We Ship'

The ArtCraft team has posted a new blog article called 'The Soft Launch Strategy' that is particularly aimed at Founders, but is equally germane to fans looking forward to release. The letter begins with a look back at the last year of development and the "good, bad and ugly" parts. The latter is the centerpiece of the letter as it begins the discussion that sits at the forefront of many fans' imaginations: When will Crowfall launch?

Read the full story here

Leiloni · May 2016

Good news to hear. They're making fast progress so far which is nice, but getting it right is the most important thing.

Tintagil · May 2016

I have no problem waiting for a great product, just take the time and get it right.

SpottyGekko · May 2016

Torval said:

I'm a fan of the soft launch and I hope this goes well for them. I just wish that indies weren't all about the pvp. I really don't want to "play to crush" or a never ending 3 faction scrimmage or an open world gankfest with permadeath. Good for those that have been wanting that though.

I just hope after we get this old school nostalgia trip out of our collective systems that we'll see some indies moving on from that and making some interesting pve mmos.

The reason why so many indies choose the PVP model is because it is much less work for them. Creating PVE content is expensive and time-consuming, creating good PVE content requires some serious talent in storytelling and game design AND you've got to keep producing it continuously, it doesn't stop at launch.

The game rules and balancing are required for both PVP and PVE, however in PVP-centric games that's basically all that's required. More often than not, that's also basically all that's given in the typical "PVP sandbox".

Borluc · May 2016

All I have to say to the title is "no shit". Just more PR blathering to justify a decision. And here I thought I'd judge the devs on their fashion sense.

FlyByKnight · May 2016

Transparent though, so nobody can act surprised.

They're basically saying they're going to launch unfinished and polish as they go. They were vague AF, but again... we know how this should turn out.

If you cross this threshold, NO CRYING. Do NOT buy in unless you're sure.

waynejr2 · May 2016

But if I don't buy the game can't I still judge it?

Slapshot1188 · May 2016

I'm an Amber Kickstarter backer. Soft launch if fine but that better include turning off the VIP/sub until it's a full product.

Rasiem · May 2016

Creating good PvE content takes time to create a good backstory personally I like the idea of making our own story, Blizzard has already done the best story in MMO gaming and unfortunately its going to stay that way for some time especially with the movie around the corner. I think we will see some new features coming in these next MMOs that are going to be pretty ground breaking and pave the way for the industry for awhile.

Sojhin · May 2016

Love the concept and have been working so hard lately have not had a chance to play my alpha account but i am glad to see the workings of this company. It is refreshing.

Kyleran · May 2016

Tintagil said:

I have no problem waiting for a great product, just take the time and get it right.

That's not really the message here. Despite all the smoke and mirrors what really was said is we have no idea when we'll get it right, so "just for you" we'll launch with whatever is ready (MVP) so we can start charging people money and finish the rest as we go along.

Whether its a 20 man team or one with over 100 million dollars, seems all indie titles will be "soft launching"

The era of building and launching a mostly feature complete game is largely over and the term MVP will dominate the landscape. Which when you think on it, is how most of the 1st gen MMORPGs were delivered, so probably not a bad thing, as long as the playerbase can be patient.

Shaigh · May 2016

The way this game looks right now its not going to be a polished experience if launched in 2016 and I'm not going to pay them money to become a beta-tester.

I got the feeling that this will be another game that will stick to early access for ages.

Distopia · May 2016

Kyleran said:

Tintagil said:

I have no problem waiting for a great product, just take the time and get it right.

That's not really the message here. Despite all the smoke and mirrors what really was said is we have no idea when we'll get it right, so "just for you" we'll launch with whatever is ready (MVP) so we can start charging people money and finish the rest as we go along.

Whether its a 20 man team or one with over 100 million dollars, seems all indie titles will be "soft launching"

The era of building and launching a mostly feature complete game is largely over and the term MVP will dominate the landscape. Which when you think on it, is how most of the 1st gen MMORPGs were delivered, so probably not a bad thing, as long as the playerbase can be patient.

To be fair most older MMORPGs could have been called soft launches when they released. Especially games like SWG and EVE. Not only were they shells of a game.. they barely worked.

Dullahan · May 2016

SpottyGekko said:

Torval said:

I'm a fan of the soft launch and I hope this goes well for them. I just wish that indies weren't all about the pvp. I really don't want to "play to crush" or a never ending 3 faction scrimmage or an open world gankfest with permadeath. Good for those that have been wanting that though.

I just hope after we get this old school nostalgia trip out of our collective systems that we'll see some indies moving on from that and making some interesting pve mmos.

The reason why so many indies choose the PVP model is because it is much less work for them. Creating PVE content is expensive and time-consuming, creating good PVE content requires some serious talent in storytelling and game design AND you've got to keep producing it continuously, it doesn't stop at launch.

The game rules and balancing are required for both PVP and PVE, however in PVP-centric games that's basically all that's required. More often than not, that's also basically all that's given in the typical "PVP sandbox".

Thats also been the downfall of most PvP sandbox games. People talk about how much less expensive it is to develop a PvP mmo, but the truth of the matter is, PvP is seldom enough to sustain them. An mmo, especially a sandbox, must be fun without PvP for it to be fun with it.

Vielthic · May 2016

As a avid PvPer, I have to disagree. IMO PvE is mostly eye candy with shallow scripted content that everyone gets bored with in a month demanding more going down that blackhole PvE always ends up at.
PvP on other hand is always dinamic because your opponent is always different and much more engaging. And until technology catches up, which it has, to allow full scale open , non instanced, battles. So we have new games popping up. Pvp also requires a good UI, balance etc ... Where as PvE is much easier to implement and balance, hence the bazillion WoW clone and release fails. For me I prefer PvP for a reason, lets face it capture the flag is fun but gets old. WarHammer at its core is what I enjoyed, yes it had major flaws but was on the right track. And I feel the same for Crowfall and Camelot Unchained. So please all you "PvEr's" stop with the hate and keep open mind, and consider yourselves lucky that you do have alot of game options to play ...

GraphiteSerpent · May 2016

But since crowdfunding it's modern to judge games before they are finished and released.

SavageHorizon · May 2016

Torval said:

I'm a fan of the soft launch and I hope this goes well for them. I just wish that indies weren't all about the pvp. I really don't want to "play to crush" or a never ending 3 faction scrimmage or an open world gankfest with permadeath. Good for those that have been wanting that though.

I just hope after we get this old school nostalgia trip out of our collective systems that we'll see some indies moving on from that and making some interesting pve mmos.

Not all Indies are about PVE, Pantheon: Saga Of Heroes and Sol are both PVE mmos.

Vrika · May 2016

GraphiteSerpent said:

But since crowdfunding it's modern to judge games before they are finished and released.

One would have to be extremely stupid to buy a game without judging it first.

Kyleran · May 2016

Vrika said:

GraphiteSerpent said:

But since crowdfunding it's modern to judge games before they are finished and released.

One would have to be extremely stupid to buy a game without judging it first.

Or have enough disposable income to be able to spend reasonable amounts on entertainment without having to really sweat the decision if it turns out badly?

YashaX · May 2016

From what I have seen in the streams I would buy it just for the arena-type gameplay. That's pretty much all I do in GW2 anyway, and some of the footage I saw of Crowfall had some interesting looking game modes.

Vrika · May 2016

Kyleran said:

Vrika said:

GraphiteSerpent said:

But since crowdfunding it's modern to judge games before they are finished and released.

One would have to be extremely stupid to buy a game without judging it first.

Or have enough disposable income to be able to spend reasonable amounts on entertainment without having to really sweat the decision if it turns out badly?

I guess you're right and there are that kind of people too.

But I stand by my opinion that it's incredibly stupid to buy a game without even attempting to make a judgement on whether it's fun or not.

sedatedkarma · May 2016

Vrika said:

Kyleran said:

Vrika said:

GraphiteSerpent said:

But since crowdfunding it's modern to judge games before they are finished and released.

One would have to be extremely stupid to buy a game without judging it first.

Or have enough disposable income to be able to spend reasonable amounts on entertainment without having to really sweat the decision if it turns out badly?

I guess you're right and there are that kind of people too.

But I stand by my opinion that it's incredibly stupid to buy a game without even attempting to make a judgement on whether it's fun or not.

Right, because it all adds up. It only adds up.. if you add it up. Be happy and don't add it all up. I limit my spending on gaming and enjoy researching a bit. This only allows me not to worry about other areas of my life that require fun money.

Happy to wait for the soft launch.

Kyleran · May 2016

Vrika said:

Kyleran said:

Vrika said:

GraphiteSerpent said:

But since crowdfunding it's modern to judge games before they are finished and released.

One would have to be extremely stupid to buy a game without judging it first.

Or have enough disposable income to be able to spend reasonable amounts on entertainment without having to really sweat the decision if it turns out badly?

I guess you're right and there are that kind of people too.

But I stand by my opinion that it's incredibly stupid to buy a game without even attempting to make a judgement on whether it's fun or not.

Chalk me up as stupid, I threw in about $200 to CU even though I'm pretty sure I won't like it.

Why? A fondness for DAOC and I applaud the vision, even if PVP only games don't appeal tome.

Vrika · May 2016

@Kyleran ;

I'm sorry. I didn't mean to end up calling you, or anything that you do, stupid. After thinking it some more, I shouldn't have written my two previous posts at all.

I acted stupidly. I apologize.

JDis25 · May 2016

Looking forward to this game, hope that it isn't grindy though, and newcomers will have a fair shot when a new world begins.

Howdy, Stranger!

'You Guys Will Judge Us By the Game We Ship'

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Comments

Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. Pvbs 18:2, NIV

Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. Pvbs 18:2, NIV

Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. Pvbs 18:2, NIV

Howdy, Stranger!

Quick Links

'You Guys Will Judge Us By the Game We Ship'

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Comments

Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. Pvbs 18:2, NIV

Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. Pvbs 18:2, NIV

Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. Pvbs 18:2, NIV