CA/Sega Bit Off More Than They Can Chew?

[DarkKnight]

It has now been nearly a month since the games first release, and we have no patch, no unpacker, just promises and a bugged game.

I'll make this part brief because it has been over stated on this forum. CA said they were releasing a zero day patch. After leaving the fans wondering where the patch was for a little, they came out and said that it would be delayed for two weeks. After that time expires they now make us a promise that it is now coming in days not weeks (3 days ago).

We are still in the time frame they last promised, but still no patch or unpacker. We do have the files to explore now though.

The point that I am trying to make does not apply just to this CA team. This statement applies to many current game companies and their releases.

It seems that the companies are more worried about releasing the game sooner than proper. We see games released in a version that can almost be described as beta. The companies hype the game as being perfect (and bribe the top game reviewers). They then make promises of patches to keep sales up. This is capitalism and the goal of making a game is not for people to enjoy it, but to make money.

Does anyone else see the current patch issue with MTW2 like this?

The game developers worked long and hard creating this game. As the release date approached, they began to realize that this game is not nearly done. It still needed major testing, it still needed tweaking, it still needed balancing, etc. However, Sega wanted the game out there to make money and pressured CA into releasing the game prematurely (instead of delaying the release).

They knew that the instant this game was played the bugs would reveal themselves. In this day and age, communities form over the internet where fans can communicate between each other-- and potential customers. They knew that word of the incredible amount of bugs would surface and harm their sales. So they forced the developers to promise a zero day patch.

That way when the potential customer asks the player what they think of it, and bugs are mentioned, he will say "but don't worry it will all be fixed in the patch that will be out by the time you buy it".

If CA really did have the hotfix to the passive AI on day 1 you would think that they would release it in a patch all by itself, if other fixes were going to take a month. It seems as if CA were pressured to tell everyone they have a fix so they wouldn't lose in the sales department.

The inevitable happened, and CA still couldn't fix the bugs that they promised to by the release. So what do they do? Just tell the people that they just need to do some testing, in order to get them more time to come up with the fix (and to keep sales from dropping, especially during the Christmas Season).

Well, we waited that out, and CA was aweful quiet for awhile regarding the patch. It wasn't until days after their two week time period ended that we heard from them. If they had the fix to the passive AI they would undoubtably release it now. I mean, they don't have to fix all 100 bugs in one patch. Especially since they will likely create a couple more bugs with the patch, so they will need additional patches anyways.

However, they then come out and try to appease us again. "It's going to be days, not weeks". They sound like a deadbeat when it comes to paying its rent. "Just give me a little more time". "I have it I just need to withdraw it from the bank". "Funny thing is that the bank made a mistake with my balance, so it will be a little longer before I can get the money".

If they would have released a hotfix for the passive AI after their two weeks ended, then maybe I would believe that they have had it since day one. However I now doubt that they have had it. I am speculating that they planned on having it on day one, but found out that their fix didn't work. Now they have been desperately trying to fix it while telling the fanbase that they have had it in order to avoid backlash (in both reputation and sales).

While I am just speculating, everyday that we go without seeing a patch the more true I see this. This just shows lack of professionalism. As I have said the releasing of unfinished games now seems like common practice. In some games lack of patching isn't uncommon. But never have I seen a game where the developers have promised something like this and not delivered for a month.

It seems CA has dug itself into a hole and is just digging itself deeper. If this is not the case, then hopefully they shut me up by releasing that patch.

[Remo]

It has now been nearly a month since the games first release, and we have no patch, no unpacker, just promises and a bugged game.

I'll make this part brief because it has been over stated on this forum. CA said they were releasing a zero day patch. After leaving the fans wondering where the patch was for a little, they came out and said that it would be delayed for two weeks. After that time expires they now make us a promise that it is now coming in days not weeks (3 days ago).

We are still in the time frame they last promised, but still no patch or unpacker. We do have the files to explore now though.

The point that I am trying to make does not apply just to this CA team. This statement applies to many current game companies and their releases.

It seems that the companies are more worried about releasing the game sooner than proper. We see games released in a version that can almost be described as beta. The companies hype the game as being perfect (and bribe the top game reviewers). They then make promises of patches to keep sales up. This is capitalism and the goal of making a game is not for people to enjoy it, but to make money.

Does anyone else see the current patch issue with MTW2 like this?

The game developers worked long and hard creating this game. As the release date approached, they began to realize that this game is not nearly done. It still needed major testing, it still needed tweaking, it still needed balancing, etc. However, Sega wanted the game out there to make money and pressured CA into releasing the game prematurely (instead of delaying the release).

They knew that the instant this game was played the bugs would reveal themselves. In this day and age, communities form over the internet where fans can communicate between each other-- and potential customers. They knew that word of the incredible amount of bugs would surface and harm their sales. So they forced the developers to promise a zero day patch.

That way when the potential customer asks the player what they think of it, and bugs are mentioned, he will say "but don't worry it will all be fixed in the patch that will be out by the time you buy it".

If CA really did have the hotfix to the passive AI on day 1 you would think that they would release it in a patch all by itself, if other fixes were going to take a month. It seems as if CA were pressured to tell everyone they have a fix so they wouldn't lose in the sales department.

The inevitable happened, and CA still couldn't fix the bugs that they promised to by the release. So what do they do? Just tell the people that they just need to do some testing, in order to get them more time to come up with the fix (and to keep sales from dropping, especially during the Christmas Season).

Well, we waited that out, and CA was aweful quiet for awhile regarding the patch. It wasn't until days after their two week time period ended that we heard from them. If they had the fix to the passive AI they would undoubtably release it now. I mean, they don't have to fix all 100 bugs in one patch. Especially since they will likely create a couple more bugs with the patch, so they will need additional patches anyways.

However, they then come out and try to appease us again. "It's going to be days, not weeks". They sound like a deadbeat when it comes to paying its rent. "Just give me a little more time". "I have it I just need to withdraw it from the bank". "Funny thing is that the bank made a mistake with my balance, so it will be a little longer before I can get the money".

If they would have released a hotfix for the passive AI after their two weeks ended, then maybe I would believe that they have had it since day one. However I now doubt that they have had it. I am speculating that they planned on having it on day one, but found out that their fix didn't work. Now they have been desperately trying to fix it while telling the fanbase that they have had it in order to avoid backlash (in both reputation and sales).

While I am just speculating, everyday that we go without seeing a patch the more true I see this. This just shows lack of professionalism. As I have said the releasing of unfinished games now seems like common practice. In some games lack of patching isn't uncommon. But never have I seen a game where the developers have promised something like this and not delivered for a month.

It seems CA has dug itself into a hole and is just digging itself deeper. If this is not the case, then hopefully they shut me up by releasing that patch.

Amen brother!

Agree totally on everything.

[Gelgoog]

well everyone talks about "oh how could they miss things like this in testings its so obvious". well my conspiracy theory goes like this. i think they saw all these bugs, they knew they were there, but the pressure to get the game to go gold and sent to the manufacturers so they could meet the deadline that the money men were pushing for. they probably figured, well we will have X amount of time from when we send it out to the manufacturers and release so hopefully we can get a patch together and fix in shortly after. but as the thread states, there are so many bugs and problems that they are swamped with trying to fix it, or pawn it off as a game mechanic ( *cough* cavalry charges *cough*).

its simple, these companies can get away with releasing a buggy game, because people will buy it, and complain after their money has left their wallet. were suckers plain and simple, the advertising made this game look like a whole new engine, all sparkling and crisp, and we are left with a RTW mod.

[sabremookie]

well everyone talks about "oh how could they miss things like this in testings its so obvious". well my conspiracy theory goes like this. i think they saw all these bugs, they knew they were there, but the pressure to get the game to go gold and sent to the manufacturers so they could meet the deadline that the money men were pushing for. they probably figured, well we will have X amount of time from when we send it out to the manufacturers and release so hopefully we can get a patch together and fix in shortly after. but as the thread states, there are so many bugs and problems that they are swamped with trying to fix it, or pawn it off as a game mechanic ( *cough* cavalry charges *cough*).

its simple, these companies can get away with releasing a buggy game, because people will buy it, and complain after their money has left their wallet. were suckers plain and simple, the advertising made this game look like a whole new engine, all sparkling and crisp, and we are left with a RTW mod.

I don't exactly agree with the conspiracy theory , but, and I hate to say it, I do feel kinda dumb having bought it early at 49.95, instead of waiting a few weeks til it was 39.95 like it is now

EDIT: and I don't like feeling dumb

[Lusted]

If this is not the case, then hopefully they shut me up by releasing that patch.

Oh how i would laugh if the patch came out tomorrow.

But yes it is sadly becoming more and more a trend amongst publishers to release games that are unfinished, even though the devs probably want to spend more time on them.

If they had the fix to the passive AI they would undoubtably release it now. I mean, they don't have to fix all 100 bugs in one patch.

Well judging from CA's paast record with patches they like to release fewer bigger patches than lots of smaller ones. They just decided to get more fixes into the first patch than just the passive ai bug fix as they likely realised that just that would not have satisifed anyone.

[VaultDweller]

Well judging from CA's paast record with patches they like to release fewer bigger patches than lots of smaller ones. They just decided to get more fixes into the first patch than just the passive ai bug fix as they likely realised that just that would not have satisifed anyone.

I agree with the first part of your post, but I'm not so sure on this one. They released, what, four patches for RTW? That's no record-breaker, but it is a fair number of patches. And how much did the initial 1.1 patch fix? It's been awhile and I didn't reference the patch notes to write this post, but if memory serves, it was just a couple multiplayer fixes and balancing of Elephant units.

[savage_rabbit]

Well judging from CA's paast record with patches they like to release fewer bigger patches than lots of smaller ones. They just decided to get more fixes into the first patch than just the passive ai bug fix as they likely realised that just that would not have satisifed anyone.

Does no one remember the initial hotfix from Rome?

[nameless]

Does no one remember the initial hotfix from Rome?

Damn it Savage rabbit didn't you get the memo? Your suppose to forget the good stuff and focus on the bad

[DarkKnight]

Damn it Savage rabbit didn't you get the memo? Your suppose to forget the good stuff and focus on the bad

The context of his post actually is focussing on the bad. He is comparing CA's record of the initial hotfix to the current situation. They claim to have had the hotfix for MTW2 since day 1, but unlike Rome, they aren't releasing it right away.

[nameless]

My bad

Well like they've already stated, they were going to release it but figured they might as well kill as many birds as they can with one stone.

Hopefully it'll be released this week as they stated that it was only a matter of days...wonder if that includes weekends...

I haven't played the game in a bit mainly because I figured the game would change to a certain degree when released (couldn't resist the $45 dollars though so I had to buy it). Have you seen Supreme commander Beta? Their freakin 4-5th patch is 400mb It's so much different than when it first came out I've stopped playing it now because it keeps changing.

[Mojo582]

It seems to me after browseing this thread that along with other people who have always enjoyed the TW series that we feel mostly let down by CA because they fibbed to us about the improvements made to the "expansion" on the RTW engine,this has most definitely left me with a very real feeling that anything CA comes out with in future i will surely never beleive their "hype" again over any new releases,im currently looking for new games that will fill the gap that i feel CA have never taken liberty to address and not so much a matter of money but a waste of hard drive space i judge future choices of my own entertainment.

[ConstantineVII]

Oh how i would laugh if the patch came out tomorrow.
.

They didn't ... So I won't have to eat my hat

[Idwayreth]

Well my opinion of CA has been going downhill ever since RTW came out. They just dont listen to their customer base that's the bottom line of it all. How many people have complained about their AI and yet we keep getting the same low calibre effort over and over again with every release.

They give us superficial upgrades like castle/city, merchants, New World and graphical upgrades which btw aside from the graphics upgrade any of the talented mod team can do as the numerous RTW mods have proven, like Zone of Recruitments, bigger maps, generals and promortions, etc. But the core problems and concerns of the game never get addressed. I dont expect anything from this company at all, they've proven that to me over and over since RTW.

[Giantsfan24]

Now I want the patch as much as anyone andI can completely understand your frustration. I totally woke up this morning, went to school, and came home hoping to see the patch release. But even though I really want the patch, it does me no good(or anyone) to feel sorry for myself(and I'm not saying you are btw).

Should they have waited prolly a month more to release the game? Yes
If they did have the passive ai bug hotfix on day 1, should they have released it? Yes
Should they have had more communication before that blog last friday? Yes
Is my faith in CA shaken? Nope

CA unfortunately does not distribute their own games. Sega does. Now Sega runs a business and to them it looks better to have a solid month of pre christmas buying time for a major game like this. Unfortuneately this is just the way the CPU game industry is. Since Devs and Publishers know patches can be released, they might see this as an out to release the game a little earlier then they would like to.

Trust me, I am not a CA fan boy but as hard as it is to wait, I find the alternative lacking and unproductive so I wake up in the morning, hoping for a patch, but still understanding the non release of one.

[Covert22]

Its true CA has little to be proud of right now.

If you ever have played Gal Civ II that dev group seems to be the best ive seen yet.

No copy protection, constant patching and community involvement.

In all honesty CA is about as bad as EA at this point...

pathetic.

[Turkeys!]

Its true CA has little to be proud of right now.

If you ever have played Gal Civ II that dev group seems to be the best ive seen yet.

No copy protection, constant patching and community involvement.

In all honesty CA is about as bad as EA at this point...

pathetic.

Wow wow wow its one thing saying ca is bad but comparing it to ea is just......eww

[Remo]

Wow wow wow its one thing saying ca is bad but comparing it to ea is just......eww

I agree, CA might be in a slump right now, but they are in NO WAY as bad as those "Gaming Nazis" EA.

CA just needs to pull their heads out of their asses and git 'r done.

[Giantsfan24]

Its true CA has little to be proud of right now.

If you ever have played Gal Civ II that dev group seems to be the best ive seen yet.

No copy protection, constant patching and community involvement.

In all honesty CA is about as bad as EA at this point...

pathetic.

From what i have heard of EA, i think thats a little harsh but I agree 100 PERCENT on Gal Civ 2. They release small patches. They have entire forums set up to report bugs and the devs are always asking for more help and responding to players.

But remember the downside to no copy protection. You cant resell your game(trust me i know)

I think as long as devs are honest with the public, they are much more forgiving. The two weeks of silence really hurt CA because it was like they didnt care. We put breakfast on their table. I do agree that the least they could do is post every fews days with updates(good or bad).

[VaultDweller]

In all honesty CA is about as bad as EA at this point...

pathetic.

No they aren't.

EA is primarily a publisher that just happens to own some game studios. They get to call the shots on everything they do, and the shots they call are bad for the consumer.

CA is not a publisher, and they are not calling all their shots. That's Sega's business and was Activision's in the past.

Even if CA was holding the reins exclusively, they still wouldn't be able to hold a candle to EA. I think that when EA's games are getting close to release candidate status, the executives ask their devs, "OK, tell me every single element of the game that we can possibly strip out while still having code that will run. Yeah, I don't care if it's essential to gameplay, just tell me if it's required to execute the game. Good. Remove all of that, we'll sell it back to the customers later."

Also, to paraphrase Jerry Holkins (from Penny-Arcade): EA prefers to release new games in lieu of fixing their existing ones.

[The Thracian]

Its true CA has little to be proud of right now.

If you ever have played Gal Civ II that dev group seems to be the best ive seen yet.

No copy protection, constant patching and community involvement.

In all honesty CA is about as bad as EA at this point...

pathetic.

CA Are many times better then EA In player service. Still not that great though