Why Are So Many Games Getting Delayed? [Not An Answer, Just A Question]

Krunal | August 05, 2007 | Other | Misc

Games have a tendancy to be set a release date, which is inevitably pushed back. This is true for both Metal Gear Solid 4 (which was set for release this year, and pushed back till next year) and GTA4 (which has been pushed from october to next year), among other titles which have been delayed.

Various reasons have come about as to why the games have gotten delayed, (GTA4 being delayed due to issues with the PS3 anyone...), and usually all the developers say is that they would rather ship a better game than an on-time game. With this happening to many games, it seems like the right thing to do, to question those games which ARE released on time. Are they compromising the game's quality just to get it released on time, and just before the holiday season.

Legendary Nintendo game designer Shigeru Miyamoto is generally credited with the quote that "A delayed game is eventually good. A bad game is bad forever."

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1 thumbs!
JJBDude | August 05, 2007

I don't think we'll ever know the truth behind the matters until the games are finally out and then the developers can speak about the past and it doesn't so much matter. I'm sure the majority of the cases are because they don't want to rush the game but there's a few iffy situations regarding a few games.
1 thumbs!
Krunal | August 05, 2007

I personally feel that some games ARE rushed, just to get the game to be released at the right time, which is generally before the Christmas season. Think of it this way, if a game is released during Christmas, some mother/father is bound to get the game for their kid. If however, they release that game during January, then no-parent is going to buy it that quickly, as if it's a holiday (unless their kid has a birthday) and even then, Kids will most likely be playing the games that they got for Christmas. Game Developers/Publishers know this, and so want to make the most money, which they can by releasing it during Christmas, so they try to rush through the game to make the most money... don't they?
- 1 thumbs!
  JJBDude | August 05, 2007
  
  What you have just said here Krunal is very true, however when I think about it what games that appeal directly to kids/teenagers on their Christmas holiday actually do get released Christmas time? The mad rush of games is always March and September to October in my experience.
1 thumbs!
Final Blade | August 05, 2007

I feel this is a good reason. Why rush to make games take your time to make it the best. Considering the GTA had some developmental problems for it. And MGS4 more time to better. This is not a bad thing its a good thing.
1 thumbs!
Lithorian | August 06, 2007

I think with games aimed at kids who probably don't have a lot of money to throw around, Krunal is very right. They'd rely on parents buying it for their kids, and are more likely to rush them. However when you get into games like GTA and MGS4, which are targeted at older teens and young adults who are more likely to buy most of their own games, it matters less, because they're going to buy it anyway, and the longer they delay it the more likely someone is to start saving up for it.
-1 thumbs!
sten mk II | August 06, 2007

It's because they try to make fan's happy with what they think is the "fastest way possible"... But then they realize that other games are coming out and they can have some serious competition so they end up extending it longer... Sometimes it's just the fact that they need more time.
-1 thumbs!
tidus04 | August 06, 2007

I personally would wait an extra year just so the game would be a better version... but what they are adding will have to be worth the wait. Graphics quality and that I will be more then happy to wait with.
0 thumbs!
sten mk II | August 09, 2007

MGS4's delay was kind of unsuspected. It always came out in November and now it's coming out in march. I hope it doesn't get set back again, that would really suck, but I guess Hideo needs the time.
0 thumbs!
Theory of Chaos | August 09, 2007

Those two are huge spartan kicks to the chest for Sony, as those were supposed to be the best two games of the holiday season. They'll recover, but hell, it pisses me off.