Theory on why the release was so buggy

[ez42x10]

First, there's this (Quoted from CivFanatics.com)...

"Take-Two Games has pushed the release of Civilization IV up by a few weeks. This now means that the game will be released in late October. Likely October 24th. In Germany, the Release of the game will likely be on November 4th. Click here (from the official Take-Two website) and here to read more on this (from GameSpot)."

And then we have this...


Take-Two Acquires Firaxis Games

http://ir.take2games.com/ReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=178951

I can't help but wonder if the rush to release the game had something to do with the coming aquisition of Firaxis.

[LzPrst]

we know, this was on the 'poly newslist for civ4 a few weeks ago. and yes, its very likely, and yes, I consider it borderline unethical and yes, despite many userend problems, the game is incomplete. and this is the most likely reason why.

civmakers, this is the second time you've fouled your own nest...

[ez42x10]

Originally posted by LzPrst
we know, this was on the 'poly newslist for civ4 a few weeks ago.

in that case, my apologies for posting it again.

[SpartanLord]

My thoughts exactly - my feelings towards T2G have been cold for some time and this only makes my feelings more colder. Also there is the Xmas sales to think about that start in earnest at the beginning of November. It really helps to have the product on the shelf on 11/1.

[LzPrst]

actually, its no problem that you post it again. i think we should remind the civ community that many of their irritations from this game could have been prevented by a few more weeks of playtesting. a 95% finished game IS NOT ready for retail.

we should cry foul and demand that this greedy corporate behaviour cease.

has anyone considered starting a gamers union? like a labor union protecting our interests?

[ez42x10]

has anyone considered starting a gamers union? like a labor union protecting our interests?

haha - i can see it now. union busters sneaking into our houses and smashing our pcs.

[padillah]

Originally posted by LzPrst
... a 95% finished game IS NOT ready for retail....

Not to be argumentative but as a professional QA test lead, 85% of known critical bugs is all we are looking for to recommend a product for release.

Understand, this comes after as much beta testing as there was development. In other words, this should have gone through 85% of the configurations it was recommended for (it clearly did not, more than 15% of the market uses ATI cards), it should have gone through as many man-hours of testing as there were man-hours of development (it clearly did not since quite a few of these are quite normal bugs and are readily reproducable).

Like I said, not to be argumentative but, this release is more like 65% done.

Thankfully none of the really hideous stuff happens to me so... I don't have to care.

Tom P.

[padillah]

Originally posted by LzPrst
has anyone considered starting a gamers union? like a labor union protecting our interests?

There is one, it's called the ACLU. If we are getting ripped off that badly we have plenty of consumer groups to go to.

[wilebill2]

One would hope, the corporate matters being resolved, that they would now get back to Civ4. But I still do not know of any official word on a patch. Someone was told something in a phone conversation, or in email, but it was not official.

[LzPrst]

ACLU? never heard of it. besides, an international gamer organization wouldnt be a bad idea.

but its not the bugs that are the problem, they can patched. its the fact that the civilopedia is not completed and

[ez42x10]

there are a lot of consumer groups, but i don't think the ACLU would care at all. selling us bad software doesn't really fall under a violaton of our civil liberties.

[gdijedi7]

The ACLU is the American Civil Liberties Union, also known as the American Criminal Liars Union. Basically, if a thing is good for America and makes sense, the ACLU is opposed to it. They are basically Communist I think.

[Arrian]

@ gdijedi7. Nice right-wing rant. Let me introduce you to the off-topic forum, where you can rant and rave about the evil ACLU as much as you please...

-Arrian

[Gunter]

The pc game world have changed a lot in last years,money rules and now which is the best way to betatesting a games nowdays ?

Release it to the world and let , FOR FREE OF COURSE , customers betatesting the game.

First thousands copies sold finance the rest of support,that's the golden rule nowdays.

civ 1 times are gone, nowdays there is no room for anything except to maximise the profit and this way to act is the best way to maximise the profit.



Gunter

[padillah]

Originally posted by gdijedi7
The ACLU is the American Civil Liberties Union, also known as the American Criminal Liars Union. Basically, if a thing is good for America and makes sense, the ACLU is opposed to it. They are basically Communist I think.

No, no... don't hold back. Tell us how you really feel.

Tom P.