September release- not likely?

Puke · #1 August 24th, 2006, 01:00 AM

commercial games publicize their release dates to their distributors, retail stores, etc. the info is sent out to magazines, news sites, fan sites, etc. they have a great deal to lose if they miss a date, because the distributors, retail stores, etc. are doing their own advertising and are prepping shelf-space and pressuring the company to get it out on time.

and vast numbers of those games still slip on their dates.

SFI is a relatively small company that does all their own distribution, and only rates a couple slots on the bottom shelves at a few retail outlets. And as far as I know, they only mentioned the relase date (idly, in passing) in one short press blurb.

I think they have almost nothing to lose by letting it slip, as they were probably planing to lead with a steam release and then schedule their shelf space AFTER they had CDs on the way to be mastered and pressed.

So while it would be really great to have a mostly-complete semi-buggy release on target (because then we could all start playing the game while the patches came out), I wouldnt be supprised at all if it slipped a little.

Atrocities · #2 August 24th, 2006, 01:48 AM

Too bad SFI cannot attrack some main stream game developers to their name. I was watching MAD MONEY today, an NBC stock market show, and they stated that investing in game companies, tech, and consule companies is a very bad investment since the gaming industry has been performing horribly in recent quarters and that they predict a total collapse soon. WTF?

EA games is doing well despite the law suits, and Microsoft, ubisoft, and even Midway games are all doing well. Nintendo is doing well, as is Sony and even Atari. So where they get off saying that the gaming industry is dying I don't know. However it does beg the question that perhaps needs to be asked, is the gaming industry on the virge of a major down turn? I mean in recent years the games that have been released haven't been all that good, too heavily focused on eye candy and not substance as in the past. Quality is down across the board and costs are up. Hell we used to get nice manuals with our games, now all we get is a CD in a paper sleeve with some advertisment slips. They won't even spring for a jewel case or manual now. Even the box sizes have been reduce, albeit I think that that was a good idea.

They are scaling back E3 and many game developers are cutting jobs, advertisment, and dropping many titles that they have had in the works for some time all in an effort to slim down the bottom line and improve short term revenue.

I don't feel optomistic about the gaming industries future. With less and less orginal and inovative games being developed, and the utter extinction of small game developers like over the last decade, one cannot help but feel a bit depressed about the future of gaming in general.

While there is still hope, albeit slim, it is still hope that we might see some inovation and inspiring games in the future, but again my expectations are so low, they would have to work very hard indeed to dissappoint me.

Name four games, aside from SE V, that you are looking forward to being released in the next year. Just four, more if you have them, but four will do nicely.

1. Farcry 2 - Crysis
2. Star Trek Legacy (not really high hopes but some expectations)
3. Don't have one
4. Don't have one

Kamog · #3 August 24th, 2006, 02:40 AM

Yeah, September 12th is looking kind of unlikely. I don't expect to go to the local games store in September and buy a boxed SEV.

The "Winter 2006" date posted at the Malfador site is more realistic. I sure hope it comes out by Christmas, though. I'm going to have a week off work around Christmas so I'll have a chance to spend several solid days playing SEV. Then I have to go back to work and then I'll too busy to spend much time playing.

Gandalf Parker · #4 August 24th, 2006, 11:55 AM

Other than SEV? That makes it rough.
Obviously SEV would be #1 or #2.

1. Dominions 3
2. VGA Planets 4
3. Rising Star
4. hmmmm time to jump on the gaming sites I guess...

Gandalf Parker

Caduceus · #5 August 24th, 2006, 01:54 PM

1.) Dominions 3
2.) ... I'm actually at a loss. But I need to finish Freedom Force II and the main quest in Oblivion.

Puke · #6 August 24th, 2006, 04:24 PM

VGAP4.. heh. what a pipe dream. Might as well list Elite 3. Or Duke Nukem Forever, for that matter.

I'd say Gothic 3 is worth looking forward to.

Supreme Commander might be worthwile, if it breaks the traditional RTS mold.

Defcon looks promissing.

Panzer Command sounds like one of the best tactical armored warfare games yet.

Medieval 2 is just going to be the next in the Total War francise, but the features look innovative and I'm sure it will be enjoyable.

And those are just the ones I get from taking a glance at TacticularCancer. There is also the upcoming Fallout3 from Bethesda, and a load of games for the Wii that will use that sweet new controller.

You guys are so pessimistic.

Kana · #7 August 24th, 2006, 08:22 PM

Supreme Commander

Theater of War

To name two...

BF2142
Quake Wars
Medievel Total War 2

And many others...

I like the Company of Heroes Beta I've been trying...its an RTS, but a very cool visual, and semi-realistic one. I dont like RTS, because of two much going on, but it is very pretty and does all that it needs to do very well.

There are always going to be good games, either new and innovative, or some variation on a theme...