Why did they take a holiday break? Can't wrap my head around it.

Krighten

K
I know this may seem like trolling, but I swear it isn't. I'm legitimately curious with my own toes dipping into the industry.

If I just spent years developing a game (Most I've spent is a few months), kick-starters, a labor of passion and love, and finally made it to release and put it out in the world - the last thing I would do is take the holidays off. Most developers view that initial window as a crucial time to get into the community, provide feedback, address bugs, keep that first wave "hooked". I know the holidays are a time to spend with family and perhaps I understand having a day off, but a two-three week hiatus? If I was in that position, I'd have a heart attack. This isn't a criticism of a game nor a criticism of the developers, I'm just awe struck.
 

Dabba

Dabba
You American? The Euros seem to do a much better job of getting their priorities right. These guys have been killing themselves and been strangers to their families for the better part of 2 years. It was the Grade A, 100% right call to take some time with their families this Christmas.

They know they already have their first wave hooked, cuz we've been hooked since 1984.
 

Mephane

Mephane
Well, that initial window began with the start of gamma, which has been more than a month ago. I find they have well earned their break. :)
 

Zvanya

Z
Considering how smooth and free of technical trouble the release has been, I say they should take another two weeks off after New Years.

No not really!! I expect some major New Years content candy!
 

Krighten

K
deej said:
Most companies enforce 4 weeks off a year for employees.
FD is a company.
FD has employees.
Click to expand...

Yup, I'm American. Regardless of that 4 week policy, a company (especially a game development company) would never place those 2 weeks post launch.
I can't recall anytime a game development company took a hiatus immediately post launch, even in SP development. It's unheard of.

I'm not saying that ethically they don't deserve that time off, I just know if I was in their shoes, there's no way I could take that time off.
 

Alric

A
Well, obviously only the developers can answer that. I wouldn't have launched when they did.
But David Braben and Elite are as established as you can get in the gaming industry, and FD is far from a startup.. I guess they are in it for the long term and would prefer to have happy devs with time to recharge their batteries than get those extra hours in in the short term.

No doubt launch is very important.. but they did it and it went well. In this game a lot of the sales happened long before launch, and a lot of the work that keeps it going will be done long after.
 

Rockspider

R
A lot of company's shut down for 2 weeks over Christmas.
Whats the big deal ?
They still have staff on to monitor servers, forums etc
 

Assimilator1

Assimilator1
Yea I think they have earned at least a little break!

Btw, haven't at least some support staff been working over the xmas period? I seem to remember reading that......
 

Renso

Banned
Renso
I think they did the right thing. Basically as mentioned, getting their priorities straight. And two, demonstrating that they are more than just a company, they're people.
 

rupok

R
Some time off can do wonders for future work performance thats why. Its for everyone benefit. Ya sure we get no updates over the holidays but when they come back I am expecting they will be ready to work again at their max potential.
 

WalterHWhite

WalterHWhite
Perhaps there could have been slightly more content on release date, otherwise I think it's a big stretch to expect new stuff to happen so soon after release.

Other priorities, including ensuring what's already there works as expected.
 

Elenoe

E
why not? They are workers. Releasing product is exhausting. As developer I assure you I always look towards vacation when I'm overburning myself to perfect product before new version is released. I couldn't do that with knowing that it won't end.

It's release, followed by week or two waiting if any serious problem occurs and then I take off to releave the stress :) And it's holiday anyway.

Not sure where are you getting info but in my experience this is common behavior within indie developers as well (those communicate so one can know). They do it same way.

They will be back :)
 

Commander_Sonak

Commander_Sonak
We just had our largest sales year and have been working a lot of overtime and Saturdays. We are closed for two weeks so we can get a break. i'm sure the FDEVS have been working even longer hours. Not all Americans are the same.;)
 

Ozai

Ozai
I think waiting a couple weeks to see what happens is a good plan. People got to play the game over the holidays and Frontier gets a chance to see if things go ok with the release. If nothing crazy happens they can proceed with the plan. I don't think the changes to the game world are going to happen quickly. Slow and steady seems to win the race here.

Maybe they have nothing planned though and the game is finished.

Enjoy.
 

Joey Krypton

Joey Krypton
Krighten said:
Yup, I'm American. Regardless of that 4 week policy, a company (especially a game development company) would never place those 2 weeks post launch.
I can't recall anytime a game development company took a hiatus immediately post launch, even in SP development. It's unheard of.

I'm not saying that ethically they don't deserve that time off, I just know if I was in their shoes, there's no way I could take that time off.
Click to expand...

Well it wasn't immediate, they ran out several iterations post launch too :D ... Besides, have you ever worked on a game? It's even money that the devs were on the clock, 7 days a week, for 6-8 weeks before launch. You can do a sprint, but that's full-on red alert mode. It's simply not sustainable.
 
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