"Console development continues behind the scenes with an Autumn release still on schedule"

[LeoBartlet]

This is a mid-size company, listed on the stock market, not some tiny start up. This is a development that they have been working on for a long time. I simply cannot believe that they do not know anything, and that there are no, even tentative plans for console, or any R&D results from test deployments to console. The lack of info simply suggests that there is only bad news looming that they don't want to share for fear of even more people walking away...

They most likely do know what their plans are for console but it is Frontier and they're notorious for keeping quiet right up until they're ready to announce something.

I will say though that the fact the community update is dropping on a Friday makes me think that it's gonna be bad news for some.

 

[Pigletslastand]

I mean..they knew Odyssey wasn't fit for release yet they shipped it anyway.

 

[LeoBartlet]

I mean..they knew Odyssey wasn't fit for release yet they shipped it anyway.

Perhaps its not something they wish to repeat

 

[Factabulous]

Perhaps its not something they wish to repeat

Oh, I wouldn't bet on that

Once the PC version is working better they will get on with the console version ... assuming nothing to the contrary gets announced ...

 

[Pigletslastand]

I was in no way arguing that they should re ship an unfinished game. Read again, I was agreeing with you on how they do things.

 

[LeoBartlet]

Oh, I wouldn't bet on that

I'm not.

Once the PC version is working better they will get on with the console version ... assuming nothing to the contrary gets announced ...

Most likely yes and its just a case of who gets invited on the party bus. My money is on ps4 and xbox being left at the stop.

 

[LeoBartlet]

I was in no way arguing that they should re ship an unfinished game. Read again, I was agreeing with you on how they do things.

Apologies im not used to people agreeing with me. It's quite unsettling.

 

[SCiARA]

Or that there is no news yet - because they're still working on the PC version. Could be that. Could be just what they said the issue is. Maybe.

again, if it was just that I'd say the majority of us would be settled
but it's not just them optimising, its adding further content and vehicle/s

 

[Pigletslastand]

The teams that are adding stuff aren't the ones that can make core development go faster as has been stated...

Where I do share your skepticism is that they will be able to introduce ANYTHING new without breaking the core coding of the game.. clipper ship kits anyone?

 

[SCiARA]

The teams that are adding stuff aren't the ones that can make core development go faster as has been stated...

i get that.

Where I do share your skepticism is that they will be able to introduce ANYTHING new without breaking the core coding of the game.. clipper ship kits anyone?

and this is the problem

so adding more stuff is both a kick in the balls and a further step away

 

[Agony_Aunt]

This is a mid-size company, listed on the stock market, not some tiny start up. This is a development that they have been working on for a long time. I simply cannot believe that they do not know anything, and that there are no, even tentative plans for console, or any R&D results from test deployments to console. The lack of info simply suggests that there is only bad news looming that they don't want to share for fear of even more people walking away...

Or, they are still working on it and simply still can't say. They don't want to say it won't happen until they are sure it won't happen and there is still a chance it will happen.

What should they say in that case. The only thing they can say is "We're still working on it"

 

[DazeDreamer]

They most likely do know what their plans are for console but it is Frontier and they're notorious for keeping quiet right up until they're ready to announce something.

I will say though that the fact the community update is dropping on a Friday makes me think that it's gonna be bad news for some.

I think I need more Coffee I'm agreeing with you on that one lol

 

[Exterminatus93]

I still reckon Q3 2022 for a console launch of Odyssey in some form of other, is the earliest best case scenario. They've proven over the last 12 months that they are not going to make a special effort to keep the console player-base engaged while we wait for an Odyssey that never starts.

We're invited to come along for the ride and watch streams of Odyssey content, without being able to engage with it.

Sat in the passenger seat waiting for our turn to drive...

It's a bit like watching Clarkson drive some obscure Alfa Romeo curioso-unicorn-mobile on Top Gear - except it's Zac and Bruce, with the occasional quip from Sally and Arthur back in the studio. Every Tuesday and Thursday.

I wouldn't mind, but at this rate by the time it comes to consoles, it'll be a stale affair that's lost its appeal and features Joey from Friends.

 

[MarcusLancaster]

Or, they are still working on it and simply still can't say. They don't want to say it won't happen until they are sure it won't happen and there is still a chance it will happen.

What should they say in that case. The only thing they can say is "We're still working on it"

Yes. So WHAT are they working on... give us some more granular detail. What are the current sticking points? Has anybody thrown a test deployment at a console? Is it being raised at weekly team meetings? Are any developers assigned to the transition? There's LOADS they could say, even without saying very much or giving anything away. This is not how customer service works - especially, when you have a loyal, invested customer base who are slowly drifting away...

 

[Agony_Aunt]

Yes. So WHAT are they working on... give us some more granular detail. What are the current sticking points? Has anybody thrown a test deployment at a console? Is it being raised at weekly team meetings? Are any developers assigned to the transition? There's LOADS they could say, even without saying very much or giving anything away. This is not how customer service works - especially, when you have a loyal, invested customer base who are slowly drifting away...

I think you're expecting too much from FD there.

All they can really say at the moment is they are working on it.

We know the sticking point, performance.
Has anyone thrown a test deployment at a console? Well, how else are they going to work on it?
Is it being raised at weekly meetings? Most definitely. Its a major issue for FD. Their share price will be affected by and positive/negative news. You bet your life its being discussed.
Are any developers assigned to the transition? A silly question, how else are they working on it?

The only way those answers would be different if FD were outright lying to us, and if they are, then any answer to those questions are worthless anyway.

This is not how customer service works

Have you tried asking for the manager? I know how customer service works. I've worked most of my career in service oriented and client facing roles

especially, when you have a loyal, invested customer base who are slowly drifting away...

All FD can do is work as hard as possible on a solution to consoles. Best they could do at the moment is repeatedly saying "Still working on it" until they have some actual news to deliver. Either people believe it and continue to hope for a solution or not. If they drift away, then they can always come back if FD do resolve this issue.

Its worth keeping mind mind FD are a public listed company and they can't go into their trials and tribulations with the process. CM's for example can't say "We've hit a really bad sticking point with console release. We're not sure if we can overcome it"

BOOM, share price drops.

That's not going to happen no matter how much you want it to.

 

[SasaThargoidsHunter]

I think you're expecting too much from FD there.

All they can really say at the moment is they are working on it.

We know the sticking point, performance.
Has anyone thrown a test deployment at a console? Well, how else are they going to work on it?
Is it being raised at weekly meetings? Most definitely. Its a major issue for FD. Their share price will be affected by and positive/negative news. You bet your life its being discussed.
Are any developers assigned to the transition? A silly question, how else are they working on it?

The only way those answers would be different if FD were outright lying to us, and if they are, then any answer to those questions are worthless anyway.



Have you tried asking for the manager? I know how customer service works. I've worked most of my career in service oriented and client facing roles



All FD can do is work as hard as possible on a solution to consoles. Best they could do at the moment is repeatedly saying "Still working on it" until they have some actual news to deliver. Either people believe it and continue to hope for a solution or not. If they drift away, then they can always come back if FD do resolve this issue.

Its worth keeping mind mind FD are a public listed company and they can't go into their trials and tribulations with the process. CM's for example can't say "We've hit a really bad sticking point with console release. We're not sure if we can overcome it"

BOOM, share price drops.

That's not going to happen no matter how much you want it to.

Any other company works with open communication and roadmaps, why Fdev shouldn’t, especially in relation to consoles? Remember they couldn’t confirm that the consoles are still planned.

so there is by fact a lack of communication, they knew it very well and the concerns are there.

 

[Agony_Aunt]

Any other company works with open communication and roadmaps, why Fdev shouldn’t, especially in relation to consoles? Remember they couldn’t confirm that the consoles are still planned.

so there is by fact a lack of communication, they knew it very well and the concerns are there.

Any other company? I can look at any other company and see them explaining their technical challenges?

[X] Doubt

Some companies are more open than others. Some can and do talk about technical challenges they are facing. Public listed companies tend to have to be more careful about what they say than other companies.

FD have been very open in the recent months, but they still have to tread carefully on what they do and don't say.

They know there are concerns among players, and they certainly share those concerns.

What they can't do is offer uncertain information to the playerbase that could affect investors, at least not before informing investors. That's a big no-no.

 

[MarcusLancaster]

What they can't do is offer uncertain information to the playerbase that could affect investors, at least not before informing investors. That's a big no-no.

That is very true.

But releasing an obviously unfinished product before financial year end simply to tick a box and satisfy the stock market regardless of the effect on the player base is okay I guess?

I think that does tell us who is more important in Fdev's eyes. And it ain't us :-(

 

[[Cancelled Consoleer] boppa_]

Odyssey was planned for more than 2 years, to deploy in December 2020, on both consoles and PC at the same time. When people say "Frontier don't know how much work is left, so they can't tell you", they're imagining a world without development lifecycles.

Of course a software development company has an estimate of the work remaining to deliver a console port of their flagship DLC, that they've worked on - at this stage - for at least 3 years.

Of course, a project manager has a milestone on his/her future timeline that delivers that work item in some form or other, and there is an estimated hours to complete metric alongside that milestone.

The decision to provide "no information" is a conscious one, and is likely informed by facts that console CMDRs may or may not like, once they are finally revealed.

They could quite easily offer an estimate, just like they are doing with Update 9's implementation date. They're choosing not to.

 

[Agony_Aunt]

But releasing an obviously unfinished product before financial year end simply to tick a box and satisfy the stock market regardless of the effect on the player base is okay I guess?

Nope, that was a giant boo-boo by FD. I think they might want to avoid making further mistakes and have learned a very important lesson