Important context surrounding FDev's decision to delay Odyssey - what's actually happening here in the UK

Status
Thread Closed: Not open for further replies.

StuartGT

StuartGT
I've seen a bunch of misinformed commentary and complaints about the delay to Elite Dangerous Odyssey (PC to May, consoles to Autumn/Fall), where CMDRs are mixing up timelines, or thinking "FDev should have known about the delays", or even thinking "COVID is an excuse".

So here's a timeframe of what I've seen happen, based on my knowledge of the disastrous situation here in the UK, and a few likely-valid assumptions about FDev.
  • 10th Dec 2020 = London and surrounding areas including Cambridge (FDev's studio location) are currently in Tier2 lockdown, which began just over two weeks earlier
  • 11th Dec 2020 = The Game Awards, during which new Odyssey trailer is released and PC pre-orders begin, including an Alpha option. Early 2021 launch window is given
  • 16th Dec 2020 = London and surrounding areas moved to Tier3 lockdown. Most FDev staff probably begin xmas & NY break?
  • 19th Dec 2020 = new more infectious variant of COVID19 has been rapidly spreading in UK over previous weeks
  • 21st Dec 2020 = most of the country moved to a new heavily restrictive Tier4 lockdown, effectively cancelling xmas for almost all families in an effort to safeguard lives
  • 4th Jan 2021 = most FDev staff return to dev work? Devs and their families make appropriate arrangements for Tier4 of work, education, care, etc.
  • 4th Jan 2021 = Meanwhile, a new new mega restrictive Tier 5 lockdown is being considered to safeguard human lives
  • 11th Jan 2021 = UK now has the highest number of infected per capita in the world, deaths continue rising
  • 13th Jan 2021 = Odyssey delayed, PC to May, consoles to Autumn, probably as a result of many meetings among devteams about their livelihoods, health, family arrangements etc, and what may happen under Tier5
I hope this will help make it clear and obvious why delaying Odyssey is by far the better option, as opposed to crunching devteams during a time of high risk to health & life just to release a game expansion sooner. But hey, that's just my opinion.

Stay safe everyone o7
 
Last edited:

Rat Catcher

Rat Catcher
You must know that someone is going to come along and mention that timescale only covers 6 weeks, blah, blah...?

These are very 'dark days' in the UK currently, call me a white knight or whatever, but I'm not bothered by a delay - more concerned that Frontier are being responsible with their most valuable assets and having them work from home, even if productivity isn't optimal.

If the Devs are accessing the Odyssey files from domestic broadband connections that alone will slow things considerably!
 

CNC drill press

C
No.
They sell and ask for money for not existing product.
And they started advertisement to spin the hype so they will get more preorders.
So please, dont be suprised that hyped ppl (otherwise they wouldnt preorder) are complaining for delay. Pandemy havent started week ago, they should take it into account when planning release.
Meaby they did. And underestimated.
Or considered that low probability and failed.

Obviously, when it comes to humans life all games in the world can wait. And should!
But I dont think justyfing them in such way so ppl wont complai is right thing to do. They accepted money, now they should accept complaints.
 

CMDR Serra

CMDR Serra
CNC drill press said:
No.
They sell and ask for money for not existing product.
And they started advertisement to spin the hype so they will get more preorders.
So please, dont be suprised that hyped ppl (otherwise they wouldnt preorder) are complaining for delay. Pandemy havent started week ago, they should take it into account when planning release.
Meaby they did. And underestimated.
Or considered that low probability and failed.

Obviously, when it comes to humans life all games in the world can wait. And should!
But I dont think justyfing them in such way so ppl wont complai is right thing to do. They accepted money, now they should accept complaints.
Click to expand...
They took my money. I gave it willingly.
I'll wait.
Ask for a refund if you want?
 

StuartGT

StuartGT
Agony_Aunt said:
Was speaking to my mum over christmas and she said they can't even go to the hairdresser!

And here we are in Russia, going to pubs and restaurants....

Crazy difference in attitudes by goverments.
Click to expand...
Crazy difference in numbers of infected and deaths too.
 

Speedcuffs

Speedcuffs
StuartGT said:
I've seen a bunch of misinformed commentary and complaints about the delay to Elite Dangerous Odyssey (PC to May, consoles to Autumn/Fall), where CMDRs are mixing up timelines, or thinking "FDev should have known about the delays", or even thinking "COVID is an excuse".

So here's a timeframe of what I've seen happen, based on my knowledge of the disastrous situation here in the UK, and a few likely-valid assumptions about FDev.
  • 10th Dec 2020 = London and surrounding areas including Cambridge (FDev's studio location) are in Tier2 lockdown, which began just over two weeks earlier
  • 11th Dec 2020 = The Game Awards, during which new Odyssey trailer is released and PC pre-orders begin, including an Alpha option. Early 2021 launch window is given
  • 14th Dec 2020 = new more infectious variant of COVID19 is detected in UK which is spreading faster
  • 17th Dec 2020 = London and surrounding areas moved to Tier3 lockdown. Most FDev staff probably begin xmas & NY break?
  • 23rd Dec 2020 = most of the country moved to a new heavily restrictive Tier4 lockdown, effectively cancelling xmas for almost all families in an effort to safeguard lives
  • 3rd Jan 2021 = most FDev staff return to dev work? Devs and their families make appropriate arrangements for Tier4 of work, education, care, etc
  • 4th Jan 2021 = a new new mega restrictive Tier 5 lockdown is being considered to safeguard human lives
  • 11th Jan 2021 = UK now has the highest number of infected per capita in the world, deaths continue rising
  • 13th Jan 2021 = Odyssey delayed, PC to May, consoles to Autumn, probably as a result of many meetings among devteams about their livelihoods, health, family arrangements etc, and what may happen under Tier5
I hope this will help make it clear and obvious why delaying Odyssey is by far the better option, as opposed to crunching devteams during a time of high risk to health & life just to release a game expansion sooner. But hey, that's just my opinion.

Stay safe everyone o7
Click to expand...
1/10. Needs more conspiracy theory.
 

Rochester

Rochester
Its to be expected considering what is currently happening, if they are able to launch as they've alluded I'd be surprised.

The reality concerning the current pandemic is we haven't seen the worst.

I wont go into my RL job but I am a key worker within 'contingency planning'. It was known back as November that the lock down would rollover into March or beyond - if people were compliant.

The problem is, people are not, which means the UK is at risk of continued lock down. I hope this is not the case, I hope FD place their employees safety above all else.

Personally I'm willing to wait.
 
Last edited:

Winterwalker

Winterwalker
CNC drill press said:
But I dont think justyfing them in such way so ppl wont complai is right thing to do. They accepted money, now they should accept complaints.
Click to expand...

There were no pre-orders on consoles anyway were there? not according to one month ago .. https://customersupport.frontier.co...Elite-Dangerous-Odyssey-Preorder-Information-

So as it was always likely console platters would be the last to "get to the Winchester" when the apoppylopaclypse happened, REMAIN INDOORS and meanwhile, PC users ...

Screenshot-2020-03-20-at-10.45.56-1024x416.png
 
Status
Thread Closed: Not open for further replies.
Back
Top Bottom