To Frontier: If it comes to it, please push back the release date...would you?

[Philip Coutts]

I think the sad thing is Frontier went the route of the Kickstarter to avoid dealing with a publisher, so they could make the game they wanted and not be hassled into an early release of a bug ridden half finished game. Sadly it looks like Frontier will release a half finished game presumably because the money has run out. The question I am left asking is has the Kickstarter model really produced a better game than going down the traditional publisher route? Sadly at this moment in time I don't think it has.

Don't get me wrong I love ED but what we seem to have at the moment is the original Elite with extra ships and better graphics and that's great but we need all the DDF stuff added in as soon as possible to really make this an outstanding game. I know Frontier will continue to add stuff in but I do wonder if a lot of people will be put off right at the start. Meh, I'm tired and grumpy, time for a nap or something.

 

[Agony_Aunt]

presumably because the money has run out.

That is highly unlikely.

As unlikely as them actually delaying release until after Christmas. There is no way they are going to miss that. And that has nothing to do with publisher pressure, its basic sales strategy. If they wait until after christmas then they would have to release at a price to compete with January sales, which would be bad for everyone and generate a lot less revenue, which would mean less money for future expansions and development.

They have to release soon.

 

[gazzareth]

There is no chance they will stop the release, but bear in mind that they are in full bug squashing mode not adding features and FD seem to have a work ethic for that like no other - look at the patch notes we get for major updates if you don't believe me. That said they have also said that ED is a platform they intend to build on, so "release" is just the start of it.

G

 

[Dai]

I don't imagine they will delay now, it is a firm date, so no point in pushing for it.

I would also say that my experience is that the game is easily releasable at this point and see no reason to delay. the few missing features do not seriously impact the game and can be added later.