What is a realistic release date for SE5?

[Caduceus]

Most of these huge house developers seem to be under a huge amount of pressure to bring a game to shelves by a "release date" which has been set by someone in corporate management who sees a whole between ShootEmUp 3 and Armageddon RTS 8.

I feel sorry for those folks who live under their desks for three months trying to fix an unbelieveable amount of code and glitches before a they run out of time.

Then, I feel sorry for the consumers (especially the younger ones) who feel they got ripped off with an inferior product.

[Iron Giant]

I think at this point a few screenshots would be nice. We, the consumer(s) have come to understand that:

1. Features don't always make it into the final.

2. Screenshots generate debates and questions. Thats a big reason why we are all here. Adult debates and discussions.

3. Computer games get patched. Malfador has been better than most about fixing things and supporting the product long after most other programmers would have given up and moved on.

I really, really, really think we've all been good little boys and girls and I think a couple of screenshots will not tip the balance of power in our little galaxy

[Gandalf Parker]

A good programmer will NEVER consider themselves "done" with a game. It takes upper managment to say "its done enough" or they will lose the market momentum. I dont think we will see too much of a problem since there is no such thing as a "version 1" of SEV. Unless its a huge rewrite of SEIV it will follow the usual numbering scheme. Adding .01 for bug fixes, .1 for patches, 1.0 for upgrades, and if the changes are enough to make it seem like a whole new game then give it a new name. But it still would amount to being SEIV with major changes (Im hoping so anyway). So we should think of it as SEIV version 1000.

There are also excellent beta testers involved. My only worry there is.. we know how long it can take to finish a game in SEIV. Are they still finding/fixing things or are they having too much fun? (dont flame me, I was only half serious)

Gandalf Parker

[Xrati]

It's to bad we all have this "fast food" mentality. We want it and we want it now! Remember that "all GOOD things take time". so when SEV is released, it will be a game worth having. Until then, just play SEIV!

[Iron Giant]

Xrati said:
It's to bad we all have this "fast food" mentality. We want it and we want it now! Remember that "all GOOD things take time". so when SEV is released, it will be a game worth having. Until then, just play SEIV!

Well thats true. But having just gotten this game:

http://www.nexusthegame.com/index.ht...&fotopageid=12

SEIV is almost painfully old now. Last Saturday I spent the afternoon playing SEIV on a PIII 500 while playing Nexus at the same time on a newer PC on the right.

I still love SEIV, but after Nexus and the opening scene of Revenge of the Sith, it is desperatly in need of an update to keep up with my more graphical imagination.

[Alneyan]

Xrati said:
It's to bad we all have this "fast food" mentality. We want it and we want it now!

I'd be fine with a supermarket mentality myself, where buying a game is as easy as picking it up and checking out. International purchases, when without a credit card (I believe they aren't nearly as common here as they are in Canada or in the US), are not fun... or I just have a lot of trouble figuring out how it all works. Of course, there are also extras involved, so you will usually end up spending money on various fees than on the game, shipping delays are often in weeks... It's all so fun, really.

Of course, resellers help a lot, but they are few and far between (Shrapnel games have one in France). Hmm... have I been rambling again?

[atari_eric]

You've just spawned my new tagline.

Of course, I can imagine a Nike swoosh with a ship at the point, with the caption "Just Shoot It!"

[Atrocities]

Hey I just got word, SEV is going to be released on April 1st 2006.

[atari_eric]

Atrocities said:
Hey I just got word, SEV is going to be released on April 1st 2006.

Oh, you're funny.

[atari_eric]

Now you've made me do it.