Crunchie44 wrote: ↑Wed May 31, 2023 8:07 amYa, but early access allows them to delay the v1 release indefinitely which is usually the case. If this was an alpha-beta route, then you could be optimistic of a console release soon. Early access is a worry for console players,looking like well into 2024 before they see it unfortunately.
Controlled pairs just confirmed it will be 2024 before v1 release unfortunately. Seems my fear about "early access" are confirmed.
Ah crap. That's disappointing for sure. Unfortunately, being the one in our group who took an early retirement, I'm usually the one who follows the news and gives them updates on game releases, dev progress, etc. on titles we're interested in.
I guess it will be about a year at least before we do see the game. ....the same year we are expecting some other anticipated titles to release on console although we thought SDiF would be first. I was really expecting a 2023 release (even if late) but I have to say , I'm really taken aback by the news of a 2024 timeframe.
optimise wrote: ↑Wed May 31, 2023 8:04 amThey have stated that PC and Console versions will be fully released at the same time in the FAQ, so I wouldn't expect anything similar to what happened with Sandstorm haha, plus they also got some builds of the game running on consoles in-studio which is good news for you guys.
What happened with Sandstorm was more of an outlier due to a variety of factors which all came together to result in an insanely delayed console release. NWI was over-ambitious and not experienced with UE when they started to work on that game & the console port itself was not even managed by them, instead being made by a different studio. SDIF appears to take a much better approach as they're building the two versions of the game alongside eachother and have taken concrete steps to making the console release a reality.
- optimise
Sandstorm is just one example. .....Bohemia Interactive is another and the list goes on. With BI though, they do tend include XB in their early access (e.g. DayZ, Reforger) so I guess there is that.
NWI used to be a good studio but yes, they were overly ambitious. The console release was delayed several times and they had to enlist the help of Black Tower Studio IIRC to get back on track. Unfortunately, that didn't pan out either as the game was delayed once again at the eleventh hour. ....then radio silence on the console front.
It wasn't until later we discovered NWI was acquired by Saber Interactive (who is part of the Embracer Group) and then the wait started all over again with a pitch about leveraging Saber's experience to help with console development.
The release fell short (of my expectations at least) although I could appreciate what was there. Unfortunately, features like the forced matchmaking for coop killed the one game mode we were looking forward to. The repetition of the maps, predictable AI, etc. also gave it a really short shelf life for us. All that waiting for what eventually felt like a mediocre experience. I also didn't like the attitude change within NWI and how they eventually disrespected the console segment of their fan / customer base.
Again, I want to reiterate that I do have more confidence in the devs handling SDiF but I also have to admit that this is certainly a blow that has dampened our excitement / anticipation of the game. ....I'm certainly more wary.
To bring up an earlier point.... I know Sony Interactive doesn't have an early access program (which is a bummer) but XB does. Although it would still mean a long wait for PS folks like me, an early release on XB would at least provide us a glimpse of just how well the game runs on console while still under development. It would also give us a cue as to how close a v1 release would be as we head toward 2024 in 7 months.
.....eek, saying "7 months" out loud didn't help.