Publishers Don't Mind PS3 Delay [Archive]

BenN1ce

03-18-2006, 08:40 AM

Japanese game publishers are happy with the news of PS3's confirmed release date. (http://www.gamespot.com/news/6146134.html)

Konami: "It's very good that the release period has been clarified. It's important to release a console at the right timing when everything is prepared. We hope that the PS3 will expand progressively through the market. In terms of our development schedule, we think that the delay will give us enough time to make sure we deliver better quality in our games."

Square Enix: "It's being reported as a 'delay,' but the PS3's previously unknown release period has finally become clear, and we are very glad to hear it."

Capcom: "The hardware's release period has been set, so we will be throwing in our full effort to develop good games for it."

Koei: "It will be a major delay, but now that the release date has been decided, we can target it and make work on further quality improvements. We would like to polish up our products so that they will take full advantage of the PS3."

Bandai: "We are fundamentally receiving the PS3's delay announcement with a favorable view. Titles for the PS3 are currently in development."

Mason

03-18-2006, 09:57 AM

Umm...this mainly sounds like a positive reaction to finally having a release date set. And if we're applauding that, expectations are located somewhere just outside the Earth's molten core.

This is actually pretty scary, I'd assumed before that Sony had been more forthcoming with the major studios about how things would unfold.

NoName

03-18-2006, 10:00 AM

This is actually pretty scary, I'd assumed before that Sony had been more forthcoming with the major studios about how things would unfold.
You would think, wouldn't you? Maybe they didn't trust the developers not to lead information?

Jengaaa

03-18-2006, 10:19 AM

I'm glad that I'll have more polished games on the off-chance that I do get a PS3, though.

Yup.

Kefkataran

03-18-2006, 10:22 AM

Regardless of these reactions, it's got to be damned good news for Sony to be hearing that some of these bigshot developers are still going to be backing them for now.

Megalith

03-18-2006, 10:28 AM

Capcom: "The hardware's release period has been set, so we will be throwing in our full effort to develop good games for it."

::same old Morrigan sprite::

Mason

03-18-2006, 10:29 AM

You would think, wouldn't you? Maybe they didn't trust the developers not to lead information?
It's probably more likely that they weren't willing to admit the problem to themselves until pretty recently. We kept on getting "Spring '06" confirmations until just a short while ago, and I'd like to believe that Sony wouldn't flat-out lie about a release date that they knew they couldn't meet.

It'd put a smile on my face to see the title of the post changed to more accurately reflect the quotes. 3 of the 5 are basically saying that they are glad to now have a release date to target, not that the timing of that release date is particularly wonderful for them.

Like I said, the bigger story here would seem to be that these studios are broadly saying that there had been no actual release date before the recent announcement, and thus the term "delay" is a misperception. This wasn't what Sony was telling the gaming press, we all heard plenty of times that the worldwide launch was on schedule for Spring '06. A curious disparity?

rein

03-18-2006, 10:31 AM

This is actually pretty scary, I'd assumed before that Sony had been more forthcoming with the major studios about how things would unfold.

It sounds to me like the studios understood that there was no solid release date.

ChaosDent

03-18-2006, 10:36 AM

These are all well established Japanese publishers, as far as their home market is concerned the PS3 is the most anticipated console machine, and the Xbox 360 may as well not exist. Of course they are going to support the PS3. I'd project that American and European publishers would have very similar views on the date announcement, as for them "Spring 2006" was not even a possibility. November 2006 is on target for America and ahead of schedule for Europe compared with previous expectations.

devicelimit

03-18-2006, 10:38 AM

What do any of the American or European devs have to say about it?

rjcc

03-18-2006, 10:39 AM

Grimmjow

03-18-2006, 10:45 AM

seems like they all had sumthing good to say

Kelegacy

03-18-2006, 11:16 AM

Regardless of these reactions, it's got to be damned good news for Sony to be hearing that some of these bigshot developers are still going to be backing them for now.
Agreed. Whenever the system is released here, I have faith that it will offer just as many great games as the PS2 did this era...but probably MUCH better now that the hardware is able to produce some more polish. Imagine a game like Shadow of the Colossus in the PS3 era. I think my penis would try to squeeze itself inside the console.

Kefkataran

03-18-2006, 11:37 AM

think my penis would try to squeeze itself inside the console.

Yeah, think. SURE.

EGO

03-18-2006, 12:11 PM

I don't think we'll get any more "polished' games than any other launch, unless we're talking about a port or a switch from X360 to PS3. Seriously, they're just now getting dev kits to devs and expect anything other than crap games? Of course they delayed! They didn't want to have a Nintendo-like launch with only a couple of 1st party games and despite what fanboys say, X360's launch has done well! :p

AspectVoid

03-18-2006, 12:21 PM

This wasn't what Sony was telling the gaming press, we all heard plenty of times that the worldwide launch was on schedule for Spring '06. A curious disparity?

Actually, that statement is wrong. All that Sony had been pushing was a Spring '06 JAPAN launch. They said nothing about a world wide launch, and most places were speculating US in Nov of '06 and Europe in Spring '07. Since I was already expecting a Nov '06 launch for the PS3 here in the US, this really doesn't effect me at all.

RMan

03-18-2006, 12:23 PM

Seriously, they're just now getting dev kits to devs and expect anything other than crap games?
I certainly could be wrong, but didn't the 360 get their final dev kits pretty darn late? I think what really matters is how much different the "final" dev kits or release hardware is from what they've been working with. I'm sure most of them have been designing under the system's abilities to get a little wiggle room; unless there's a big difference in the kits, I doubt it'd affect games much.

bapenguin

03-18-2006, 12:26 PM

Pretty amazing to hear Sony even kept the developers in the dark on the whole thing.

BlindSwordsman

03-18-2006, 12:42 PM

Pretty amazing to hear Sony even kept the developers in the dark on the whole thing.

Developers have never been in the dark - they have the hardware. It just doesnt make any sense to say anything.

Grimmjow

03-18-2006, 12:45 PM

I certainly could be wrong, but didn't the 360 get their final dev kits pretty darn late? I think what really matters is how much different the "final" dev kits or release hardware is from what they've been working with. I'm sure most of them have been designing under the system's abilities to get a little wiggle room; unless there's a big difference in the kits, I doubt it'd affect games much.

Yeah they were late, we didnt get ours for a LONG time and alto of them were clocked @ 2.8ghz not 3.2

Grimmjow

03-18-2006, 12:46 PM

Actually, that statement is wrong. All that Sony had been pushing was a Spring '06 JAPAN launch. They said nothing about a world wide launch, and most places were speculating US in Nov of '06 and Europe in Spring '07. Since I was already expecting a Nov '06 launch for the PS3 here in the US, this really doesn't effect me at all.

i feel the same way you do, everyone was saying "PS3 launch in Spring of '06" i figured eh it will hit japan first then us later as usual

BlindSwordsman

03-18-2006, 12:48 PM

Actually, that statement is wrong. All that Sony had been pushing was a Spring '06 JAPAN launch. They said nothing about a world wide launch, and most places were speculating US in Nov of '06 and Europe in Spring '07. Since I was already expecting a Nov '06 launch for the PS3 here in the US, this really doesn't effect me at all.

They said world wide launch last year at E3 amoungst other things.

Suicidal ShiZuru

03-18-2006, 01:20 PM

Delays are pretty much always a good thing, aside from the wait of course.
So yay.

They said world wide launch last year at E3 amoungst other things.

I don't think they actually confirmed it as the date though, just speculation.

Nintendo Revolution

03-18-2006, 01:36 PM

All quotes from Japanese developers who look to support PS3 a lot stronger than the 360. Not suprised I am.

BlindSwordsman

03-18-2006, 01:36 PM

I don't think they actually confirmed it as the date though, just speculation.

They announced World Wide Launch Spring 06 @ E3 in their press conference.

Heretic Machine

03-18-2006, 02:25 PM

BenN1ce

03-18-2006, 02:41 PM

*ring ring*

Bandai: Hello?

Sony: Yo... this is Sony, bitch.

Bandai: Oh.. umm... heya. I heard you guys were having some trouble?

Sony: Trouble? No trouble here, and if anyone calls you're going to tell'em the same thing (if you know what's good for you).

Bandi: Er.... k!

*click*

LoL Bandai. I find it hard to believe they were even able to pull off this crappy demo

http://media.ps3.ign.com/media/748/748465/vid_1179287.html?mu=http%3A%2F%2Fxfersf05.ign.com% 2F%5E987625688%2Fmovies%2Fps3movies.ign.com%2Fdocr oot%2Fps3%2Fvideo%2Farticle%2F635%2F635525%2Fgunda mps3_072105_clip1_qthigh.mov%3Fposition%3Dfront

mister_slim

03-18-2006, 02:44 PM

How much of a delay is it, though? Japan gets it later than expect, NA around the time expected, and Europe earlier than expected. Doesn't really seem like a problem to me.

MasterEvilAce

03-18-2006, 03:23 PM

Publishers don't mind the PS3 delay because they don't have anything to fucking ship anyways. The final dev kits havn't been released yet.

Kelegacy

03-18-2006, 03:59 PM

How much of a delay is it, though? Japan gets it later than expect, NA around the time expected, and Europe earlier than expected. Doesn't really seem like a problem to me.
The Dreamcast has a pretty meaty headstart, too. I'm not comparing the 360 to the Dreamcast, nor am I saying it's another Saturn, but I AM saying that time means diddly, unless it's a large enough spread.

The 360 IS attractive to me right now, or at least it would be if I could fathom spending that much on the system, Oblivion, and whatever else I needed to have some fun with it. Cheaper than upgrading my PC, though, which I'm not going to do either.

What I really want to see is the PS3's online plan. The reason the 360 would have been much more attractive is the online system, unrivaled by the other consoles. I don't think the PS3's will be as robust, but I am excited Sony is thinking about the consumer here. Or covering their own asses. Makes no difference to me.

Competition is good for everyone.

rjcc

03-18-2006, 04:11 PM

Big cosign there kelegacy. IMO, sony is doing the things I hoped they would as far as the PS3 launch. Now, how well all that will work and what kind of gmaes we can expect is th question, but my 360 may be getting company this november (or I'll pre-order and ebay if I don't like the games).

easi

03-18-2006, 04:12 PM

What we need is a 'No Spin Zone' for console news.

Kefkataran

03-18-2006, 04:16 PM

What we need is a 'No Spin Zone' for console news.

Hahaha. Based off O'Reilly's I suppose? That would be great. A bunch of EvAv Microsoft-drones talking about how great Microsoft is and how much Sony sucks and Nintendo is for children while denying they have a bias and saying they report only the facts. Fantastic.

TrackZero

03-18-2006, 04:37 PM

Regardless of these reactions, it's got to be damned good news for Sony to be hearing that some of these bigshot developers are still going to be backing them for now.

Well, my thoughts are more that these Japanese developers are simply falling into line. You forget what a dominating force Sony is in their market. If they don't kiss up, it just means trouble for them down the road. I was far more surprised when some of them had been commenting that "the PS3 simply can't be released in March!", as they were doing something that may agitate the big S.

Magnanimous Gnome

03-18-2006, 04:37 PM

Hahaha. Based off O'Reilly's I suppose? That would be great. A bunch of EvAv Microsoft-drones talking about how great Microsoft is and how much Sony sucks and Nintendo is for children while denying they have a bias and saying they report only the facts. Fantastic.

What's wrong with Bill O'Reilly? No one else in the media tells it like it is.

bapenguin

03-18-2006, 04:49 PM

Developers have never been in the dark - they have the hardware. It just doesnt make any sense to say anything.

Umm...did you read the quotes? All of them had no idea what target date to shoot for. They were totally in the dark until this announcement.

Mason

03-18-2006, 06:18 PM

What's wrong with Bill O'Reilly? No one else in the media tells it like it is.
http://www.ce.jhu.edu/fferrante/blog/stephencolbert.jpg

Mason

03-18-2006, 06:21 PM

Umm...did you read the quotes? All of them had no idea what target date to shoot for. They were totally in the dark until this announcement.
Precisely, which leads back to my original statement. Only 2 of the quotes say anything close to "the delay is a good thing". All of them are simply praising the fact that there's now a vague launch to shoot for, and note that from their perspective, there is no "delay" because there was no original release date.

...which then leads us to ask why Sony was telling the gaming press "Spring '06" while telling their developers "nah, that's bullshit". That doesn't raise any eyebrows?

bean19

03-18-2006, 06:46 PM

What's wrong with Bill O'Reilly? No one else in the media tells it like it is.

Joke right?

http://www.newsday.com/news/opinion/ny-oppay084579189jan08,0,2658187.column?coll=ny-viewpoints-headlines

While his sexual harassment suit is fairly old news, he is one of the sensationalist spinmeisters on Fox News that have given the news station such a horrible reputation.

bean19

03-18-2006, 06:53 PM

Precisely, which leads back to my original statement. Only 2 of the quotes say anything close to "the delay is a good thing". All of them are simply praising the fact that there's now a vague launch to shoot for, and note that from their perspective, there is no "delay" because there was no original release date.

...which then leads us to ask why Sony was telling the gaming press "Spring '06" while telling their developers "nah, that's bullshit". That doesn't raise any eyebrows?

I think that Sony was probably giving everyone the same line of crap, but that the developers just discounted it as false the same way that the gaming press and most gamers discounted it.

Sony is a huge corporation and will have a PR department that knows how to control information. You don't do that by sharing it with a bunch of developers. Details are probably not even known to everyone in the Sony corporation (though I'm sure a lot of it can be pieced together by them).

Heretic Machine

03-18-2006, 07:01 PM

The Dreamcast has a pretty meaty headstart, too. I'm not comparing the 360 to the Dreamcast, nor am I saying it's another Saturn, but I AM saying that time means diddly, unless it's a large enough spread.

Quite honestly, as much as I like the Dreamcast, it felt more like a console coming in really late to the game rather than leading me into a new generation. Not because of the graphics (which were spectacular for the time), but possibly because of Sega's almost non-existent presence in the generation previous. I mean, the Saturn? I never even considered buying that damn thing.

In the case of Microsoft, they had a strong presence here in the states and in Europe, and they are coming out strong with the 360. I'd say that this situation, and the Dreamcast don't share any similarities beyond the superficial.

BlindSwordsman

03-18-2006, 07:55 PM

Umm...did you read the quotes? All of them had no idea what target date to shoot for. They were totally in the dark until this announcement.

LOL bap - I am a developer.

TrackZero

03-18-2006, 10:18 PM

LOL bap - I am a developer.

For the PS3?

QueeG-Servo

03-18-2006, 10:22 PM

Everybody new anything knew it wasn't coming out in spring, so for people in the know, the announcement is pretty anticlimactic. It's more a of a "phew, it didn't slip to 2007" sigh of relief if anything.

That's like me aiming a shotgun at my own crotch. But, while doing so, am saying "I will shoot that apple off that boy's head". When I finally get around to pulling the trigger, there are testicular pieces on the wall behind me.

Now, If this happended, would you be saying, "Phew, at least he didn't blow his head off".

Kefkataran

03-18-2006, 10:22 PM

Well, my thoughts are more that these Japanese developers are simply falling into line. You forget what a dominating force Sony is in their market. If they don't kiss up, it just means trouble for them down the road. I was far more surprised when some of them had been commenting that "the PS3 simply can't be released in March!", as they were doing something that may agitate the big S.

Even if it is Japanese devs falling in line, it's still a number of very high-quality devs who will definitely be supporting the PS3. The 'why' doesn't really matter when it comes to what's going to be released.

What's wrong with Bill O'Reilly? No one else in the media tells it like it is.

Hahahahaha. Oh boy. You get me every time with that.

TrackZero

03-19-2006, 12:05 AM

Even if it is Japanese devs falling in line, it's still a number of very high-quality devs who will definitely be supporting the PS3. The 'why' doesn't really matter when it comes to what's going to be released.

Well, we already knew all these developers would be supporting the PS3. I found this article just points out the obvious but tries to spin it as pro-Sony.

Dirty Harry

03-19-2006, 12:06 AM

LoL Bandai. I find it hard to believe they were even able to pull off this crappy demo

http://media.ps3.ign.com/media/748/748465/vid_1179287.html?mu=http%3A%2F%2Fxfersf05.ign.com% 2F%5E987625688%2Fmovies%2Fps3movies.ign.com%2Fdocr oot%2Fps3%2Fvideo%2Farticle%2F635%2F635525%2Fgunda mps3_072105_clip1_qthigh.mov%3Fposition%3Dfront
didnt bandai join with a game dev or house or something.

ruprect

03-19-2006, 01:33 AM

Secretly recorded publisher - "What? You want me to say its a good thing you delayed it and pretty much sentenced me to 6 months of low revenue? Read the script or else you say? I'm too deep in this to do anything but to eat your words? Is that a bat in your hands? Hey, you're the man, Ken. You've always delivered in the past exactly like you promised!"

"Point me to the publicist!!"

Kefkataran

03-19-2006, 01:53 AM

Well, we already knew all these developers would be supporting the PS3. I found this article just points out the obvious but tries to spin it as pro-Sony.

It is pro-Sony, regardless of whether or not it's obvious. Even if there was no question that these devs would be supporting PS3 (and you never know, they could always change their mind for some reason), it's good news for Sony that they are.

bean19

03-19-2006, 04:11 AM

It is pro-Sony, regardless of whether or not it's obvious. Even if there was no question that these devs would be supporting PS3 (and you never know, they could always change their mind for some reason), it's good news for Sony that they are.

Kefka - Like most companies that aren't directly owned by Microsoft or Sony, these developers/publishers are supporting both the X360 and the PS3.

Capcom - Resident Evil 5
Koei - Dynasty Warriors 5 Empires
Bandai - Zegapain Xor (X360)
Square Enix - Final Fantasy XI (X360) - No other titles for either system are announced yet.
Konami - Rumble Roses XX (X360 - probably will port to PS3 too) & MGS 4 (probably a PS3 exclusive). Konami does a lot of cross-platform stuff and quite a few exclusives with Sony. That's just how they roll, but I think we'll see more cross-platform stuff if the X360 does better this generation than it did in the last one.

bapenguin

03-19-2006, 05:13 AM

LOL bap - I am a developer.

Ok, so Sony told you guys to shoot for November? Or they told you guys to shoot for May? Or did they not tell you guys anything?

Magnanimous Gnome

03-19-2006, 08:28 AM

For the PS3?

I don't think Silicon Knights is doing any PS3 development. Denis Dyack (Blindswordsman) and co. are working on Too Human for the 360. I'm hoping that the game turns out well - it's one of the titles I am thinking about getting a 360 for. The game has been in development, or at least concept, for a long time now, but hopefully that won't lead to a less-than-stellar title as is often the case.

Square Enix - Final Fantasy XI (X360) - No other titles for either system are announced yet.

Actually Square announced Final Fantasy XIII for the PS3 quite some time ago, way before XII was even close to being completed. I wouldn't really count XI as being a very big deal whatsoever, since it's been out on PS2 (and PC) for a long time now. I doubt too many people will pick it up on the 360.

I was kidding about O'Reilly btw. ;)

Kefkataran

03-19-2006, 09:01 AM

Kefka - Like most companies that aren't directly owned by Microsoft or Sony, these developers/publishers are supporting both the X360 and the PS3.

I know. Never said anything opposite, did I? :)

That's just how they roll, but I think we'll see more cross-platform stuff if the X360 does better this generation than it did in the last one.

Yeah, I definitely think so as well, and I'm curious to see how it affects the dynamic this console generation.

I was kidding about O'Reilly btw.

Yeah, sure. Fascist.

bean19

03-19-2006, 10:18 AM

Actually Square announced Final Fantasy XIII for the PS3 quite some time ago, way before XII was even close to being completed. I wouldn't really count XI as being a very big deal whatsoever, since it's been out on PS2 (and PC) for a long time now. I doubt too many people will pick it up on the 360.

Uhm. . . They haven't decided whether to be multiplatform or not yet. (http://www.gamespot.com/ps3/rpg/finalfantasy/news.html?sid=6139901) We'll find out at E3.

TOKYO--In an interview with Reuters, Square Enix president Yoichi Wada disclosed that his company is considering releasing new installments of its Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest role-playing series on both the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. "We will decide by E3 in May [2006] as to whether to release them on both the PS3 and Xbox, or just one platform," Wada told Reuters.

Wonka

03-19-2006, 10:51 AM

This just in: people say positive thinga about the console that they are making a game for!

Coming up next: Most people root for their own team!

Zanzibar

03-19-2006, 11:19 AM

The Japanese developers get more time. The US developers got screwed.

US developers were counting on a Japan-first launch. That lets the hardware be finalized for a Japan launch, then the US companies have several months to work on improving graphics. No such luck - the delay in Japan means that they will continue to have the same ship date, but the finalized hardware and middleware toolsets will come late late late, giving them less time to tweak and tune.

The worldwide launch also means that publishers will have the same troubles that the X360 launch titles had - few PS3s sold means fewer games sold. They had hoped for a staggered launch so that the supply chain problems could be addressed before the US launch day, ensuring lots of systems available.

Mason

03-19-2006, 11:48 AM

Uhm. . . They haven't decided whether to be multiplatform or not yet. (http://www.gamespot.com/ps3/rpg/finalfantasy/news.html?sid=6139901) We'll find out at E3.
Yeah, the SqEn thing is definitely an under-discussed aspect of the console war. But like it or not, the console-leader baton has followed their games, and if they decide that the best way to target the US audience is to publish for the 360, it'll really blunt one of Sony's sharpest weapons.

Given that any PS3 exclusives will have to be relegated to the indefinite future, here's hoping for a lot of multiplatform announcements at E3. I think that the past few months have started to convince everyone that this generation will not be a carbon-copy of the last.

Mason

03-19-2006, 12:01 PM

I think that Sony was probably giving everyone the same line of crap, but that the developers just discounted it as false the same way that the gaming press and most gamers discounted it.
Personally, I have a problem with this line of thinking. It is ridiculous to let Sony's past credibility issues give them a license to mislead for all perpetuity.

Do we also forfeit our ability to get upset if Microsoft or Nintendo flat-out lie to us? If not, why the double standard?

Kefkataran

03-19-2006, 12:24 PM

US developers were counting on a Japan-first launch. That lets the hardware be finalized for a Japan launch, then the US companies have several months to work on improving graphics. No such luck - the delay in Japan means that they will continue to have the same ship date, but the finalized hardware and middleware toolsets will come late late late, giving them less time to tweak and tune.

The worldwide launch also means that publishers will have the same troubles that the X360 launch titles had - few PS3s sold means fewer games sold. They had hoped for a staggered launch so that the supply chain problems could be addressed before the US launch day, ensuring lots of systems available.

I thought sony's been saying worldwide launch for a while? Besides that, though, I agree with you -- a worldwide launch IS going to mean shortaghe problems. This doesn't bug me so much though, as I plan to get one first day and Ebay it. Mmm.

bean19

03-19-2006, 01:05 PM

Personally, I have a problem with this line of thinking. It is ridiculous to let Sony's past credibility issues give them a license to mislead for all perpetuity.

Do we also forfeit our ability to get upset if Microsoft or Nintendo flat-out lie to us? If not, why the double standard?

We don't get upset with Sony for lying because they are already not credible. The downside to this is that we simply don't believe them and won't until they start improving their credibility by sticking by their promises/hype.

Nintendo and Microsoft have the upside of being believed and the downside of having a negative reaction if they are caught in a lie.

TrackZero

03-19-2006, 05:03 PM

I don't think Silicon Knights is doing any PS3 development. Denis Dyack (Blindswordsman) and co. are working on Too Human for the 360. I'm hoping that the game turns out well - it's one of the titles I am thinking about getting a 360 for. The game has been in development, or at least concept, for a long time now, but hopefully that won't lead to a less-than-stellar title as is often the case.

He is? Nice, Silicon Knights is one of my fav development houses. I'm also waiting for Too Human with the proverbial bells on.