Is it moral to release a game knowing there will be patches?

CivCube · Dec 24, 2003

As everyone knows, there are problems with the new Conquests expansion in that the Forbidden Palace and other things are bugged.

The question is, should a company like Firaxis release a game that is bugged at the start and expect customers to keep updated with new patches to help fix known problems?

G-Man · Dec 24, 2003

Personnaly I don't think so. They shouldn't release unfinished products just like no one will think of selling a toy car without wheels and two weeks later send these wheels to anyone who bought it. Just remember that in here games don't sync with important holidays the way they are in other countries so we don't see this economic aspect of things.

Aphex_Twin · Dec 24, 2003

It's my personal belief that those who do that deserve to be burned at the stake :devil2: MUHAHAHAAAAACOUGHGOUGHDAMNPRETZEL!!!

thestonesfan · Dec 24, 2003

I really don't think it's a moral issue. It might be pretty stupid to release a game that doesn't work, but Conquests more or less works. The trick is keeping the customers happy so you keep their business, and I think that Firaxis doing a pretty good job of that.

Aphex_Twin · Dec 24, 2003

Firaxis are swindling their customers. They know there is no good competitor for Civ yet so they try to make the most with the least (quality).

thestonesfan · Dec 24, 2003

Huh? There are tons of competitors for Civ.

Wives, girlfriends, etc...

Colonel Kraken · Dec 24, 2003

The level of support we've received from these people has been unprecedented. The amount they pay attention to the forums and take the time to answer questions is phenomenal.

If they didn't have the game out, you'd be pissing and moaning they didn't have the game out yet! Which way do you want it?

cgannon64 · Dec 24, 2003

I think its fine to release a game knowing there are bugs. But if it is a huge, game-changing bug, like the FP not working, then I think they should delay the release and fix it.

Aphex_Twin · Dec 24, 2003

@CK - A reasonably good game, even if it's a bit later (6 months, 1 year). It takes time to bake a good cake.

thestonesfan · Dec 24, 2003

Well, the deal is that the people who decide when to release it aren't the people who do the coding.

Shadylookin · Dec 24, 2003

i think it's wrong, not everone has internet that buys games. And some of those patches would take someone on dial up hours to download

Colonel Kraken · Dec 24, 2003

Originally posted by Shadylookin
i think it's wrong, not everone has internet that buys games. And some of those patches would take someone on dial up hours to download

Well, now, that IS a valid point. I must admit that I was a bit miffed when I saw the patch was 14.8MB! :eek:

Hokey pete! That's not very nice.

CivCube · Dec 24, 2003

'Course, it's still a beta patch; one doesn't need to download it yet. On the other hand, think of what size it will be for the real one. :eek:

Aphex_Twin · Dec 24, 2003

Originally posted by CivCube
'Course, it's still a beta patch; one doesn't need to download it yet. On the other hand, think of what size it will be for the real one.

Beta Patch says it all :mad:

Will we need a patch for that patch also?

G-Man · Dec 24, 2003

Another thing - Once they make a patch they should add it to all game copies sold. Either on the same CD or on an additional CD.

CivCube · Dec 24, 2003

It's a "test" patch for those who want it. The "real" patch won't be out until Q2 2004.

Perfection · Dec 24, 2003

It's not wrong just poor business practices, after dealing with all futzy problems with PTW I no longer play Civ 3, and so I'm not going to buy Conquests and that means whatever company owns it (Firixis, Microprose, Infogrammes, atari, whatever) ain't get my money.

Civrules · Dec 24, 2003

Knowing that almost every game has patches there is no need to wait until it is perfect. Computer games can never, never be perfect. There are always things to fix.

Companies release games when they are pretty sure everything is ok (but still knowing that problems will arise).
Unfortunately, Firaxis and BreakAway Games did not make sure everything was ok because when C3C was released as many know, it had a lot of major bugs like the FP bug, GPT bug, etc...

Xen · Dec 24, 2003

first off let me say that I ma a very casual civ3 player, I generally play a game once or twice, and only for fun- in other words I kepe the game at a low difficulty, as I dont really want a challenge,as all the high difficulties do is just annoy the hell out me as they up production so muc fo rthe AI... just an enjoyable time, that said, I really dont care if some of the stuff is buggy unles sit effects my entire computer- sure some of it is annoying, but none of it realyl ruins my day

as for civ competitos- yes, there are plenty of other games, as for the Stonesfans suggestion of girls and such, there is no competition- I would take a nice girl anyday

thestonesfan · Dec 24, 2003

Much as I love my wife, women simply do not provide the mental stimulation that computer games do.

Is it moral to release a game knowing there will be patches?

Spicy.

A One Man's War

Evergreen

A Client of Ron Kuby

Evergreen

A Client of Ron Kuby

Deity

BOB DYLAN'S ROCKIN OUT!

Evergreen

A Client of Ron Kuby

master debater

Deity

Spicy.

Evergreen

A One Man's War

Spicy.

The Great Head.

We the People

Magister

A Client of Ron Kuby

Similar threads