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

[G-Man]

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

Look at it from their point of view - we men don't provide the mental stimulation of an arcade game...

 

[thestonesfan]

Or shopping...

 

[MarineCorps]

Is it moral? I have no clue. But is it a good idea? It depends upon how buggy it is: If it's so buggy that you can't play the game without it crashing every 5 seconds, then no it is not right. If the game has relitivly few bugs that are not huge and major and don't crash the game, then thats ok with me so long as the company plans to fix those issues soon. I have a friend who is making a mod, he is refusing to release it till it has been playtested till the end and almost all the bug's have been found and squashed, because he hates it when game companies release games before their ready.

 

[Knight-Dragon]

PS2 or other console games don't need no patch...

 

[zulu9812]

I remember hearing that Firaxis released PTW with the first patch already made up and ready to be released online

 

[CellarDweller22]

Originally posted by G-Man
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.

Actually, when I purchased Civ III (GOTY) last December, it WAS the 1.29f version.

As far as release dates, I have yet to purchase a software package in the 3rd millenium that did NOT have patches and updates that were required to be downloaded. ESPECIALLY Microsoft Office..... And I for one am GLAD that they keep patching the game.... sometimes modifying the game per suggestions seen on these boards! At least they have shown that they care about their fan base....

-- From The Cellar

 

[G-Man]

Originally posted by CellarDweller22


Actually, when I purchased Civ III (GOTY) last December, it WAS the 1.29f version.

Really? thumbs up then to firaxis (or whoever is responsible for it)! I don't remember ever buying a program that was alreay patched... Though I admit that recently, due to lack in both time and money, I haven't been buying or playing many games.

 

[Speedo]

Er, if you wait until a game is COMPLETELY finished, no one will ever get the game. I can't think of any major game ever to (over the course of time while it's dev team supported it) be 100% finished and bug free. It's almost impossible.

 

[G-Man]

I can accept patches of problems found after the game was released or patches done to fix a problem only very few players have, but too many games are released when they're so full of bugs that it's immpossible for the developers not to notice it and it's now nearly immpossible for people to play this game.

 

[Knowze Gungk]

I think the patching system is the best way to relese games. It improves already great games.

 

[Aramazd]

It's only immorral if the patches cost money