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Jumpgate Evolution Delayed
Perhaps emboldened by the similar setback to Champions Online, Jumpgate Evolution developer NetDevil has announced that the space MMO will not be released in June, as was originally planned. NetDevil's president, Scott Brown, said, "One of the things we've always promised is that we would not release an unfinished product, nor would we subject players to a sub-par experience. ... Jumpgate Evolution is nearly feature complete, but since entering the Friends & Family phase of testing we've been able to bring new eyes onto the game and get solid, crucial feedback from actual players and fans. Based on these results, it is clear that the product needs more time to meet its objectives. As an example, we have received and read lots of feedback regarding the instanced and public PvP systems. The feedback has been vital in helping us polish and improve this core feature of the game." A new release date has not yet been selected.
Provided this isn't just spin, and "it is clear that the product needs more time to meet its objectives" doesn't mean We Just Realised That This Game Really Sucks.... fine.
Better to get it right before it's released, there's enough shoddy games out there already.
Article says they are in their friends and family stage, which is essentially just end of alpha, pre beta stage. And they were going to release in June? I'm not sure who laid out milestones and delivery dates, but they seriously miscalculated the ammount of time necessary to bring a game from beta to polish. Good MMOs have taken at least 6 months to a year from a close beta to a successful launch. What the hell were they going to change in 2 months? What if one, or maybe two features needed redesigning? It's a good thing they are delaying it then.
... but can't say I'm not disappointed either. Rather anxious for this release. All I can say for certain is that I'm really hoping that it's a polished release... last thing we need is another Warhammer release. Amirite?
Anyone who's followed the MMO market for the past few years knows about Blizzard's "released when it's ready" policy, which guarantees the end product will be both fully featured and polished to a dazzling sheen. It's the reason Vivendi lets Blizzard do whatever they want with only minimal corporate guidance. The developers in Blizzard are the ones to set their schedule and if that means monstrously long development cycles, so be it. The end result is hundred million dollar franchises.
I've been looking forward to Jumpgate Evolution since I first learned about it. Having long been both an EVE and WoW player, my expectations are probably a bit on the high side. I've beta'd about two-thirds of all the MMOs that have come out and always observed a serious lack of polish crippling games with otherwise a lot of unrealized potential.
If ND is actually taking the time to polish the game and get it right like they claim they are, it's a smart move on their part. If they can assure a successful launch, they'll succeed where the vast majority of new entries to the MMO market have failed.
Can someone describe the game? I looked on the website, and it looks like it is like Eve for the more casual player.