What exactly happened to this game?

[Rise]

Taking a close look at this game reveals some interesting things.
Whoever plays Nier:Automata, they will instantly notice several things that seem rather odd for a triple A title of this caliber. I'm talking about the insane fluctation of quality. With the animations, story and combat so refined, how could for example the envirement look so terrible? How come the engine feels more unoptimized than anything else? And why are the textures all literally capped at PS2 level? (Compare it to some promotional screenshots and you'll see)
My guess is this game was rushed at a certain point, so the engine optimization could never happen, therefore the crew didn't even implement high-res textures for the game, nor could put in details such as digalogue at certain points, or NPC details.
However, I strive for an answer, and with that, I ask you all, what do you know? What exactly happened to this game?

[󠀡󠀡󠀡⁧⁧the.jester]

I'm not entirely sure what you are meaning here? It was never made as a AAA game. The game was actually made on quite a low budget and wasn't expected to sell particularly well, but ended up selling considerably more than was expected.

[Rise]

Originally posted by the.jester:

I'm not entirely sure what you are meaning here? It was never made as a AAA game. The game was actually made on quite a low budget and wasn't expected to sell particularly well, but ended up selling considerably more than was expected.

Okay, I never actually knew that. I saw Platinum, I saw Square Enix, I saw Yoko Taro, so I expected a rather large game... This already explains some things.

[󠀡󠀡󠀡⁧⁧the.jester]

Originally posted by Rise:

Originally posted by the.jester:

I'm not entirely sure what you are meaning here? It was never made as a AAA game. The game was actually made on quite a low budget and wasn't expected to sell particularly well, but ended up selling considerably more than was expected.

Okay, I never actually knew that. I saw Platinum, I saw Square Enix, I saw Yoko Taro, so I expected a rather large game... This already explains some things.

I don't think any of Yoko Taro's games have ever been made on a especially high budget, at least not the original Nier or Drakengard 3 (copy and paste enemies and locations galore!) weren't anyway. As you've noticed, you can see a number of places where funding was probably limited.

I could be wrong, but if I remember, Platinum Games was almost bankrupt, and the success of this game essentially saved them.

[Aemony]

Originally posted by the.jester:

Originally posted by Rise:

Okay, I never actually knew that. I saw Platinum, I saw Square Enix, I saw Yoko Taro, so I expected a rather large game... This already explains some things.

I don't think any of Yoko Taro's games have ever been made on a especially high budget, at least not the original Nier or Drakengard 3 (copy and paste enemies and locations galore!) weren't anyway. As you've noticed, you can see a number of places where funding was probably limited.

I could be wrong, but if I remember, Platinum Games was almost bankrupt, and the success of this game essentially saved them.

This is true. Platinum Games had hailed Yoko Taro and NieR:Automata as the game that saved their studio.

Nobody imagined the success the game would be. Expected sales figures was probably well below or around a million, as Yoko Taro’s previous games had sold. Only a single producer at Square Enix pushed for the game to be made, and SE didn’t bother to pay Platinum Games for more post-release support than two months. I believe the game was rushed as well and developed in a year and a half, or maybe two years, although I could be wrong on that point.

Even surrounding the DLC there was uncertainty whether it would even be allowed to be continued developed and released after the game itself had been released. Luckily the game sold well enough to facilitate the continued development and subsequent release of the DLC.

Thus the title is faaaaar from triple-A budgets. Neither Platinum Games or Yoko Taro have historically been responsible for triple-A productions either, but focused on creative and relatively niche products and new IPs.

Even Bayonetta 1 which shipped (not sold) 1.35 million copies over the first four months was said to have disappointing sales. It was also one of their most successful commercial products up until 2010.

[Rise]

Wow, ya'll. Thanks for the lore, I've been enlightened.

[Wicked Sick]

I also liked to read that. Thanks.

[Psyntifik]

I like to think this is what happens when a developer focuses on making a game good instead of just looking pretty.

I don't agree that this game isn't detailed in its dialogue or NPC's. Small details are bursting out the sides of this game.

[Exarch_Alpha]

Budget did mean that the flight suit sections were so meh. I think people dislike 9S in part because when you got to control him, you know how boring those parts are. Only 3 enemy types? Pffft.

Now, if it was similar to Star Fox... now that would be sweet.

[󠀡󠀡󠀡⁧⁧the.jester]

Originally posted by Psyntifik:

I like to think this is what happens when a developer focuses on making a game good instead of just looking pretty.

I don't agree that this game isn't detailed in its dialogue or NPC's. Small details are bursting out the sides of this game.

I don't think any one here has said that the dialogue or NPC's aren't detailed, and I'm sure most will agree with you that there are loads of small details throughout the game that are very good. Even after a couple of playthroughs, I have found things that have surprising and are a nice little touch in the game.

But with more money and time, things could have been improved, eg. addtional voices for more characters, more enemy variety, some better looking environments etc.

[Rise]

Originally posted by the.jester:

Originally posted by Psyntifik:

I like to think this is what happens when a developer focuses on making a game good instead of just looking pretty.

I don't agree that this game isn't detailed in its dialogue or NPC's. Small details are bursting out the sides of this game.

I don't think any one here has said that the dialogue or NPC's aren't detailed, and I'm sure most will agree with you that there are loads of small details throughout the game that are very good. Even after a couple of playthroughs, I have found things that have surprising and are a nice little touch in the game.

But with more money and time, things could have been improved, eg. addtional voices for more characters, more enemy variety, some better looking environments etc.

Yes, I must second on the details. I have a very keen eye for them, hidden mechanics and such, and honestly there are a lot of for example unexplained combo tricks, tiny enviremental details, effects...

[zhulq]

Yes, some of the details are amazing. I love to go to Copied City as 2B just to kick the small floating cubes before meeting the boss. Feels good to do it.....lol

[DOUBLE F]

first game tanked and this game was a "risk" of sorts

[lPaladinl]

Some parts of the game look great, other parts remind me of Capital Hill in Fallout 3.

I found most of the games environments very forgettable.