What us a reasonable time frame for a developer to finish missing core features in a game

[__++__==]

3 months? 6 months?

I wanted to vent my frustration and spark a discussion about a concerning trend I’ve noticed in the gaming industry. It seems like some game developers are releasing titles that lack essential features, yet they have no qualms about charging us the full price. This practice not only disappoints gamers but also undermines the trust we have in developers to deliver complete and polished experiences.

We’ve all been there, eagerly awaiting the release of a highly anticipated game, only to find that crucial features showcased in promotional materials or promised during development are missing or half-baked. It’s incredibly disheartening when you spend your hard-earned money on a product that fails to live up to expectations. It’s even more frustrating when the developers remain silent or offer vague promises about future updates that may or may not address the missing features.

I understand that game development is a complex process, and unexpected hurdles can arise along the way. Delays and unforeseen challenges are not uncommon, and as gamers, we should be patient and understanding. However, it becomes a different story when developers knowingly release games without fully completing the advertised features, banking on post-release updates to patch things up.

This practice is problematic for several reasons. First and foremost, it feels like a breach of trust between developers and their consumers. As gamers, we invest our time, money, and emotional energy into these experiences, and we expect the developers to hold up their end of the bargain by delivering a polished and complete game. When that trust is broken, it creates a sense of disappointment and betrayal.

Furthermore, charging the full price for an incomplete game sets a worrying precedent. It sends a message that it’s acceptable for developers to cut corners and prioritize profits over the satisfaction of their player base. It also puts pressure on consumers to be more cautious about their purchases, waiting for reviews or even delaying their decision to buy until they are confident that the game is truly worth their investment.

Now, I want to acknowledge that not all game developers engage in this practice. Many studios work tirelessly to deliver exceptional gaming experiences, going above and beyond to ensure their games are polished and feature-complete before releasing them. These developers deserve our support and recognition. However, it’s essential to call out those who take advantage of their loyal fan base and fail to meet the expectations they set.

As consumers, we have a collective voice that can influence change. By expressing our concerns and holding developers accountable for their actions, we can encourage a more transparent and customer-oriented approach to game development. We should advocate for clearer communication from developers, with honest discussions about the state of the game, potential delays, and realistic release dates. We should also support developers who prioritize quality over rushing to meet arbitrary deadlines.

In conclusion, it’s disheartening to see some game developers releasing titles without completing the advertised features but still charging the full price. This practice damages the relationship between developers and gamers and erodes trust within the industry. As gamers, let’s voice our concerns and push for greater transparency and accountability from developers, ultimately fostering an environment where we can enjoy fully realized gaming experiences.

What are your thoughts on this issue? Have you experienced similar disappointments? How do you think we can encourage developers to prioritize delivering complete games? Let’s discuss!

[ShadowShifterMarlith]

Right away, if not 2 to 3 months of release seems reasonable to me.


Lets put it this way, I only give Video Games roughly around a Year & a Half,
before I move onto the next Video Game. If your Game isn't finished by then,
that means i'm leaving an unfinished Game behind & don't care about it anymore.

If this is the case, i'll give it a horrible Review.
That is if I even bother to buy the Game at all.

Major Triple AAA Companies have lately been taking a full Year to a Year & a Half
to implement these Updates that provide your missing core features we want so bad.

That is way too long of a wait.

[peppermint hollows]

Ideally a game should be finished and polished day 1 of launch, even a day 1 patch is fine with me if necessary. But anything more than that and I get annoyed, if there are genuinely promised features which are missing at launched. But do you really need to keep making threads about presumably the same exact thing?

[Aachen]

I buy a game when I’m happy with what I’m getting — if features aren’t wholly functional or complete, I’ll be prepared to shelve it and revisit later. I’ve got plenty to keep me occupied.

[Paratech2008]

There is absolutely no reason to pre order or buy a game day one.

You get the buggiest version of a game with maybe an insignificant discount and if you buy it from say Fanatical or Humble and the game is jarate, there's no refund option.

The last games I paid full price for preorder was Capcom fighting collection, Chrono Cross, Persona 4 the fighting game and before that Sonic Mania.

[rawWwRrr]

They can't charge you full price for an incomplete game if you aren't willing to pay full price for incomplete games.

[ShadowShifterMarlith]

Originally posted by peppermint hollows:

Ideally a game should be finished and polished day 1 of launch, even a day 1 patch is fine with me if necessary. But anything more than that and I get annoyed, if there are genuinely promised features which are missing at launched. But do you really need to keep making threads about presumably the same exact thing?

Evil Dead patched their problems & did a ton of Updated stuff within the 1st Update
within like the 1st week or month it was released, & the Game is fantastic on Consoles.
The Game even has only 10GB of Space used after the launch of 3.5 GB to Install.

Dynasty Warriors 9 fixed their entire Game, & Updated it with Online play
in the first week it was released after an issue with performance problems
due to heavy rain fall, causing the Game to run entirely laggy.

Gundam Evolution has been playing fine on Consoles since Day 1 of it's release.

All 3 of these Games have been fantasticly great games.

Most other games i've played seem to take a Year to a Year & a Half to
implement anything solid in their games lately, but all games before 2016
were all Finalized by Day 1 with no Updates / Optimization issues at all
on any Platform by Triple AAA Studios.

Does this help anyone??

[ShelLuser]

Originally posted by __++__==:

What are your thoughts on this issue?

That some players need to wise up and do better research on the games they're buying.

The only official unfinished games on Steam are early access games and well, I don't see any issue with those because the disclaimers can't be any more clear than they are. So if someone still doesn't manage to grasp the otherwise obvious then, yah, see above.

As for the rest... IMO there's no excuse for those but even so it does boil down to research. Take No Man's Sky; unless you were willing to buy into hype without any proof to back it up then you had plenty of options to avoid that hellhole. Keyword being patience.

But that's something many players seem to lack these days and it's showing.

[__++__==]

Originally posted by ShelLuser:

Originally posted by __++__==:

What are your thoughts on this issue?

That some players need to wise up and do better research on the games they're buying.

The only official unfinished games on Steam are early access games and well, I don't see any issue with those because the disclaimers can't be any more clear than they are. So if someone still doesn't manage to grasp the otherwise obvious then, yah, see above.

As for the rest... IMO there's no excuse for those but even so it does boil down to research. Take No Man's Sky; unless you were willing to buy into hype without any proof to back it up then you had plenty of options to avoid that hellhole. Keyword being patience.

But that's something many players seem to lack these days and it's showing.

Hey there,

I understand your perspective on the need for players to do better research before purchasing games. It’s true that early access games come with clear disclaimers, and players should be aware of the risks associated with buying into an unfinished product. However, I believe it’s important to address the larger issue of developers releasing incomplete games outside of the early access model.

While it’s true that some players might fall victim to hype and make impulsive purchases without doing their due diligence, it’s not fair to solely blame the players for the shortcomings of game developers. In an ideal scenario, developers should strive to release fully polished and complete games, regardless of the hype surrounding them. It’s their responsibility to deliver on the promises they make during development and marketing.

The example you mentioned, No Man’s Sky, is an interesting case. Yes, there were warning signs and opportunities to avoid disappointment, but it’s worth noting that the game was heavily marketed and showcased with features that were later found to be absent or lacking. It’s understandable that players expected the game to live up to those promises. While patience is indeed valuable, it’s also reasonable for players to have certain expectations based on the information provided by the developers themselves.

Furthermore, the issue extends beyond just a lack of patience. In some cases, developers intentionally withhold information or misrepresent their games, leading players to make ill-informed decisions. This can be particularly frustrating when players are charged full price for a game that doesn’t meet their expectations.

To address this issue, it’s crucial for both players and developers to play their part. Players should indeed research games before purchasing, read reviews, and watch gameplay videos to get a better understanding of what they’re buying. However, developers must also be transparent, manage expectations, and avoid overhyping their games. Open communication about the state of the game, potential delays, or missing features can go a long way in fostering trust between developers and players.

In the end, it’s a two-way street. Players should exercise caution and conduct research, but developers must also prioritize delivering complete and satisfactory gaming experiences. By holding both sides accountable and encouraging open dialogue, we can work towards a healthier gaming industry where players can make informed decisions and developers can earn their trust.

What are your thoughts on striking a balance between player research and developer responsibility? Do you think there are additional steps both sides can take to improve the situation?

[Mr. Smiles]

If you are the 7 days to die or project Zomboid devs, I'd say 20 years is fair.

[fluxtorrent]

It is entirely up to the devs what features they consider necessary. So it's also up to them what timeframe to add, or not add them.

The devs have exactly 0 responsibility to player entitlement

[__++__==]

Originally posted by fluxtorrent:

It is entirely up to the devs what features they consider necessary. So it's also up to them what timeframe to add, or not add them.

The devs have exactly 0 responsibility to player entitlement

While it is true that developers have the ultimate say in what features they consider necessary and the timeframe in which they add them, this does not mean that they are immune to criticism or that they should ignore the wants and needs of their users.

Game development is a collaborative process between the developers and the players. Developers create games for the enjoyment and satisfaction of the players, and therefore, it is important to take their feedback and requests into consideration. Ignoring player feedback can lead to a game that is not well-received or enjoyed by the community.

Furthermore, game development is also a business, and the success of a game is often dependent on how well it is received by the community. Adding requested features in a timely manner can help to increase the popularity and success of the game, while ignoring user feedback can have the opposite effect.

In conclusion, while it is ultimately up to the developers to decide what features they consider necessary and when to add them, it is important for them to consider the feedback and requests of their users. Game development is a collaborative process between developers and players, and ignoring player feedback can have negative consequences on the success and enjoyment of the game.

[fluxtorrent]

No, it is NOT a collaborative effort. You might WANT it to be, but it is not. The sooner you realize this the sooner you give up this silly thread spam.

You are a consumer and have NO voice except the one they choose to listen to or ignore.

Your voice is your wallet, and if you can't cope with that, you will continue to be disappointed.

[Nx Machina]

Yet another thread created on another forum and it relates to CoH3.

Not about CoH3?

From the CoH2 forum:

https://steamcommunity.com/app/231430/discussions/0/6197556991289911100/#c3829792183349002469

Originally posted by __++__==:

Another day passes , another day COH3 is still a fully paid beta game full of bugs and missing features.

Your CoH3 review: https://ibb.co/KzxKg1q

https://steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561199016357395/recommended/

[eram]

10 years is fine

7 days to die

[NuLife]

Originally posted by rawWwRrr:

They can't charge you full price for an incomplete game if you aren't willing to pay full price for incomplete games.

This