Star Wars: The Old Republic might not release until 2012
Though it doesn't have a release date yet, EA warned investors of the possibility that Star Wars: The Old Republic might not be ready for release until 2012.
BioWare and Electronic Arts have both been very careful not to talk too specifically about the release date of their highly-anticipated MMO, Star Wars: The Old Republic. However, in a recent investor update by EA CFO Eric Brown, he said that a firm release date was unlikely to be revealed before the end of October.
On more than one occasion, EA has explained that they're aiming for as smooth of a launch as possible, which will be determined based on the feedback they receive from the ongoing beta. And though the publisher is forecasting (not promising) an October release-date announcement, the actual release itself might not occur until next year.
"We did hold out a slight possibility that it could slip to our March quarter," Brown said. "And the factors that would cause a slip is, for example, us not being completely satisfied with the scalability testing, and wanting to tune it for several extra weeks."
MCV notes that BioWare's Stephen Reid jumped into the SWTOR forum to further explain and try to mitigate fan uproar about the possibility of a release delay.
"Just as [Eric Brown] didn't promise that you would get a release date announcement in September, he isn't promising a release date before the next earnings call," Reid clarified. It could happen, but it's not a promise."
He continued:
However, as with any large and complex game project, there's always the possibility of slippage. Always. That is why we have always said we're aiming for that window, because it's possible that unforeseen issues may push the date. Eric Brown is doing what he's paid to do - letting investors know that the possibility exists. A possibility doesn't mean a certainty.
The possibility of a release delay aside, Reid further noted that a "2011 holiday window" is still being targeted for Star Wars: The Old Republic.
-
Shacknews
replyJeff Mattas posted a new article, Star Wars: The Old Republic might not release until 2012.
Though it doesn't have a release date yet, EA warned investors of the possibility that Star Wars: The Old Republic might not be ready for release until 2012.-
-
-
There was a possibility at one point, but it's pretty obvious from the feedback that they're going to work on it until next year. They gave a hint in their last financial report and now the developers have been talking about 2012.
-
yea when they have to rebuild the client at the end of september it's a pretty good bet it won't be ready by January
-
-
-
-
-
amen as much as I want to play this game. I want it to be perfect and epic so if waiting means that will come true then so be it.
-
-
Full text of Reid's reply to this:
In "Release date speculation thread", Stephen Reid said:
Let's try and get one thing very clear:
Investor calls and conferences are for investors. They are not meant for the general public.
While I understand the desire to get any piece of information possible about The Old Republic from whatever source you can, that does not mean that every time an investor call (or conference) happens, you should expect to glean meaningful information from that. The primary audience for these statements is people who are invested in, or are planning to invest in, EA as a company. While some of you may indeed be investors, if you are, you'd probably know not to panic when you hear said statements.
Let's break down a couple of those statements from Eric Brown, from the latest conference:
"In terms of timing, again, we haven't given a street date yet. We won't do so for some time, possibly at our next upcoming earnings call towards the end of October."
Indeed, we have not given a street date (AKA launch date) for The Old Republic. While some of you have suggested that we 'promised' a launch date announcement before that time, in fact what Eric Brown said was that a date could be announced in September or October.
It's important to also note the word 'possibly' was used in Eric's statement above. Just as he didn't promise that you would get a release date announcement in September, he isn't promising a release date before the next earnings call. It could happen, but it's not a promise.
Let's look at this second statement:
"we did hold out a slight possibility that it could slip to our March quarter. And the factors that would cause a slip is, for example, us not being completely satisfied with the scalability testing, and wanting to tune it for several extra weeks.
There is absolutely no change to our previous messaging with this statement. We are in active and extensive testing for The Old Republic. We're aiming to release the game in the holiday 2011 window (or, before the end of the year, to speak in non-American for a minute).
However, as with any large and complex game project, there's always the possibility of slippage. Always. That is why we have always said we're aiming for that window, because it's possible that unforeseen issues may push the date. Eric Brown is doing what he's paid to do - letting investors know that the possibility exists. A possibility doesn't mean a certainty.
Despite what doom-sayers may try and tell you, we are still very much aiming to ship in the holiday 2011 window (AKA, before the end of the year). We're pushing out a major new build, we're getting in our external testers to look at it soon, and then we'll re-start our Game Testing Weekends.
Are there risks? Yeah, that goes with game development. Do we think we're getting much, much closer? Yes we do. And when we feel confident about an exact date, you'll get one. Rest assured.
Until then, try not to assume the sky is falling every time an investor asks a question and our CFO does his job, which is to let them know about every possibility. -
-
Jack Emmert (save your ire about CoH and CO for him folks) offered a tidbit for MMOs I think is very profound, 'You are what you are at launch.'
SWTOR's got such a rabid fanbase, such anticipation for the game, it has to be stellar from the get go. Everything they've hyped has to work and do so without bugs. I think that has to be an immense pressure for Bioware. Hope they don't cave in with an early release, and instead work diligently and release a polished game. -
Wasn't this "The Game With No Release Date"?
-
so what mmo am i suppose to be playing this year?
