Digital Early Release?

[adamj2281]

Has anyone ever nailed down a reason for SCEA or any game developer for that matter, to not digitally early release a game once it goes gold for an additional cost?

Say, once it goes gold, it's instantly released online for say $79.99 or something. It allows the hardcore fans to get an early start on the game, obviously at a cost, and allows the developer to make some extra revenue.

I know EA did Season Ticket, which was a decent effort, but not long enough.

I guess the obvious reason is if the game sucks, it's going to greatly reduce sales if poor reviews get out before the release date.

Oh well, 2 more months............it's going to be a long wait.

[PhilliesFan13]

Re: Digital Early Release?

No chance that happens.

[A_Quiet_Pro]

Re: Digital Early Release?

Has anyone ever nailed down a reason for SCEA or any game developer for that matter, to not digitally early release a game once it goes gold for an additional cost?

Say, once it goes gold, it's instantly released online for say $79.99 or something. It allows the hardcore fans to get an early start on the game, obviously at a cost, and allows the developer to make some extra revenue.

I know EA did Season Ticket, which was a decent effort, but not long enough.

I guess the obvious reason is if the game sucks, it's going to greatly reduce sales if poor reviews get out before the release date.

Oh well, 2 more months............it's going to be a long wait.

#1, Release dates are there for a reason
#2, EA only does this the weekend before the respective game comes out, and ONLY until it comes out, once the game launches, the extra time deal expires. OH and by the way, this really coulda gone in THIS digital discussing thread.

[underdog13]

Re: Digital Early Release?

OH and by the way, this really coulda gone in THIS digital discussing thread.

But that's in the Mlb the Show current gen section. This is ps4

[A_Quiet_Pro]

Re: Digital Early Release?

But that's in the Mlb the Show current gen section. This is ps4

You really think they'll launch the Show on PSN for PS3 and not PS4 at the same time?

[underdog13]

Re: Digital Early Release?

You really think they'll launch the Show on PSN for PS3 and not PS4 at the same time?

Your question confuses me. They will release ps3 before ps4 on psn? Yes I could see that happening.

[A_Quiet_Pro]

Re: Digital Early Release?

Your question confuses me. They will release ps3 before ps4 on psn? Yes I could see that happening.

Obviously the full game will be on there for PS3 first, but as far as pre-ordering, dont you think they'll launch at the same time?

[underdog13]

Re: Digital Early Release?

Obviously the full game will be on there for PS3 first, but as far as pre-ordering, dont you think they'll launch at the same time?

I guess, but as far as a digital early release I could see them doing that for ps4 and not ps3 or vita.

[A_Quiet_Pro]

Re: Digital Early Release?

I guess, but as far as a digital early release I could see them doing that for ps4 and not ps3 or vita.

I still ont understand what you mean by digital early release? Do you mean it releases full game early? Like you can download the digital version and play BEFORE the release date because it's digital?

[Khimera]

Re: Digital Early Release?

I still ont understand what you mean by digital early release? Do you mean it releases full game early? Like you can download the digital version and play BEFORE the release date because it's digital?

Yep. I think it's because once a game goes gold, it's technically finished except for day 1 patches. The only things left are manufacturing related, which take about a month to finish up as far as I know, delaying release further. Since MLB was delayed 2 months this year, people are clamoring for an early digital release once the game goes gold.

[A_Quiet_Pro]

Re: Digital Early Release?

Yep. I think it's because once a game goes gold, it's technically finished except for day 1 patches. The only things left are manufacturing related, which take about a month to finish up as far as I know, delaying release further. Since MLB was delayed 2 months this year, people are clamoring for an early digital release once the game goes gold.

GOTCHA now! OK. Let's clarify. The Release date is there for a reason. It's when EVERYONE can play. Just because going digital saves time and manufacturing, think of it as just another option to buy the game, NOT a loophole to release it early. Devs dont set release dates a month from finishing because they say "ok we'll be done by this date, give or take a month of manufacturing and final stuff, then the people can buy it". They say OK, We think we'll be done by this date, let's set the release HERE *sometime in the future*, period. People can buy it then. Remember, even after they finish the game, they still have to make sure support in the way of online servers are set up, community feedback to make patches are in place, etc. They can't just release it digitally because it's done. Here more simply.... For them to release it digitally just because it's done B4 the release date is like mom and pop stores or something selling early just because they received their shipment. It's like the devs breaking their own street date rule, something stores get fines and sanctions for. you want SCEA to release it earlier than MAY? Then they're gonna move up the release date into April, and have it go digital along with the physical release. But it still won't be earlier than the physical release.

[adamj2281]

Re: Digital Early Release?

GOTCHA now! OK. Let's clarify. The Release date is there for a reason. It's when EVERYONE can play. Just because going digital saves time and manufacturing, think of it as just another option to buy the game, NOT a loophole to release it early. Devs dont set release dates a month from finishing because they say "ok we'll be done by this date, give or take a month of manufacturing and final stuff, then the people can buy it". They say OK, We think we'll be done by this date, let's set the release HERE *sometime in the future*, period. People can buy it then. Remember, even after they finish the game, they still have to make sure support in the way of online servers are set up, community feedback to make patches are in place, etc. They can't just release it digitally because it's done. Here more simply.... For them to release it digitally just because it's done B4 the release date is like mom and pop stores or something selling early just because they received their shipment. It's like the devs breaking their own street date rule, something stores get fines and sanctions for. you want SCEA to release it earlier than MAY? Then they're gonna move up the release date into April, and have it go digital along with the physical release. But it still won't be earlier than the physical release.

Yeah, I understand release dates as I'm guessing everyone here does. My only comment was why not release digitally at a higher price, like EA's season ticket. Music companies do it with iTunes early exclusives, etc.

Since this is a 1st party release and Sony has full control over it, why not digitally release early, pump up some extra revenue and give the hardcore fans a treat?

[A_Quiet_Pro]

Re: Digital Early Release?

Yeah, I understand release dates as I'm guessing everyone here does. My only comment was why not release digitally at a higher price, like EA's season ticket. Music companies do it with iTunes early exclusives, etc.

Since this is a 1st party release and Sony has full control over it, why not digitally release early, pump up some extra revenue and give the hardcore fans a treat?

I see. Maybe the different industries have different ways of doing things. It's an interesting idea, but I dont think it'll ever happen like that. Just so your aware, EA's season ticket isn't the same as releasing early. It kind of is, but what you download goes away on that Tuesday afterwards. It's not the full game you download. (Although, essentially that's what your doing....not really) IDK how they work the logistics.

[adamj2281]

Re: Digital Early Release?

I see. Maybe the different industries have different ways of doing things. It's an interesting idea, but I dont think it'll ever happen like that. Just so your aware, EA's season ticket isn't the same as releasing early. It kind of is, but what you download goes away on that Tuesday afterwards. It's not the full game you download. (Although, essentially that's what your doing....not really) IDK how they work the logistics.

It is the full game, just with a time-sensitive end

[burjeffton]

Re: Digital Early Release?

Obviously this won't be happening anytime soon, but I think it is a creative proposal for publishers wanting to dig up some extra margin. If I was a developer who knew I had a solid game on my hands, it would be tempting to try.

That said, the last month before release is usually when the marketing strategy makes the biggest push.