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D_Money · 12-14-2008, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D_Money


	Considering that games go to press 45-60-75 days before release, I expect an on Day 1. That at least gives me the idea that the company recognizes some issues as opposed to you and I discovering them. So my hope is that there are at least 2-3 patch cycles. That would give me a feeling that the game is evolving as opposed to a one-shot 'this-i-it' deal. I wonder how much of effort and cost it is for post- release maintenance? To me, that maintenance investment would build and hopefully maintain loyalty and more satisfied users.

Meant to say "I expect a patch on Day1"......

Young J 334 · 12-14-2008, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkra0512


	While patches give companies an excuse to rush an otherwise unfinished product, it does provide free beta testing from such die-hard fans from communities like OS. I don't like it, but I'd rather have patches for a game that I like than to buy something completely broken with no chance of fixing. I'm glad patches are only for games, imagine if it were for cars. "Nice pretty new engine, design is flawless, handles great." A month later..... CAR COMPANY ANNOUNCES NEW PATCH TO PUT BRAKES INTO THE CAR...

Intriguing! Lol that would be a disaster. Kinda like NCAA. But just like we still play this, people would attempt to drive their vehicle to see if it works right "post-patch".

buzzguy · 12-14-2008, 07:48 PM

Patches...gotta love 'em! Imagine if there were no patches...at some point all of us would be stuck with a game with no solution to in-game problems in-sight...ever.
I spent a few years as a pc gamer, so they don't bother me that much. As long as they show-up in a timely manner.

fjccommish · 12-15-2008, 12:51 AM

"Patch delivery is standard software support practiced throughout the industry....for business application development or gaming. The problem here is: EA Sports drops their support too soon after release."

Great point. NBA Live 09 should have a second patch to fix the injury problem in Dynasty or season. If people are injured they never return to the active roster. One developer, in the forums, actually mentioned that the consumers hadn't found it in time to make a fix in the first patch.

So it took people some time to realize it. Why not come out with a second patch to fix it?

rudyjuly2 · 12-15-2008, 08:57 AM

Patches are good but there is no question they lead to a sloppy and rushed product. Why test it like crazy when the public can do it and you can patch it? Furthermore, patches take time. Unless it's something that is very simple we simply won't get them right away and you have to wait months.

Bootzilla · 12-15-2008, 10:28 AM

By the time most patches are released, all of my enthusiasm for the game(s) has dissipated. I end up spending so much time tweaking sliders to make the pre-patched game playable that I simply do not feel like going back and re-tweaking once the patch is released. As strictly a sports gamer I find myself spending less time with each years releases. Maybe expectations are too high or maybe it's just gamer burnout.

Pared · 12-15-2008, 02:29 PM

The biggest issue I have with patches is that games are released KNOWING they get a mulligan with the release of the first patch.

Developers know they can release a game and hopefully address the issues they KNOW are there via a patch. That's completely ridiculous and unfair to your loyal gamers who are there waiting on release day.

And before anyone goes on their fanboyerrific tirade in response, ALL companies are guilty of this. It's a problem with developers who use them as a safety blanket and companies who have their hands tied due to licensing agreements.

asu666 · 12-15-2008, 05:16 PM

I dislike patches. We buy what is on the disc and too often that is incomplete or broken. NCAA 09 is a good example. It doesn't even have the rules right with the timeclock not being updated to reflect the change this year. We are three updates in and there are still generic stadiums being used. The offense rushes to the line and snaps the ball with 20 seconds left on the playclock on every play. Not to mention the gameplay issues and lack of presentation. How about how it takes forever to run through recruiting prospects becuase they take so long to load. Way too many issues for a title this deep into its run.

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12-14-2008, 07:48 PM	#19
buzzguy Rookie OVR: 12 Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Winnipeg, MB	Patches...gotta love 'em! Imagine if there were no patches...at some point all of us would be stuck with a game with no solution to in-game problems in-sight...ever. I spent a few years as a pc gamer, so they don't bother me that much. As long as they show-up in a timely manner.

12-15-2008, 12:51 AM	#20
fjccommish Banned OVR: 11 Join Date: Oct 2008	"Patch delivery is standard software support practiced throughout the industry....for business application development or gaming. The problem here is: EA Sports drops their support too soon after release." Great point. NBA Live 09 should have a second patch to fix the injury problem in Dynasty or season. If people are injured they never return to the active roster. One developer, in the forums, actually mentioned that the consumers hadn't found it in time to make a fix in the first patch. So it took people some time to realize it. Why not come out with a second patch to fix it?

12-15-2008, 08:57 AM	#21
rudyjuly2 Cade Cunningham OVR: 75 Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Kingsville, ON Posts: 14,741 Blog Entries: 110	Patches are good but there is no question they lead to a sloppy and rushed product. Why test it like crazy when the public can do it and you can patch it? Furthermore, patches take time. Unless it's something that is very simple we simply won't get them right away and you have to wait months.

12-15-2008, 10:28 AM	#22
Bootzilla MVP OVR: 12 Join Date: Jul 2002	By the time most patches are released, all of my enthusiasm for the game(s) has dissipated. I end up spending so much time tweaking sliders to make the pre-patched game playable that I simply do not feel like going back and re-tweaking once the patch is released. As strictly a sports gamer I find myself spending less time with each years releases. Maybe expectations are too high or maybe it's just gamer burnout.

12-15-2008, 05:16 PM	#24
asu666 Pro OVR: 34 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Phoenix, Arizona Blog Entries: 8	I dislike patches. We buy what is on the disc and too often that is incomplete or broken. NCAA 09 is a good example. It doesn't even have the rules right with the timeclock not being updated to reflect the change this year. We are three updates in and there are still generic stadiums being used. The offense rushes to the line and snaps the ball with 20 seconds left on the playclock on every play. Not to mention the gameplay issues and lack of presentation. How about how it takes forever to run through recruiting prospects becuase they take so long to load. Way too many issues for a title this deep into its run.

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When a Patch is Just Too Late to Save a Game