PS2 To Release for Sure in 2012?

JawsOfLife · 2012-09-07, 03:30 PM

Hey everyone, I just read up on the alpha squad "Founders Package" here and was caught off guard with this line:Your Beta access starts immediately, and you will receive 4000 Station Cash immediately! You will receive your in-game items upon the launch of PlanetSide 2, on or before December 31, 2012.

Is this official confirmation of a pre-2013 release date? What do you guys think?

PhoenixDog · 2012-09-07, 03:34 PM

I doubt it. At least I hope not. I hope they take their time with this beta. I'm already playing as far as I'm concerned. Release it next year for all I care as long as they make it perfect.

Syphus · 2012-09-07, 03:37 PM

I am better on December at some point.

Most of the things that take a lot of time, such as the backend are done and most of the tech issues (not all, but most). We are really beginning the balancing and design phase, which I see no problem being all of October and November.

Either way, at some point you just have to say "Things are in a good state" and let the general public in. Since they are continuing to patch and design after that, there's very little reason to wait until like March or April.

JawsOfLife · 2012-09-07, 03:47 PM

Originally Posted by PhoenixDog

I doubt it. At least I hope not. I hope they take their time with this beta. I'm already playing as far as I'm concerned. Release it next year for all I care as long as they make it perfect.

I see what you're saying but I'm not sure how else that statement on the alpha squad page can be interpreted...

Hamma · 2012-09-07, 03:48 PM

Yea I'm not sure how else it can be interpreted either seems pretty clear that there will be some form of launch.

RobUK · 2012-09-07, 03:53 PM

Well, they have a lot of work to do between now and 31st December to get this game properly playable and suitable for general release. I hope the guys can do it and I wish them all the luck.

A horrible buggy launch is something PS2 could do without.

PhoenixDog · 2012-09-07, 03:55 PM

The date could also be placeholder.

JawsOfLife · 2012-09-07, 03:58 PM

Warning lights came on when I read this. I mean Smedley said that they had learned their lesson, no more buggy, unfinished launches anymore. But now they have fenced themselves in with a release date under 3 months away, and a game that is still very rough and has lots of problems still. I'm not saying the game can't be finished (loosely used term in light of the 5 Year Plan SOE has but I mean major bugs gone, performance much more optimized, balance massively revamped) in that amount of time but what if it isn't? They have effectively promised the game will be out by then and will have to either rush the game out or let people down by extending the launch. I dunno, doesn't look incredibly promising IMO.

Edit: I have tweeted at Smedley to get a confirmation on the launch date being before 2013, still waiting for a reply.

PoisonTaco · 2012-09-07, 03:58 PM

They plan on releasing in 2012 but they have left themselves room just incase they do need more time. If there's no launch in 2012 you're getting your stuff by the end of 2012. Who knows what they may need to change in beta before the game is ready to be officially released.

The wording is there because if you're paying for all this stuff then you should know when to expect it.

Crator · 2012-09-07, 04:01 PM

Bet they want it ready for Christmas. Just a guess...

sameer · 2012-09-07, 04:18 PM

If they launch this year, then Im worried. They seem to be rushing it/tight deadlines. firefall has been in beta for a year before the founder package was released. Beta just started for PS2 and they already have done this founder pack. Not sure why they are rushing/desperation for money but thats how I see it.

JawsOfLife · 2012-09-07, 05:12 PM

Originally Posted by WildVS

Has there been any confirmation on # of conts at launch? I know they originally said 3 then T-ray gave that interview at Gamecom where he mentioned launch with 2 then a 3rd shortly after. If they are going with just 2 then it is more likely to launch by end of year.

I'm pretty sure they said all 3 conts will be in at launch.

Boom, this just in from Smed's Twitter:

"Why do we have a December 31st 2012 date up there? Is that the launch date? - No. It's not. It's launching when beta is over. We don't know when that will be. But we have to put a date up there for the lawyers to be happy. We've always said we were launching this year. If we make the game we're proud to release and beta is great then yes? When will that be exactly? When the game kicks ass."

All I can say is--*phew*

Syphus · 2012-09-07, 05:51 PM

Originally Posted by JawsOfLife

I'm pretty sure they said all 3 conts will be in at launch.

The most recent statement is definitely two, hopefully three.

Anyway, as far as "playable" from a technical standpoint, there are far from 3.5 months worth of technical bugs left. Given the optimizations they did through August till now, on a technical level the game would be in a release state far before December 31. Anyway saying otherwise has either got to be trolling or hugely braindead.

Rivenshield · 2012-09-07, 11:51 PM

God help us if they do. No certs, only one cont, incremental changes still being thrashed out in base design and the infamous FPS issue... and that doesn't even address the touchy subject of weapons balance.

My best educated guess remains next summer.

Crator · 2012-09-07, 11:56 PM

There's this https://twitter.com/j_smedley/status/244181710542102528
and this https://twitter.com/j_smedley/status/244181868784795648
and finally this https://twitter.com/j_smedley/status/244181988586696704

Put them all together:

@j_smedley 2:13 PM - 7 Sep 12

Why do we have a December 31st 2012 date up there? Is that the launch date? - No. It's not. It's launching when beta is over. We don't know when that will be. But we have to put a date up there for the lawyers to be happy. We've always said we were launching this year. If we make the game we're proud to release and beta is great then yes? When will that be exactly? When the game kicks ass.