Dev Update #97: "Reward Shipment Update and More Patch News"

Discord is, as you say, a chat application and allows for much more frequent and constant communication since you're almost always connected to it/have it around where it's on your home device, phone, etc. Forums aren't the most convenient thing for anyone, especially younger fans who may have never used one before. If having more to the day/minute communication is what you desire (i.e., "yes we're still working on the thing"), that's probably what you should use. The forums are for more longer-form discussion, detail and suggestions where things are also better for the purpose of being archived/searched.

As far as passing on his response myself, I'd rather he/505 handle that as it's something I wouldn't want to frame incorrectly.

I appreciate the response and the update. It would've been better sooner via official channels or on the KS update but this is better than ignoring it completely.

Thank you.

Here's one I grabbed earlier. It's a sentiment that has been expressed before in the updates.



If you mean going forward, then no thanks. Neither side pays me enough for all that lol

The best decisions are always easier to identify in hindsight.

When the delay into 2019 was announced in 2018, a fair amount of forum users felt that they should have released the game anyways in 2018, and then patch it as it went along. In retrospect, if you backed anything other than the Switch or canceled platforms, this was probably a good move. There were bugs that kept people from progressing and grabbing dropped bags, but the actual game play itself was superb to begin with.

For the Switch version, obviously they should have delayed it and in addition provide the specific reasons as to why. Mainly, graphical glitches and PRIMARILY input delay. No game is ever enjoyable with crippling input delay, EVER. Of course, at the same time apologize profusely.

If I had to guess, the decision to release the Switch version early was probably a typical corporate move. The big boss up top was tired of investing money into this game and wanted the ROI immediately, and then refused or couldn't understand why the game wasn't ready yet. Based on market research they also probably knew the Switch version had the potential to sell the most copies, as a result wouldn't be surprised if delaying the Switch version beyond a week was unacceptable. After several failed attempts to reason with the boss, middle management probably made poor deadline choices to save their jobs, which as a result gave us a poor Switch port.

I can't recall how many times I've worked in teams that have been forced to intentionally release software that wasn't ready.

I reread what I wrote...I can't see where I said it wasn't canceled? 

Regardless, that was part of my argument. If you backed Windows, PS4, or Xbox, the delayed release was beneficial. We got a much better product. They should have done the same with Switch.

Oh yeah, and also offer refunds to Linux backers. I think that should have been an option; however based on my argument above it's clear why they probably refused to do this.

There is no reason? This whole farce is the reason. Their decision is understandable from business perspective - they wanted money. Good short term decision but eventually bad long term one. Now they need to come out unscathed if they will try to come up with a sequel with switch version. You take actions based on feedback - corrective and preventive actions. Saying that all they need is more experienced partner is nowhere near a solution. You could say all they need is a little more time, money, luck, ... (insert random word with positive connotation). What if they cannot afford a better partner? More experienced team may also not live up to the challenge if faced with extreme deadline schedule, lack of resources, trouble with communication. They don't need more, they need to face challenge, admit what needs to be done and take to heart mistakes so they can be avoided. 

Saying more experienced partner also throws they current one under the bus. They are people. Maybe they weren't given proper tools, training etc.? Blaming one side is easy but it is always more complex. When you have workers and they make a mistake you should try to train, teach them to not make such mistakes. Listen to them, maybe they lack something in order to finish the job. The same goes to parents. You don't throw your child away because it did something bad and say: I need a more experienced kid. You adapt. 

Aztec stated the obvious but sometimes the simple solutions and actions are the best. 

ellisant

I think people should be more whooza about all this. There was no perfect solution to this whole matter from the beginning, it was a 50/50 chance.. and in both cases there would be 50% of people not happy with the outcome.

Just let the people do their job.. I believe, they got the message, that there is something not right with the game. Any more complains, insults and other negative stuff won't help, neither to you.. you will just aging faster, get gray hairs + a lot of pimples and them, since they have better stuff to do, like fixing our beloved game for example

Let's slow this down a bit. Let it be noted that a single post is not a fanbase or development. I'm reading what he said as doing a Switch port later rather than not at all, besides, and even if he was saying that it would in no way be indicative of a majority or a large number of people. Iga, ArtPlay, 505 - they try to do what's best for everyone, and they move forward with what's right to their best ability, and pulling the plug or shafting Nintendo fans will never be in that playbook. I can already hear "that's what they're doing right now though with this bad port", but I promise you - after all is said and done, Switch RotN will have been worth waiting this time for.

What didn't happen that should have, and where they have acknowledged that they messed up, was with not launching the Switch version in a better state at launch rather than the current situation of getting it there. That is the issue and regrettable, not a matter of having that version of the game at all. Absolutely not - no one is saying that, and if they do it's obviously nonsense.