Rift will go freemium before TSW comes out, I'd bet money on it. Not much money, mind you.
I was personally bored in RIFT and didnt last longer than 3 weeks but RIFT isnt doing that bad
RIFT sold over 1 million units in their first 6 months and I think theyll be fine as p2p
I disagree. I dip over to the Rift forums now and then (even though I'm perfectly aware that schadenfreude is an ugly vice, particularly when the one afflicted has to look up the proper spelling before using the word), and the rumblings of the discontented is low key still, but growing louder every day.
I'm not saying the investors haven't or won't make their money back, plus a small profit, but I don't think they're going to be rolling in dough six months from now, either. I think the only way Rift is going to stay profitable with a sub payment model is if ToR, GW2, and TSW completely bomb. It might be able to survive if only one of those games is any good at all, but if two of the three are either better than Rift (wouldn't be difficult to accomplish) or as good, Rift is done, it's old news, it's last year's wonder.
I am convinced there is only one way to eliminate these grave evils, namely through the establishment of a socialist economy, accompanied by an educational system which would be oriented toward social goals.
Theres a rumor that says gw2 is going to be released in january and "they" said it came from an arena net dev altought arenanet never says it offcially, basicaly when the last proffession is released the game is ready.
So we should expect beta in november or december?
can anyone confirm this?
It isn't impossbile but if it is true the beta will be announced within 2 weeks and start somewhere next month. Otherwise there is no chance they have the time.
Winter or early spring is as good as I heard, only thing official is that the beta starts this year.
AmazingAveryAge of Conan AdvocateMemberUncommonPosts: 7,188
GW1 closed beta was quite a few months and a much smaller game.
Theres a rumor that says gw2 is going to be released in january and "they" said it came from an arena net dev altought arenanet never says it offcially, basicaly when the last proffession is released the game is ready.
So we should expect beta in november or december?
can anyone confirm this?
It isn't impossbile but if it is true the beta will be announced within 2 weeks and start somewhere next month. Otherwise there is no chance they have the time.
Winter or early spring is as good as I heard, only thing official is that the beta starts this year.
Loke's absolutely right.
For January to be possible, they would basically have to push the game out within the next few weeks. The game overall looks great, but there is still quite a few things they are still tweaking. For one I know some of the animations in the demos are just placeholders. I've also seen a few videos feature the personal stories. In one the sound kept screwing up, and in all of them they had issues with some of the animations. I'm sure they will want this fixed before they present a serious release.
The best prediction that I've heard mentions a late Q1/ early Q2 of 2012. With the amount of effort and patience they've put into making this game, I think that would be much more likely. Granted, I'm sure they will want to space the launch away from D3, that could put a kink in their release. However, that said, I think they are going to be doing their big release after this wave of AAA games comes out. It not only gives them more time to polish their game, but it makes a lot more business sense as well.
The best prediction that I've heard mentions a late Q1/ early Q2 of 2012. With the amount of effort and patience they've put into making this game, I think that would be much more likely. Granted, I'm sure they will want to space the launch away from D3, that could put a kink in their release. However, that said, I think they are going to be doing their big release after this wave of AAA games comes out. It not only gives them more time to polish their game, but it makes a lot more business sense as well.
agreed. what we've heard so far, is that investors should start seeing a return beginning early 2012. a return on their investment will probably start in the form of pre-orders. besides, i myself would even wait unitl next year. easier on the tax records.
"The best prediction that I've heard mentions a late Q1/ early Q2 of 2012. With the amount of effort and patience they've put into making this game, I think that would be much more likely. Granted, I'm sure they will want to space the launch away from D3, that could put a kink in their release. However, that said, I think they are going to be doing their big release after this wave of AAA games comes out. It not only gives them more time to polish their game, but it makes a lot more business sense as well."
I also think this is the case also but I'm norrowing it down to between the March- April time frame, with Diablo coming in Feb..
If it's not done, it's not done, not much they can do about that, I guess, but I can't see why they'd deliberately shoot for anything as late as April. TSW by itself won't be an issue for GW2 probably, and yes, people will have had time to get bored of their holiday season games, but isn't Summer considered a slack time for MMOs? Is there something to do with marketing in the late Spring or early Summer that makes this not an issue? I might be missing a component in here somewhere.
I am convinced there is only one way to eliminate these grave evils, namely through the establishment of a socialist economy, accompanied by an educational system which would be oriented toward social goals.
I think the perfect window to launch GW2 would be March 2012 when TOR 3 month subs coming to an end. Those who've done a lot of TOR will put that down for a bit and give GW2 go, most will play both in the end imho, but this would be a good way to spread it out for players time & money since most playing TOR will play GW2 as their gamers who like the MMO genre and good fresh polished MMO's don't come along all that often.
I think the perfect window to launch GW2 would be March 2012 when TOR 3 month subs coming to an end. Those who've done a lot of TOR will put that down for a bit and give GW2 go, most will play both in the end imho, but this would be a good way to spread it out for players time money back in their pockets.
That doesn't sound like a bad launch window either, as long as ToR launches on time.
I am convinced there is only one way to eliminate these grave evils, namely through the establishment of a socialist economy, accompanied by an educational system which would be oriented toward social goals.
I dont see why they wouldnt release 1 month earlier and get all those christmas sales. I'm pretty positive its going to be released in December. Why would they lose out on all those sales just to release 1 month later? Seems to me that after all these years of development that they would not need JUST that 1 more month to finish.
Originally posted by shazugin I dont see why they wouldnt release 1 month earlier and get all those christmas sales. I'm pretty positive its going to be released in December. Why would they lose out on all those sales just to release 1 month later? Seems to me that after all these years of development that they would not need JUST that 1 more month to finish.
Releasing a release date can also get preorders. Release date will probably come out in oct or fall and release in feb or march im sure.
I'd prefer a release after Christmas personally. I've seen too many games get pressured into an early release for Christmas, and it always ends badly because they haven't finished their punch-list. If they wait, they can determine when they're ready for release and not have to meet some arbitrary deadline.
The nice thing about the no-sub model btw is that the accountants don't have to look at it like, "OMG we're losing 2 million for every month we don't have subscribers!" It even gets to the point where they think they can turn a quick profit off of the initial subs and not worry about long-term. This no-sub model encourages ANet to keep people interested in the game long enough for them to go buy expansion packs down the line, which means NOT losing early customers and acquiring more over time. I mean, if you look at Warcraft, most of their subscribers came about two years after initial release, simply from people asking their friends, "Hey, how come I never see you in sunlight anymore?"
If GW2 is going to be released in January 2012, we will see pre-orders for it in November. But I don't think that is going to happen. I am looking at the April or November 2012 relase date, either way the Pre-Order will be available at least 90-30 days before it goes live, which appears to be NCSoft policy when you look at thier other games.
As for beta, it has been in closed (Friends and Family) alpha since 2009 and beta (Friends and Family and paid beta testers) phase testing since they moved into thier new offices in 2010, or so I was told by a source not covered by an NDA.
I dont see why they wouldnt release 1 month earlier and get all those christmas sales. I'm pretty positive its going to be released in December. Why would they lose out on all those sales just to release 1 month later? Seems to me that after all these years of development that they would not need JUST that 1 more month to finish.
some people rather spend that extra 40-50$ (Gw2 cost) on family than themselves for xmas maybe?
I dont really think thats the issue. If that was something to worry about then EA would not be allowing Bioware to release SWTOR on Dec 20 (US). I think its more of an issue with polish and that ANET has a high standard for quality. ANET will get sales regardless if they release in april or december. The fact that its a traditional MMO with no fee is a big deal for a lot of people. I hear a lot from people that games like WoW and other MMO's look really fun but they would never pay every month for them.
I think ANET and NCSOFT knows what they are doing (and I doubt it has to do with what you said).
Theres a rumor that says gw2 is going to be released in january and "they" said it came from an arena net dev altought arenanet never says it offcially, basicaly when the last proffession is released the game is ready.
So we should expect beta in november or december?
can anyone confirm this?
It isn't impossbile but if it is true the beta will be announced within 2 weeks and start somewhere next month. Otherwise there is no chance they have the time.
Winter or early spring is as good as I heard, only thing official is that the beta starts this year.
So yes November December beta
And we all know release will be in April, if Arenanet makes all their terms and dowsn't decide to change any basic systems through beta (which could happen by player demeand) In which case it would be a late 2012 release...
Best MMO experiences : EQ(PvE), DAoC(PvP), WoW(total package) LOTRO (worldfeel) GW2 (Artstyle and animations and worlddesign) SWTOR (Story immersion) TSW (story) ESO (character advancement)
I think a reason for mmo's not to release in december is simple:
Average Modern Warfare player 14 years old
Average MMO player 18 years old
MMO's doesnt have to get out on the shelves with cristmass, and with so many good games comming out in the months to come my bet is realy on Janaury / Feb
[quote]March 2012 when TOR 3 month subs coming to an end. Those who've done a lot of TOR will put that down for a bit and give GW2 go, most will play both in the end imho, but this would be a good way to spread it out for players time & money since most playing TOR will play GW2 as their gamers who like the MMO genre and good fresh polished MMO's don't come along all that often.[/quote]
I agree with you but considering GW2 is b2p (f2p) you might find a Feb date more appealing as if TOR players were looking for a change after their 3 months then they have a month to read the reviews and let that also sway them.
I would love Jan/Feb 2012 for a release window, LOL I will be playing Skyrim and SWTOR, I need time to finish Skyrim and hopefully get a months gameplay into SW.
Wildstar (2013) & Elder Scroll Online (2013)
Playing: Diablo 3, WOW, Far Cry 3 & X-Com.
Enjoyed: WOW 5 1/2 yrs, LOTRO 3yrs, GW 1/2yr, DFO 1yr, EVE Online 3yrs, and Huxley (Beta).
Failed to impress: GW2 3months, Tera Online 6 months (best combat system in any MMO I've played) STO 1/4yr, Aion 1/2yr, AoC 1yr, CO, Fallen Earth, DDO, EQ2 1/2yr, WAR 1/2yr, Lineage 2 and FF XI 1/2yr, FF XIV.
I would love Jan/Feb 2012 for a release window, LOL I will be playing Skyrim and SWTOR, I need time to finish Skyrim and hopefully get a months gameplay into SW.
I'll drop what ever else I'm playing to play or beta test GW2. That said though I'm glad to have Skyrim and TOR to hold me over as well. If TOR can keep me happy until I get to play GW2, when ever that is, I'll be happy.
I still hope for a GW2 Open Beta fairly soon after the New Year, even if it cuts into my first free month for TOR. I'll say one thing, I would never get a three month subscription to TOR if the GW2 release date fell any where with in that three months. The percentage of players interested in both games who will make the same decision will probably depend a lot on how good SWTOR ends up being during the first month and how solid the information on GW2 is during that same window.
When it comes to GW2 release date positioning in regards to the release of other products is unimportant because it is a buy to play game rather than requiring any subscription fee. There is no competition. I will buy GW2 and play it while trying various other MMO's that do require sub fees at the same time. There is simply no way they can lose me with that business model if it is a fun game. I know many other people that post here exporess similar thoughts. So in my mind, it is simply a process of waiting for them to get the product ready to ship on their own time. I will be here ready to buy.
However, if I were in Hollywood, I would make sure my movie or show did not release on the same day as GW2 as many have found out that a couple of hours worth of fim simply can't compete for entertainment value with a game...
Still think Oct. 2012 but it would be nice to see it out before then, while they've shown quite a few features there are still quite a few left that requires a lot of work, when we see crafting and WvWvW demo'd they should be ready to push it out the door.
As mentioned before March would be a nice window based on TOR, I wouldn't want to trip over Diablo3 either though and with box sales being the primary revenue driver that may affect the release too. I doubt Arenanet are highly affected by other publishers though, doubt other releases would affect the date by much more than a month once they decide it's ready.
Comments
I disagree. I dip over to the Rift forums now and then (even though I'm perfectly aware that schadenfreude is an ugly vice, particularly when the one afflicted has to look up the proper spelling before using the word), and the rumblings of the discontented is low key still, but growing louder every day.
I'm not saying the investors haven't or won't make their money back, plus a small profit, but I don't think they're going to be rolling in dough six months from now, either. I think the only way Rift is going to stay profitable with a sub payment model is if ToR, GW2, and TSW completely bomb. It might be able to survive if only one of those games is any good at all, but if two of the three are either better than Rift (wouldn't be difficult to accomplish) or as good, Rift is done, it's old news, it's last year's wonder.
I am convinced there is only one way to eliminate these grave evils, namely through the establishment of a socialist economy, accompanied by an educational system which would be oriented toward social goals.
~Albert Einstein
I'm thinking/hoping mid to late spring 2012.
"Never argue with a fool; onlookers may not be able to tell the difference."
I need to take this advice more.
It isn't impossbile but if it is true the beta will be announced within 2 weeks and start somewhere next month. Otherwise there is no chance they have the time.
Winter or early spring is as good as I heard, only thing official is that the beta starts this year.
GW1 closed beta was quite a few months and a much smaller game.
Loke's absolutely right.
For January to be possible, they would basically have to push the game out within the next few weeks. The game overall looks great, but there is still quite a few things they are still tweaking. For one I know some of the animations in the demos are just placeholders. I've also seen a few videos feature the personal stories. In one the sound kept screwing up, and in all of them they had issues with some of the animations. I'm sure they will want this fixed before they present a serious release.
The best prediction that I've heard mentions a late Q1/ early Q2 of 2012. With the amount of effort and patience they've put into making this game, I think that would be much more likely. Granted, I'm sure they will want to space the launch away from D3, that could put a kink in their release. However, that said, I think they are going to be doing their big release after this wave of AAA games comes out. It not only gives them more time to polish their game, but it makes a lot more business sense as well.
God I hope not. I need time to play skyrim, saints row the 3rd, and dead island. Give a borther a chance to play other games
agreed. what we've heard so far, is that investors should start seeing a return beginning early 2012. a return on their investment will probably start in the form of pre-orders. besides, i myself would even wait unitl next year. easier on the tax records.
Quote:
"The best prediction that I've heard mentions a late Q1/ early Q2 of 2012. With the amount of effort and patience they've put into making this game, I think that would be much more likely. Granted, I'm sure they will want to space the launch away from D3, that could put a kink in their release. However, that said, I think they are going to be doing their big release after this wave of AAA games comes out. It not only gives them more time to polish their game, but it makes a lot more business sense as well."
I also think this is the case also but I'm norrowing it down to between the March- April time frame, with Diablo coming in Feb..
If it's not done, it's not done, not much they can do about that, I guess, but I can't see why they'd deliberately shoot for anything as late as April. TSW by itself won't be an issue for GW2 probably, and yes, people will have had time to get bored of their holiday season games, but isn't Summer considered a slack time for MMOs? Is there something to do with marketing in the late Spring or early Summer that makes this not an issue? I might be missing a component in here somewhere.
I am convinced there is only one way to eliminate these grave evils, namely through the establishment of a socialist economy, accompanied by an educational system which would be oriented toward social goals.
~Albert Einstein
I think the perfect window to launch GW2 would be March 2012 when TOR 3 month subs coming to an end. Those who've done a lot of TOR will put that down for a bit and give GW2 go, most will play both in the end imho, but this would be a good way to spread it out for players time & money since most playing TOR will play GW2 as their gamers who like the MMO genre and good fresh polished MMO's don't come along all that often.
That doesn't sound like a bad launch window either, as long as ToR launches on time.
I am convinced there is only one way to eliminate these grave evils, namely through the establishment of a socialist economy, accompanied by an educational system which would be oriented toward social goals.
~Albert Einstein
The way I see it, the farther out GW2 is, the more time I will have to complete Skyrim (11/11/11).
January may not be enough time for that... so my money is on an April launch.
I dont see why they wouldnt release 1 month earlier and get all those christmas sales. I'm pretty positive its going to be released in December. Why would they lose out on all those sales just to release 1 month later? Seems to me that after all these years of development that they would not need JUST that 1 more month to finish.
I'd prefer a release after Christmas personally. I've seen too many games get pressured into an early release for Christmas, and it always ends badly because they haven't finished their punch-list. If they wait, they can determine when they're ready for release and not have to meet some arbitrary deadline.
The nice thing about the no-sub model btw is that the accountants don't have to look at it like, "OMG we're losing 2 million for every month we don't have subscribers!" It even gets to the point where they think they can turn a quick profit off of the initial subs and not worry about long-term. This no-sub model encourages ANet to keep people interested in the game long enough for them to go buy expansion packs down the line, which means NOT losing early customers and acquiring more over time. I mean, if you look at Warcraft, most of their subscribers came about two years after initial release, simply from people asking their friends, "Hey, how come I never see you in sunlight anymore?"
If GW2 is going to be released in January 2012, we will see pre-orders for it in November. But I don't think that is going to happen. I am looking at the April or November 2012 relase date, either way the Pre-Order will be available at least 90-30 days before it goes live, which appears to be NCSoft policy when you look at thier other games.
As for beta, it has been in closed (Friends and Family) alpha since 2009 and beta (Friends and Family and paid beta testers) phase testing since they moved into thier new offices in 2010, or so I was told by a source not covered by an NDA.
I dont really think thats the issue. If that was something to worry about then EA would not be allowing Bioware to release SWTOR on Dec 20 (US). I think its more of an issue with polish and that ANET has a high standard for quality. ANET will get sales regardless if they release in april or december. The fact that its a traditional MMO with no fee is a big deal for a lot of people. I hear a lot from people that games like WoW and other MMO's look really fun but they would never pay every month for them.
I think ANET and NCSOFT knows what they are doing (and I doubt it has to do with what you said).
So yes November December beta
And we all know release will be in April, if Arenanet makes all their terms and dowsn't decide to change any basic systems through beta (which could happen by player demeand) In which case it would be a late 2012 release...
Best MMO experiences : EQ(PvE), DAoC(PvP), WoW(total package) LOTRO (worldfeel) GW2 (Artstyle and animations and worlddesign) SWTOR (Story immersion) TSW (story) ESO (character advancement)
I think a reason for mmo's not to release in december is simple:
Average Modern Warfare player 14 years old
Average MMO player 18 years old
MMO's doesnt have to get out on the shelves with cristmass, and with so many good games comming out in the months to come my bet is realy on Janaury / Feb
I agree with you but considering GW2 is b2p (f2p) you might find a Feb date more appealing as if TOR players were looking for a change after their 3 months then they have a month to read the reviews and let that also sway them.
I would love Jan/Feb 2012 for a release window, LOL I will be playing Skyrim and SWTOR, I need time to finish Skyrim and hopefully get a months gameplay into SW.
Wildstar (2013) & Elder Scroll Online (2013)
Playing: Diablo 3, WOW, Far Cry 3 & X-Com.
Enjoyed: WOW 5 1/2 yrs, LOTRO 3yrs, GW 1/2yr, DFO 1yr, EVE Online 3yrs, and Huxley (Beta).
Failed to impress: GW2 3months, Tera Online 6 months (best combat system in any MMO I've played) STO 1/4yr, Aion 1/2yr, AoC 1yr, CO, Fallen Earth, DDO, EQ2 1/2yr, WAR 1/2yr, Lineage 2 and FF XI 1/2yr, FF XIV.
I'll drop what ever else I'm playing to play or beta test GW2. That said though I'm glad to have Skyrim and TOR to hold me over as well. If TOR can keep me happy until I get to play GW2, when ever that is, I'll be happy.
I still hope for a GW2 Open Beta fairly soon after the New Year, even if it cuts into my first free month for TOR. I'll say one thing, I would never get a three month subscription to TOR if the GW2 release date fell any where with in that three months. The percentage of players interested in both games who will make the same decision will probably depend a lot on how good SWTOR ends up being during the first month and how solid the information on GW2 is during that same window.
Want to know more about GW2 and why there is so much buzz? Start here: Guild Wars 2 Mass Info for the Uninitiated
When it comes to GW2 release date positioning in regards to the release of other products is unimportant because it is a buy to play game rather than requiring any subscription fee. There is no competition. I will buy GW2 and play it while trying various other MMO's that do require sub fees at the same time. There is simply no way they can lose me with that business model if it is a fun game. I know many other people that post here exporess similar thoughts. So in my mind, it is simply a process of waiting for them to get the product ready to ship on their own time. I will be here ready to buy.
However, if I were in Hollywood, I would make sure my movie or show did not release on the same day as GW2 as many have found out that a couple of hours worth of fim simply can't compete for entertainment value with a game...
Still think Oct. 2012 but it would be nice to see it out before then, while they've shown quite a few features there are still quite a few left that requires a lot of work, when we see crafting and WvWvW demo'd they should be ready to push it out the door.
As mentioned before March would be a nice window based on TOR, I wouldn't want to trip over Diablo3 either though and with box sales being the primary revenue driver that may affect the release too. I doubt Arenanet are highly affected by other publishers though, doubt other releases would affect the date by much more than a month once they decide it's ready.