Top Japanese Developers React Positively To Ps3 Delay

[Ben-Nice]

Top Japanese game publishers react positively to the PS3's delay announcement, sighing with relief that the console's date has finally been settled.

This Wednesday, Sony Computer Entertainment finally confirmed what many had anticipated--the PlayStation 3 would not meet its spring release date. The next-generation console has now been rescheduled for a worldwide release in early November, before the all-important holiday shopping season. Today's Nikkei BP features reactions from the top Japanese video game publishers regarding Sony's announcement of the PS3 delay, and most were positive.

Konami: "It's very good that the release period has been clarified. It's important to release [a console] at the right timing when everything is prepared. We hope that the PS3 will expand progressively [through the market]. In terms of our development schedule, we think that the delay will give us enough time to make sure we deliver better quality in our games."

Square Enix: "It's being reported as a 'delay,' but the [PS3's] previously unknown release period has finally become clear, and we are very glad to hear it."

Capcom: "The hardware's release period has been set, so we will be throwing in our full effort to develop good games for it."

Koei: "It will be a major delay, but now that the release date has been decided, we can target it and make work on further quality improvements. We would like to polish up our products so that they will take full advantage of the PS3."

Bandai: "We are fundamentally receiving [the PS3's delay announcement] with a favorable view. Titles for the PS3 are currently in development."

 

[scooby_dooby]

So, in other words, something is better than nothing...

 

[drpepper]

It looks like the developing houses were just as clueless as everyone else WRT the release dates. It makes you think that Sony is keeping them in the dark as well, which must have been frustrating.

 

[Inane_Dork]

PS3 is life to them. If they aren't positive about it, they don't expect to be companies for long.

 

[Bobbler]

It looks like the developing houses were just as clueless as everyone else WRT the release dates. It makes you think that Sony is keeping them in the dark as well, which must have been frustrating.

I'd say the opposite -- it sounds like the major dev/publishers were expecting or knew a fall launch was likely. You'd expect more disappointment if they were completely kept in the dark.

 

[drpepper]

I'd say the opposite -- it sounds like the major dev/publishers were expecting or knew a fall launch was likely. You'd expect more disappointment if they were completely kept in the dark.

Yah, I guess so. But for them to say that the release date had to be "clarified" for them doesn't bode well on how Sony is handling things. I guess they were expecting a fall launch but were not sure and it didn't seem Sony was willing to confirm it to them privately.

Either way, as long as they're happy the gamers will be too.

 

[Moonblade]

PS3 is life to them. If they aren't positive about it, they don't expect to be companies for long.

They can always pull a 'tecmo'

 

[Bobbler]

Yah, I guess so. But for them to say that the release date had to be "clarified" for them doesn't bode well on how Sony is handling things. I guess they were expecting a fall launch but were not sure and it didn't seem Sony was willing to confirm it to them privately.

Either way, as long as they're happy the gamers will be too.

We also have to consider what they say publically and the reality of the situation may be entirely different (for positive or negative -- they may be covering up that they didn't know with pleasantries or they knew about it well ahead of time and are acting mildly surprised but accepting). So it's kind of hard to know either way really... but at least publically they don't seem too miffed, which I suppose is a good sign.

 

[drpepper]

They can always pull a 'tecmo'

And look where Tecmo is compared to the Konami's, Capcom and Namco's.

 

[jb]

I'd guess most developers would not mind a delay in a products luanch as that gives them time to go back tweak, and fix things. I know what is like to try to get games out (me still had horror stories in about ChaosUT and meeting the deadlines for the MSU contest)....

 

[Moonblade]

And look where Tecmo is compared to the Konami's, Capcom and Namco's.

Well, please tell me. Where are they compared to other Japanese developers?
I know Capcom wasn't making much profit this generation, namco became 'namco bandai' and I'm not sure about Konami either.

 

[Shifty Geezer]

I'd guess most developers would not mind a delay in a products luanch as that gives them time to go back tweak, and fix things.

Excepot, as mentioned elsewhere, it costs an awful lot of money. If you've budgeted $10 million to make a game in 18 months, and start selling it in May, and then all of a sudden you have 6 more months of wages to pay without earning any money from sales, and you won't earn any more money in the long run because of the delay, it's a loss all round. You pay more, get no more back, and have to juggle your finances and creditors' interests and get stressed out, I imagine.

 

[jb]

Excepot, as mentioned elsewhere, it costs an awful lot of money. If you've budgeted $10 million to make a game in 18 months, and start selling it in May, and then all of a sudden you have 6 more months of wages to pay without earning any money from sales, and you won't earn any more money in the long run because of the delay, it's a loss all round. You pay more, get no more back, and have to juggle your finances and creditors' interests and get stressed out, I imagine.

That can swing both ways too. Usally if your up against a deadline and your running behind, then it costs you more in terms of OT, ect to make that deadline. Just look at the cost of a post for over night vrs standard. So that you could draw out over the extra time. Also you could shift your reasouces around, meaning as you get close to winding down this project you could more resources over to the next project. Again if you ever developed a game or a mod, you'll now that you never have enough time to make it right..well unless your making Duke Nukem 4

 

[Inane_Dork]

They can always pull a 'tecmo'

Most Japanese developers cannot subsist on American, Canadian and European sales. I think they're trying to break that mold, but going cold turkey is not the way to do that.