Multiplat AFL Evolution 2

[Scallop Industry Thug]

Not at all - If I put myself in your shoes and viewed it from your perspective, I'd be pretty upset - I am sincerely apologetic and certainly should know better.

All devs really appreciate people purchasing new product, not a cent from second hand sales makes it back to the distribution, marketing, publishing, development or licensors - the reality is that second hand sales are just a very expensive rental, trade a game for 10-40% of the value, buy another second hand game for 80% value, repeat, costing 40-70% of the value for a "rental".

Ross what is the financial incentive for BigAnt to offer free downloads of ashes cricket via Xbox game pass? How do you get money when we get it for free?

 

[BigAntStudios]

Ross what is the financial incentive for BigAnt to offer free downloads of ashes cricket via Xbox game pass? How do you get money when we get it for free?

We receive revenue for inclusion in the programme. I can't go into the specific terms as they are confidential, covered by NDA, however, broadly speaking, the term is for 1 year and Xbox Game Pass is not free (there is revenue).

It is probably not unlike Netflix in that regard, you can watch whatever you want "free" of extra charges, but there is a monthly fee being paid.

 

[BlackMamba]

We receive revenue for inclusion in the programme. I can't go into the specific terms as they are confidential, covered by NDA, however, broadly speaking, the term is for 1 year and Xbox Game Pass is not free (there is revenue).

It is probably not unlike Netflix in that regard, you can watch whatever you want "free" of extra charges, but there is a monthly fee being paid.

And how much control do you have as a Publisher (?? I suppose this role) on the discounts of your games at both in-store and digital downloads?

 

[jackess]

I was leading by about 12 goals at 3/4 time and I couldn’t be bothered finishing the game so I quit and simulated the last quarter. Lost by 3 goals.

 

[BigAntStudios]

And how much control do you have as a Publisher (?? I suppose this role) on the discounts of your games at both in-store and digital downloads?

As the publisher we control the price digitally, physically the stores (EB, JB, etc.) can set any price, but often that comes back to them expecting us to discount, which we could decline but then they'd likely hurt us on something later. When a discount cycle starts it's the publisher that wears it, the retailers will almost always make the same margins or higher. If you don't maintain parity between the physical and digital, at least in the early stages, then the retailers would likely want you to pay them for their "losses" or just not deal with you - they high digital price is to protect retail.

 

[Dez!]

Haven't played this the second or third day after I got it because of the all bugs and glitches just going to wait for a patch, thought I'd try go over this amazing WW forum that's talked about.

Get a warning saying that it's not a secure website and that attackers maybe trying to steal my passwords, credit card info etc.

Very fitting.

 

[Scallop Industry Thug]

It’s been 2 weeks since they said 2-3 weeks with the patch. Hopefully this week.

 

[BallaratBulldog]

Which is interesting because it means they submitted the patch just before or after early release roughly.

 

[CazC30]

It’s been 2 weeks since they said 2-3 weeks with the patch. Hopefully this week.

I feel we need to be patient with consideration to current world problems.... I don't feel they can possibly work effectively as a team and get a patch out anytime soon, they are following social distancing rules and their work isn't considered essential. Don't feel they should put their lives at risk for a computer game?

 

[BallaratBulldog]

I feel we need to be patient with consideration to current world problems.... I don't feel they can possibly work effectively as a team and get a patch out anytime soon, they are following social distancing rules and their work isn't considered essential. Don't feel they should put their lives at risk for a computer game?

They can work from distance, but it just depends on the team with how effective that is. For example, Nintendo are struggling with it for Switch content. Only have two first party games out for the year and have delayed everything. Others not so much.

 

[CazC30]

attackers maybe trying to steal my passwords, credit card info etc.

Very fitting.

Trying or already succeded?

 

[Scallop Industry Thug]

I feel we need to be patient with consideration to current world problems.... I don't feel they can possibly work effectively as a team and get a patch out anytime soon, they are following social distancing rules and their work isn't considered essential. Don't feel they should put their lives at risk for a computer game?

Of course. Im just going off their timeline of 2-3 weeks which I assumed included all precautions.

 

[BigAntStudios]

They can work from distance, but it just depends on the team with how effective that is. For example, Nintendo are struggling with it for Switch content. Only have two first party games out for the year and have delayed everything. Others not so much.

We've been working remotely and hitting every milestone - it won't effect smaller devs as much as large ones because of the admin overhead in checking in on everyone.

 

[BigAntStudios]

Which is interesting because it means they submitted the patch just before or after early release roughly.

I would suggest that patch was submitted at least a week before the "early-late" release.

If you submit after a "clean build" - no major bugs from a platform point of view (not gameplay bugs, system bugs like non-progression), then patches are 24 (Sony)-48 (Xbox) hours for submission to being clear to launch, in the industry this is referred to as "rapid patch".

If you've got a buggy previous build then the turnaround is 4-5 days, if no further major bugs are found.

Corona can't be blamed for a late patch, XBox & Sony are processing without delays, it's totally down to resources being put on the job.

Nintendo is another matter.... totally random as to when you get stuff through - (long_time + random(days))

 

[Dez!]

Trying or already succeded?

Given the game they came out with I'm fairly certain they failed.

 

[CazC30]

I would suggest that patch was submitted at least a week before the "early-late" release.

If you submit after a "clean build" - no major bugs from a platform point of view (not gameplay bugs, system bugs like non-progression), then patches are 24 (Sony)-48 (Xbox) hours for submission to being clear to launch, in the industry this is referred to as "rapid patch".

If you've got a buggy previous build then the turnaround is 4-5 days, if no further major bugs are found.

Corona can't be blamed for a late patch, XBox & Sony are processing without delays, it's totally down to resources being put on the job.

Nintendo is another matter.... totally random as to when you get stuff through - (long_time + random(days))

At least my post instigated a substantial and forthright response. Thanks for this insight, I feel it ads a bit more clarity to the process. I take it WW have a different working practice, are we considering them to be bigger than Big Ant? I take it there are different and some what rushed safe working practices in place which could be different for each company.

I know Mike doesn't hate me.

Maybe WW don't have an internet connection or are on an island hiding from the flak.

 

[CazC30]

They can work from distance, but it just depends on the team with how effective that is. For example, Nintendo are struggling with it for Switch content. Only have two first party games out for the year and have delayed everything. Others not so much.

It would depend on their safe working practice... Many have had to be constructed as we have never been in this situation before. Don't forget that both Ross and Mike are Carlton fans and play with their sanity (self respect) each season.

 

[BlackMamba]

Which is interesting because it means they submitted the patch just before or after early release roughly.

Isn’t this all hopeful thinking?
Like, they would *want* to have a release ready by then... but there’s no definitive schedule they must meet to release the patch.

It’s possible the new forum has given them some more bugs that they want to fix first... and that’s delayed the patch.
Maybe that’s not the case... just saying it’s all speculation for now.

 

[BigAntStudios]

It would depend on their safe working practice... Many have had to be constructed as we have never been in this situation before. Don't forget that both Ross and Mike are Carlton fans and play with their sanity (self respect) each season.

Not sure of the relative company sizes. The measure of number of employees is not the key, it's the number that are on a project, my understanding is that we have more people on each project. They have been working from home for as long as we have, a month or so.

Carlton have a record number of members this year, with negligible refund requests, it's when the chips are down that you get to test loyalty - long suffering Carlton supporters have passed the test with flying colours, which may indeed be insane, but I love it.

 

[BigAntStudios]

Isn’t this all hopeful thinking?
Like, they would *want* to have a release ready by then... but there’s no definitive schedule they must meet to release the patch.

It’s possible the new forum has given them some more bugs that they want to fix first... and that’s delayed the patch.
Maybe that’s not the case... just saying it’s all speculation for now.

You are allowed a "conditional pass" if you agree to fix items in a zero-day patch, a bit of conjecture here, but they may have been forced to have a patch or face not being allowed to manufacture/sell the game at all.

Sebastian Giompaolo hates patches with a passion, in my experience he would not have wanted a zero-day patch and will be trying to have as few patches as possible. He and I would nearly drive each other insane with arguments about patches as we have entirely opposite views.

 

[CazC30]

Not sure of the relative company sizes. The measure of number of employees is not the key, it's the number that are on a project, my understanding is that we have more people on each project. They have been working from home for as long as we have, a month or so.

Carlton have a record number of members this year, with negligible refund requests, it's when the chips are down that you get to test loyalty - long suffering Carlton supporters have passed the test with flying colours, which may indeed be insane, but I love it.

You never lose the love of your footy club. However much they hurt you (they don't mean it).


#FeelforFremantle

 

[2006_Eagles]

You are allowed a "conditional pass" if you agree to fix items in a zero-day patch, a bit of conjecture here, but they may have been forced to have a patch or face not being allowed to manufacture/sell the game at all.

Sebastian Giompaolo hates patches with a passion, in my experience he would not have wanted a zero-day patch and will be trying to have as few patches as possible. He and I would nearly drive each other insane with arguments about patches as we have entirely opposite views.

Wouldn't patching make the most sense for small teams with limited budgets, as their ability to QA would be more limited and might rely more on community based suggestions once the game is in the wild? Especially for an inherently complex game to simulate like AFL.

Or would it make more sense to patch with the biggest budgeted, largest scoped games?

 

[BigAntStudios]

Wouldn't patching make the most sense for small teams with limited budgets, as their ability to QA would be more limited and might rely more on community based suggestions once the game is in the wild? Especially for an inherently complex game to simulate like AFL.

Or would it make more sense to patch with the biggest budgeted, largest scoped games?

IMO it's not a choice. As we head to "games as a service", every publisher needs to understand that every game is live and will require updates to keep it fresh (or at least have bugs fixed), old school thinking is to shift the boxes and move to the next title.

 

[2006_Eagles]

I have a small love/hate relationship with day 1 (or zero day) patches. Annoying having to wait for the game to update, but I understand there's a lead time between a game going gold and it arriving in my hand. And it shows the game is still being improved (nothing is perfect at any time). I actually get a little bit excited for them haha.

In the end I'm in favour of them.

 

[BigAntStudios]

I have a small love/hate relationship with day 1 (or zero day) patches. Annoying having to wait for the game to update, but I understand there's a lead time between a game going gold and it arriving in my hand. And it shows the game is still being improved (nothing is perfect at any time). I actually get a little bit excited for them haha.

In the end I'm in favour of them.

If it weren't for zero day patches, games would be a lot later, you'd have to factor more rounds of QA with the platform holders, which you may or may not need.