The Yearly Release Cycle Needs to Be Changed Up

[Dalsanto0026]

I agree. In most cases annual releases don't show enough improvement/upgrades to warrant an annual purchase (with the exception of the leap from NBA 2K10 to 2K11) so for the customer a 2 year development cycle makes sense. However, from a business standpoint profits would be reduced due to the sheer number of people who'll still gladly fork out money each year regardless of the level of improvements made, so I can't see this changing.

If I'm happy with the game eg MLB 10, NBA 2K11, NHL08, then I'm quite content to stick with them for a couple of years. I don't like the idea of forking out $100 AU for minor upgrades each year. If there are no drastic improvements and only gameplay tweaks eg what EA has done with the stale NHL series from 09-11 then I think something like DLC might be a better option.

[milesizdead]

Quote: Originally Posted by Dalsanto0026

I agree. In most cases annual releases don't show enough improvement/upgrades to warrant an annual purchase (with the exception of the leap from NBA 2K10 to 2K11) so for the customer a 2 year development cycle makes sense. However, from a business standpoint profits would be reduced due to the sheer number of people who'll still gladly fork out money each year regardless of the level of improvements made, so I can't see this changing. If I'm happy with the game eg MLB 10, NBA 2K11, NHL08, then I'm quite content to stick with them for a couple of years. I don't like the idea of forking out $100 AU for minor upgrades each year. If there are no drastic improvements and only gameplay tweaks eg what EA has done with the stale NHL series from 09-11 then I think something like DLC might be a better option.

I must say that if you´re playing NHL08 still, updating to NHL11 is a must!
Seriously, the game has improved heaps since 08.

[Bad_Intentions]

Only problem is if a game sucks you're stuck with it for 2 years

[Quinney123]

nah its ok lol

[slapped89]

Make one good game, Update it constently, and its set till a new console

[canucksss]

great points. i also have that kind of feeling that EA is treating most of the consumers as beta testers. bi-annual is a good suggestion too. dont like releases that are plagued with bugs, modes that are almost half-useless until the release of a patch. i bought the game on the release date (Sept) and did not start my BGM until the release of Tuner 2.0 and Petr Pucks roster update (sometime Dec) so i have to wait almost 3 months to play the mode???
Plus, you cant continue what you achieved on the next release coz you have start from scratch. I would really wait before buying the 2012 (considering 2K will not release NHL game). If there's no significant change or improvement, then I'll not buy it and wait for 2013 or even 2014.
I have CH2K8 and still loving the game. Sure graphics is old but the fun of playing and recruiting plus the depth of Career is great. People are just making a roster update (courtesy of 2k share) and the game still brand new.

[FBeaule04]

It would all make sense if that wasn't about money. In EA mind, Ultimate Hockey, CHL, Memorial Cup, new physics and face-offs was enough to short-cut on BAGM and BAP. t's ok, that's there point of view.

If that wasn't about money, everything should be made to make the game perfect, enhancing the modes you have, correct bugs and make the AI be what it's suppose to be.

And you also have to understand that there's no competition for EA. It's either you play with our game or you go f*** yourself.

I would be totally for a 2 year release, but that wouldn't make some people, who complain as often as they breathe, to yap that this game doesn't have this or that.

[Whammer]

Not a good idea at all. The reality is that EA, or any other game maker, cannot test a game thoroughly enough to catch all the bugs and problems. Why? Because when a game releases within days millions of games will be played online and offline. How can a developer match that? How many game testers to you expect them to employ? And there is always some creative soul out there who thinks of a new way to beat a game and finds a glitch.

Honestly I don't think it can get better than it is right now. Gamers uncover all the bugs and glitches and game developers patch them. Many of you forget the days of "you get what you get", there was no way to patch the game and if it had bugs or glitches you waited until they got fixed for next years game.