Game publishers fund the development of video games and handle their distribution and marketing. They are an integral part of the video game industry and are crucial in bringing games to the market. However, game publishers are often criticized for rushing game developers and imposing hard deliverable dates, which can negatively affect the final product’s quality and success.
Biggest Consequence Of Harsh Deliverable Dates (QA)
One major issue with hard deliverable dates is that they often do not allow sufficient time for quality assurance (QA) testing. QA testing is the process of identifying and fixing bugs and other issues in a game before it is released to the public. It is a crucial step in the development process. It requires significant time to ensure that the game is polished and ready for release. However, publishers may pressure developers to cut corners and reduce the amount of QA testing to meet hard deliverable dates. This can result in games being released with numerous bugs and glitches, frustrating players and damaging the game’s reputation and the publisher.
A prime example of this is No Man’s Sky, which is a notorious example of publishers rushing developers. Although the devs did turn No Man’s Sky around, it still took 6 years of quality improvement updates to get the game in an impeccable state.
No Man’s Sky is now the game it should’ve been at launch (or even better), but it still raises the question: “Why even deliver an unfinished game in the first place?“. Anyways, here’s a comparison of No Man’s Sky at LAUNCH and 2022:
Launch:
2022:
Almost looks like a totally different game and that’s because it is.
No Man’s Sky in 2022
No Creativity & Stressful Work Environment
Another problem with hard deliverable dates is that they often do not allow for sufficient time for creative development. Video game development is a creative process. Developers need time to explore different ideas, iterate on designs, and fine-tune gameplay mechanics. However, publishers may rush developers to meet hard deliverable dates, which can stifle creativity and result in a game that feels rushed or incomplete. This can lead to players feeling underwhelmed or dissatisfied with the game, affecting the game’s success and the publisher’s reputation.
Hard deliverable dates can also harm game developers’ mental health and well-being. The video game industry is known for its grueling development schedules and long hours, and developers are often expected to work long hours and meet tight deadlines. This can lead to burnout and other mental health issues, ultimately affecting the game’s quality. Publishers that prioritize meeting hard deliverable dates over the well-being of their developers risk creating a toxic work environment that is detrimental to the game’s success and the development team’s happiness.
Prioritizing Short Terms Success Over Long-Term Success
Despite the negative consequences of hard deliverable dates, publishers often prioritize them due to financial pressures. Publishers invest significant amounts of money into the development of video games, and they want to see a return on their investment as soon as possible. Releasing a game on a hard deliverable date allows publishers to start recouping their investment and generates buzz around the game. However, this short-term focus can be detrimental to the long-term success of the game and the publisher’s reputation. Games that are rushed and released with numerous bugs and incomplete features may not perform well and may ultimately be less profitable in the long run.
In order to mitigate the negative effects of hard deliverable dates, game publishers need to find a balance between meeting financial goals and allowing for sufficient time for creative development and thorough QA testing. This may require publishers to be more realistic about the time and resources needed to develop a game. They should work closely with developers to establish realistic timelines and allow for flexibility if unforeseen issues arise.
There are supportive publishers out there!
One way publishers can achieve this balance is by adopting agile development methodologies. Agile development is a process that emphasizes flexibility and iteration, allowing developers to respond to changes and challenges as they arise. By adopting agile development, publishers can allow for more flexibility in the development process and reduce the pressure to meet hard deliverable dates.
Another way for publishers to support the development of high-quality games is by providing more resources to developers. This could include additional funding, larger development teams, or more advanced development tools. By providing developers with the resources they need, publishers can help ensure that games are developed to the highest possible standard and are not rushed or compromised due to time constraints.
Ultimately, communication and collaboration between publishers and developers is the key to balancing financial pressures and the quality of video games. Publishers should work closely with developers to understand their needs and challenges, and developers should be transparent about the time and resources they need to create the best possible game. It is important to note that not all game publishers are equally guilty of rushing developers and imposing hard deliverable dates. Some publishers may have a reputation for being more supportive of the development process and allowing sufficient time for creative development and QA testing. These publishers may be more likely to produce highquality games that are well-received by players and positively impact the industry.
The Unfortunate Way In Which The Industry Works
In conclusion, hard deliverable dates imposed by game publishers can negatively affect the quality and success of video games. They can lead to insufficient QA testing, stifle creativity, and harm game developers’ mental health and well-being.
Furthermore, if I had to compare some games at launch with a hamburger, many of them would be just the bun. It’s a stupid analogy, but you get the idea. At the end of the day, players aren’t even getting what they were promised for. Instead, it’s an insufficiently put together burger.
In order to mitigate these negative effects, game publishers need to find a balance between meeting financial goals and allowing for sufficient time for creative development and thorough QA testing. This can be achieved through agile development methodologies, providing more resources to developers, and establishing strong communication and collaboration between publishers and developers. By working together, publishers and developers can create a sustainable development process that results in high-quality games and a positive reputation for both parties.
Quality over quantity. 🙂
