HB has let TRF down

[vermonter]

where are the videos posted on youtube?

 

[TRF_Cymro]

where are the videos posted on youtube?

 

[gingergenius]

OK, I'm not going to complain about lack of news blah blah blah because I don't really care. The game comes out in Summer whether or not the screenshots come out now. And, based on interviews, budget etc. etc. I think we can safely say we're going to get Rugby 08 with better graphics and slightly better gameplay, but nothing more.

However, I am going to complain about that video. What was the point? Does the guy really think that rugby fans around the world want to know how much he enjoys his life?

I'd far rather they get on with some bloody work (the simple addition of a roster editor & team creator would suit me just fine, and would take no effort at all to develop), than waste time making boring videos about a town nobody wants to visit. I couldn't give two squirts of **** where the game is developed, just so long as the developers actually know and care about rugby (and maybe looking at the roster from 08 using Canadians in a hick town might not be the best idea...).

/rant

 

[Shimon]

No just you I am afraid!

Quite a few companies use Youtube as a way of publishing their videos. Sports Interactive do so with Football Manager. Youtube is the dedicated place for videos in the modern era.

Sports Interactive has it's own channel, HB Studios as far as I know does not. The name of the channel is "novascotiabusiness", why didn't they create their own channel, upload some footage and link it to TRF, you can't honestly say that is too difficult to do. Or at least personally post on the forum about it?

EDIT: What I meant to say that this video wasn't created with us in mind, the fact that they talked about their game to aspiring game developers rather than Rugby fans is slightly disheartening considering we've been waiting for some news .

 

[Duckdee]

EDIT: What I meant to say that this video wasn't created with us in mind

Yeah, I don't get how people are missing the point of the video.

 

[best_fullback]

TBH I think it is a little bit rude saying that HB owe us something. As many of the mods have said there are so many things that go into the development of the game that it literally won't be as simple as releasing a screenshot because they will need the licensing to be water-tight first.

Lets look at the facts - a game is still being released at the time they said it would be. Have we been able to all have our say in what we feel should be implemented into the game? Yes I think so. It would be naive of us to think that the team would literally only use us as the main source for ideas for the game. In their opening interview with St Helens RLFC they stated their intention for us to suggest ideas and give feedback on the previous games - which we have been able to do. We are not part of their team. If anything we should actually be happy they are giving us updates because I don't know many other game developers that give such exclusive interviews to a forum. Also the opening poster talks about Mario over at the Sidhe forum, and though he does personally reply in the forum, how many of those posts actually give significant insight? Most of the time when he answers he says "more info will be released when it is possible" or similar which, correct me if im wrong, is what HB are doing?

And another thing; I haven't been on this blog in a while due to Uni workload but it seems there has been a massive influx of new members desperate to say what they want about the forthcoming game but it has descended into a little bit of chaos; I mean, 8 pages of threads. The mods did deliberately make some specific threads such as "Ruck/Maul improvement suggestions" with some excellent ideas within but they seem to have been lost in the clog of new threads which frankly could be a new post in an existing thread. I find it confusing looking through this sub-forum now after being away for a while so given HB don't come on too often they must find it even harder so if anything you're just all stifling the possibility of actual good ideas coming into fruition by making 10 threads of "How should the crowd sound?" or "Which players should be given 99 overall?".

Be patient. Im sure HB do look at our threads but take into account they have their own ideas as well.

 

[Fraser44]

Lets look at the facts - a game is still being released at the time they said it would be.

First off let me just say I'm not picking on you. You were just the easiest one to quote, though lots of people have been saying this.

I just felt like pointing out that it isnt unheard of (in fact it is far too common) for a game to have a 'set in stone' date and fail to make it. And frankly, lack of screenshots or videos is often a major indicator that a game could be in trouble. Now Im not saying that this is the case for this game, but I can definitely see why some people are concerned and that HBs planned release window isnt soothing their concerns

 

[best_fullback]

First off let me just say I'm not picking on you. You were just the easiest one to quote, though lots of people have been saying this.

I just felt like pointing out that it isnt unheard of (in fact it is far too common) for a game to have a 'set in stone' date and fail to make it. And frankly, lack of screenshots or videos is often a major indicator that a game could be in trouble. Now Im not saying that this is the case for this game, but I can definitely see why some people are concerned and that HBs planned release window isnt soothing their concerns

I can understand that does happen to games, hell I even remember being about 13 waiting almost a year after Mafia's stated release date before I finally got it, but it would strike me as highly counterintuitive for HB not to release the game before the WC because simple logic would dictate that that is when Rugby hype and interest in general will be at its highest worldwide to feed off. After the WC there will be undoubtedly some lasting interest but because most nations will not play again until a few months later the interest will be a fair amount lower worldwide.

Of course its not outside the realms of possibility to delay it until after but it makes absolutely no economic sense.

 

[Charles]

Mmm delay is usually not something you decide...

 

[Rothrich]

Also the opening poster talks about Mario over at the Sidhe forum, and though he does personally reply in the forum, how many of those posts actually give significant insight? Most of the time when he answers he says "more info will be released when it is possible" or similar which, correct me if im wrong, is what HB are doing?

The point is, Mario actively participates on the forum. HB don't. That's their prerogative, but then don't build TRF into something it isn't. Sidhe have provided updates of both motion capture and sound-recording sessions. And while it's good that some of the mods are in regular communication with HB, why can't Alistair and co. post on their own, without their hand being held?

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Mmm delay is usually not something you decide...

This is once sentence that covers almost everything

 

[Fraser44]

The point is, Mario actively participates on the forum. HB don't. That's their prerogative, but then don't build TRF into something it isn't. Sidhe have provided updates of both motion capture and sound-recording sessions. And while it's good that some of the mods are in regular communication with HB, why can't Alistair and co. post on their own, without their hand being held?

You are absolutely right. As the person you quoted said, it is true that Mario answers most questions with the standard 'More info will be released later'. But the fact is he still replies, usually very swiftly. Not only that, but he also manages to stir some debate depending on what people ask. He also has dropped a few hints and offhand comments to keep people interested and happy.

I think Mario has been doing as good a job as one can possibly do without releasing any solid info. The guy might do well as a politician

 

[Saints1]

Hypothetically - does your take on this change if a publisher is stopping HB from responding?

 

[Fraser44]

Hypothetically - does your take on this change if a publisher is stopping HB from responding?

Well it would most likely at least shift the accusations from HB to whoever the publisher is

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

I still think we should cherish the fact that there will be a rugby game at all. Since 2007 we haven't had anything coming our way in new games so I am happy to ignore the lack of publicity and lack of news being tossed in our direction. It will be the only Rugby Union game, as far as I know, with a full bundle of licenses. I've heard some people mention Sidhe or something. Nice if it means we have 2 games coming out this year but I will check the difference once both are out.

 

[best_fullback]

You are absolutely right. As the person you quoted said, it is true that Mario answers most questions with the standard 'More info will be released later'. But the fact is he still replies, usually very swiftly. Not only that, but he also manages to stir some debate depending on what people ask. He also has dropped a few hints and offhand comments to keep people interested and happy.

I think Mario has been doing as good a job as one can possibly do without releasing any solid info. The guy might do well as a politician

You're essentially saying that you're more happy with the fact Mario consistently says we can't release more info, instead of HB saying it once or twice. I do go on the Sidhe forums a fair bit and he hasn't said anything truly groundbreaking just in a thread asking questions that hasn't already been in a press release. I'm not trying to get into an argument about this but I just feel we should be very patient because we don't know any of the circumstances. Maybe Mario has 2 hours a day reserved for him to reply to the forum and maybe HB studios don't want to release any info yet because they are waiting for one absolutely massive press release of all the game's features and screenshots and videos. The fact is you just really don't know and everything we are talking about is complete speculation.

 

[Fraser44]

You're essentially saying that you're more happy with the fact Mario consistently says we can't release more info, instead of HB saying it once or twice. I do go on the Sidhe forums a fair bit and he hasn't said anything truly groundbreaking just in a thread asking questions that hasn't already been in a press release. I'm not trying to get into an argument about this but I just feel we should be very patient because we don't know any of the circumstances. Maybe Mario has 2 hours a day reserved for him to reply to the forum and maybe HB studios don't want to release any info yet because they are waiting for one absolutely massive press release of all the game's features and screenshots and videos. The fact is you just really don't know and everything we are talking about is complete speculation.

I think what I was trying to say is that I'm happy that Mario is interacting with the community as he is. He and Milla both seem to be on a lot and posting, and while its true that they havent said anything concrete or groundbreaking as you put it, they have dropped some hints about online play and licenses.

I can see both sides of the argument. I know HB and the unknown publisher have reasons to have not released info, and I know we certainly arent entitled to know everything like some on here seem to believe. But at the same time, I understand why people are getting frustrated and concerned over the lack of information, especially since this partnership with TRF was set up as a portal between the community and HB and that partnership has yet to live up to expectations for some.

I agree with you that a little patience is called for. The gaming industry has turned into a VERY complicated world, and as demands for accuracy and quality rise, so will the time we have to wait for such things

 

[HB_AJ]

Hi guys,

That 3D grass wasn't enough, then? ;-) I hear you - we're as excited to get the game in your hands as you are to play it, believe me. Hours seem like days and days seem like years...

Know that work on the game continues apace and information will be forthcoming. Also know that we remain committed to dialogue with our community on TRF. This forum has had HB lurkers on it for years, and rest assured, that hasn't stopped. We'll get better at participating so that the dialogue is not so one sided. For now, we're focusing all of our attention on the game as our response to your feedback is best delivered to your console.

We've had a great round of positive feedback on the current build and we're looking forward to sharing announcements and early glimpses of the game with you in the weeks and months ahead.

Thanks for your emails and for your support.

Cheers,
A.

 

[Kdog]

And the masses were calmed for several minutes

 

[HB_AJ]

Heh.