HB STUDIOS Q&A vol. 3

[Teh Mite]

To me that should've been a major question for HB Studios, "If the fans buy this game in droves, and you put out some DLC that gets eaten up like mad, will that give some hope of a Rugby 2013 to build on it all and keep the franchise going strong, or is this likely a four yearly World Cup product"?

To me people are being greedy and worrying about this game as though it's the last Rugby game of all time and aren't concerned if there's a chance to re-build the franchise up over 2-3 instalments.

Then if we get a Rugby 2013 or even a 2014, you end up with more and more of these extra (and to my mind less important) features.

It's not entirely inconceivable that if (and that's a big IF) the game is a huge success, EA would quickly come sniffing around to have the franchise back and snap up any sequels. Look at their recent exploits with MMA and (slightly earlier) Burnout.

That or they'd commission a rugby ***le of their own and get exclusive licenses on everything. Again, something else they have previous form for doing...

 

[TRF C A Iversen]

It's not entirely inconceivable that if (and that's a big IF) the game is a huge success, EA would quickly come sniffing around to have the franchise back and snap up any sequels. Look at their recent exploits with MMA and (slightly earlier) Burnout.

That or they'd commission a rugby ***le of their own and get exclusive licenses on everything. Again, something else they have previous form for doing...

Agreed, but HB are on good terms with EA on other projects, I'm sure EA would possibly say "You've made this a viable product and thats what we were concerned about, so maybe we can work something out again". I'm hoping it'd be something more like that, should something happen.

My biggest point in that post was that there are plenty of moaners now wanting this game to have everything, who are acting all surprised that it's the re-start to the franchise and that we need to support it if we want a future. I definitely get the impression that some are thinking that both EA and HB have been rolling around on a mountain of Rugby game money and cackling with glee.

If the game-plays rock solid I'm going to try and buy any and all DLC on top of that to make it worthwhile. As long as they try not to do a codemasters and screw people out of decent patch-work to any big game-play holes as in their cricket franchise.

 

[j-dawg]

So there not doing much in this game then... To be honest I wouldnt mind not having a manager mode, be a star or 7's. A little dissapointed with the lack of enthusiasm in the create a player area but as long as the gameplays solid its good for me. My biggest concern however is when it says expect passing to be like previous games. I dont think that type of passing would fit well in the 'simulation' that this game is supposed to be, but what do I know? Im a player not a programmer...

 

[Hamez]

Can't say im not disapointed by not having a managers mode, but if they are putting as much emphasis on the gameplay and make a very refined game I will be more than happy. Jonah Lomu only had international teams and I still play it 13 years later.

I am a bit confused with the passing lines, obviously I am not the one making it so I don't know what they are trying to do. But if they could do it on Jonah Lomu Rugby back in 97 I dont see why it'd be so hard to do these days. It seemd to me in Rubgy 08 it was the passing lines, it was the poor AI not knwoing where to actually be, you couldn't even do inside balls.

I could be wrong but it sounds like this could just be a world cup game the "We are going to try to be very focused this year" sounds like there wont be as many teams as we think there will be. But its a wait and see approach.

I am a bit hesitant with what they are saying, it is very promising that they are forgetting all the added crap to focus on gameplay, but I am very worried that this will end up a flop like international cricket, RL live, backbreaker. I guess I will just wait and see, all I want is a decent playing rugby game on ps3, hopefully we will get that if not better.

 

[Jansi_555]

I am still most worried about the ps3 xbox thing. I really wish it makes pc.

 

[RoosTah]

I dunno what all the fuss is about... the game sounds pretty good to me. Sure, it won't be the Rugby equivalent of FIFA 11, but that's just a reflection of the market realities and the sooner people accept that the better. EA aren't on board, so licensing will be an issue, but you'll hardly notice after a couple games anyway.

 

[Saints1]

I dunno what all the fuss is about... the game sounds pretty good to me. Sure, it won't be the Rugby equivalent of FIFA 11, but that's just a reflection of the market realities and the sooner people accept that the better. EA aren't on board, so licensing will be an issue, but you'll hardly notice after a couple games anyway.

Listen to this man. He talks sense.

Although I honestly can't comment on licenses - I just don't know.

 

[mohamed_ali12]

This is going to sound ridiculously negative, but as yet they don't seem to have stated that anything will be different from Rugby 08, except that the rosters will be updated. That's my major concern.

 

[Scotsman]

Yea these answers from HB are pretty much what I expected - there is clearly a lack of budget so they have to be very careful on spend, focusing on the core elements of the game rather than the flashy extras. Understandable, and actually, all they can do in their situation.

My feeling is this will be rugby 2008 but next gen. It will feel and play very similar but with better graphics and perhaps more fluid animations. But I think in essence they are going about it the right way. They need to focus on getting the core gameplay right, then, and as the game gets more successful, they can add all the other elements to it such as manager mode and more licenses.

Personally I hope it isn't like 2008 or any of the other previous rugby games, because in the grand scheme of things they were pretty poor. However with the resouces they have, a clone of the last games, using the same code, is all they can realistically achieve. Maybe 2014 and 2015 we'll get a more evolved, 'mature' game, just like we have with fifa. And just remember how long it took EA to develop a decent football game! Fife 2005 was in my opinion the first decent fifa game. With less budget its going to take rugby a long long time to reach those heights, so it all comes down to expectations.

 

[TRF C A Iversen]

Yea these answers from HB are pretty much what I expected - there is clearly a lack of budget so they have to be very careful on spend, focusing on the core elements of the game rather than the flashy extras. Understandable, and actually, all they can do in their situation.

My feeling is this will be rugby 2008 but next gen. It will feel and play very similar but with better graphics and perhaps more fluid animations. But I think in essence they are going about it the right way. They need to focus on getting the core gameplay right, then, and as the game gets more successful, they can add all the other elements to it such as manager mode and more licenses.

Personally I hope it isn't like 2008 or any of the other previous rugby games, because in the grand scheme of things they were pretty poor. However with the resouces they have, a clone of the last games, using the same code, is all they can realistically achieve. Maybe 2014 and 2015 we'll get a more evolved, 'mature' game, just like we have with fifa. And just remember how long it took EA to develop a decent football game! Fife 2005 was in my opinion the first decent fifa game. With less budget its going to take rugby a long long time to reach those heights, so it all comes down to expectations.

That's all we've been missing here on the forum, a realistic Scotsman. Great post!

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

I'm glad there's DLC, it means they can focus on gameplay, and then extras (a la large numbers of teams) can come after.

 

[RoosTah]

Yea these answers from HB are pretty much what I expected - there is clearly a lack of budget so they have to be very careful on spend, focusing on the core elements of the game rather than the flashy extras. Understandable, and actually, all they can do in their situation.

My feeling is this will be rugby 2008 but next gen. It will feel and play very similar but with better graphics and perhaps more fluid animations. But I think in essence they are going about it the right way. They need to focus on getting the core gameplay right, then, and as the game gets more successful, they can add all the other elements to it such as manager mode and more licenses.

Personally I hope it isn't like 2008 or any of the other previous rugby games, because in the grand scheme of things they were pretty poor. However with the resouces they have, a clone of the last games, using the same code, is all they can realistically achieve. Maybe 2014 and 2015 we'll get a more evolved, 'mature' game, just like we have with fifa. And just remember how long it took EA to develop a decent football game! Fife 2005 was in my opinion the first decent fifa game. With less budget its going to take rugby a long long time to reach those heights, so it all comes down to expectations.

To be honest I think that if they can just improve a few key areas of the '08 edition it'll be a pretty good game. '08 suffered from the fact that it just didn't feel like a real game of Rugby - something which every game of either code (with the possible exception of Rugby League Live) has suffered from - due to the unrealistic way that both rucks, mauls and scrums operated.
If they can tweek those areas to make them more interactive and realistic - even if only a little - it will be a huge improvement in my eyes.
It is a sad fact, but in spite of the many millions of people who enjoy watching rugby, it appears that a large number of these people aren't in the market for games... perhaps its simply a marketing problem; perhaps the IRB need to actively invest in this.

I suggested over at Sidhe that video games represent a dynamic means of advertising and that the NRL should therefore provide both Sidhe and BigAnt with free access to licensing and team stats, likenesses etc and possibly even invest capital in the production of future games as a way of increasing their market saturation. My theory is that if they were able to help these small companies bring these ***les somewhere in the vicinity (though would probably still be a bit off) of the glossy NFL and soccer counterparts, then you'd get people playing the game out of simple curiosity who may then become active fans of the sport.

The IRB has far greater resources to play with than the NRL or ESL, so theoretically they could really do a lot for the production of a next gen sports ***le. It simply requires a compelling enough argument to be made to them that this would in fact be an investment that would help grow the game in the same way that providing small teams with equipment and coaching clinics is. Heck, if they were really serious the IRB could even publish the bloody thing and get a cut of the profits (it wouldn't be beyond their means if they really wanted to do it).

 

[ranger]

The only thing that really worries me from this is the passing issue.. I can deal with no licenses, features or a lack of game modes but as other people have said, the real priority is that the gameplay itsself is good.

The magnetic passing was pretty poor in the last few games. It was irritating to play one player and infuriating to play 2 player co-op because you couldn't pass to each other.

The inference also appears to be that the whole game will still revolve around canned animations. The same overdone sidestep where the defender is sucked into an animation without your control, the same annoying hand offs, superman tackles and the rest of the game where half the time you don't have any control over your own players. It certainly is worrying.

 

[Giteau]

I for one am extremely greatful for this game no matter how it turns out. Year after year I've waited for an announcement and I cannot be happier that a rugby union game is in the works. Look, aslong as there's online (which is a no brainer) play it'll have legs to burn. A manager mode would have been great, sure why wouldn't it be, but I accept the fact that the budget for a whole lot of extras is non existent. Just give me solid gameplay and atleast some changes from '08 and I'd be delighted. I vote the legendary Hugh Bladen for Rugby 2012 commentator!

 

[Jayatron]

As an Ulster fan the last few EA ***les has had no licensing and there attempt to simulate Ulster was less than terrible. However when I discovered "Rugby Challenge" had the rights to the Magners Celtic League I was over the moon, but then let down by the awful, pure awful, game play. The fact remains that we need good game play if this game is going to sell outside this forum.
The Q&A has cleared up a lot of questions, however I do have concerns myself that the passing could be a little more complex than just pass left and right. It leaves me wondering if we are going to be left with the one dimensional attacking play. Some pick and goes or trails runners of the 9 or 10 would be a nice simple feature to build from.
I think as well the questions asked were a little strange, for some reason we didn't ask about rucking and how that was being improved or the ability to create custom line outs and set pieces. If HB do read these forums then it should be very clear that everyone wants an in depth create mode as well. I am fully aware that HB are working on a small budget, however we are the consumer, we have hopefully made it very clear we want HB to work on the game play and we will work on the teams, so an in depth creation mode for teams, leagues, stadiums and set pieces is essential, this is capitalism, there is a demand so supply it.
I do worry for the game a little now but that is out of my control, like many things. However I totally agree with an earlier comment that the IRB gets on board and funds a game. It only makes sense, look at the WWE and the success they enjoy financially and commerciality. It is a no brainer in my eyes, and if they haven't approached HB then someone should approach them.

 

[Dizzy]

I also worry for the game as well now....

 

[squirrel]

just gutted that ive left home and my 3 brothers aint around to play multiplayer with when the game gets released,why did ea produce such crap ten years ago

 

[dan the man]

All i can say is that if there is no Manager mode and no World League there had better be a next release sooner than 4 years... the only reason i'm still playing Rugby 06 is cause of World League. If the gameplay is awesome and another game is released in 1 or 2 years with more added features then that would be alright.

I'm a but worried now though cause it sounds like it's gonna end up being Rugby 08 on a new console, but without World League. I've been so excited about this game for so long now and i feel like i'm gonna be disappointed.
(Not complaining, just stating the truth)

 

[TRF_Cymro]

All i can say is that if there is no Manager mode and no World League there had better be a next release sooner than 4 years... the only reason i'm still playing Rugby 06 is cause of World League. If the gameplay is awesome and another game is released in 1 or 2 years with more added features then that would be alright.

I'm a but worried now though cause it sounds like it's gonna end up being Rugby 08 on a new console, but without World League. I've been so excited about this game for so long now and i feel like i'm gonna be disappointed.
(Not complaining, just stating the truth)

Hold on now, where have they said no World League in the interview? Said no Manager Mode ... but nothing about World League.

 

[Nate Dizzle]

I thought it all sounded alright. Gonna be the basics when it comes to teams/comps (probably the same as 08 roughly), bye bye ITM cup. Glad DLC looks like a definite, no mention (or it wasn't asked) of online play yet? all in all it sounds better than RL live. I just want a rugby game that plays online and thats half decent to play. Seems like this game has been in the pipeline forever now and still plenty of time to wait...