Dean Hall, the creator of DayZ and head of RocketWerkz, is calling on players to embrace video game release delays. He highlighted his studio's experiences with titles like Icarus, which launched on PC in 2021, and its console release delay from February 26 to March 26, 2023, to allow for additional polishing.
Reasons for Game Delays
Hall explained that delays often stem from unmet quality expectations or insufficient funding. He warned that studios sometimes conceal or overlook issues, which can negatively impact launch reception. For instance, Icarus received mixed reviews on Steam. Hall emphasized the importance of internal go/no-go meetings to assess a game's readiness.
Impact on Developers and Players
According to Hall, failing to delay releases can lead to crunch and lower quality products. He urged developers to be transparent with their communities about the reasons for delays, such as insufficient missions, excessive bugs, or lackluster rewards. He also advised against pre-ordering games, despite acknowledging that pre-orders can help studios gain platform attention.
Upcoming Releases
Hall noted that Icarus is available for pre-order on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. He encouraged players to communicate to platform holders that delays are acceptable to ensure higher quality releases.
