Dragon Age Veteran Prefers One Big Delay Over Many Small Ones
- Video game delays are a frequent, almost inevitable, occurrence in the gaming industry.
- Mark Darrah,known for his work on the Dragon Age series,released a video discussing the "do's and dont's" of game delays.
- He illustrates the point with two scenarios involving a two-year delay:
The Complex World of Video Game Delays
Table of Contents
- The Complex World of Video Game Delays
- Video Game Delays: Your Questions Answered
- Why are video game delays so frequent?
- What is the “rip off the bandage” approach to game delays?
- What are the downsides of short, incremental game delays?
- How do significant delays benefit game development?
- What is the current trend of video game delays in 2025?
- How do financial realities impact video game delays?
- Examples of Game Delays
- what can players do when their anticipated games are delayed?
Video game delays are a frequent, almost inevitable, occurrence in the gaming industry. As one industry veteran advises, it’s often better to “rip off the bandage” – opting for a significant delay – rather than applying “plåster på plåster på plåster” (band-aid after band-aid), or multiple short delays.
The Rationale Behind Significant Delays
Mark Darrah,known for his work on the Dragon Age series,released a video discussing the “do’s and dont’s” of game delays. His core argument centers on the benefits of a substantial delay for game reassessment, contrasting it with the pitfalls of numerous minor postponements that force developers to adhere to a series of tight deadlines.
He illustrates the point with two scenarios involving a two-year delay:
Om ditt spel skulle bli klart två år senare än planerat, men du vet att det kommer att bli två år senare, så breddas ditt utrymme för möjligheter något enormt, eftersom du vet: “Okej, vi lanserar inte om en månad, vi lanserar om 25 månader. Då tar vi ett steg tillbaka och omprövar vad vi har, och kanske ångrar några av de beslut vi fattade tidigare när vi trodde att vi höll på att göra ett annat spel, och väljer en annan väg.”
The advantage of knowing the full extent of the delay allows for a complete reassessment of the game’s direction and scope.
Om ditt spel istället förskjuts två år, men det sker tre månader i taget, när sker då den omprövningen?
The Impact of Constant Deadline Shifts
Darrah suggests that avoiding the pressure of constantly approaching release dates,only to postpone them again,could considerably reduce stress levels within advancement teams. The ability to re-evaluate fundamental aspects of a game and perhaps pivot in a new direction might be precisely what a struggling project needs.
According to Darrah, a short delay, which risks leading to further delays, is often insufficient for addressing underlying issues.
Delays in 2025 and Beyond
The trend of video game delays continues into 2025. One notable example is Beyond good & Evil 2, which, despite anticipation, has been delayed indefinitely. Reports indicate that the game’s ambitious scope and intricate storytelling requirements are primary factors contributing to this postponement.
factors Contributing to Game Delays
- Ambitious Scale: Games with expansive worlds and complex narratives frequently enough require more development time.
- Technical Challenges: Implementing innovative features or pushing the boundaries of technology can lead to unforeseen delays.
- Market Conditions: Shifts in the market or the emergence of new platforms may necessitate adjustments to a game’s design or release strategy.
The Financial Realities of Game Development
The escalating costs associated with video game development are also influencing the industry. Major companies like Sony and Warner Bros.Games are increasingly focusing on mobile and live service games. Layoffs and studio closures have affected even triumphant live service game companies like Epic Games and Bungie.
while video game delays can be frustrating for players, they are frequently enough a necessary part of the development process. Whether it’s to refine gameplay, address technical challenges, or adapt to market conditions, delays can ultimately lead to a better gaming experience.
Video Game Delays: Your Questions Answered
Delays in the video game industry are common. understanding why they happen and how they impact growth can provide valuable insight for gamers and industry professionals alike.
Why are video game delays so frequent?
Video game delays occur for various reasons, many of which are interconnected:
- Ambitious Scale: Modern games strive for expansive worlds and narratives, which require extensive development and often lead to unexpected hurdles.
- Technical Challenges: Implementing groundbreaking features and pushing technological boundaries can create development bottlenecks and delays.
- Market Conditions: The gaming market is dynamic. Shifting trends and the emergence of new platforms might necessitate design or release strategy changes, causing delays.
- Financial Pressures: Escalating development costs can force companies to shift focus or strategies, impacting release timelines.
What is the “rip off the bandage” approach to game delays?
This refers to the strategy of opting for one significant delay instead of multiple smaller ones. As one industry veteran advises. The idea is that one larger delay allows for a more comprehensive reassessment of the game’s direction and scope, while short, frequent delays can create ongoing pressure and limit developers’ ability to address underlying issues effectively.
What are the downsides of short, incremental game delays?
According to Mark Darrah, known for his work on the Dragon Age series, short, incremental delays can be detrimental as:
- They maintain constant pressure on development teams to meet unrealistic near-term deadlines.
- They provide insufficient time to re-evaluate fundamental problems or pivot the game’s direction.
- They often lead to further delays as underlying issues cannot be adequately addressed in the given timeframe.
How do significant delays benefit game development?
A substantial delay provides several key advantages:
- Comprehensive Reassessment: Developers can take a step back and re-evaluate the game’s core elements, design choices, and overall direction, with enough time.
- Reduced Stress: Eliminating the pressure of constantly approaching release dates, only to postpone them again, can significantly reduce stress within the development team.
- Opportunity for pivoting: A meaningful delay allows the team to pivot and explore new directions that might be crucial for the project’s success.
What is the current trend of video game delays in 2025?
The trend of video game delays continues. Even highly anticipated titles like *Beyond Good & Evil 2* have faced indefinite delays, indicating that ambitious projects still encounter significant development challenges.
How do financial realities impact video game delays?
The financial aspect of the video game industry significantly contributes to delays and shifts in development priorities:
- Escalating Development Costs: The increasing expenses associated with modern game development necessitate strategic decisions.
- Shift to Mobile and Live Service Games: Major companies like Sony and Warner Bros. Games are focusing on mobile and live service games to ensure stable revenues.
- Layoffs and Studio Closures: Even triumphant live service game companies like Epic Games and Bungie have experienced layoffs and studio closures, impacting project timelines.
Examples of Game Delays
| Game Title | Reason for Delay |
|---|---|
| Beyond good & Evil 2 | Ambitious scale and complex storytelling requirements. |
what can players do when their anticipated games are delayed?
While game delays can be disappointing, understanding the reasons behind them and recognizing that they often lead to a better final product can help mitigate frustration. Consider exploring other games in the meantime or following development updates for insights into the progress being made.