Stalker project in serious trouble. [Archive]

Mountain Man

01-29-2006, 04:01 PM

From the article:

"We don't care what shape the game will ship in anymore," said one of the THQ bosses to an IGN journalist. "The game must ship in 2006".

Does this whole scenario remind anybody else of the Battlecruiser 3000AD fiasco? Well, it sucks, because STALKER certainly looked like a promising game. Well, there's always Oblivion to satisfy our open-ended, living world kicks.

Twin

01-29-2006, 04:04 PM

Mountain Man said:
Well, it sucks, because STALKER certainly looked like a promising game.

yeah that's the thing....it looked good and there is high expectations for it....but i'm guessing that because THQ don't care about that it might not be as good as it's supposed to be http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

seregrail7

01-29-2006, 04:05 PM

I really think THQ are entirely right. When a game is 2 years over due, and still isn't close to completion you have to gather your losses.

Gryph

01-29-2006, 04:12 PM

TaloS said:
Hmm I don't think this article is entirely true since THQ doesn't seem to have a problem with DNF not being finished any time soon... so why would they scrap their policy and have a game ship even if it's unpolished? http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

You're thinking of Take 2. And even they have no control over DNF since it's being funded by 3DR.

But I hope they can put out a good STALKER game. I liked the premise of it.

Cerberus_e

01-29-2006, 04:25 PM

Mountain Man said:
Well, there's always Oblivion to satisfy our open-ended, living world kicks.

Not really, since that oe is pure RPG, while stalker is FPS

Hudson

01-29-2006, 04:26 PM

Cerberus_e said:

Mountain Man said:
Well, there's always Oblivion to satisfy our open-ended, living world kicks.

Not really, since that oe is pure RPG, while stalker is FPS

No, Stalker is a FPS/RPG hybrid, like Oblivion. Just set in a post-apocalyptic world instead of a fantasy/medieval era.

NutWrench

01-29-2006, 04:28 PM

"We don't care what shape the game will ship in anymore," said one of the THQ bosses to an IGN journalist. "The game must ship in 2006".

Ever wonder how buggy, incomplete games manage to get published?
Now you know.

Shaam

01-29-2006, 04:35 PM

Boiling Point - Road to Hell.

avatar_58

01-29-2006, 04:44 PM

Hudson said:
No, Stalker is a FPS/RPG hybrid, like Oblivion. Just set in a post-apocalyptic world instead of a fantasy/medieval era.

Thats how I gather too, just like Deus Ex as well. Just because a game is in the first person view doesn't make it a shooter. After all, equip a crossbow/longbow in Morrowind and suddenly it plays like a shooer http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Damien_Azreal

01-29-2006, 04:47 PM

Cerberus_e said:

Mountain Man said:
Well, there's always Oblivion to satisfy our open-ended, living world kicks.

Not really, since that oe is pure RPG, while stalker is FPS

No.

STALKER is a hybrid like Hudson said. Cerb I seriously doubt you will enjoy STALKER because it falls along the same line as Deus Ex or System Shock 2.
A FPS/RPG. Not one or the other, but both together.

seregrail7 said:
I really think THQ are entirely right. When a game is 2 years over due, and still isn't close to completion you have to gather your losses.

Really? Then what about DNF? THQ just needs to learn some damn patience. All they're concerned about it turning a profit.
But they don't entirley realise they'll get much better sales if the game is more completel and less buggy when shipped.

This has been the main reason I still haven't picked up Boiling Point.

avatar_58

01-29-2006, 04:49 PM

Damien_Azreal said:
This has been the main reason I still haven't picked up Boiling Point.

I wouldnt let that stop you. I still have to play through it, but to me the gameplay overshadows any bugs (assuming you patch it with the latest euro update)

Damien_Azreal

01-29-2006, 04:52 PM

avatar_58 said:

Damien_Azreal said:
This has been the main reason I still haven't picked up Boiling Point.

I wouldnt let that stop you. I still have to play through it, but to me the gameplay overshadows any bugs (assuming you patch it with the latest euro update)

Yeah, that's what Hudson has told me. Much like Vampire: Bloodlines.

avatar_58

01-29-2006, 04:55 PM

One thing you need to prepare for though is the rather lack of optimized code. http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif The game runs so much worse than it looks. I've tweaked mine so it looks pretty good in 1280x1024 and runs good......but don't expect to just run in and set everything to max, this game requires some time to get things working. Damn Atari....they ruined what could have been a truly kickass game.

X-Vector

01-29-2006, 05:10 PM

seregrail7 said:
I really think THQ are entirely right. When a game is 2 years over due, and still isn't close to completion you have to gather your losses.

How about a game that's 5+ years overdue?

Oh, the irony!

Cerberus_e

01-29-2006, 05:14 PM

Hudson said:

Cerberus_e said:

Mountain Man said:
Well, there's always Oblivion to satisfy our open-ended, living world kicks.

Not really, since that oe is pure RPG, while stalker is FPS

No, Stalker is a FPS/RPG hybrid, like Oblivion. Just set in a post-apocalyptic world instead of a fantasy/medieval era.

Well, I used my wording wrong.
What I meant was: Oblivion is a pure RPG while STALKER has FPS elements in it.
but apparently I'm wrong about the pure RPG part http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Damien_Azreal said:

Cerberus_e said:

Mountain Man said:
Well, there's always Oblivion to satisfy our open-ended, living world kicks.

Not really, since that oe is pure RPG, while stalker is FPS

No.

STALKER is a hybrid like Hudson said. Cerb I seriously doubt you will enjoy STALKER because it falls along the same line as Deus Ex or System Shock 2.
A FPS/RPG. Not one or the other, but both together.

like I just told Hudson, I know what STALKER is, I just had a wrong thought of Oblivion apparently http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
But it's not because it has RPG elements that I won't like it.
It's not because of the fact Deus Ex has RPG elements, that I don't like it. It's because of the implementation.
Hell, ask Hudson, he might remember the thread where I constantly wrote about my thoughts as I was playing System Shock 2. I liked it a lot http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Water12356

01-29-2006, 05:16 PM

Ah crap...

John

01-29-2006, 05:17 PM

...This has nothing to do with the thread but Deus Ex is probably what S.T.A.L.K.E.R was trying to be. http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Daveman

01-29-2006, 05:56 PM

Damien_Azreal said:
THQ just needs to learn some damn patience. All they're concerned about it turning a profit.
But they don't entirley realise they'll get much better sales if the game is more completel and less buggy when shipped.

But there is a point where, despite how good the game is, projected profit is less than expenses because of a long development. You can't guarantee that they'll turn a profit (or have fewer losses) if they "finish" the game. From a business perspective, they know what they're doing, I'm sure.

At the same time, saying "We don't care what shape the game will ship in anymore - the game must ship in 2006" is a stupid statement.

John

01-29-2006, 06:08 PM

Yeah, THQ just doesn't want to lose money because of this game. It's like if, say, THQ decided to fund Daikatana when it was in development, and they believed it would turn a great profit and be an amazing game when it finally came out. You can't guarantee everything.

Kristian Joensen

01-29-2006, 06:15 PM

This whole thing seems EXTRAORDINARLY questionable from a a legal standpoint.

"Yeah, THQ just doesn't want to lose money because of this game."

We are talking about Sunk costs (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunk_costs). Ofcourse this might just prove that Daveman is WRONG and that publisher AREN'T good bussines men. They certainly make alot of mistakes with regard to positioning and branding.

John

01-29-2006, 06:50 PM

If we are talking about Sunk costs, does that mean that no matter what S.T.A.L.K.E.R cannot retrieve the money it has lost? Or does that mean THQ cannot retrive the money it has given out to GSC to develop the game? (Even if there happens to be a net profit at the end of the quarter from sales?)

Why is it questionable from a legal stand point? I read what was in the Wiki site (frm the definition, through the loss aversion/sunkcost fallacy.)

Damien_Azreal

01-29-2006, 07:21 PM

It just boils down to THQ has lost faith in STALKER. They don't believe that the game will be able to make a profit after it covers it's own costs.

Tang Lung

01-29-2006, 07:24 PM

Can't say im suprised by this, STALKER has had been on a rocky development since day 1. If it ever gets released, I'd expect it to be broken somewhere down the line.

Mountain Man

01-29-2006, 07:28 PM

NutWrench said:

"We don't care what shape the game will ship in anymore," said one of the THQ bosses to an IGN journalist. "The game must ship in 2006".

Ever wonder how buggy, incomplete games manage to get published?
Now you know.

This actually reminds me a lot of the Battlecruiser 3000AD fiasco. You have an overly ambitious game design, a developer apparently in way over his/its head, and a publisher tired of flushing money down the drain who wants to release the game no matter what.

John

01-29-2006, 07:28 PM

Damien_Azreal said:
It just boils down to THQ has lost faith in STALKER. They don't believe that the game will be able to make a profit after it covers it's own costs.

But how do YOU know that the game is all that great? Any game looks and sounds wonderful on paper, or from afew videos.

Damien_Azreal

01-29-2006, 07:31 PM

John said:

Damien_Azreal said:
It just boils down to THQ has lost faith in STALKER. They don't believe that the game will be able to make a profit after it covers it's own costs.

But how do YOU know that the game is all that great? Any game looks and sounds wonderful on paper, or from afew videos.

That's the same with every game for us gamers. We just have to decide for ourselves.

I don't know how kick ass the game is, and honeslty you shouldn't care if I think it's great or not. That would be up to you to decide.

I'm just saying that THQ seems to have lost faith in the project.

But, I am very interested in STALKER, it does seem promising.

Lethe

01-29-2006, 07:45 PM

Damien_Azreal said:

John said:

Damien_Azreal said:
It just boils down to THQ has lost faith in STALKER. They don't believe that the game will be able to make a profit after it covers it's own costs.

I'm just saying that THQ seems to have lost faith in the project.

Well if that article is true than THQ have more than enough reason to lost the faith. It seems that they were dealing with lazy liars. Personally I had always thought of stalker as a good concept and idea, nothing more. There was always something suspiciously wrong about that game...eg. long development cycle, weird and badly documented updates on developement progress, zero gameplay in videos, etc... I can't really understand why so much people believed in a game developed under so much weird circumstances and very little legit proofs of success in its ambitions. The engine was interesting few years ago and thats it.

John

01-29-2006, 07:49 PM

Damien_Azreal said:

John said:

Damien_Azreal said:
It just boils down to THQ has lost faith in STALKER. They don't believe that the game will be able to make a profit after it covers it's own costs.

But how do YOU know that the game is all that great? Any game looks and sounds wonderful on paper, or from afew videos.

That's the same with every game for us gamers. We just have to decide for ourselves.

I don't know how kick ass the game is, and honeslty you shouldn't care if I think it's great or not. That would be up to you to decide.

I'm just saying that THQ seems to have lost faith in the project.

But, I am very interested in STALKER, it does seem promising.

Oh, I am very interested in the title and I care more about my own opinion of the game. But from a business standpoint, I can seriously see where THQ is coming from. There has been instances in the past where a publisher stays "true" to the game and keeps their faith, and keeps on funding a lost cause. Then the game -finally- comes out and it ends up being terrible, and nothing like what the developers said. Is it the publishers fault for putting so much of their money (which is gone) into the project, or is it the developers fault for not putting the motivation that us, as gamers, thought they were putting in?

Does the end really justify the means in this case? It could turn out to be a wonderful project, which is what we're all hoping for. Or it could turn out that GSC just really weren't trying all that hard, and THQ started to notice it? They probably talk to the developers more than we do, so....y'know.

Nessus

01-29-2006, 08:00 PM

No suprise, this game has showed development troubles for years. I long ago put it out of my mind, the publisher has every right to be mad.

Sayantan

01-29-2006, 08:02 PM

Shocking http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif

DudeMiester

01-29-2006, 10:45 PM

Well the idea is already out, and there is a definite market. THQ can always re-make it with a qualified team after releasing STALKER in order to cover their losses. If their code is indeed so undocumented, there would be little point in trying to resurrect STALKER, unless they do a DNF. http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Mountain Man

01-29-2006, 11:15 PM

Maybe THQ could partner with Bethesda somehow since Bethesda already has the engine and AI for a game like STALKER.

And here's the story at ShackNews (http://www.shacknews.com/ja.zz?comments=40547), if anybody is interested.

0marTheZealot

01-29-2006, 11:27 PM

X-Vector said:

seregrail7 said:
I really think THQ are entirely right. When a game is 2 years over due, and still isn't close to completion you have to gather your losses.

How about a game that's 5+ years overdue?

Oh, the irony!

3DRealms are dropping the money for DNF, not other publishers.

If 3DRealms was getting outside funding, we'd be on DN5 or 6.

Karthik

01-29-2006, 11:42 PM

Um....the GSC PR has already mentioned that it's BS.

Travis

01-30-2006, 02:14 AM

Karthik said:
Um....the GSC PR has already mentioned that it's BS.

Hmm.
Interesting. http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

torso boy

01-30-2006, 02:55 AM

It kind of annoys me how people keep comparing this to DNF. 3drealms has proved that they can deliver a quality game many times, and they are funding DNF themselves. GSC on the other hand has an incredibly ambitious game design, and none of their previous titles have really been good games or sold well, so its understandable why THQ is concerned.

seregrail7

01-30-2006, 03:02 AM

0marTheZealot said:

X-Vector said:

seregrail7 said:
I really think THQ are entirely right. When a game is 2 years over due, and still isn't close to completion you have to gather your losses.

How about a game that's 5+ years overdue?

Oh, the irony!

3DRealms are dropping the money for DNF, not other publishers.

If 3DRealms was getting outside funding, we'd be on DN5 or 6.

Exactly what I was going to say.

THQ have been funding GSC for years, adn they still don't have a game finished. Remember all those stories about it's delay because there was nothing to the actual game? Looks like they're all true. Looks like GSC can't make good games.

MeatWagon

01-30-2006, 03:40 AM

It seems to me that they spent a too much time doing up the graphics, where'as they should have been working on the gameplay systems from the get go. (Well thats the impression I get)

Although weather there is any truth to these rumours, has yet to be seen.

Mongorian

01-30-2006, 03:47 AM

torso boy said:
It kind of annoys me how people keep comparing this to DNF. 3drealms has proved that they can deliver a quality game many times, and they are funding DNF themselves. GSC on the other hand has an incredibly ambitious game design, and none of their previous titles have really been good games or sold well, so its understandable why THQ is concerned.

Very well said.

Thewho

01-30-2006, 03:49 AM

seregrail7 said:

0marTheZealot said:

X-Vector said:

seregrail7 said:
I really think THQ are entirely right. When a game is 2 years over due, and still isn't close to completion you have to gather your losses.

How about a game that's 5+ years overdue?

Oh, the irony!

3DRealms are dropping the money for DNF, not other publishers.

If 3DRealms was getting outside funding, we'd be on DN5 or 6.

Exactly what I was going to say.

THQ have been funding GSC for years, adn they still don't have a game finished. Remember all those stories about it's delay because there was nothing to the actual game? Looks like they're all true. Looks like GSC can't make good games.

I'm not trying to get at 3drealms here, but when they delay DNF by years, it's all perfectly because acceptable, because 3drealms can do nothing wrong, but the same thing happens to stalker, and the devs are incompetent, lazy? Why the double standards?

seregrail7

01-30-2006, 04:02 AM

Because 3DRealms aren't using someone else's money. GSC promised THQ a game, it's 2 years late, doesn't look to be nearly finished(despite what previous interviews have been saying), and is still costing THQ money.

The reason I think GSC are incompetent is because of this quote.

STALKER always was in the state of general design. It's always been a project which was more spoken of than really done.

StarBegotten

01-30-2006, 04:08 AM

Hmm, apperently its not in trouble?....
STALKER Forum (http://www.gsc-game.com/index.php?t=community&s=forums&s_game_type=xr&lang=en)

Seems the rumours were kick started by some of the staff at GSC being reassisgned or layed off because of the project going into its final Beta phase.

Que paniced and unresearched web article http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Michelangelo

01-30-2006, 04:37 AM

That's good news... I was worried for a minute

I can understand other peoples opinions because of the let downs in the past with similar events

Travis

01-30-2006, 05:51 AM

Haha, sore losers.

tpz

01-30-2006, 06:14 AM

Damien_Azreal said:Really? Then what about DNF? THQ just needs to learn some damn patience. All they're concerned about it turning a profit.
But they don't entirley realise they'll get much better sales if the game is more completel and less buggy when shipped.

Don't forget DNF is self-funded by 3DR, and STALKER is funded by THQ. That's a big diffrence.
I'm sure THQ prefers publishing a finished game over an unfinished game and I'm sure they know when a project is not going to make it / coming together.

Mountain Man

01-30-2006, 07:25 AM

Karthik said:
Um....the GSC PR has already mentioned that it's BS.

Link?

Kristian Joensen

01-30-2006, 07:41 AM

John said:
If we are talking about Sunk costs, does that mean that no matter what S.T.A.L.K.E.R cannot retrieve the money it has lost? Or does that mean THQ cannot retrive the money it has given out to GSC to develop the game? (Even if there happens to be a net profit at the end of the quarter from sales?)

Why is it questionable from a legal stand point? I read what was in the Wiki site (frm the definition, through the loss aversion/sunkcost fallacy.)

What I am saying is that if THQ are doing what this rumours are saying(Which turns out to probably NOT be the case) then they would be commiting the loss aversion fallacy, since money already spent shouldn't figure in the decision on wheter or not to finish the game.

They should finishet the game so long as the following holds true: (Revenue from the release of polished-Revenue from the release of buggy unfinished game) >(Cost of finishing the game).

The legal problem stems from the fact that THQ DOESN'T own the rights to the STALKER IP, atleast not the name. So they can't just transfer development to some other company.

One Sergiy Grygorovych owns the trademarks for "S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: SHADOW OF CHERNOBYL" in the US.

dark_angel

01-30-2006, 07:58 AM

http://forums.gamemag.ru/viewtopic.php?p=540388#540388

http://www.gsc-game.com/index.php?t=comm...amp;offset=-120 (http://www.gsc-game.com/index.php?t=community&s=forums&s_game_type=xr&lang=en&offset=-120)

Drazula

01-30-2006, 08:06 AM

Regardless of what ANYONE says, this is a game that I won't believe is getting done, until it is actually done.

dark_angel

01-30-2006, 08:08 AM

This goes with all too ambitious projects out there http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Mountain Man

01-30-2006, 08:12 AM

dark_angel said:
http://forums.gamemag.ru/viewtopic.php?p=540388#540388

Well, I assume the above is a refutation of the rumors, but I can't read Russian.

Edit: Here's a Babel Fish translation of Oleg's post, not that it makes things any clearer:

4, Oleg yavorskiy, PR Manager GSC today visited to that loved Gamemag, however, and that I see: rumors, rumors, and again rumors. Rumors, 4, in principle, I love, since this is the engine of hit of site - 4 itself I go to here read a little that interesnen'kogo it is created - but communication, that "STALKER" in the state of beta and final testing OF Z.A.K.R.Y.T. - this already sorting! I rang Grigorovichu, and, after refining situation in the details, I write that on Friday at the current conference it was decided to transfer the part of the designers to the development of "heroes", and part - to discharge. Namely: of 40 people of command two are transferred into the drawing in division RTS, 5 are discharged. When I asked in Sergey "why", he said that entire drawing in "STALKERE" is almost finished, and for the "heroes" now of designers - it is more than sufficiently. No one of management, key designers, programmers and, already all the more, testers, not it was discharged and be such it cannot. This the retelling of telephone conversation is close to the text. But apropos of the fact that "could not obtain official commentary", then Sergey said "you ring to the mobile, 4 always on the connection". Entire press knows his coordinates, and already all the more, my. Now from itself, you prostite, it ached: what you tied to our STALKERU - pilite of your Russian razrabochikov. There HOMM5: 4th yr has already been developed, it looked yesterday beta... For some reason on Gamemag no caustic communications, that project they did not have time to complete no. But according to drawing work is finished - so this immediately Gamemag writes, STALKER is dead.

Kristian Joensen

01-30-2006, 08:19 AM

Mountain Man the following is taken from the Shacknews thread:

Not sure if this was mentioned already, but there is an update to the original article:

PR-Manager of GSC says the following:

On Friday, a decision was made to move some people over to Heroes (V) development, and let go part of the team.
Out of 40-man team, two were moved and 5 - fired. That was done because all of the graphics in STALKER is almost done. No one else (including key designers, managers and coders) was fired and such will never happen.

Halcyon

01-30-2006, 08:22 AM

I'm glad that this probably were just rumors and the game is still alive. I've been waiting for Stalker a very long time now and I still think it can be a very satisfying gaming experience when it's done.

Water12356

01-30-2006, 10:25 AM

Good to hear that the project isnt in trouble.

Cerberus_e

01-30-2006, 10:48 AM

Lethe said:
zero gameplay in videos, etc... .

http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif
There are a lot of gameplay videos.

StarBegotten said:
Hmm, apperently its not in trouble?....
STALKER Forum (http://www.gsc-game.com/index.php?t=community&s=forums&s_game_type=xr&lang=en)

Seems the rumours were kick started by some of the staff at GSC being reassisgned or layed off because of the project going into its final Beta phase.

Que paniced and unresearched web article http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Thanks for making it possible for me to breathe safely again http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Why do people get fired though? After all the work they put into the game, it's kind of selfish/ungrateful/harsh to fire the people because "they don't need them anymore". Of course paying them for not doing anything isn't an opinon either, but still...

Kristian Joensen

01-30-2006, 10:58 AM

They didn't have to pay them for doing nothing, they coud pay them for helping playtest STALKER and/or doing VERY early research for the next game the STALKER team will be doing.

Cerberus_e

01-30-2006, 11:42 AM

Exactly, and that's why I think it's ungrateful to say: Well we don't need you anymore you're out.

Lethe

01-30-2006, 11:58 AM

Kristian Joensen said:
They didn't have to pay them for doing nothing

This statement is so naive.

Hudson

01-30-2006, 12:15 PM

Well, thats good news.

Kristian Joensen

01-30-2006, 12:19 PM

Lethe said:

Kristian Joensen said:
They didn't have to pay them for doing nothing

This statement is so naive.

How about qouting the whole post ?

Lethe

01-30-2006, 01:40 PM

Kristian Joensen said:

Lethe said:

Kristian Joensen said:
They didn't have to pay them for doing nothing

This statement is so naive.

How about qouting the whole post ?

What? I quoted the sentence that I wanted to comment. Please explain...

Damien_Azreal

01-30-2006, 01:41 PM

Phew... good. I'm interesting in STALKER, but I want some hands on playtime with it before I make statements about who good it is. http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Kristian Joensen

01-30-2006, 01:43 PM

Lethe said:

Kristian Joensen said:

Lethe said:

Kristian Joensen said:
They didn't have to pay them for doing nothing

This statement is so naive.

How about qouting the whole post ?

What? I quoted the sentence that I wanted to comment. Please explain...

You took it out of context.

Hudson

01-30-2006, 01:50 PM

Damien_Azreal said:
Phew... good. I'm interesting in STALKER, but I want some hands on playtime with it before I make statements about who good it is. http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

I want the game installed on my PC http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Lethe

01-30-2006, 02:03 PM

Kristian Joensen said:

Lethe said:

Kristian Joensen said:

Lethe said:

Kristian Joensen said:
They didn't have to pay them for doing nothing

This statement is so naive.

How about qouting the whole post ?

What? I quoted the sentence that I wanted to comment. Please explain...

You took it out of context.

No I didn't. You took all this stalker related theory out the context. You are talking like you really know what is happening in the THQ and GSC quarters. People had very high expectations of this game and now they are automatically jumping on the developers side and bashing publishers like they really know what is going on. Accept the fact that it is possible that GSC are not so heavenly good developers.

Cerberus_e

01-30-2006, 02:03 PM

and I want it running http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Kristian Joensen

01-30-2006, 02:43 PM

Lethe said:

Kristian Joensen said:

Lethe said:

Kristian Joensen said:

Lethe said:

Kristian Joensen said:
They didn't have to pay them for doing nothing

This statement is so naive.

How about qouting the whole post ?

What? I quoted the sentence that I wanted to comment. Please explain...

You took it out of context.

No I didn't. You took all this stalker related theory out the context. You are talking like you really know what is happening in the THQ and GSC quarters. People had very high expectations of this game and now they are automatically jumping on the developers side and bashing publishers like they really know what is going on. Accept the fact that it is possible that GSC are not so heavenly good developers.

Are you really denying that these artist could test STALKER ?

Lethe

01-30-2006, 02:46 PM

Kristian Joensen said:

Lethe said:

Kristian Joensen said:

Lethe said:

Kristian Joensen said:

Lethe said:

Kristian Joensen said:
They didn't have to pay them for doing nothing

This statement is so naive.

How about qouting the whole post ?

What? I quoted the sentence that I wanted to comment. Please explain...

You took it out of context.

No I didn't. You took all this stalker related theory out the context. You are talking like you really know what is happening in the THQ and GSC quarters. People had very high expectations of this game and now they are automatically jumping on the developers side and bashing publishers like they really know what is going on. Accept the fact that it is possible that GSC are not so heavenly good developers.

Are you really denying that these artist could test STALKER ?

I honestly don't have an idea what you just said.

Kristian Joensen

01-30-2006, 02:53 PM

I simply asked you a very simple question.

Lethe

01-30-2006, 03:05 PM

Kristian Joensen said:
I simply asked you a very simple question.

Sorry but I can't understand what you meant and what that have to do with anything I said.

Kristian Joensen

01-30-2006, 03:23 PM

I said there was no reason to fire these because there job was done, they could always have been moved to the task of playtesting and/or doing research for the next game for the STALKED team.

You claim that it was naive of me to say that. I am asking why it is naive to think that they could test the game when their art was done, afterall that is how it is done with all other studios.

Denz

01-30-2006, 03:50 PM

http://www.shacknews.com/ja.zz?id=11538224

again

http://www.shacknews.com/ja.zz?id=11538224

again

http://www.shacknews.com/ja.zz?id=11538224

I know it's been already posted, but we should stop talking of a hoax.

Paroxysm

01-30-2006, 05:59 PM

Kristian Joensen said:
I simply asked you a very simple question.

He doesn't understand because he never properly read your original post.

Kristian Joensen

01-30-2006, 06:19 PM

That is simply not true. People have played this handson.

Mountain Man

01-30-2006, 07:38 PM

Cerberus_e said:
Exactly, and that's why I think it's ungrateful to say: Well we don't need you anymore you're out.

See, it's exactly this kind of unfounded speculation that turns into big, nasty rumors on the internet. STALKER has been in production for a long, long time, and they're probably down to their last penny at this point meaning they have to stretch an already thin budget as far as possible, so perhaps lay-offs were not only inevitable but entirely expected by the staff.

In other words, you can't say that employees were ungratefully kicked out the door unless you know something we don't.

DudeMiester

01-30-2006, 08:22 PM

Denz said:
I know it's been already posted, but we should stop talking of a hoax.

Well at least with this amount of bickering, it must be destined to be a big hit, lol!

Damien_Azreal

01-30-2006, 08:27 PM

This is the most attention I've seen STALKER get for a few months. http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Mountain Man

01-30-2006, 09:48 PM

Perhaps a viral marketing campaign?

Hudson

01-30-2006, 09:57 PM

Mountain Man said:
Perhaps a viral marketing campaign?

Seems to have worked quite effectively, I almost had no interest in Stalker anymore until this false fiasco.

Karthik

01-31-2006, 12:05 AM

Awesome, so if I want to hype a game all I have to do is put a false rumour. Oh, by the way, Shadowgrounds has some Tarzan and Jane "action"! http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Orochi Avlis

01-31-2006, 07:15 AM

Karthik said:
Awesome, so if I want to hype a game all I have to do is put a false rumour.

Sony did it with the PS3 version of Killzone.

Look at all the attention it got.

John

01-31-2006, 12:01 PM

Lethe just got owned by Kristian. http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Hudson

01-31-2006, 12:19 PM

John said:
Lethe just got owned by Kristian. http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Good idea, lets throw this thread into more of what will eventually get it locked http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/doh.gif

John

01-31-2006, 12:20 PM

Well, now i'm curious as to whether this is true because it seems as if the original topic was false to begin with... http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif

avatar_58

02-01-2006, 10:52 AM

Okay...I recieved a bunch of bargain bin games ($1.00 each) and one of them was Firestarter from GSC Gameworld.

Let me just say that if this is the kind of quality we are going to get from Stalker.....um.....well there really IS something to worry about. http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif Considering I got the game practically for free I won't complain, but its really mediocre.

I'm hoping GSC has learned how to make games since this thing.

Lethe

02-01-2006, 11:00 AM

avatar_58 said:
Okay...I recieved a bunch of bargain bin games ($1.00 each) and one of them was Firestarter from GSC Gameworld.

Let me just say that if this is the kind of quality we are going to get from Stalker.....um.....well there really IS something to worry about. http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif Considering I got the game practically for free I won't complain, but its really mediocre.

I'm hoping GSC has learned how to make games since this thing.

Here is the review for GSC's Codename outbreak in case you didn't heard of it.

link (http://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/codenameoutbreak/review.html)

These guys have some real problems with putting the gameplay together. But who knows, maybe they'll surprise us this time... (But I have serious doubts about it)

avatar_58

02-01-2006, 11:03 AM

Well, quite frankly, Firestarter alone has destroyed any hope I had for Stalker turning out to be a decent game. Unless GSC fired their entire staff I really don't see how a company that made such crap can turn around and make a AAA game.

Lethe

02-01-2006, 11:10 AM

avatar_58 said:
Well, quite frankly, Firestarter alone has destroyed any hope I had for Stalker turning out to be a decent game. Unless GSC fired their entire staff I really don't see how a company that made such crap can turn around and make a AAA game.

My thoughts exactly. I always felt something wrong about this game.

Damien_Azreal

02-01-2006, 01:06 PM

Firestater huh? I read one review of that game and it was pretty bad.

I might download the demo for shits and giggles.

avatar_58

02-01-2006, 01:22 PM

Damien_Azreal said:
Firestater huh? I read one review of that game and it was pretty bad.

I might download the demo for shits and giggles.

Go ahead, but its terrible. All you do is shoot at multiple enemies in one small boxed in area until the level says "You win!" and allows you to continue.

Think of Quake 3, but then take away most of the fun. http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Kristian Joensen

02-03-2006, 01:16 PM

Looks like THQ aren't rushing STALKER. (http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/40643)

seregrail7

02-03-2006, 01:25 PM

2007... Stalker is going to look incredibly dated when it comes out.

Damien_Azreal

02-03-2006, 01:30 PM

Kristian Joensen said:
Looks like THQ aren't rushing STALKER. (http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/40643)

Jesus christ.

By the time this game actualy does come out, I'll be struggling to get excited about it. http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Cerberus_e

02-03-2006, 01:33 PM

Mountain Man said:

Cerberus_e said:
Exactly, and that's why I think it's ungrateful to say: Well we don't need you anymore you're out.

See, it's exactly this kind of unfounded speculation that turns into big, nasty rumors on the internet. STALKER has been in production for a long, long time, and they're probably down to their last penny at this point meaning they have to stretch an already thin budget as far as possible, so perhaps lay-offs were not only inevitable but entirely expected by the staff.

In other words, you can't say that employees were ungratefully kicked out the door unless you know something we don't.

If they were tight on money, they'd never have started such ambitious project of which everyone knows such game takes a long time to make.

Kristian Joensen

02-03-2006, 01:35 PM

seregrail7 said:
2007... Stalker is going to look incredibly dated when it comes out.

I doubt it. Games can change ALOT during development graphicaly, compare Lameduke to the final version. Just look at gamespots Behind The Games features. There several examples of games going through alot changes graphicaly like POP:SOT or Unreal.

Drazula

02-03-2006, 01:52 PM

Okay, I smell bullsh!t.

Oleg yavorskiy, PR Manager GSC said 'that "STALKER" in the state of beta and final testing' and now it is delayed until 2007? So beta and final testing lasts 11 months (at the earliest!)!? WTF! Either Oleg is lying, or there is something wrong with the universal translator, which should have popped out "that "STALKER" in the state of design!". http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/doh.gif

Meh! Another PR asshat that I don't trust. http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tinyted.gif

Kristian Joensen

02-03-2006, 01:55 PM

And you trust the publisher ?

Tang Lung

02-03-2006, 02:28 PM

This is the most ridiculous situation I've ever witnessed in the gaming world. Hold on..

Drazula

02-03-2006, 02:28 PM

Kristian Joensen said:
And you trust the publisher ?

If they are making optimistic statements.... no. But this is a pessimistic statement, so yes.

seregrail7

02-03-2006, 02:31 PM

Kristian Joensen said:

seregrail7 said:
2007... Stalker is going to look incredibly dated when it comes out.

I doubt it. Games can change ALOT during development graphicaly, compare Lameduke to the final version. Just look at gamespots Behind The Games features. There several examples of games going through alot changes graphicaly like POP:SOT or Unreal.

Maybe that's why they're delaying it.

Cerberus_e

02-03-2006, 02:31 PM

you're overlooking the fact that it takes ages to balance and track bugs in a game like STALKER. http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

seregrail7

02-03-2006, 02:37 PM

Not really. Final Testing shouldn't take 11 months.
Also, Bethesda seem to be managing just fine.

Tang Lung

02-03-2006, 02:46 PM

seregrail7 said:
Not really. Final Testing shouldn't take 11 months.
Also, Bethesda seem to be managing just fine.

Shhhh!! you'll jinx it! http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/redface.gif

Denz

02-03-2006, 02:47 PM

Well considering how buggy was morrowind. http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/redface.gif

Cerberus_e

02-03-2006, 03:09 PM

And Boiling Point.

Damien_Azreal

02-03-2006, 03:25 PM

Cerberus_e said:
And Boiling Point.

Boiling Point was rushe dout, basically when BP hit beta it was shipped.
11 months is a long ass time just for beta testing and balancing.
Something doesn't seem right.

crunchy superman

02-03-2006, 04:14 PM

I dunno, I think it takes some balls for a publisher to step up to the WID stance. With Duke, 3DR is self-funding, so they can get away with it. But for a publisher to pour money into a developer's project like this and allow these delays, Stalker must be something they really believe in and want to see done right. That's fairly rare in the game publishing realm. If it was just clumsy developers tripping all over themselves, I doubt THQ would put up with it this long.