Massively

Very smart decision on Cryptic part. The importance of releasing a stable client and a polished game cannot be overstated, especially with the mmo market getting so crowded.

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Couldn't see that one coming.

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When can an MMO be considered "done," precisely? CoH/V is still releasing new content. WAR is releasing new content and patching in fixes over 6 months after release. WoW is patching constantly. EQ is still patching. When is done? Regardless of when it comes out, it's going to need fixing. Get in the core components and then release.

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typical... i wish companies would ALL keep their mouths shut until they were 100% sure the game was ready for release. dont even tell us anything about the game just randomly release it to the world :P

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Let me translate this for you.

" in order to implement certain features that we all considered important the development of Champions Online" means

"our microtransaction system isn't done yet"

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Well, I am glad they decided to this if they deem it necessary. Admittedly a bit dissappointed, but if it gives for a better game/stability then I'll prefer it this way.

@Havok: I disagree. it all depends on why - e.g. if server stability is bad, you definetly don't want to launch. Just think of how it hit AoC. Well, there were other issues which people pointed out in beta, no1 listened, it was launched, and *bang*, most of beta critiques became reason for people to quit.
Of course you can try something else, like WAR, where "simply" two classes were left out at launch and added later.

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I wasn't impressed with the closed beta and thankfully I turned myself off to this game a while ago before having to hear this.

By the way, this is actually the second delay for the game. Before they announced the July 14th release date they simply said it was coming out in Q2 of 2009 or Spring of 2009 which both will have passed after this month. They should have just kept their mouths shut and made one delay to September 1st instead of getting everybody hyped about July 14th and then changing their minds.

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It will probably get delayed again, and until I hear more about it's price structure, it's on hold for me. Not interested in a game that does microtransactions and has a monthly fee. One or the other, not both.

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@Greeen
I'll agree with that. There's a big difference between "good to launch" and "the beta ended three months after launch." MMO's cost too much to start life off poorly, especially since they might not recover from it.

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I think the cost of starting poorly is too high in this case, given COH has their incoming expansion, and DCUO isn't that far off (allegedly). I'm glad I'm not the one having to make the decision, though!

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Good choice on Cryptic's part. It's a really good game, but it's not great yet... and it could be, with a little more percolatin' time.

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Good that they are making it better. Bad because I would like to be playing it. Annoying not to get into the beta when I applied within the first hour you could apply.

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One thing Mythic did right before release, they always released some good news along with the bad news. (Even though some people don't consider this bad news. In a way it's not, but even though they did this with WAR)

I wish Cryptic would do the same. "Hey we're delaying the game, but check out all these new videos/new info on powers/video explaining how power changing works/estimated date on open beta/etc."

Though this could just be a well calculated plan to help keep hype down. Hype murdered WAR. Either way, I'm still really looking forward to more info and reviews.

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It doesn't matter how far they push it back. It'll still come out in what should be considered a beta form. I don't know everything but I really haven't heard of an mmo that didn't have problems at launch. Usually fairly big problems.

"Don't release until it's done." Always seems great in theory but if you take it literally WOW still wouldn't have been released.

I say release when it's enjoyable.

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huh, they must have felt the pressure from City of Heroes new Architect release and their announced 'Going Rouge" expansion. They probably saw that and the planned features and crapped their pants to try and match it.

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