nuoli

<{POST_SNAPBACK}> While I still agree with this idea (which I originally suggested )), I think we should move this thread to the LucasArts forum. Obsidian's not at fault, so why should we put this out here? Take the fight to LA.

Anyone want to start an outside website airing our grievances and listing a what-cha-ma-call-it, that thing with the signatures to say you support a position and won't buy the game for two weeks (or longer, just to scare them)? Co-ordinated efforts can be formidable. I'll help as I can.

While I respect the viewpoint you bring to these boards, my opinion on the matter is this: if I build you a computer and ship it to you late, does that give you the right to keep it without paying me? Even if you accept eye-for-an-eye justice, what a hard bargain you drive! It sure would ). But can you wait that long, hehe? Maybe we can compromise on two? B)

If enough people do it, waiting a week will produce the desired effect. Most games play by a "momentum sales" effect; that is, lower-than-expected first week earnings will have LA running to the corporate boardroom. They'll get my money in the end -- Obsidian deserves it -- but I want LA to understand it's their wallet on the line too.

Piracy kills good companies. No one owes you a game; you paid nothing in exchange for their promise of a simultaneous release, therefore you are owed nothing if they don't back it up. This capitalism -- we exchange value for value -- and to take by force what is not yours runs counter to everything we believe. I'm upset, but I'll not sacrifice my morals -- and my good sense! -- for the sake of making a bad point.

Actually, I want to take a moment out to give a big thanks to the devs at Obsidian. Working on a game with a legacy like KOTOR must be nuts, and I KNOW you guys don't get much sleep at night. KOTOR completely redefined what a "good game" to me meant, and if there's any team that can pick up the slack, I have no doubt its you. Special thanks to Akari for answering our questions! But as to the release date... Like many of you guys, I was sorely disappointed when I heard the news, to the point of withdrawing a pre-order for the game. If I couldn't have my KOTOR by Christmas, then they couldn't have my $50. But now that things have calmed down a bit, I want to state my position -- what I think is the common position of most of us -- here. #1 Question is why. I think there are two possibilities -- either LA rushed production of the XBOX version, and there's a lot of bugtesting that needs to be done; or both versions are done, but LA just doesn't want the PC version out by Christmas. Motivations could be to spur XBOX sales, increase pent-up demand, whatever. As willing as I was initially to adopt the second possibility, I strongly suspect this is NOT the case. Why? -Risk. The game could be good, but it could also not be all that great. Why release half your product when reviews and spoilers could potentially REDUCE demand? -The XBOX theory. I hate to say this, but not a lot of people are going to buy an XBOX just for this game, when the PC release is guaranteed two months later. I just don't buy it. -Market economics support possibility #1. Console games cost a lot, aren't as vulnerable to pirating, and don't go down in price as quickly as computer games. Good for winter sales. As the devs, previews, and interviews have noted, LucasArts has been pushing for an earlier release. But still, why NOT release both versions if at all possible? UNLESS a bug-ridden, unstable PC version would reduce critical acclaim? (Like KOTOR1!) #2 Question now is what to do. As much as I sympathize with Obsidian, and understand LucasArt's position, I'm still not happy. Why? Because like all of you, I wanted that simultaneous release! Furthermore, if market pressures are pushing for an early release on the XBOX, there HAVE to be consequences that reverbate in the quality of the game. In short, they made a sacrifice to please half the customers, and we're stuck on the other side of the fence. But the sacrifice affects us too! So here's what I propose. Let's give LA a fifteen-day "warning-shot." You acknowledge the issue, apologize, and we'll forgive. Some of us. If not, let's use market economics to remind them that we are, in fact, the buyers: withdraw your pre-orders. Better yet, if you can do it, wait a week after release to buy it in the store. That should be a bitter reminder to them that the market can lash both ways.