Tom's Hardware slams developers

[ZapStarfighter]

The QC people at EA have no control over when a game gets released regardless of its readiness.

As long as the game is quasi-functional they can release it and then just keep working on it, sending updates to the masses in the form of patches.
Other companies will actually delay release until the game reaches a higher level of quality.
If you look at many of the EA games on the market right now, they're either unimproved rehashes of a long-term franchise or a bugfest.

[Sapper]

The game is revolutionary. There is an expectation of a need for fixes. This discussion focuses on market and deadline impacts on a game's release. In my opinion, that's all fine and good. When the product hits the shelves, there is an existing margin of error that should and is anticipated. Accurate patches should be released in a more timely manner. I don't care if they release multiple patches in one week' time. I'd rather take a minute to install a fix (ANY FIX) that will improve game play. Doing this will make the community feel better about spending money on a product. If they would support it better/faster. I would have no beef. Production issues and deadline limits are fine, and money makes the world go round. But, have some integrity and stand up behind your product. Fix the stuff you can and work on the issues that take more time. I see justification in the article. I'm not saying that the author knows it all and has taken every concept to the highest level of consideration. But, I am stating that there should be more of a response to the disappointment of the consumer. The game is great and has great potential. Fix some sh** now, and I'll wait till August 31 for the big stuff. What's the prob??

[Dangerdog]

Considering that DICE have been making online centric multiplayer games since 1999 with Codename Eagle, it’s not like this is a new and unexplored territory they’ve suddenly found themselves venturing into, releasing BF2 with such a crappy server browser is inexcusable. Most games that have such lackluster multiplayer support are primarily single-player games that have multi as an afterthought.

Here's to hoping 1.03 surpasses our expectations; I’m not holding my breath though.

[WrAth2110]

Pretty good article. It tells it like it is.

[blackguy32]

At least its not Splinter Cell Chaos Theory, a game that has server browsing bugs, netcode issues, and some glaring flaws. Ubi gave us 3 patches over the course of 6 months, and EA gives us 3 patches in a month!!!!

[Sapper]

At least its not Splinter Cell Chaos Theory, a game that has server browsing bugs, netcode issues, and some glaring flaws. Ubi gave us 3 patches over the course of 6 months, and EA gives us 3 patches in a month!!!!

Go back to the calendar. I have one patch and a re-install. As for 103... the chicks haven't hatched yet.

[lenchmob]

Good article, but like exocet, I'll never take any of Toms articles seriously EVER again.

Same here never again...

[Dr-X]

yeah its things like this that make me say fair play to developers like rockstar games with the GTA series.

There games are always complete when they hit the shelves with the excetion of Vice City where there was a patch but only a compatibility patch for certain gfx cards that you only installed if you had a problem. Other than that you can see they make sure its finioshed upon release. Very rare thing these days.

ARe you serious? What about all the major bugs in San Andreas PC? There's absolutely no word whatsoever on Rockstar, and nobody is expecting a patch. Vice City is also still full of bugs, even after the one patch.

[imported_DANK]

Well if you are really dissatisfied go and complain to the Better Business Bureau to get something done. Just going out on a limb here but; push far enough with a class action lawsuit for maybe a refund of some type or discount towards next purchase.

http://complaint.bbb.org/

[imported_idash]

I mean battlefield 1942 had a server browser that worked, now it does not for BF2???? odin*****

put 100 in the server broswer cat it helps! Fixes ping!

And it will keep the people with 250 ping playing on servers close to them, not screwing the game for all!

[Ion]

Tomshardware just earned some Ion Brownie Points

[Dogness]

Despite the terrible browser and the bunny hopping and the Blackhawk and the bomber whores and the CTDs and everything else, I have been playing non-stop since the release and I certainly am not going to stop playing while waiting for the patch.

From looking at people's stats, I doesn't appear that anyone has stopped playing.

Would life be better if BF2 was more polished? Yes.
Would life be better if we were still waiting for a release so they could release it more polished? No.

[Retribution.]

eh, i dont get this, people moan about a game being very buggy but no one forced you to rush out and buy it the day it came out and patchless, why not wait off abit and see what everyone says about it? then make your decision

i do find it highly annoying that two days after a new game comes out the forums are filled with, EA WTF? i'm gunna sue yoo (or my favourite) waa waaa i'm gunna return my game..

it seems everyone wants it to be perfect from day one but has that ever happend with a PC game? not to my knowledge, well saying that the only game that i have purchased in the last two years that i was able to play through from begging to end with no problems what so ever was doom3

oh and max payne 2.

[gogtaylor]

I have got a question...What is going to happen when ea pulls the plug on bf2 in a few years. How will we log on without an account server. For anyone that thinks this statement is ignorant...please feel free todo some research on another little multiplayer EA title named Motor City Online, this game was at the cutting edge of a online game/community. And ya, I payed the 12 bucks a month after purchasing the game for 50! EA just pulled the plug on the game because it wasnt cost effective to keep it running. With I know atleast 7000 people paying to play. So after they shut down the account servers...the gamers where left with a pretty coaster to set there coke on.
All I am pointing out is that EA and the industry dont care about the consumer anymore

[Retribution.]

I have got a question...What is going to happen when ea pulls the plug on bf2 in a few years. How will we log on without an account server. For anyone that thinks this statement is ignorant...please feel free todo some research on another little multiplayer EA title named Motor City Online, this game was at the cutting edge of a online game/community. And ya, I payed the 12 bucks a month after purchasing the game for 50! EA just pulled the plug on the game because it wasnt cost effective to keep it running. With I know atleast 7000 people paying to play. So after they shut down the account servers...the gamers where left with a pretty coaster to set there coke on.

aye but you could say that about world of warcraft, everquest2, that star wars one :hmm:

at least with bf2 and all the other battlefields there is an option for single player, and peoples unranked servers may still be going, or a great mod will pump extra life into bf2
even at this stage if EA pulled the plug on ranked servers there would still be a shed load of private servers going, maybe in time we wont have to log into an account server, who knows