They talked about it at the game awards.
Quoting for new page since this is a good summary.
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Halo Wars: Definitive Edition |OT| The Best Marketing This Game Will Get
- Thread starter Tecnniqe
- Start date
They talked about it at the game awards.
Quoting for new page since this is a good summary.
What the fuck is it about MS and Halo shit that results in last minute made up shit?
www.thesixthaxis.com/2012/12/12/mic...then-invents-14-day-buy-and-play-pr-campaign/
www.thesixthaxis.com/2012/12/12/mic...then-invents-14-day-buy-and-play-pr-campaign/
This is their marketing. I guess they rather have everybody pissed off than nobody knowing about it.
ATOMICJORGE
Member
StUnNeR H2K
Member
The Game Awards trailer literally said Early Access.
It should have been made clearer but it isn't something popping up today. The code sending really is archaic though. I would guess they want to say something in the code message about it not being the complete experience and downloading at own risk or something.
It should have been made clearer but it isn't something popping up today. The code sending really is archaic though. I would guess they want to say something in the code message about it not being the complete experience and downloading at own risk or something.
Gai Murakumo
Member
LOL at the whole early access not everything is finished for the game thing. As long as the single player runs fine and there is no problems there I am satisfied.
Forerunner
Member
Hey guys preorder HW 2 and get Halo Wars DE on the 20th!
Cool!
Oh we forgot to say it was only early access and you have to preorder before the 14th to get on on the 20th, lol sorry!
I'm not going to do a charge back because I'm getting HW 2 regardless, but this shit is ridiculous.
Cool!
Oh we forgot to say it was only early access and you have to preorder before the 14th to get on on the 20th, lol sorry!
I'm not going to do a charge back because I'm getting HW 2 regardless, but this shit is ridiculous.
Hawk269
Member
Great summary of the screw ups. How does 343i manage to screw up yet another Halo game? I mean, does Phil know what is going with this? It seems like anything 343i touches is a shit show in regards to Halo. I mean are the studio heads trying to kill the franchise so they can do something different? If so, GREAT JOB GUYS!
Wow.. This is a cluster fuck.
It really reminds me of the whole Map Pack fiasco that got posted a few posts above.
Announcing that a game is Early Access on the day of release and then postponing the actual release to February, not to mention that not everybody is getting it today, is something that just 343i could come out with.
It really reminds me of the whole Map Pack fiasco that got posted a few posts above.
Announcing that a game is Early Access on the day of release and then postponing the actual release to February, not to mention that not everybody is getting it today, is something that just 343i could come out with.
The known issues doesnt sound that bad really. Still could have communicated it better.
Especially when 343 is so open lately.
They always said the 7-10 days thing tho.
Especially when 343 is so open lately.
They always said the 7-10 days thing tho.
SEGAvangelist
Member
I'm not gonna defend MS for walling this game behind a deluxe edition as well as their stupid code roll-out, but they did say this game was being released as Early Access back during The Game Awards.
Forsythia
Member
Just send out the fucking codes to everyone who pre-ordered all at once.
They did the same shit with the Gears codes. I remember that some people who pre-ordered as soon as possible received the codes much later than people who pre-ordered a few days before release. This is going to end up the same way.
Why do they fuck up shit like this all the time. Jesus christ.
They did the same shit with the Gears codes. I remember that some people who pre-ordered as soon as possible received the codes much later than people who pre-ordered a few days before release. This is going to end up the same way.
Why do they fuck up shit like this all the time. Jesus christ.
I wonder...
I hope its good. Most of the stuff can be considered minor to actually playing the game, but even a post back in 1st of Dec makes this out to be early access (as in full product before the official release TBA) and not as a unfinished product.
I mean fuck, it should be written as
Even then the FAQ was ninja edited with this shit in less than a day ago iirc..
How minor it is, is not the issue. The issue here is that it was never made clear, and still is NOT on the damn store pages or anywhere else until now on their forums.
Store page never listed anything as "early access" in one way or another, looks like they just went "Oh lets do this!" aaaand post.
Hawk269
Member
I think the issue is that when Dan said Early Access on the game awards, he said it as a bonus for pre-ordering that you will get early access to playing HW DE version, not that the DE version is in EARLY ACCESS program which means the game is incomplete and prone to having issues. The way he worded it was that we get to play the game early. He should of said that you get beta access since the game is part of the EARLY ACCESS program. While technically, the words early access came out of his mouth, I think it was said and interpreted that we just get the game early, not a beta/prone to issues/part of the early access program.
DaleCooper
Neo Member
I pre-ordered my game on the 15th and even a week before that when I looked it up it said it would take 7 to 10 days to get the code. Even retailers like best buy had that info as well...they didn't just throw that in there. Some of you haven't been paying attention
They indeed said "preview access'
I'm fucking pissed off now.
Not sure why you quote me? I also say the communication could be better.
mullet2000
Member
What a shitshow.
I didn't think they'd ever pull a "Quantum Break" again, but here we are.
I didn't think they'd ever pull a "Quantum Break" again, but here we are.
Nobody is saying that.
They didn't mention anywhere that December 14th was the cut off to receive a code on day one, when they should have.
Worse, they have now changed the game to "early access" on release day and stealth edited information to match, without having announced it as early access when starting to take pre-orders.
Terrible communication without a doubt but they did seem to choose their words carefully on stage during the announcement.
https://youtu.be/DQl9kppJ99A?t=58s
"We're happy to announce that everyone who buys the digital Halo Wars 2: Ultimate Edition will get special preview access to the new definitive edition of Halo Wars 1 remastered... the definitive edition will begin rolling out on December 20th"
https://youtu.be/DQl9kppJ99A?t=58s
"We're happy to announce that everyone who buys the digital Halo Wars 2: Ultimate Edition will get special preview access to the new definitive edition of Halo Wars 1 remastered... the definitive edition will begin rolling out on December 20th"
Aaand did they write what they said anywhere about it being a preview? All I ever read was early access to the game for pre-ordering it, as in the complete product...
Was this written anywhere or said anywhere else? I never heard that, at all...
Oh I know, just pointing out while I also find them minor, the severity of the issues is not the problem.
I'm still hoping its good, I'll probably love it whenever I get my code, but Jesus christ, in theory this OT is probably not even allowed now...
These PR people need to take a class in communication.
Forerunner
Member
It doesn't matter if they said it at the fucking Game Awards. Not everyone watched that. It should have been in the product description from the get go. They edited it in at the last second.
No. But someone said they said it at the Game awards so i just checked.
Hawk269
Member
Anyone get a code yet? Just trying to lighten the mood. I know I have my fair share of pissed off posts...but lets turn those frowns upside down and be positive!!! Instead of having those Avatars of "I believe in Phil", lets have a "I believe in Dan Ayoub". I know I am stretching here..lol
DaleCooper
Neo Member
They said 7 to 10 days from when you preorder so why wouldn't the cut off be the 14th for day one? You are confusing me.
Hey guys, quoting the most strident post - this is a completely valid complaint about our messaging that I simply didn't realize we'd flubbed. With the Holiday noise and chaos and launch of HW2 (and the remaster) and juggling multiple things, I didn't even realize we'd ended up with this noise and misunderstanding. Most folks are out for the break, I'm working on clarity and focus for messaging right now. Will be a while.
I took it to mean "within 7 to 10 days of December 20th", but who knows what they meant - clear communication is not their strong point.
Considering I preordered this a few days ago for the specific purpose of playing Halo Wars DE today I most certainly haven't received a code.
They said this afternoon.
Serious question, but why is this not something that your PR department is doing? What are those people even doing? Why is it that you, out of all people, must step in and do something like an apology or clarify things?
This is really something that just damages your image as a company. Be clear and honest from the get go and you won't have to clear things up afterwards.
Hawk269
Member
Frankie- Since I was the person that made the comment you quoted, in all seriousness, there has been a lot of mess ups, but I still love the games you guys make and the devotion to Halo. Halo Wars is up there with Halo CE for me and the fact you are making a sequel for it was one of the bigger announcements for me in a while. While my jabs were made to be more tongue and cheek, there was some truths and concerns in my ramblings.
As always, I thank you for stepping in and saying something. I know Gaf at times can be tough for a dev to navigate, but appreciate you speaking up and saying what you said. I think a lot of us appreciate you doing that!
Thanks...oh and fire Dan! lol
What the fuck...
Early access stealth edits? Sending in waves? Halo you deserve better big guy.
Edit: Fair play for being clear and honest Frankie.
Early access stealth edits? Sending in waves? Halo you deserve better big guy.
Edit: Fair play for being clear and honest Frankie.
Sending in waves was known tho.
Nobody is being dishonest, just a traffic jam of bad semantics. And that's on us. And part of my job is communicating with you guys. This is a pot someone left on the stove. You would turn it off too if you walked in.
Not making light of it. Just explaining that I had missed the issue.
Waves is just how the store works - and actually XBL does this historically too - which is why you see threads with people asking if it's here yet on other games. And that wave function (sorry science) is one of the reasons we have fairly nonspecific timing language, which was one more thing piled on here.
I pre'd my HW2U yesterday, at full price from MSStore.com, in order to play, hopefully within a week (dat 7-10 days) or so. So yeah, no code here either. Only now we hear it's gonna be busted? I'm not interested in playing it in preview at all. I still want it and HW2, I just wish I woulda held out for at least some kind of deal.
SpartanSlayer117
Member
Nobody is being dishonest, just a traffic jam of bad semantics. And that's on us. And part of my job is communicating with you guys. This is a pot someone left on the stove. You would turn it off too if you walked in.
Not making light of it. Just explaining that I had missed the issue.
Waves is just how the store works - and actually XBL does this historically too - which is why you see threads with people asking if it's here yet on other games. And that wave function (sorry science) is one of the reasons we have fairly nonspecific timing language, which was one more thing piled on here.
At least Frankie is cooperative and he seems sober. But is he clothed?
"Early Access" is a Steam term. Microsoft doesn't get to claim it's a generic term that everyone knows the definition of. "Early" - before a scheduled time. "Access" - to have rights to use. MS can't just add in the Valve definition, which is often "busted-ass game that we'll take your money for now".
Specifically, both "early access to Halo Wars DE" and "Early Access to Halo Wars DE" (capital E capital A) are different than "Halo Wars DE launches in early access" or "as an early-access game".
Either way, outside of Valve's model it's confusing at best and intentionally misleading at worst. Here's what Valve says when a game is early access:
"Early Access Game
GET INSTANT ACCESS AND START PLAYING; GET INVOLVED WITH THIS GAME AS IT DEVELOPS.
Note: This Early Access game is not complete and may or may not change further. If you are not excited to play this game in its current state, then you should wait to see if the game progresses further in development. Learn more"
http://store.steampowered.com/app/552450/
If MS can't match that level of honesty, it's sad. They shouldn't be willing to take your money without telling you what you're getting. I do applaud MS for apparently not charging for CC / debit-only preorders until closer to the HW2 launch date. Honesty up front, compared to many of the other game launches gamers have been willing to put up with (Fallout 4), would have been fine. The known issues list they've publicly posted doesn't look that bad, and probably wouldn't have been a deal breaker had I known up front.
But the main reason I went for the $80 bundle was the HW1 remaster -- and it blows my mind that this launch can't be bulletproof and ready for primetime. HW1 has been out since March 2009 (over 6.5 years ago). It's a relatively static target, and the XONE and Windows 10 have both been out for some time as well.
Specifically, both "early access to Halo Wars DE" and "Early Access to Halo Wars DE" (capital E capital A) are different than "Halo Wars DE launches in early access" or "as an early-access game".
Either way, outside of Valve's model it's confusing at best and intentionally misleading at worst. Here's what Valve says when a game is early access:
"Early Access Game
GET INSTANT ACCESS AND START PLAYING; GET INVOLVED WITH THIS GAME AS IT DEVELOPS.
Note: This Early Access game is not complete and may or may not change further. If you are not excited to play this game in its current state, then you should wait to see if the game progresses further in development. Learn more"
http://store.steampowered.com/app/552450/
If MS can't match that level of honesty, it's sad. They shouldn't be willing to take your money without telling you what you're getting. I do applaud MS for apparently not charging for CC / debit-only preorders until closer to the HW2 launch date. Honesty up front, compared to many of the other game launches gamers have been willing to put up with (Fallout 4), would have been fine. The known issues list they've publicly posted doesn't look that bad, and probably wouldn't have been a deal breaker had I known up front.
But the main reason I went for the $80 bundle was the HW1 remaster -- and it blows my mind that this launch can't be bulletproof and ready for primetime. HW1 has been out since March 2009 (over 6.5 years ago). It's a relatively static target, and the XONE and Windows 10 have both been out for some time as well.
ATOMICJORGE
Member
Thanks for stopping by to say something Frank Halo Wars is on my top 10 of favorite games of all time the original message regarding the remaster was indeed not clear I think that is something the PR department needs to work, I really appreciate your post my friend
Partially.
Nobody is being dishonest, just a traffic jam of bad semantics. And that's on us. And part of my job is communicating with you guys. This is a pot someone left on the stove. You would turn it off too if you walked in.
Not making light of it. Just explaining that I had missed the issue.
I mean I get it, shit happens, but this just turned very 180 in a matter of hours right before what everyone figured was an actual release.
It should never happen. Ever.
I appreciate you clearing it up for us but that still wont help those who don't visit GAF and had the same thought as us...
Yes, now that its been cleared up for those who visit GAF, I have some more OT work to do... In the meanwhile
Biggest issue here was the miscommunication.
Had we known all this information beforehand I don't think most would have minded.
The lack of media was one thing as well.
We knew the codes would start going out in waves, but that doesn't make sense to a lot of us...then again most of us aren't developers.
We didn't know about the game being an early access game, we should have.
Hopefully I get the code today and get to play, that's all I want now.
Had we known all this information beforehand I don't think most would have minded.
The lack of media was one thing as well.
We knew the codes would start going out in waves, but that doesn't make sense to a lot of us...then again most of us aren't developers.
We didn't know about the game being an early access game, we should have.
Hopefully I get the code today and get to play, that's all I want now.
Forerunner
Member
It's whatever. Miscommunication and Frankie at least stopped by to explain that situation. The wave thing I don't have a problem with. It was the early access more than anything that annoyed me. If you didn't watch the Game Awards Show you wouldn't have known until they edited it in on the 20th.