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[Vena]

It seems odd that they would release it like this instead of just delaying it until the rest of the content is ready. Half the maps and most of the modes not being available at launch seems very different to me than simply a couple maps added here and there.

The game ships with half of the maps and half of the modes eventually promised by August. Technically, had they said nothing, the game is launching with five maps and two modes which are 100% of the content. They're intent is to assure future support and growth as the game (if you discount the single-player) is not that big.

Obviously, they want the game to be out and selling before CoD et al hit the market and bury everything under foot.

 

[KingSnake]

Treat it like they treat GTA Online.

 

[Broadbandito]

I went from buying a wii u and this day 1 to waiting till way later. They are essentially releasing a beta and pretty much announcing it that way

 

[Zombie James]

Give impressions and do the review in August.

Or they could finish the game and release it in August.

 

[atbigelow]

Pretty sure they'll have chances to review the ranked stuff with review copies. Same way Nintendo let reviewers test online Mario Kart 8 before launch.

No way to tell how the network holds up after launch, of course. Other than that, simply review the game as it stands.

 

[Danielsan]

Sounds like the game is far from finished and is being pushed out the door just to fill the giant game gap.
Reviewers need to review the game as it is. Nintendo are asking full price from players now, and not after summer when the game is actually content complete.

 

[Hiltz]

Sounds like the game is far from finished and is being pushed out the door just to fill the giant game gap.
Reviewers need to review the game as it is. Nintendo are asking full price from players now, and not after summer when the game is actually content complete.

Yeah, this is exactly the case. Nintendo wants this game released sooner rather than later even though this title being a new IP can hurt its chances for success. At least gamers will be informed from most reviews about the game's free DLC adding more significant content to the game during the summer.

 

[Kriken]

Play what's available and review that, update the review if they feel like the content is worth an updated review

 

[spekkeh]

Or they could finish the game and release it in August.

Yes, I also think Nintendo is simply prematurely releasing an unfinished game here. Kind of like Driveclub.

 

[Newtype-001]

5 maps is a little Eh...
and am i reading that properly that theres only 1 mode at launch?

 

[Hatchtag]

Sounds like the game is far from finished and is being pushed out the door just to fill the giant game gap.

It's weird. We know ranked battles are finished, but they're being held back until an arbitrary number of people get to level 10. We can assume some of the additional maps are done considering we've seen them multiple times before. They're very clearly holding back on some finished content to smooth the waiting period for the unfinished content, and I'm kinda thinking that might not be the best idea since people might grow tired of the game if its as low on content as it seems to be at launch.

 

[NateDrake]

It's weird. We know ranked battles are finished, but they're being held back until an arbitrary number of people get to level 10.

Wrong. If you hit Level 10 you get access to Ranked Battles. They will unlock Ranked for all players once a certain number of the population reaches that level.

 

[Mr Fahrenheit]

Review it as it is when it comes out and if they feel that the content added is really enough to warrant a better score then post an updated score, if it isn't then that's Nintendo's problem.

 

[mnz]

Can you imagine what would happen with any other company after news like this? This looks like a beta.

 

[Einbroch]

Review it at launch for what it is at that moment.

Come back a few months later with an update. Don't change the score.

That's how I would like it done with every game, even MMOs that get massive changes and updates.

 

[Valkerionseven]

I say a flat review of the base package. Those basics are not going to change just because some maps and costumes are added.

Though I do like Gametrailers' "Just played" segments where they talk about something they are playing now, new or old with a new update. I think thats a good way to bring up the game again without changing stances on it, unless there is a big update that just makes the game seen in a whole different light.

 

[DeaviL]

There's an online mode which will probably very clearly show how well online works,
and general gameplay can be rated in this mode too.

I see no reason to not just give a score outright.

 

[Hatchtag]

Wrong. If you hit Level 10 you get access to Ranked Battles. They will unlock Ranked for all players once a certain number of the population reaches that level.

You sure? I've been hearing a lot of the opposite and it wasn't very clear in the direct.

Anyways, here's a bit of a content roundup. Correct me if I'm wrong on any of it:

5 maps is a little Eh...
and am i reading that properly that theres only 1 mode at launch?

Launch content:
-Single Player
-Local 1v1
-Hub area
-3 minigames
-Online with 5 maps and 1 mode. Friends can join but will randomly be placed on and off your team
-Outfits and weapons

Amiibo Launch content:
-Challenges that remix single player content
-New outfits (and weapons maybe?)
-1 minigame

Post-launch content:
-New maps (Around 8?)
-2 or 3 new modes, one of which is tower control
-Team battle with friends: a group of 4 searches for other groups of 4, or 8 friends split into team. Launches in August
-Splatfests
-New outfits and weapons

Not sure if launch or post-launch content:
-Ranked-Includes a zone control mode. Either locked until you hit level 10, or doesn't unlock until a number of people hit level 10.

 

[Sevyne]

Give impressions and do the review in August.

You know how ridiculous that sounds? Maybe companies should ship complete games at launch, eh?

If any company wants to release a bare-bones game and later on fill in the void then that should be reflected on in a review. Reviews are mostly for potential launch buyers, and those people have a right to know what it is they are getting and it's quality at launch.

If a game is improved upon later through added content, then sites can review that content independently or update a review to reflect the product at the time.

 

[Somnid]

I think the initial worth of this game is the single player content, whether or not they struck a good balance in multiplayer gameplay and whether or not the whole online goes down for the first few weeks. Those are the biggest things that will cause people to be upset with the purchase.

As far as releasing with a light initial set for multiplayer and updating parts of it, for a multiplayer game that's actually pretty reasonable. Most multiplayer-centric games start that way (often as preorder betas) because the community evolves with the game as new strategies and meta game things come up and you need the game in front of people to ultimately polish it. I can't think of too many games that start with a specific upfront pay so it'll be interesting how this works out. I think this will be of a significantly higher standard then, say, Steam Early Access. The long term worth is whether Nintendo can react to the community and engage. I think it's fair that some people are put off if they don't feel the initial offering is worth it, but as it relates to reviews there's no telling when the game might pass that magic point unless the press is calling it out.

 

[Radec]

Can you imagine what would happen with any other company after news like this? This looks like a beta.

yep.

 

[spekkeh]

Can you imagine what would happen with any other company after news like this? This looks like a beta.

Yes they'll go on to have 9.5 million accounts in no time and be the third bestselling game in the states that year.

 

[Ridley327]

Can you imagine what would happen with any other company after news like this? This looks like a beta.

I don't think you need to have much of an imagination, given how lousy last holiday was with games that weren't ready for prime time. Granted, Splatoon differs in the sense that it's more an issue with customization features versus the wide range of technical issues those games had, but it's a similar sentiment all the same.

 

[Ray Down]

Can you imagine what would happen with any other company after news like this? This looks like a beta.

Yeah this is pretty stupid.

 

[KingSnake]

I went from buying a wii u and this day 1 to waiting till way later. They are essentially releasing a beta and pretty much announcing it that way

That's bullshit though. At launch the game will have:

• A full single player campaign
• A 1 vs. 1 local multiplayer mode
• Two online multiplayer modes (one unlocking based on the level of the players)
• 5 multiplayer maps and more complex maps updates every few weeks
• a lot of gear and guns. The only gun missing at launch is the brush. All the fun sub and special weapons are available at launch
• Arcade games

What's coming until August is:

• New ranked modes like Tower control and Rainmaker
• Custom matchmaking modes: 4 friends vs. others, or 8 friends matched

If you really were planning on buying this at launch you should actually watch the Direct.

 

[sjay1994]

Probably what happened with destiny

Reviews might come out all over the place after one set date.

 

[NateDrake]

You sure? I've been hearing a lot of the opposite and it wasn't very clear in the direct.

Hmmm....maybe I'm mistaken. Thought it was just Level 10 for an individual to unlock, but the Direct makes it sound like it is global. Can't imagine the number will be very high for the mode to unlock.

 

[Supermanisdead]

If they're going to drop a 60$ game with no custom parties, no voice chat and the promise of future DLC already, then they're going to get the reviews they deserve.

 

[oti]

Livestream it continuously until the August update and give a score every 39 minutes.

Just write your impressions. No matter what Nintendo's DLC plans are, you still have to pay €40 at launch so that's that.

 

[Gentleman Jack]

That's bullshit though. At launch the game will have:

• updates every few weeks

At launch the game will have the promise of things after launch.

 

[Deleted member 752119]

If they feel it's not enough content for the launch price, but like the game otherwise, they should indicated that, score it appropriately and suggest that people wait until more content is out to purchase.

If they feel it's enough content, and like it, they should score it enough and suggest people pick it up at launch.

If they don't like it, for reasons other than the missing launch content, they should score it appropriately and suggest people skip it.


It's not rocket science...

 

[DirgeExtinction]

This sort of launch seems very unlike Nintendo.

 

[Crayolan]

It's weird. We know ranked battles are finished, but they're being held back until an arbitrary number of people get to level 10. We can assume some of the additional maps are done considering we've seen them multiple times before. They're very clearly holding back on some finished content to smooth the waiting period for the unfinished content, and I'm kinda thinking that might not be the best idea since people might grow tired of the game if its as low on content as it seems to be at launch.

Yea, I'm thinking the 3 maps they showed pictures of+tower defense+a few additional weapons/gear are all finished right now but are being held back arbitrarily for that exact purpose.

I'd be feeling a lot better about the game right now if it was launching with 8 maps and 3 modes.

 

[KingSnake]

You sure? I've been hearing a lot of the opposite and it wasn't very clear in the direct.

In the European Direct is clearly stated that you must be at least level 10 to access Ranked Battles and because it won't so exciting to play it without many players in there this mode will be unlocked when enough players will reach this level. (it's around minute 24 in the European Direct on eshop).

At launch the game will have the promise of things after launch.

Yes, in few weeks. This is online related, you know, that thing that you play past day 1.

 

[zma1013]

If they're going to drop a 60$ game with no custom parties, no voice chat and the promise of future DLC already, then they're going to get the reviews they deserve.

So there's for sure no voice chat?

 

[Newtype-001]

Anyways, here's a bit of a content roundup. Correct me if I'm wrong on any of it:



Launch content:
-Single Player
-Local 1v1
-Hub area
-3 minigames
-Online with 5 maps and 1 mode. Friends can join but will randomly be placed on and off your team
-Outfits and weapons

Amiibo Launch content:
-Challenges that remix single player content
-New outfits (and weapons maybe?)
-1 minigame

Post-launch content:
-New maps (Around 8?)
-2 or 3 new modes, one of which is tower control
-Team battle with friends: a group of 4 searches for other groups of 4, or 8 friends split into team. Launches in August
-Splatfests
-New outfits and weapons

Not sure if launch or post-launch content:
-Ranked-Includes a zone control mode. Either locked until you hit level 10, or doesn't unlock until a number of people hit level 10.

thanks for the roundup, much appreciated.

Thats pretty bare bones at launch. Its pretty insulting they want to sell this for $60 in america. Atleast in the uk its going for £30 on amazon.

 

[phanphare]

This sort of launch seems very unlike Nintendo.

"get with the times," they said

 

[WrenchNinja]

They should review what's available at launch.

 

[JDSN]

Review what is at launch, take points depending on the amount of day one paid DLC content avaliable.

 

[Hugstable]

Just review the core game at launch. Update later with new info, but no score changes. Reviewers should revirw the base game we get at launch.

 

[Exile20]

Review whats there at launch but make sure to notify readers that there is a free big update in Aug.

Review what is at launch, take points depending on the amount of day one paid DLC content avaliable.

No paid DLC

 

[Starfish Hero]

If they're going to drop a 60$ game with no custom parties, no voice chat and the promise of future DLC already, then they're going to get the reviews they deserve.

Unless I missed something, we don't know anything about future DLC (unless we're counting amiibo). Every download announced is an update.

 

[Mesoian]

review what's available at launch and be done with it

no updated review scores or any of those shenanigans

Yup, absolutely.

 

[SerTapTap]

Give impressions and do the review in August.

I've toyed with the idea of doing "impressions" if my review can't make release date, but there's no way I can see myself, let alone professional review sites, sitting on a game for 4 months after retail release before calling something a "review".

Reviews should be out day one, just mention what's coming up and whether you suspect they'll affect your final decision (for instance, if the game sucks more content won't help, if the game was great and too short it sure will). Then, if you're feeling generous, re-review when it's feature complete and/or when something comes out that significantly affects your impression of the game.

 

[Daffy Duck]

"get with the times," they said

Haha, my thoughts exactly.

 

[Gentleman Jack]

Yes, in few weeks. This is online related, you know, that thing that you play past day 1.

I just thought it was funny to bullet point something not available at launch as something available at launch.

 

[JetSetRadio]

Sounds like an online beta.

 

[Vena]

This sort of launch seems very unlike Nintendo.

"get with the times," they said

No, this is very Nintendo: "Here it is, this is our game." It's a full single-player game with about half of the overall promised multiplayer.

A very un-Nintendo launch would be one where they told you nothing, this thread didn't exist, and then at launch we found out what content was in the game and had a shitstorm.

 

[Sotha_Sil]

that seems like a ridiculous way to release the game.

Just a few maps and only one game mode?

 

[Exile20]

I've toyed with the idea of doing "impressions" if my review can't make release date, but there's no way I can see myself, let alone professional review sites, sitting on a game for 4 months after retail release before calling something a "review".

Reviews should be out day one, just mention what's coming up and whether you suspect they'll affect your final decision (for instance, if the game sucks more content won't help, if the game was great and too short it sure will). Then, if you're feeling generous, re-review when it's feature complete and/or when something comes out that significantly affects your impression of the game.

4 months? At most 3.