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It's an unfortunate reality in the video game business (and in the entertainment business as a whole) that release dates don't always stick. For various reasons a game may get pushed back weeks, months, even YEARS. In extreme situations it may get outright canceled (Duke Nukem Forever, Frame City Killer).
A big part of our store business is preordering games. The release date of a game is highly relevant to whether or not a person will preorder, since they want a firm idea of when they can expect to get their game. I understand that.
Of course, Corporate in their infinite wisdom has decided that for games that DO NOT have any kind of firm release date, we'll still take preorders on them. For example we can take reserves on Diablo III, the new WOW expansion and a Legend of Zelda Wii game that does not even have an official title yet. In order to allow us to preorder such titles, a placeholder date is used. For example, the game will show as being released on 12/31/10 or 09/10/11 or whatever.
What does all of his mean?
It means I constantly get an earful from customers when their games get delayed or god forbid canceled. And God help me if it's a game that's been delayed more than once.
I've had people very clearly expect me to do something for them so they can get their game faster. Apparently they believe that I, a lowly key holder at a games store, am also the almighty overlord with complete control over ALL GAME DEVELOPERS and can make them bend to my whim as needed.
Oh, if only that were so. All I can tell these people is "No, I don't know for sure when it's coming out, check back later for an update or keep up with the development progress online....and no I can't give you a gift card or a discount on the game because it got delayed. Nice try. "
A big part of our store business is preordering games. The release date of a game is highly relevant to whether or not a person will preorder, since they want a firm idea of when they can expect to get their game. I understand that.
Of course, Corporate in their infinite wisdom has decided that for games that DO NOT have any kind of firm release date, we'll still take preorders on them. For example we can take reserves on Diablo III, the new WOW expansion and a Legend of Zelda Wii game that does not even have an official title yet. In order to allow us to preorder such titles, a placeholder date is used. For example, the game will show as being released on 12/31/10 or 09/10/11 or whatever.
What does all of his mean?
It means I constantly get an earful from customers when their games get delayed or god forbid canceled. And God help me if it's a game that's been delayed more than once.
I've had people very clearly expect me to do something for them so they can get their game faster. Apparently they believe that I, a lowly key holder at a games store, am also the almighty overlord with complete control over ALL GAME DEVELOPERS and can make them bend to my whim as needed.
Oh, if only that were so. All I can tell these people is "No, I don't know for sure when it's coming out, check back later for an update or keep up with the development progress online....and no I can't give you a gift card or a discount on the game because it got delayed. Nice try. "
I AM the evil bastard!
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