While
we can't say that we didn't see it coming and we know that it's probably for the best,
the recent delay of
Warhammer Online from Q2 2008 to Fall 2008 has many of us in the Massively offices in low spirits. It's a sentiment that's reflected across the community, from what we've seen. In an effort to put out the fires in the community and remind us that the development team is on our side,
WAR bigwig Mark Jacobs has been spending a lot of time in the
Warhammer Alliance forums today, answering all sorts of player questions as a gesture of good will. Here are some of the meatier details:
- Newsletters, video podcasts, and previews will not only continue until the new release date, but will probably increase in frequency to keep up the buzz.
- To the question of how he felt about releasing so close to Wrath of the Lich King, Jacobs stressed that they would rather take a page from Blizzard than be afraid of them. He would rather release the game when it's ready than worry about being gobbled by the competition.
- The "head start" that people get by preordering the Collector's Edition will be "more than a day," but no exact amount of time has been decided yet.
- The recommended system requirements should be similar to or slightly below the requirements for the beta. They're still working on optimizing the game, so they don't even have a ballpark for the minimum specs at this point.
- He made a point of not even hinting at when the open beta might start
- And finally, when asked what type of "mud" would allow WAR's release date to slip so far, Jacobs conceded that it was both wet and sloppy.
As ornery as players have gotten over the delay, you have to at least respect the fact that the guy is willing to answer all these questions, from his home at 7 in the morning, no less.
