Threads
- Very early reveals of games either create doubts or skyrocket expectations.
- Marvel’s Wolverine has gone by over 3 years without a single detail, and Silksong just feels like a fantasy at this point.
- Revealing a game closer to when it can be reliably delivered is best for both parties.
Whether it be PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo, getting to see what sorts of games are upcoming and what the industry is thinking is always intriguing. To be honest, I personally watch the Game Awards more for the reveals than the awards.
Getting to see forthcoming titles is all well and good, except when an exciting reveal comes forward, hypes you up, and then essentially vanishes off the face of the Earth for years on end. I hate it when that happens, and you’ll be surprised how often it does.
Why it matters: Revealing a game a little too early has never gone well. Marvel’s Wolverine is nowhere to be found, and Silksong fans have given up on life.
The Problems Of Early Reveals
Reveals intends to create hype regarding the upcoming titles, keeping gamers on edge and ready to purchase them. However, when you reveal a game a little too early, it’ll ultimately do the exact opposite of what you think.
Consider this for a moment. You’ve just seen a teaser of a game that pushed all the right buttons, and you start following it eagerly. What will you think when there’s no news for years on end? There are two possibilities here.
Video games are announced way too early and its disrespectful to the fans.
byu/jamesbwbevis inunpopularopinion
First, you’ll start wondering if it ran into trouble. The ominous feeling of “Stuck in development hell” is but an inevitability when silence ensues for lengthy periods. And a development hell seldom bodes well for a game. History has many examples; some are even still stuck in it. I’m looking at you, Beyond Good and Evil 2.
Now for the second, probably even more lethal possibility. When a game takes longer than normal, your expectations start skyrocketing. “If it’s taking this long, they must be cooking something extraordinary.” Ultimately, when it releases, and it’s just a game, not an extraterrestrial creation, you are left utterly disappointed.
Believe it or not, this is a very real possibility for GTA 6; that game’s expectations are beyond insane.
I Fear For Marvel’s Wolverine
Let’s look at some examples of the point I’m trying to make. And what better way to start than Sony’s “blockbuster AAAs with extremely long development times?” The model itself is pretty flawed, but it also exemplifies why early reveals are counterintuitive.
Jason Schreier: Video game production cycles have gotten so long that if a big-budget game studio started working on a brand new project today, it would likely be for the PlayStation 6
byu/Zhukov-74 inPS5
Let me ask you this: how long have you known Marvel’s Wolverine exists? 3+ years now, considering it was revealed back in 2021. Okay, next question. How much do you “officially” know? The leaks don’t count.
The only information from Sony was the teaser. No story, no gameplay, no cinematic, not even a peep in three whole years. You’re telling me the game hasn’t progressed enough even for a trailer? I don’t know about you but I find that seriously troubling.
On top of that, the unfortunate Insomniac leak didn’t help Sony’s cause much. The clips and snippets of the game essentially crushed whatever image people had formed in all these years, and that’s a pretty common occurrence in these cases.
The Silksong Fan In Me Is Tired
Hollow Knight: Silksong, the name itself is practically PTSD for me at this point. How long has it been? I’ve long forgotten it. All I know is that I’m never getting Silksong, and all this waiting is pointless. Still, giving up after all this time is easier said than done, so I’ve managed to get by god knows how.
And I’m certainly not alone in this. We Silksong fans grasp at every little straw that comes our way, only to drown regardless. See, this is what happens with pre-mature reveals. You leave your fans soulless and empty, like what I’ve described pretty vividly above from personal experience.
I’m not exactly forcing Team Cherry to “deliver whatever it takes,” but if the game was in no state to be released, why even torture your fanbase like this in the first place?
Have another Silksong meme.
byu/Penguin_Snatcher inHollowKnightMemes
Reveals Should Be Close To Release
These are just a few of the examples and nine out of ten times; it doesn’t bode well for either party. So why not fix it? There’s a simple solution: reveal your games when you’re confident you can release them within a set time.
In this way, you can keep expectations in check and deliver the best product possible, ensure people aren’t disappointed or annoyed by the extreme waiting period, and maintain a healthy relationship with those eager to try the game.
Thank you! Please share your positive feedback. 🔋
How could we improve this post? Please Help us. 😔
Shameer Sarfaraz has previously worked for eXputer as a Senior News Writer for several years. Now with Tech4Gamers, he loves to devoutly keep up with the latest gaming and entertainment industries. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science and years of experience reporting on games. Besides his passion for breaking news stories, Shahmeer loves spending his leisure time farming away in Stardew Valley. VGC, IGN, GameSpot, Game Rant, TheGamer, GamingBolt, The Verge, NME, Metro, Dot Esports, GameByte, Kotaku Australia, PC Gamer, and more have cited his articles.
Join Our Community
