Rumor: Killzone 3 Due This Christmas?

[makingmusic476]

Miguel_Zorro said:

makingmusic476 said:

Miguel_Zorro said:
Also, based on the numerous, large patches after Killzone 2's release, it was obvious that the game was either inadequately beta tested, or that the beta testing process was poor. The next game needs to be a more finished product.

I also wouldn't mind if they put in the kind of features that generate big sales. I'll buy it either way, but things like co-op modes, vehicles, a good party system, etc. move units.

The beta was just fine.  The major patch revolved around the control scheme.

Neither they nor us beta testers expected such a significant backlash over the controls. I can't think of anybody who wasn't fine with the controls as they were prior to release.

Other than that, the game's multiplayer was pretty nicely balanced on release, though I appreciate Guerrilla's williness to tweak minor things like turret damage for months post-release based on fan feedback.

Keep in mind where I'm coming from - Killzone 2 is my favourite PS3 game.  But they changed a lot after release.

I wasn't in the Killzone 2 beta, but my experience in other PS3 betas that I have been in has involved a group of people legitimately trying to test the game out and suggest changes/improvements, and a vocal group, perhaps a minority, who shouts down anyone who does so.   The worst example of this was the MAG beta (the real beta, not just the later beta that everybody was involved in).  People were making suggestions, but there was a group of people who would tell them to "stop whining" and "wait for the final version".  It was a joke.  I've been in 3 others, and while they weren't quite as bad, there were similarities.  If you're saying the Killzone 2 process was better, I'll take your word for it.

Keep in mind some of the other tweaks - first they overpowered the air support due to complaints, then they took it back down.  They played with the weapon damage, etc. etc.  Actually, now that I think about it again, perhaps the problem was that they were *too* receptive to player input.  :)  There's also substantial evidence that they had features planned for the game (ie, the early vehicle footage) that got taken out for whatever reason.

I really just want this game to do well.

I think the biggest issue with Killzone 2 was not having a standard control scheme from day one.  There are currently four control schemes floating around in the wild (SP and MP pre-patch and post-patch), and I think if they go with the High Precision mode for both SP and MP from the getgo with Killzone 3, the game will be better recieved commercially.

The controls probably had a heavy hand in killing the game's initial word of mouth.  A game with such a high critical rating and a 700k opening week should've gone on to do more than it did, but it's as if only a small fraction of that 700k bothered to tell their friends about the game.