We Pirates Be Having a Little Delay

Four years ago, Flying Lab Software’s MMO, Pirates of the Burning Sea, was supposed to launch. This coming fall, Pirates of the Burning Sea is supposed to launch. What am I talking about? The game has been delayed for four years.

In January of 2003, Flying Lab Software announced they would be making an online RPG called Pirates of the Burning Sea.

Reaction: Yay! I can’t wait!!

Time passes with countless delays and sorrows. Beta begins in 2005.

This June, they announced they would not be releasing in June, but they had signed a contract deal with SOE.

Reaction: Yay! I can’t wait!! They have a publisher now, how can this go wrong?!

Oh wait, does that sound familiar?

I’m not knocking Flying Lab Software for the delays. I am actually quite happy they delayed the game because it will result a much, much better game. But even then, after they changed the direction of the game—that’s a mighty long time to misjudge your release date.

But beyond that, there’s an important lesson to be learned in this scenario. More game developers need to follow Flying Lab Software’s lead. The big problem is that developers set out with just enough money to squeeze by (read: Sigil). If you can’t pay the rent for your apartment, then don’t try to build a mansion (yes, I just made that up, thank you very much).

But of course, let us not forget the *cough*evil*cough* publishers. That is where the big lesson needs to be learned. Flying Lab Software held off for all this time to avoid a traditional publisher relationship. In fact, they could have gone into a traditional publisher relationship and had their MMO out ages ago, but they didn’t. What’s more interesting is that they actually got what they wanted. This is something that they could have never have dreamed of doing if they were not financially stable. So it really all boils down to the money, just like everything else. I doubt there’s any surprises there.

I can only hope that more developers begin to look at the example Flying Lab Software has set. If they do, I’m expecting a bright future for the MMO genre.

~ by backle on July 8, 2007.