It’s no secret that the video game industry is rife with broken games. Whether it’s a buggy launch or a DLC-filled cash grab, there always seems to be something wrong with the latest release. But why do game developers keep releasing broken games?
There are a number of factors that contribute to this problem. First and foremost, there’s the pressure to release a game on schedule. With the ever-growing competition in the gaming industry, developers are under constant pressure to get their games out the door as soon as possible. This often leads to corners being cut and quality being sacrificed in order to meet deadlines.
There are a variety of reasons why game developers release broken games. Sometimes it’s due to buggy code or poor quality assurance (QA) testing. Other times, it might be intentional – for example, if a developer is trying to cash in on a hot new trend before the competition.
Why Game Developers Keep Releasing Unfinished Games
Whatever the reason, releasing a broken game is almost always a bad idea. Not only does it anger and frustrate customers, but it can also damage a studio’s reputation. In some cases, it can even lead to legal troubles.
So why do game developers do it? Here are some of the most common reasons:
1. They’re Trying to Cash in on a Hot Trend
One of the most common reasons for releasing a broken game is that the developers are trying to cash in on a hot new trend. For example, when “Battle Royale” games like PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds and Fortnite started becoming popular, many other studios rushed to release their own copycat titles.
However, in their haste to get their games out the door, many of these studios released buggy and unfinished products. As a result, players were left feeling angry and disappointed.
2. They Have Buggy Code
Another common reason for releasing a broken game is that the developers have created buggy code. This can happen for a variety of reasons, such as poor programming or rushing to meet a deadline.
Unfortunately, buggy code can lead to all sorts of problems, such as crashes, glitches, and game-breaking bugs. These can ruin the player experience and make a game unplayable.
3. They Didn’t Test the Game Properly
Quality assurance (QA) testing is an essential part of the game development process. However, some studios cut corners and don’t test their games properly before release. As a result, players end up finding all sorts of bugs and issues that should have been caught during QA.
4. They’re Trying to Save Money
Money is often a major factor in why game developers release broken games. In some cases, studios might be trying to save money by cutting corners on QA or using cheaper materials. Other times, they might be under pressure from publishers to release a game before it’s ready.
5. They Want to Release the Game Early
Another common reason for releasing a broken game is that the developers simply want to get it out the door as soon as possible. This might be because they’re eager to show off their work or because they’re facing a tight deadline.
However, releasing a game before it’s ready can backfire spectacularly. Not only will players be disappointed, but it can also damage a studio’s reputation.
Releasing a broken game is almost always a bad idea. Not only does it anger and frustrate customers, but it can also damage a studio’s reputation. In some cases, it can even lead to legal troubles.
Why Do Games Release With Bugs?
Games often have a strict release date that they need to hit. This leaves little to no room for error and can often result in buggy games as the developers are forced to cut corners in order to make the deadline.
It’s not uncommon for developers to be working on a game up until the last minute before it ships out. This often leads to rushed work and a lack of proper testing, which can cause all sorts of problems.
Some studios might also release buggy games intentionally. For example, if a game is based on a hot new trend, the developers might rush to release it before the competition. However, this usually backfires as players end up being angry and disappointed with the broken game.
When released before they’re ready, games can be full of bugs that make them unplayable. This can damage a studio’s reputation and cause players to lose faith in the developers.
List Of Broken & Buggy Games That Got Released
There have been many buggy and broken games that have been released over the years. Here are just a few examples:
1. Assassin’s Creed III
2. Batman: Arkham Knight
3. Battlefield 4
4. Call of Duty: Ghosts
5. Destiny
6. Halo: The Master Chief Collection
7. Mario Kart 8
8. No Man’s Sky
9. Street Fighter V
10. The Sims 4
These are just a few of the many buggy and broken games that have been released over the years. As you can see, even big-name studios and AAA titles are not immune to releasing broken games.
How To Avoid Releasing A Broken Game
If you’re a game developer, there are a few things you can do to avoid releasing a broken game:
1. Make sure you have a solid QA testing process in place.
2. Don’t cut corners or try to save money by skimping on QA or using cheaper materials.
3. Don’t release the game until it’s ready. Even if you’re facing a tight deadline, it’s better to delay the release than to put out a buggy game.
4. If possible, get feedback from players during the development process. This can help you catch bugs and fix them before the game is released.
Following these tips can help you avoid releasing a broken game. However, even if you do everything right, there’s always a chance that something will slip through the cracks.
What To Do If You Release A Broken Game
If you do end up releasing a broken game, there are a few things you can do to try to salvage the situation:
1. Be upfront and honest with players about the state of the game.
2. Offer refunds to players who are unhappy with the game.
3. Work quickly to fix any major bugs and issues.
4. Offer discounts or free DLC to players who stick with the game.
5. Be transparent about your development process and listen to player feedback.
Taking these steps can help you recover from releasing a broken game. However, it’s important to remember that once a game is released, you can’t take it back.
Final Thoughts
Releasing a broken game is almost always a bad idea. Not only does it anger and frustrate customers, but it can also damage a studio’s reputation. In some cases, it can even lead to legal troubles.
As a game developer, you should do everything you can to avoid releasing a broken game. This includes having a solid QA testing process in place and not cutting corners during development. If you do end up releasing a broken game, be upfront with players about the issues and work quickly to fix them.