Stop Announcing Games So Early | Spot On

With the news that the new Perfect Dark game is still years away, Tam and Lucy discuss why announcing games early can do more harm than good, even though there are reasons why doing so is to a developer and publisher's benefit.
#gaming #perfectdark #gamespot
A new Perfect Dark was revealed at The Game Awards way back in 2020, but a recent report from IGN has indicated that it's release is still years away, despite Xbox's Matt Booty saying that he played it recently.
This isn't the first time this has happened. In fact, there are many games that have been announced and then gone missing in action. Often, this can do more harm than good, and yet it still keeps happening, which begs the question: why? On this episode of Spot On, Tam and Lucy discuss the dangers that can arise when games are announced too early, and why publishers and developers do it regardless.
Spot On is a weekly news show airing Fridays in which GameSpot's managing editor Tamoor Hussain and senior producer Lucy James talk about the latest news in games. Given the highly dynamic and never-ending news cycle of the massive video game industry, there's always something to talk about but, unlike most other news shows, Spot On will dive deep into a single topic as opposed to recapping all the news. Spot On airs each Friday.

[@onyx3856]

No company should announce a game or even show a trailer until there is actual gameplay. All of these CGI announcements are only setting people up for disappointment.

[@quantumgamer6208]

0:02 you are not wrong

[@maineman5757]

Let's not even announce the game until it is finished.

[@quantumgamer6208]

@@maineman5757 true

[@joshblackwell8632]

I super disagree. I like CGI Story trailers.

[@joemccluskey5730]

​@joshblackwell8632 same the problem is everyone has sticks up there butt's for some reason cry cry cry that's all anyone does

[@gleam6370]

This is my biggest pet peeve It’s impossible for me to be interested in an announced game unless it’s 1 year away, at most

[@MrSPW93]

I second this. I'd say a year is a good amount of time to get people excited for something and to build hype up towards launch. Maybe for huge titles that people know will be great just from name and past experience alone a maximum 2 year wait is acceptable

[@youkofoxy]

@@MrSPW93 Nah, make it 16 months, it long enough to make a bunch of stuff, included getting the money to buy it.

[@MrSPW93]

@@youkofoxy 16 months is such an oddly specific amount of time?

[@Cinetyk]

Also, I basically tune out for CG trailers. If you can't show gameplay representative of the final product, don't bother. It's hilarious to me so many CG trailer situation where in the following days through media posts and twitter posts we finally get actual useful information about what the game is - the trailer was useless.

[@ChrisLT]

Yep, MK showing up a few months after the announcement is awesome. Rather than having your emotions messed with for years, they were able to quietly do their thing and now I can just be excited for a focused few months. Keep fighting for LoK, Tamoor. Please.

[@anas-432]

Ed boon is a G, netherealm studios been on a roll since mk9

[@JustAnotherGamer1005]

Indeed. Although I don't be MK immediately, as I still don't have a current gen console, I love it that there is only around 3 months between anouncement and release. Also because speculations online these days, are becoming ridiculous. With also creating fake rumors so they can build their KZbin audiance (I'm talking about 'influencers', not NRS). I don't have any need for that, just want it like the good old (magazine) days, let the informatie drip in at a steady pace and no 'noise' from others around it.

[@yojanselcuevas9829]

It's very true. Companies should stop doing that cuz once announced and then delayed, our patience is tested until we lose lots of excitement when they release it. If you're ready to release the game, do it with its trailers

[@SimonM7TV]

Lucy James and Tamoor Hussein are one of the most comforting duos I know of. I really hope The Very Online Show makes a return. ❤

[@ConnerKent08]

I hate that feeling of a game that's suppose to come out in like a couple months getting delayed by a year or two. Its the sort of gut punch that I absolutely hate. I understand if they need more time to develop a game, but just don't get our hopes up.

[@acameron8784]

No game should be announced unless it's on tract to be released in 6 months to a year.

[@flexivefowl8186]

I still think its dumb how early they announced Elder Scrolls 6

[@3akars]

They had to, people started to really loose interest in ES. What's dumb is taking 15-20 years to make the game lol

[@nathannlatimore7863]

Weird take but I feel like it's okay for studios/publishers to announce what they're working on early on, but to avoid making trailers or major marketing beats until they're close to release. Like, I think it'd be fine if they announced in a Twitter post "Yep the rumors are truer we're working on a perfect dark game and currently in preproduction" but no crazy hype building trailers until the project is for sure off the ground

[@shrineguard2778]

It's also a good way to gauge audience sentiment towards the project. If people react negatively to just the announcement of a new remake/game, is it worth putting the time, money and effort into it?

[@Starsteam1]

Nah it should atleast be in post pre production/production phrase to be ready to be announced.

[@literallyeuphoria]

Seriously. The game shouldnt be announced until its 80%. Or at least some grand stage announcement. But i blame the suits and money people

[@Holymaneli]

Couldn't agree more. "OMFG This game looks amazing!...oh... it's releasing in 4 years.. "

[@SuperFlik]

Elder Scrolls VI was announced 5 years ago as of June 10th. Gonna be another 5-6+ years before it's ready according to Phil Spencer

[@freddiejohnson6137]

It's worse when they show an announcement trailer for games that haven't even started production. Perfect Dark being the latest one they have admitted to not actually having any idea about the direction of the game and that it is still after 3 years in the early stages. So showing a trailer made by people that weren't even working on the project to begin with just gives people expectations of the final product that won't materialise.

[@jlypham]

Lucy's reaction to Tam saying "one piece art?" 😅

[@Stonedanteater]

Can’t believe these video only has 30k views, this is awesome content thank you.

[@markyoung99]

I’m loving this show and Kurt locker Please make these a pod cast !!! An hr long would be fantastic imo;)

[@scarrface28]

I get the delay and wait is frustrating, but developers and publishers are wanting to get some information out, when they are spending large budgets and they are working so hard…

[@Starsteam1]

Then they should wait until they do get info, it's not difficult.

[@rpelletier2771]

I like these segments almost as much as The Kurt Locker great job guys 👍

[@sonicsean34]

I feel the problem is publishers are making what are really high quality CGI recruitment videos to get staff to work on the game but showing them at consumer facing events as products to get excited for. They have confused their audiences and it causes mismatched expectations. The movie industry doesn’t post mood vids in cinemas to catch the eyes of potential editors for a film that’s in pre production so why does the games industry do this?

[@GreyWolfLeaderTW]

Rather ironic that GameSpot has Metroid Prime 4 imagery related to this subject when Nintendo is famously tight-lipped for refusing to talk about or reveal what games they are working on until they are near completion and ready to go. They've even got in the habit of Stealth Dropping remakes/remasters of classic games (Metroid Prime Remastered and PIkmin 1 + 2) during their Nintendo Directs.

[@pskroob]

I’m ok with announcements ahead of time. The slices they do for shows, showing games running on different hardware then it’s supposed to be on and cgi trailers are the problem. Nothing worse then seeing something and the final product looks nothing like it. Bioshock infinite, watch dogs and cyberpunk are a few that come to mind.

[@nopunksalive8902]

Outside of potentially attracting talent to your studio before development is too deep, I have absolutely no idea why games like the wonder woman game or captain america/black panther game (that doesn't even have A TITLE!) are getting announced.

[@jeffhampton6972]

I love your approach to these videos, thank you for making them!

[@DaRkLoRd-rc5yu]

I kind of like that we know metroid prime 4 exists. If it didn't the future of the series would seem alot more bleak.

[@davidsalazar2077]

Yeah and knowing Nintendo, they would've probably just cancelled it entirely behind the scenes if we didn't already know about it and if the Metroid discourse wasn't in such a dire state following Federation Force, Other M, and years of nothingness between those two. I'd bet that was the main reason why they even revealed it in the first place. Their way of reestablishing trust in the Metroid IP, reassure the fans and tell them to buy their then new shiny system. So for this specific game, I'm kinda sorta glad they announced it so early.

[@joshuabagwell6695]

Can't remember if it was PS3 or 4 where they when the console launched announced a great looking gameplay game for them or cancel it 3 years later

[@TheDevil69270]

Great episode thanks !

[@ULTIMARAGNAR0K]

Metroid Prime 4 was announced years ago and we still have seen no progress

[@mark1817]

Tam is on a role in this one I can hear Lucy eye rolling 🤣

[@philipberlanda]

Game company's are forced to. I was wondering why don't company's advertise games after a game comes out. It would get alot of hype and alot of buys. But you'd be surprised that articles would come out that the same was a disaster because it didn't sell as much as this other game, the other game had pre-orders so it would sell more at launch. They want you to get impatient, so you pre-order as soon as they let you. Another problem is people hear rumors that the game is going to have alot in it. Then it has almost none of those things in it.

[@CoasterRob]

They'll release games in their own time if they want to release it early that's up to the company/developers

[@louissivo9660]

Count me in agreement with your video. While it's fun knowing something is being worked on, it's really not exciting to me when it's years out, then add more years as their schedule slips, etc... I'd rather only hear of games that are in the 1 year window to being released.

[@BillNyeGuy]

This is what is annoying me with the KOTOR remake. They announced it a couple years ago and now radio silence. Is that game still being worked on??

[@cosmincoco3679]

in hp magic awakened , is like scamander has summon on 3 summon cost 1 mp and hg half mana cost max 4 of maybe 14 mp mobs , and others might be just as hg , and scamander is with the usa thunderbird , made up of what was like a hp remake and they waited till beasts movie then to release the game? they know why they announcing some.

[@gavrond-kw2mr]

You guys should look at guns from Robo Quest

[@fernandogaray8215]

THE LEGACY OF KAIN (PLAH! SOUL REAVER!! And the Lucy's face!!! 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@piplup2009]

The game should only be announced when it is finished, no repeat viewings of the same game every summer video game event and it can be released a year at most after the announcement

[@rsolsjo]

Hi-Fi Rush: it exists and you can play it right now. That's the way to do it!

[@shaqtaku]

Whatever happened to Beyond Good and Evil 2? It was supposed to come out on PS4 and Xbox One

[@JasonMcMullen]

One word, Investors

[@julio1148]

I hate it as a player, but to my understanding, back when it was far more common, it was one of the main ways to prove investors/stakeholders that there is interest and helped fund the project in the first place, so unfortunately it was a necessary evil

[@Lyle-qc8ld]

I can understand announcement trailers letting public know what the studio is working on and also just be transparent with the hiring process with applicants knowing what the game is. BUT the studio should at least know what sorta game they are making first

[@Starsteam1]

Good point, I have no clue what Wolverine or Wonder Woman is like.

[@Celis.C]

_"Please look forward to our future online __-store-__ game"_

[@martinaurik2189]

I still be intrested in “Beyond good & Evil 2”. There are even 4 other games that got canceled that I still would like to see happening.Jazz Jackrabbit 3D(cancelled 2013 N64/PC)Comix Zone 2 (canceled for Sega Genesis)Eye dentify (PS3 first show event)Jak & Daxter 5 for PS3 (canceled there’s still artwork to find on the internet)All games that I want to play😃🤗

[@UmbrellaCorpTeam]

Reminds me of Splinter cell shown early then got cancelled.

[@benmcneill1271]

I feel like Silksong is slightly different as it was originally announced as DLC and would have come out a lot sooner if Team Cherry hadn't decided to make it a full blown sequel. I'm happy to wait, it will come out eventually and be epic I'm sure!

[@eclipsicalbluestocking1182]

Plus the pandemic couldn't have helped

[@chucknorris078]

These two should report everything for Gamespot... they are the best!

[@Youraveragegamer_97]

Looking at you fable and ES6

[@JerroudiYassine]

that's a job announcement crytek did the same thing with crysis 4. this is a new studio and they needed to attract talent to work on the game and that's why they announced it. and I think It's ok

[@furkanbenli1218]

Crytek is not new studio. But they are understaffed for a AAA game. They have a engine team, an online game team(hunt showdown) and one more team i think. They are looking for staff for every team. And alot of staff. 30+ position in every team atleast.

[@JerroudiYassine]

@@furkanbenli1218 I was thinking about the initiative since they gave it as an example shoud've made it clear and I gave the crytek example since they are already establish studio they needed to do the announcement to attract people a new studio that nobody knows they needed to show what they want to work on to get people attention and I think it is totally ok Rare did the same thing with everwild, in order to attract people, they needed to announce a project because sea of thieves will not attract enough people studios just need to be clear about the game not coming in the next 2 years

[@francom.2698]

❓😮‍💨 Remember *Black Myth Wukong* ? *Stellar Blade* ? *Crimson desert* ? *Morbid Metal* ? *Nightingale* ? 😭

[@Dharoz]

The glasses readjustment tho.

[@baundiesel]

When was the last time this happened? Seems like 2020 was the end of this practice. The next Mass Effect is in the same boat as Perfect Dark. If the early announcements are for hiring it makes sense I suppose.

[@markwhite116]

Syar Wars Eclipse is another example.

[@melxb]

yeah that's Microsoft big time, all those cg trailers from the last showcase more than half of those games never even were started on or are 5 years out, they just did it for looks so they don't look bad

[@environm3ntalist549]

False

[@melxb]

@@environm3ntalist549 yeah it is from outer worlds 2, perfect dark, everwild, state of decay 3, list goes on, even hellblade 2 and fable to some extend while bit more showing in the recent showcase, are ways out...now that they acquired Bethesda even that elder scrolls 6 trailer falls on them since it will actually take a grip/5 years as phil spencer is estimating, too many games shown way way early, project mara all of that pointless really and since xbox series x has been out not much 1st party if at all have released apart from timed 3rd party games making it evident as well, not to mention the new showcase was a no show for most of those games from that last showcase is telling 🤷‍♂️ it's like if ps or nintendo hired outside sources to make some cg trailers for next entries of all their games but none of them being remotely ready, heck just look at how people were commenting when it comes to metroid prime 4 alone, can u imagine if they did it like Microsoft and shown a bunch of them like last of us 3, days gone 2, etc just to flex when really u are not about to play any of them anytime soon

[@environm3ntalist549]

@@melxb so yes, it was false of you to say that more than half of the games at the showcase are 5 years away or not started yet. I think that is what you are trying to admit! You exaggerated 😜 The last showcase is the most recent one 🙄

[@melxb]

@@environm3ntalist549 oh that's why u said that, obviously i meant prior to that one as my reply to u explained, sorry for the confusion...but even this showcase until all those games release u can't really say anything, most aren't going to drop this year besides what starfield which was supposed to come out couple of years ago even

[@melxb]

@@environm3ntalist549oh and i did forget about forza which is like yeah we know forza, it's always been halo gears forza, that's why it goes over peoples head to count those

[@Kschreck]

Nope time has actually been confirmed to be similar to waves in an ocean! 😅

[@Hobomcfluffernutter]

Im starting to think we will never see metroid prime 4 😔. Im also scared that its not gonna live up to expectations when finally released.

[@redharrison894]

Nintendo never disapoints unlike Xbox

[@Hobomcfluffernutter]

@@redharrison894 metroid other m and federation force give me reason to be afraid

[@emptee4494]

⁠@@redharrison8942021 Xbox was #1 publisher of the year, Nintendo was 14th so to say they never disappoint is uninformed. Outside of Redfall Xbox has been extremely consistent and now they’re about to drop one of the most anticipated games of all time.

[@sepho3070]

@@emptee4494 citation needed, please.

[@_BASIC_INSTINCT]

todd "beautiful jacket" howard

[@pu1391]

No!!! He trimmed his awesome beard.

[@NoblerThanWork]

Please announce Primal Rage revival though so I at least know whether or not to drive with my seatbelt on.

[@kevingame3198]

Devlopers and publishers needs to announce there games when its already in the final stages of development like armored core 6 fires of rubicon announce in game awards 2022 and soon to be released in August this year

[@gimmibox]

Well aren’t a lot of these games announced for investors not the players?

[@MrScotty5877304]

Is it just me that is extremely happy with the graphics we have nowadays and game mechanics etc. I think it's time they stop trying to improve graphics and start working on ways to speed up development. Sure if not already then soon AI could be hooked up to dev kit and just have it make a rough world that can then be tweaked. Not stealing devs jobs they will always be needed but surely it would take a load off their shoulders too less crunch for a start. I'm just sick of developing cycles literally being longer than console gens now

[@jlb4685]

How awesome would it be if GTA VI was just shadow dropped with zero pre-marketing. It would be the biggest big ball energy play in the history of gaming.

[@champisthebunny6003]

I for one, am opposed to all this early access, open beta business going on. If quality games are becoming too expensive, then fix that problem or raise a mountain of capital beforehand. But, every time I see another 'open' beta, or prerelease alpha - release date tba, on steam, I start to tune out almost immediately.

[@SelimBoyunegmez-oy4sq]

N64 Perfect Dark was so good. İ hope this Perfect Dark will be very good to. Like that 1.

[@ozmanoshe]

Wait did these guys just start wearing glasses at the same time? I could swear they were glasses free in the last vid.

[@335449286]

Makes sense since advertising and marketing has basically taken over gaming and devs are being told what the game is going to have the same time as the general public

[@crobinson2624]

Face it everyone including the media love a new headline. But if companies are going to announce products early at least give regular updates on progression.

[@_BASIC_INSTINCT]

joseph gordon levitt mentioned ✍

[@balloonedraccoon2503]

Aren't really early announcements more for investors though than fans? Im with you all btw, i just thought that was the reason.

[@Pyrozoid]

I'd like Tamoor to style my outfit.

[@jestermarcus]

I tend to not get too worked up over games announced early, but I do think all of these pre-rendered trailers are a waste of money and resources.

[@theoutlawking9123]

I agree, I mean something tells me if we do get that Perfect Dark reboot, it'll come at the end of the Series X/S lifecycle and it will probably disappoint like all games that take that long. Yes, looking at you Cyberpunk l!

[@ShashoMan]

I am really glad Tamoor mentioned Legacy of Kain, that series needs to be resurrected. Also, that Tshirt is sick

[@JV-ll1cu]

Also MechAssault 3

[@fernandogaray8215]

That was the best part! Lucy's face! 😂😂😂

[@azaelandy04]

I wish more games had the fallout4 rollout

[@blackdragon6]

Metroid 4?? 😔

[@aaronsherkow1389]

They need to change the way games are managed to shorten development time. 6-8 years on a game is too long. The companies are announcing games to hire ppl that will commit to a AAA development cycle. Then they churn through employees due to mismanagement. They will continue to announce games for their hiring and stakeholders. They can do it with a press release and not with a CGI trailer or title treatment. They can stay away from making these announcements in directs or press conferences.

[@stevensmileyprod]

Announcing elder scrolls 6 10 years early

[@stockpilethomas7900]

It seems sony not announcing there first party games years in advance now. People are complaining about that. They just focusing the one coming out soon. Personal I like know what's come out in the next 2 or 3 years. Unofficial people know what there probably work on.

[@Starsteam1]

This is in my opinion the worst part of the industry, how hard is it to wait until your ready to talk about a product. It's marketing 101 to advertise at an appropriate time with consistant updates.

[@scottalot05]

Too bad a thing called hype exists.

[@-dash]

Yeah but it’s false hype when the goods aren’t delivered in a timely manner

[@LED_Lightbulb]

There's literally two games in the perfect dark series that follow the linear first person shooter with objective based gameplay it really shouldn't be this hard to get a game off the ground, at least from an outside perspective

[@ChrisKellyPlays]

People annoyed at Microsoft for announcing a game years out, same with Bethesda, and then people annoyed Sony only announce stuff with months to go. What is the happy medium?

[@vhsodre]

Companies should stop announcing games so early and players need to temper their expectations. Sometimes I'm under the impression some people only care about a specific game while there are plenty of things to keep us busy.

[@wedemboys420]

It does waste hype The funniest opposite version is mk 12 getting announced right before it came out

[@focabox5594]

I agree. Sony is a master on this topic. I mean, where is Deep Down, Kingdom Under Fire 2, Granblue Fantasy, Project Awakening...? The only of this list that will release is Granblue.

[@sepho3070]

not one of those games was made from a sony studio, but sure lets do that.

[@wedemboys420]

Hahhahahhahhaha very suprising editing on the legacy of kane

[@RH1812]

Yes

[@SushiLid_]

YO I FEEL YOU, WHERE IS SOUL REAVER…..CMON MAKE WEOPONLORD AS WELL 😂

[@maximnewman2483]

Let’s not beat about the bush, the only reason why games are announced earlier is to appease investors. It has borderline nothing to do with the players. Same reason why we’re seeing such emphasis on micro transactions and live service. It’s all about that ROI.

[@Sam-Fisher]

👍🏻

[@Harly206]

To be honest Xbox was on a desperate state to make people think they had games coming soon like perfect dark, and state of decay 3

[@powerless_imp0682]

Please give me more, smaller games with "worse" graphics so these devs aren't spending near a decade on one project and losing any love for it

[@matts6827]

I hate to break it to you kids. They aren’t announcing them for us. They are announcing them for the people that matter. Investors.

[@Abracadaniels]

Some people who bought Star Citizen was in high school and are now parents with kids pretty old.

[@deffloyd]

That Legacy of Kain T-shirt is fire.

[@ajm6464]

I take no note of any early new announcements, Ive learned frim experience from over 30yrs of gaming.

[@RJ-666]

I remember seeing the announcement trailer for cyberpunk and had to wait 5 or 6 years for it to come out

[@eritio_reia]

"the problem is"🤓👌

[@keith1314]

Xbox showed all their games too early to sell consoles. It’s a whole load of deception. I’d be down to learn about games a few months in advance max like 8 months

[@Growmetheus]

Kingdom Hearts 💀