Rumours suggest that God of War: Ghost of Sparta developer Ready at Dawn may have spent too much time watching Sam Mendes’ television smash Penny Dreadful to finish The Order: 1886 ahead of the holidays. While it’s nothing more than alleged ‘insider’ speculation at the minute, it’s a believable turn of events – after all, Sony’s barely managed to deploy a minute’s worth of gameplay footage from the dreary PlayStation 4 release. But with delayed racer DriveClub, troubled sequel Uncharted PS4, and re-release The Last of Us Remastered the only other big exclusives confirmed for the Japanese giant’s next-gen machine at the moment, can the company afford to push the alternate history escapade back?
There’s no doubt that the platform holder’s been coy when it comes to its promising Victorian adventure. It took months for us to get our first glimpse of the cinematic shooter’s gameplay, with creative director Ru Weerasuriya seemingly happy to field general questions at last year’s E3 and GamesCom, but less keen to show the release publicly. We did eventually get a look at the actual game in early February – a strange collection of B-roll clips which reinforced the developer’s visual ambitions, but flagged a slightly wonky combat system and some marginally more interactive – albeit not exactly innovative – quick-time events. At the time, the firm insisted that it’s still aiming for Christmas – a comment reiterated by the platform holder itself.
Alas, the lack of information surrounding the release over the past 12 or so weeks has prompted online pundits to ponder just how far along the product actually is. Toss aside the latest line of insider speculation, and many reports have hinted that the game may not be ready in time for the holidays. This is not exactly an unexpected rumour, then, but it does leave Sony in something of a pickle ahead of the busy shopping season. We already mentioned how the delays to DriveClub, Destiny, and Watch Dogs may have worked out in its favour – and if Ready at Dawn’s largest ever undertaking slips, the platform holder may end up relying on Evolution Studios’ outrageously gorgeous racer in order to offer an exclusive this fall.
Take a step back, though, and it may not be the end of the world. While we’d love to tread the Daxter creator’s impeccably rendered Victorian cobbles this Christmas, the end of year release calendar is already starting to bulge. The opening days of October alone promise to offer Alien Isolation, Dragon Age Inquisition, and Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor, as well as the abovementioned racing game. Meanwhile, the $500 million Destiny is due out in September, with Assassin’s Creed: Unity, Far Cry 4, Batman: Arkham Knight, Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, and, potentially, a new Battlefield game all due out during the same period. With the stakes for next-gen titles now so high, we’re not convinced that there’d even be room for a trio of moustachioed upper-class men to squeeze in.
Consequentially, perhaps the problem with The Order: 1886 is not its development status, but the busy release calendar itself. Sony proved with The Last of Us last year that it’s possible to create a blockbuster brand by launching during the relative serenity of the summer, and there’s no doubt that the glum slums of Paddington Station would provide some contrast to the sunshine months. Of course, if that is the case, then the company must feel good about its lineup for this holiday – and with co-marketing partnerships on many of the biggest games of the year, it may have a point. Still, while it’s possible to get by on strong third-party titles, exclusives still form an important part of each platform holder’s marketing message, so what could it offer instead?
Well, it’s something that we’ve been consistently coming back to since the start of the year, but we continue to feel that 2014 is going to be the home of the re-release. We already know that The Last of Us Remastered is due out imminently, but don’t be surprised if it’s accompanied by Beyond: Two Souls, God of War: Ascension, and, potentially, smaller products such as Puppeteer. It’s clear that third-party publishers are going to attempt a similar tact, too, with Grand Theft Auto V hotly rumoured to be making a comeback, and even the Mass Effect Trilogy listed for next-gen platforms on certain retail sites. Moreover, the Japanese giant may not be the only first-party resting its hopes on remakes, as Microsoft is widely rumoured to be preparing the Halo: Master Chief Collection for the Xbox One – though it does also have Sunset Overdrive to brag about.
Considering that Sony has consistently kicked figurative buttocks with its first-party releases for several years now, it seems strange to be staring down the barrel of a relatively barren 12 months. inFAMOUS: Second Son was excellent, and DriveClub is shaping up great as well, but the output is hardly on par with last year’s rip-roaring PS3 lineup. That could all change at E3 next month, as the company has undoubtedly been keeping its cards close to its chest. However, you may want to temper your expectations at this point, because we’re no longer holding our breath. We hope that you like indie games and remakes, as that looks like what you’re going to get.
Would you kick the cobbled curb if The Order: 1886 got delayed? What do you make of the current PS4 lineup, and are you satisfied with the releases on the way? Stroke your immaculate moustache in the comments section below.
Do you think that The Order: 1886 will get delayed? (49 votes)
- Yes, it looked a bit rough last time we saw it
- Hmm, I’m honestly not sure
- No, I still believe that it’ll be ready this year
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Comments 40
If it gets delayed, then so be it. I'd much rather have a working game, as opposed to a broken mess - especially if I'm highly anticipating said game.
I won't be mad. Lots of games r coming out this year already. If The Order: 1886 gets delayed than it'll be 4 it's good
@BornOfEvil Exactly my thoughts. I'd much rather have a refined and polished game than an unplayable one. Kind of reminds me of a certain other title released recently that wasn't, how would you say it, complete Cough Battlefield 4 Cough
I just don't know, but Sony is showing off the The Order 1886 gameplay on twitch soon so we will see if there are any updates.
However, if it is delayed then get ready for people bemoaning the PS4 first year exclusive line up. I said it time and again that a platform doesn't solely need to rely on first/second parties nor can it survive without third parties (See Vita, Wii U etc.). Its an distinction at best that some people need to choose platforms, but if you were to look at buying habits on the NPD/UK/Media Create (lesser extent for this) and you will see who is more dominant in buyer choice.
@Punished_Boss I just saw that as I was proof reading this. Talk about bad timing!
@Punished_Boss has it been confirmed that the footage going to be shown is the order?
@Punkinhead145 I get people want more games for their new system, but I'm sure they'd rather pay for a fully working game. Unless they like buying bad products, just so they can complain.
@SuperSilverback Check the PS Blog, find the "revolution" article front and center and checkout the logo. Notice any resemblances?
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, this won't be delayed.... [I hope!]
the questions for vote often feel funny,
I need the Order this year!!! XD anyway I guess I cant do anything about it if its delayed. wait and see but if its like the witcher just pushed back for a few months its doesnt really matter
I even appreciate if its being delayed, as there is too much stuff for me to play coming out in the second half of the year anyways. But still, I KNEW this is going to be delayed. So will be "THE CREW" and "PROJECT CARS"
Sony just posted this on Twitter Today, at 1:00pm Pacific, tune in for a sneak peek at new gameplay from an upcoming PS4 title: http://bit.ly/1na2KGP pic.twitter.com/Qn1GagfRiA
@Punished_Boss I understand peoples' complaints about the first party drought, but I agree, there are plenty of third party games and multiplats coming out to keep the system memory full for a while. Destiny, Watch Dogs, and even the new Assassin's Creed for series fans.
@BornOfEvil And that's completely understandable. I would much rather, like yourself it seems, have a delayed game than a bad, unfinished one. It means the developers care about their product. Sometimes, it really seems like people want a rushed game just to complain about something
I predict valentines day.
I hope it gets delayed tbh.not only to allow for more polish but release schedule wise, its almost always commercial suicide to release a new ip at that time of year with all the big hitting franchises.regardless, ill be waiting to see whether its actually any good or not like im doing with watch dogs at the moment..
@Chronobreak Annoyingly, that broke just as we were going to press with this. Still a worthy discussion, though - for the next five or so hours at least.
@Punkinhead145 This generation of gamers has no idea what they want. Rush a game, they complain; delay a game, they complain.
Like most people, I don't have much money. So when I buy a game, I expect to be able to play it, I don't have money to waste on something that keeps crashing or glitching out.
btw the 'insider' saying the press impression have been incredible is a bit contradictory to the 'looking a bit rough therefore delayed' thingy
@BornOfEvil I'd much rather a game is released when its done, glitchy junk is glitchy junk, probably the main reason I almost never pre order anything, even when I'm stupidly excited about a game.
Probably will get delayed but it won't really bother me too much xmas is always full of releases anyway just as long as it's in the first quarter of next year
I would rather The Order: 1886 be delayed for 6 months so that it can be 1080p/60 fps and not buggy. Or wait, is it the other way around? Nah, this isn't Ubisoft.
This game is looking great...from what we have seen...A delay can only make the game better
I love the setting, so I'd rather see the game sooner than later for entirely selfish reasons. That said, there's already more games that interest me coming out for the rest of 2014 than I can reasonably afford, so if The Order should get delayed, it'd spare me the sweet pain of choosing between it and other games I'd want to buy.
Besides, as has been said above: moar time means moar polish, so I wouldn't be bothered if it got delayed.
But if The Order really's going to miss 2014, I hope Sony does a better job of communicating the delay than they did with Driveclub.
"Alien Isolation, Dragon Age Inquisition, and Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor, as well as the abovementioned racing game. Meanwhile, the $500 million Destiny is due out in September, with Assassin’s Creed: Unity, Far Cry 4, Batman: Arkham Knight, Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, and, potentially, a new Battlefield"
Now, that's inspiring. Wouldn't be worse than what's already happened concerning dekays
@BornOfEvil Agreed I'd rather have a finished game than a unfinished unplayable mess i don't have a lot of money either so i don't wanna waste money on crapey unfinished games Today's gamers are spoiled inpatient whiny complaining ******
This game really excites me, but if they rush it out then it's no good to anyone. I understand there maybe press previews early next week & word on the street (well twitter) is that it impressed.
@DaftPlayStation Exactly. I have no idea where this sense of entitlement comes from, but it makes the rest of us look bad.
What if it gets delayed? I'm expecting it to be. I just don't see this one making it out in 2014.
Also, why is everyone treating the lack of titles for PS4 right now like it's unusual? It's a new system, this always happens.
I could see a delay, but would much rather it be "worth" the delay. Sony will catch a lot heat if it delayed a while, then the graphics being the only thing amazing about it. Still really high on my list though.
Delayed games NEVER bother me. I've got enough backlog to last me all of this generation AND half of the next. And with my Xbox One now on pre order, I'll soon have all five current gen platforms dishing out releases year round.
Take your time. Take ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD in fact. I'm in NO rush here. Got games for days, games for months, games for years, games for the next decade.
I can't wait. I am waiting for Video Games to bend my mind the way I know they truly can an eventually will someday so the more time it takes to get closer to that wish then so be it.
Obviously it is better to take the time needed to get the game right and fulfil the vision. If it is delayed the world will not end. Still, I really hope it isn't. The way cut-scenes and game-play interact is amazing. I am excited for this one.
If the delay results in multiplayer, then I'm all for it. Pretty much every game I wanted to play has been pushed into 2015 anyway, so what's another one matter? Hopefully Ubisoft actually does release Far Cry 4 in Nov. and doesn't push it back to avoid eating up AC sales.
@Ginkgo
If the gameplay shown today is indicative of the way most of the game is to this point, a delay wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. I'd rather they take the time and re-work some things if needed rather than release a generic cover shooter. There was enough of those last gen to last a lifetime.
Sony kinda needs this. Otherwise it's gonna be a third party/cross gen bonanza this holiday season.
@lvnlavitaloca
Yup. The only good thing is that at least PS4 usually gets the better versions of multiplatform games, which is a huge difference from PS3 when the vast majority of third parties halfa$$ed their games for the first two years.
Id rather they didnt mention any kind of release date untill they know one then keep to that deadline. Iv got no intrest in this game particulary but it seems a bit naughty teasing games before the ps4 is even out then releasing them a year or two down the line.
Nothing wrong with delaying a game what-so-ever. It shouldn't be about beating a competition to the punch, as great as that would be, it is about playing great games that were made with utmost care.
@Gamer83 indeed. The ps4 now gets the best multi-platform games. But like you said, that wasn't the case with ps3! I remember one site giving the xbox360 version of BAYONETTA 9/10 and the same site gave the PS3 version a 6/10 !!!! Coz the PS3 version had game-breaking performance issues, ie- horrific slowdown.
not a lot of comments then..they should get there finger out and get it sorted Gosh they do get paid enough .looking forward to the game tho ever since i seen the first trailer
@Davros79
Yeah, Bethesda's games were broken on PS3 as well. By 2009 third parties had figured the system out but the first couple years were rough.
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