As a game dev, you have to MAKE your software run on the 3 million different HW and OS configs out there...
Which wouldn't be necessary if all the damn hardware manufacturers would just adhere to a standard...
Something you have with movies: marketing strategy when it comes to release time. With games (and software in general) it's whenever you can get it on shelves. That's the way the software industry works.
I'll agree 100%. So just WHY do game developers, knowing that it's a matter of "whenever we can get it on the shelves" blurb so much about their release date? You have to admit, PsycSui, that what Valve did was just total bullshit. Remain silent on a project for five years, thereby eliminating all the hype and the expectations etc (to which I say, bravo!), then to come out with the hype, to keep chanting September 30th as if it was the day the Lord Jesus Christ would return Himself, only to deny that date a week beforehand? They knew at the start of September that they were NEVER going to make that end of the month release date. They should have just kept the release date a "When it's done" deal. It works for Id. It works for Raven (I remember when Jedi Outcast was suddenly announced as coming out six months BEFORE I expected it, which was a very pleasant surprise, and created a lot of positive spin. The only thing Valve has done is create animosity.)
I'll say it one more time... actually finish the game, then announce the release date
Amen.
Creston