The problem with PD/SCE

[the Interceptor]

Well put yourself in their position. Would you even talk about content that isn't finalised, or beta/test material? Off course not.

No preview is better than a bad preview, especially stuff that might not end up in the final game

Then why are they doing that all the time?

Honestly, it seems people hold PD up to different standards comapred to other top devs

So what standards am I holding PD up to that they can not possibly meet?

WTF is is your problem? I was being serious! I ran the idea by her earlier and after she laughed she agreed. Forget it. I was being serious but all I'm getting is assholes giving me crap. Forget I said anything.

If this was a serious proposal, please accept my sincere apologies for assuming it wasn't. But don't you think that asking Kaz to go from pretty much no communication with the outside to "a couple of updates a week" is a bit too much?

 

[CoolColJ]

Well look at other high profile PS3 games and their devs. A fair few have been in the works for 4-6 years as well. Yet not a lot of information about the games were released until the final months/year. They usually had a major trailer at E3 once in a while, and then you wouldn't hear or see anything more. Yet I don't recall a whole lot of people moaning about it

At least you get a Prologue, and evenly spaced media and information from PD.

 

[yossigab]

The language barrier will make it difficult for PD staff to have forum discussions with thier customers.

It would be really nice to see GT5 being advertised (when the time is right) to the standard of the Heavy Rain advertising.

The language can't be a problem because of the following reasons:
1) there has to be some english speakers in the company - or else, who is doing all the translations, in-game menus etc.
2) They can't have external company to do so since they must have it internally all the way - when you are developing a product you can't work only in JP, and just before the release give it to translation and then you find out that "the 7 letters box in the menu for describing the 'braking balance' is not sufficient..."
3) And anyway, if Public-relations was important they could always recruit a team to be the technical/support team for customers. I know that back in the early PS3/GT5P (spec I) days (I didn't have yet my PS3/GT5P) a lot of people had issues to download the first updates of GT5P. In a "normal"company that has good customer support people could contract the company and they would have receive answers. But in that case, there were all kind of "I can't download" threads, and it was only "I had the same, just keep trying...." answers with no real response from PD regarding the problem/solution.
I just hope that this no-support will be changed when GT5 release - just look at other PS3 games (not even mentioning others) like CODx, Uncharted, AC etc. - they companies are listening and acting...

 

[Famine]

The language can't be a problem because of the following reasons:
1) there has to be some english speakers in the company - or else, who is doing all the translations, in-game menus etc.

"Localisation" is done by regional offices. SCEA and SCEE for North America and Europe.

 

[eSZee]

Then why are they doing that all the time?

So what standards am I holding PD up to that they can not possibly meet?

If this was a serious proposal, please accept my sincere apologies for assuming it wasn't. But don't you think that asking Kaz to go from pretty much no communication with the outside to "a couple of updates a week" is a bit too much?

From my experience, formal, thoughtful, and sincere letters/forms of communication, work very well when it comes to japanese people.
Saying couple of updates a week might get us one or two a month.

 

[the Interceptor]

Well look at other high profile PS3 games and their devs. A fair few have been in the works for 4-6 years as well. Yet not a lot of information about the games were released until the final months/year. They usually had a major trailer at E3 once in a while, and then you wouldn't hear or see anything more. Yet I don't recall a whole lot of people moaning about it

At least you get a Prologue, and evenly spaced media and information from PD.

I suppose that a little bit of additional information with every news item would improve things greatly already. We do get pictures and videos, but since there is no background information whatsoever, nobody knows what context to see those bits in. There are a lot of interpretations flying around, which is confusing as well as annoying and often builds anticipation where it isn't due. Thus, I would wish for a person or a group that manages the information output of PD and releases it in a proper way. One media guy would be enough. Regarding the huge sales figures and the already large PD staff, that can't be impossible.

From my experience, formal, thoughtful, and sincere letters/forms of communication, work very well when it comes to japanese people.
Saying couple of updates a week might get us one or two a month.

I see ... aim high, shoot low. Well, it's worth a shot, since we have nothing to lose. If you are willing to write such a letter, you certainly have my support and my help, given you need any.