Vaporware

[Shalimar]

At what point do you consider a product to be vapor ware? Does it vary on the type of product the item is? Does a videogame for example have a longer time period before being called Vaporware than an RPG?

For example the Dresden Files RPG was according to the Producers suppoused to be out late in 2007. Its now 2009 and they are hoping for a late 2009 release as it has just finished the second round of their alpha testing. However they recently started giving out previews of the system that they say will go straight through to release. Do the previews change the status from Vapor-ware to someting else?

For clarity Dresden Files RPG is based on the Fate 3.0 system, and is a modification of the Spirit of the Century Rules (also produced by the same company). Does the fact that the rule set is already out change your opinion of the status?

For a competing example from the world of Video Games we have Final Fantasy 13 and Final Fantasy 13 versus. These games had original release dates of 4th quarter 2008, and now have no release date scheduled, with optimistic estimates putting just 13 at 4th quarter 2009 at the earliest and no guess on versus.

 

[Darkwolf71]

At what point do you consider a product to be vapor ware? Does it vary on the type of product the item is? Does a videogame for example have a longer time period before being called Vaporware than an RPG?

Vaporware is a software specific term, so it really doesn't apply to a tabletop RPG. Of course neither does the x.xx numbering system (Damn you WotC!) so I realize it will be used anyway, it's just silly to do so, IMNSHO.

 

[Nifft]

IMNSHO a product is vaporware until it is released. Period.

The product can be released on time, or even early, but for the whole period of time before its release, it's vapor. Thus: don't discuss a product as though it were real before it is real. You can discuss what features you think it will have, but until it exists, those features are vapor.

Cheers, -- N

 

[ExploderWizard]

Vaporware is a software specific term, so it really doesn't apply to a tabletop RPG.

I wish someone had told SJ Games that way back when they advertised, and released miniatures for Hot Lead. Still waiting...................

 

[Turjan]

Vaporware is a software specific term, so it really doesn't apply to a tabletop RPG.

Well, in a certain sense, an RPG is software, and your brain is the squishy hardware .

Anyway, I usually give a product a year before I give up on the thought it might ever be released. If it still comes out on a later date, I will be positively surprised. Some books managed to be years late, like Necro's "Bards Gate".

 

[Mercule]

I clicked "one year", which is probably accurate so far as it goes. Really, I don't give up all hope until it's been at least one year and they've missed two "firm" release dates.

At least, that's about the time I wrote off Code Monkey's RPGF, which is the last thing I've cared about and wrote off.

 

[Obryn]

Duke Nukem Forever!

-O

 

[Anthraxus]

Duke Nukem Forever!

Dang, beat me to it!

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

I would put the point at 1 to 1 1/2 years.

My current benchmark is the Toll system introduced in Germany. There was an official start date that was missed by one year (meaning hundreds of millions of €uros not gained by collecting the toll). But it was still made and now brings in money.

But then, is vaporware something that never gets finished? Or is it merely something that is incredibly delayed?

I suppose vaporware is often a "transition" status - if it's delayed too long, its vaporware until the point where it is actually finished.

Mustrum "ponders if he is programming vaporware and is afraid he is" Ridcully

 

[Lord Xtheth]

Starcraft 2 anyone?
a game is vaporware as soon as I don't buy it.
Yep, I'm that conceited.