03-20-2019, 07:59 AM
Anthem Launch "Rougher Than Expected," BioWare Still Committed
<p><a href="https://www.gamespot.com/anthem/">Anthem</a>'s launch had its share of issues, from <a href="https://www.gamespot.com/articles/ea-knows-about-anthem-ps4-crashes-is-working-on-a-/1100-6465357/">crash bugs</a> to <a href="https://www.gamespot.com/articles/anthem-bug-makes-this-starter-weapon-absurdly-powe/1100-6465412/">weapon balance bugs</a> and more. Now BioWare general manager Casey Hudson has conceded to the launch issues while also recommitting to long-term support.</p><p>In a post-launch update on the <a href="http://blog.bioware.com/2019/03/19/anthem-post-launch-update/">BioWare Blog</a>, Hudson says it was a "rougher launch than expected," and says that the studio was "ready for the possibility that unexpected issues might arise." In a broader sense, he said that the degree of the problems didn't become apparent until the scale of players had increased, and that the studio shares in the community's disappointment at these issues.</p><p>"It makes me sad to hear about any issues that would hold someone back from fully enjoying the game," Hudson said. "I take that very personally, and it’s been our top priority to get improvements out to you in the fastest, safest way."</p><p>He then transitioned to plans for the future, explaining that improvements are coming to endgame loot, game flow, and stability. This is in addition to adding more world events and story content, as outlined in its <a href="https://www.gamespot.com/articles/anthems-update-roadmap-outlined-plus-bioware-share/1100-6464851/">roadmap</a>.</p><p>"But we understand there is skepticism out there," he continued. "We hear the criticisms and doubts. But we’ll keep going anyway, working hard every day on Anthem – an ever-changing world, constantly improving and growing, and supported well into the future by our team of passionate developers."</p><p>Anthem's rocky launch has included <a href="https://www.gamespot.com/articles/ea-is-aware-anthem-is-crashing-ps4-consoles/1100-6465357/">crashing PS4 consoles </a>that forced Sony to <a href="https://www.gamespot.com/videos/sony-is-refunding-some-players-for-anthems-ps4-cra/2300-6448642/">issue refunds</a>, an update inadvertently <a href="https://www.gamespot.com/articles/anthem-hotfix-patch-seemingly-broke-freeplay-for-a/1100-6465315/">broke the game</a>, and <a href="https://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-4/anthem">mediocre reviews</a>. At one point a bug made Legendary and Masterwork items more common, and BioWare <a href="https://www.gamespot.com/articles/anthem-update-fixes-accidental-loot-buff-much-to-p/1100-6465491/">irked players by fixing it</a>. The studio later issued a patch that <a href="https://www.gamespot.com/articles/anthem-loot-just-got-better-in-new-update-patch-no/1100-6465608/">adjusted drop rates</a> more intentionally.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.gamespot.com/anthem/">Anthem</a>'s launch had its share of issues, from <a href="https://www.gamespot.com/articles/ea-knows-about-anthem-ps4-crashes-is-working-on-a-/1100-6465357/">crash bugs</a> to <a href="https://www.gamespot.com/articles/anthem-bug-makes-this-starter-weapon-absurdly-powe/1100-6465412/">weapon balance bugs</a> and more. Now BioWare general manager Casey Hudson has conceded to the launch issues while also recommitting to long-term support.</p><p>In a post-launch update on the <a href="http://blog.bioware.com/2019/03/19/anthem-post-launch-update/">BioWare Blog</a>, Hudson says it was a "rougher launch than expected," and says that the studio was "ready for the possibility that unexpected issues might arise." In a broader sense, he said that the degree of the problems didn't become apparent until the scale of players had increased, and that the studio shares in the community's disappointment at these issues.</p><p>"It makes me sad to hear about any issues that would hold someone back from fully enjoying the game," Hudson said. "I take that very personally, and it’s been our top priority to get improvements out to you in the fastest, safest way."</p><p>He then transitioned to plans for the future, explaining that improvements are coming to endgame loot, game flow, and stability. This is in addition to adding more world events and story content, as outlined in its <a href="https://www.gamespot.com/articles/anthems-update-roadmap-outlined-plus-bioware-share/1100-6464851/">roadmap</a>.</p><p>"But we understand there is skepticism out there," he continued. "We hear the criticisms and doubts. But we’ll keep going anyway, working hard every day on Anthem – an ever-changing world, constantly improving and growing, and supported well into the future by our team of passionate developers."</p><p>Anthem's rocky launch has included <a href="https://www.gamespot.com/articles/ea-is-aware-anthem-is-crashing-ps4-consoles/1100-6465357/">crashing PS4 consoles </a>that forced Sony to <a href="https://www.gamespot.com/videos/sony-is-refunding-some-players-for-anthems-ps4-cra/2300-6448642/">issue refunds</a>, an update inadvertently <a href="https://www.gamespot.com/articles/anthem-hotfix-patch-seemingly-broke-freeplay-for-a/1100-6465315/">broke the game</a>, and <a href="https://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-4/anthem">mediocre reviews</a>. At one point a bug made Legendary and Masterwork items more common, and BioWare <a href="https://www.gamespot.com/articles/anthem-update-fixes-accidental-loot-buff-much-to-p/1100-6465491/">irked players by fixing it</a>. The studio later issued a patch that <a href="https://www.gamespot.com/articles/anthem-loot-just-got-better-in-new-update-patch-no/1100-6465608/">adjusted drop rates</a> more intentionally.</p>