A question regarding Relic's/THQ's policies on releasing information.

[ankara halla]

I'm fairly new to these boards, having only found my way here around the time DOW was announced, but from what I've understood during my brief stay here is that Relic isn't all that keen/allowed to release much information about their projects.

However, the lack of information released about DOW is IMHO quite staggering and this brings us to my question... is this usual for Relic/THQ to be this secretative(sp?) about their projects or is this particular project unusal in some way (apart from the obvious fact that it's created with cooperation from GW)?

Thanks.

[No Surrender]

I can't really say because Relic has never worked with THQ before and it is the publisher who controls the release of information.

[Tribunal]

Maybe a better way to phrase it would be this:

Would we need to contact THQ/GW for information about your specific NDA, or is that just not a possibility? We would love to know what it is that we can ask, and what you would or would not be able to give us answers to. Thank you for your time.

[starrider]

in my time here, relics info releases have been few and far between, but hey this time its THQ so who knows?

[Rampart]

Since I first heard about Relic and Homeworld long, long ago, I've developed something like hibernation for the spells in between screenshot releases, works pretty well for the most part. Course, that was with Sierra, but I find I've adapted to THQ's style as well. My bet for the pool says 4 more screenshots between now and E3, with 10-20 more and a trailer released concurrently, and then the flood 1-2 months before release as every game reviewer magazine/website gets a copy.

[ÜberJumper]

In the build up to E3, I expect more and more info to be released.

The game's still in development, and hasn't hit beta.

And yeah, the publisher is usually in control of PR.

[Tribunal]

That's how it seems to be with most games nowadays, but it would be interesting to see exactly what they are limited to/permitted to say about the project in general. I had friends who had various NDAs, so I have a pretty good idea myself -- but others may not.

[Rampart]

just an FYI, info post off the GW forums. If the guys who spend day after day with the tabletop game are excited about it, I'm thinking it's good news.

hivemind@games-workshop.com]. 2/19/2004 10:34 (2/19/2004 10:34)
We just got a presentation on Dawn of War here at the Baltimore HQ from the GW Interative guys. Looks great! Very nice, RTS, Space Marines & Orcs (mostly, can't say who else will pop up ), outstanding combats, solid 40K look & feel (and sounds!). It will be for PC only, amd made by Relic (the team there are all huge 40K nuts, and were the ones who approached THQ about making the game). Overall, this looks like a winner.

As a note, we have the cover (big ole Space Marine) of PC Gamer for April with an exclusive article for the game. Be sure to check it out; it should answer lots of questions.

-Tim

[ÜberJumper]

My god, hivemind works at Games-workshop.com?

[Tribunal]

Now THAT was a post I was really hoping to see!!!

[Maximus Decimus]

wow! thats great, thanks for the info man we rlly appreciate it!

[blood_angel]

Im surprised that no one has mentioned the fact how Relic release what sparse info about the game to external sites (like PCGamer) and then NEVER even post it in the forum specifically designed and set up to keep people interested in it.
Instead we hear it from chance sightings from non-Relic posters. And that theres more info on non-Relic forums as the above post shows.

[Maximus Decimus]

uh blood angel... the pcgamer article has been talked about ever since it was first seen by someone who is a regular at this site, later the article details and scans were shown on portent. what was mentioned above was on the GW forum which has a larger mass of members therefore increasing their chances. a exclusive DoW article was alrdy mentioned on this forum but the issue was foggy cause some were saying april and others march.

[Rampart]

well, to be fair, Relic isn't supposed to release stuff. the limits placed on them by the NDA is probably part of the NDA, so I doubt they can describe that either.

basically, whenever someone finds something new somewhere else about the internet, they post it here, and it gets debated to death, resurrected, and debated to death once more. so, check back here every once and awhile to see the latest news, whether Relic released it or not.

overall, two excellent bits of news from this post IMO:
1. Relic is full of 40k nuts (bolts, loose screws, rusty nails, whatever )
2. Relic approached THQ to do the game

so, back into hibernation until the next bit of news.

[Shadione]

There is no defined list of what Relic can and cannot talk about, but promoting a game in this day and age is an exact science, one that Relic does not pretend to practice in. That's for THQ's PR department to handle.

Information is gold, and so it is held onto for big events, news articles, exclusives, etc. To stay on the safe side Relic pretty much says nothing about the game that hasn't already been said elsewhere. This isn't uncommon for developers. For example, Half-life 2 was in development for years before anyone heard anything about it.

It's no secret though that an article on DoW will be appearing in the next PC Gamer, and will have lots of info in it.

[deggy]

And for clarification, the "next PC Gamer" is in fact the April issue that appears in March, and was announced in the March issue that appeared in February....

I hope that clears up any confusion.

[Tribunal]

Thank you very much -- I really and truly appreciate that post Shadione -- and deggy too!

I'm glad the game is already getting some good previews, and can't wait to hear more about it.

[SoheilsX]

very exciting. very very exciting indeed. Cant wait, i was really hoping for a Total War feel for a new strategy WH40k game, i cant see anyway on how a RTS with unit and building building can fit the WH40k universe.

[Noir]

Originally posted by Rampart
Since I first heard about Relic and Homeworld long, long ago, I've developed something like hibernation for the spells in between screenshot releases, works pretty well for the most part...

Yeah that's pretty much how it goes,and us old Homeworld guys you might even say are a bit jealous of how much info you guys have.We waited months before we got even an ingame screenshot,and we waited years before that for the game to be announced.

So yeah,get used to it,those who are going to be patient,will be rewarded.

[ShineDog]

no one mentioned unit building.

Ground control (1 or 2) has no unit building

neither do either sudden strike or Blitzkreig, mechcommander and quite a few others.

they are all RTS games

[ankara halla]

Okey, I guess it´s pretty much as I figured it is.
While I´d love to see the dev´s here themselfs take an active role in the forums about the development of the game I do understand that most developers like to keep a tight lid on things and that´s perfectly understandable

And ShineDog, you sure you posted that in the right thread?

[Fable]

Could you Relic guys at least tell us if the upcoming April PC Gamer article will tell us what races are actually in the game?

[deggy]

Ankara, I hear ya! And thanks for understanding

Fable, while I'll leave the official response to someone else, I will say this.. The upcoming PC GAMER article will have numerous facts and details that WILL BLOW YOUR MIND!!

Certain matters of speculation will be confirmed and no doubt many new debates will erupt!

I can't wait! Nothing like a little blood in the water to stir up the sharks, eh?

good night! chat later.
peace!

[JayR]

Does anyone know the exact date on which the PCG´s April issue will come out? I´ll have to buy it for the first time. :viking:

[ÜberJumper]

Jay:

Sometime in March most likely, perhaps even late February. I'm sure if you watch here or on www.relicnews.com you'll see info about it posted.

[JayR]

Thank you Über! Have to keep my eyes open.

[Shadione]

Originally posted by Fable
Could you Relic guys at least tell us if the upcoming April PC Gamer article will tell us what races are actually in the game?

I cannot confirm or deny what the article reveals other to second what Deggy said. There is a 'lot' of information about the game, the choices we've made, and why.

[Tacit]

And if we spend all our time in the forums, we can't be making your game, right?