Early Beta vs. Final release

[mattw36]

Some of us may remeber that when RLL3 was first announced it was announced with a series of screenshots. The announcement is here http://www.hes.net/newsite/generic.php?p...=rll3press

The screenshots were in fact Early Beta versions, and later labelled as such. I think it is a debatable strategy as to whether Early Beta/Alpha/Beta screenshots should be released to the public for certain games.

Below I created an album that compares the Early Beta screenshots to similar screenshots from the final release. The difference is noticeable, and it is a shame that I have seen multiple internet review articles embed the Beta screenshots in their reviews.

http://imgur.com/a/k4Q47

[Ross]

In my opinion they should be released but only if significantly watermarked as Beta etc.

However, having said that, in this case the particular shots in question should *never* have been released - ever - they do not show anything significant and detract from the game.

[mattw36]

In my opinion they should be released but only if significantly watermarked as Beta etc.

However, having said that, in this case the particular shots in question should *never* have been released - ever - they do not show anything significant and detract from the game.

Which is why I made this comparison, I really see this as a great case study on games marketing. There is something I call the "Google search effect". Typically curious people will search a product in Google and the first thing they do is check the images page to form a judgement, however unfair that may be.
So the issue here is if RLL3 is searched in Google the first gameplay images that show up are those incomplete beta ones.

I really hope Tru Blu learn from this, otherwise I'm linking them this post everyday