Hello there,
this time it hasn't changed a bunch of times, an estimate was given for q1 and then for the 5th, but users dont understand the concept of an estimate so it was just fully removed (as it should have been from the beginning).
Just as always, never take the date as a release date if given, just an estimate.
I recall you changing the date a couple times for the last update. I wasn't strictly talking about this update, I was talking about your "release dates" overall. Maybe stop giving even estimates until you are actually close to releasing the update. People have been waiting three months for the 1.9 update in limbo and then we get a date which you now know you can't meet. Don't change from an estimate to a definite only to realize you are going to be delaying the update even further than was already "estimated".
Since it seems you are confused, let me explain something that you seem to be ignoring. From the beginning we have always advised all dates are estimates, the 5th yes, that was also an estimate. Also having on the same message "People have been waiting three months for the 1.9 update in limbo" and "Don't give a date" contradict each other.
Now again, why give an estimate if you cannot meet it, simple, nobody says cannot be met. It's a true date until something happens, but since that estimate seems to have caused so much issue, it was simply removed.
Some people want an estimate, others don't want a date, others do both and then when an open answer is given, they ask for a more precise answer. So yes, this issue will never be solved as not everyone will be happy, since everyone want something different.
But that's pretty much it.
No contradiction at all. You gave an estimated date of Q1. That is fine, it is vague and gives you a three month window to put out the update. Then, as the end of Q1 drew near and people were starting to worry (accurately) that there was going to be a delay, you gave a firm date of the 5th of April. Now, as the 5th is only days away, you remove any and all date, estimate or not.
The solution is really quite simple, stop giving dates, estimated or not, wide windows or exact dates.
And for the people going on and on about how Starmaker Story is free, I actually paid for it; $20 nearly a year ago. As for the long time in between updates, I really don't care how long it takes. However, I thoroughly enjoy the game and look forward to any and al future content. Seeing a date instill false hope in the many fans that enjoy the game as much, if not more than I do. That hope is then dashed when dates are changed again and again each update. We know the next update will release, we know your dates are "estimates". The problem is even by giving an estimated date people are then given hope as to when they can enjoy more content from this game, only to be told they need to wait another few days, then another couple weeks, followed by now it is delayed another month or two. This has been a repeat pattern with this game, so much that one would hope you either sorted out the programming and bug testing to allow for better "estimated dates" or to just stop giving even an estimated day of release.
I think both sides have valid points, but the real issue here is expectation management.
Players aren’t really upset about delays themselves, but about being given timeframes that keep changing. Even if something is labeled as an “estimate,” it still creates hope, and repeated changes can slowly erode trust.
On the other hand, the developer is right that timelines can be unpredictable and it’s impossible to satisfy everyone. A better approach might be to avoid giving specific dates and instead focus on sharing clear development progress so players have a more realistic understanding of the situation.
Totally agree, the first "estimate" was a massive release window which was a whole quarter of a year, which is absolutely fine. If you can't make that then either something must have happened, or you really don't know how to judge your work on an ongoing project. The REAL issue is that as that window was closing a specific single date was given. If you can't hit target dates the solution is not just waving a blanket statement of "Release dates are estimates and subject to change at our whim" it's to stop giving dates all together or, if you really want people to stop asking, replace it with just a progress bar.
