MadCap's Mad Rantings - Will there finally be some Skyrim DLC for PS3?

It may be possible. In the future. I know you all haven't been following my exhaustive ranting on Bethesda and their apparently inability to bring "Dawnguard" to PS3 users. Now, just shortly after the release of their trailer for "Dragonborn", the third DLC in the bunch. It might be that Bethesda is finally getting its stuff together. A recent tweet from the Bethesda reads, quote "To Update: we're close on new Skyrim content for PS3 and PC."

Now does this mean that Dawnguard may be getting its long awaited PS3 release? I don't know, but I suppose that it technically counts as "new" content for PS3 users, as the very least. At least I certain hope that that is what they're doing. Most people by this point, I'm sure, have moved on from it, though the few that remain are still hoping and a move like this is just what Bethesda needs as some damage control for the whole situation. The fact is, they didn't want to release a less than quality product and I can respect that. The problem is that they didn't say what the problem was and when a theory was presented, you denied it outright. So giving the people who are your consumers nothing to go on, no indication of just what the problem is, and that isn't really enough to keep them loyal. They were left out in the cold, and that's just not good for your image, Bethesda.

I do sincerely hope that this tweet means that they're making at least some progress on taking care of the problems and bringing Dawnguard to the PS3 crowd at long last. They've been waiting a while, Bethesda, and I'll be honest, they deserve it. Especially those of them that have stuck it out for as long as they have waiting.  

MadCap's Mad Ranting - "Dawnguard for PS3: The Continuing Adventures!"

Seriously, Bethesda, I've got nothing for you on this one. This is a PR nightmare for you guys, and you just grip onto that shovel tight and keep digging your hole. An article on Forbes is now bringing up the suggestion that people on PS3 might never actually get Dawnguard. From Bethesda's statement on it, it seems as though Bethesda is actually having problems with the software errors that they were so quick to deny having or some problem rather similar, some people citing the PS3's problems with save files and lag that were experienced at Skyrim's launch back in November. But if that isn't the problem, then again, I ask WHAT IS?

To quote the writer of the article, "Here at the end of the console generation, one would hope that developers knew their way around a system a little better than this.", and I have to agree. Now granted, I know absolutely nothing about developing games for different consoles (or about developing games in general), but Bethesda does and Bethesda should know how to work through problems like this by now. And even if they're still having trouble at this point, it would be better for PR for them to just come out and say what the problem is, which they've been avoiding. Yes, some people will still be angry. Yes, some will leave Bethesda entirely based on it.  But there will be some (and I like to delude myself into thinking they might just be a majority) who will appreciate Bethesda's honesty and, while still being irate over the whole matter, will be inclined to show a little patience while Bethesda works things out.

As it stands, Bethesda continues to dance around just what is wrong.  Is it a software issue? Is it an issue with Sony? No idea, but they're not telling. So I guess they just expect us to eat their rather pathetic excuse of "We're working on it" without actually saying what it is while they watch a good third of their customer base leaving in anger.  Nice job, guys. Nice job.

Oh, and for those of you hoping that Hearthfire was going to be anything fantastic or wonderful, I've got a bucket full of bad news for you. Seriously, Bethesda, your pitiful efforts on this could have been used in...oh, I don't know...fixing Dawnguard?!

MadCap's Mad Rantings - "No Dawnguard for PS3?", Addendum

More nuggets of wisdom from Pete Hines, who made a Twitter post a few days ago that has a few people in right state. "No Timeline" for release on PS3, Pete?  As I recall, when you announced the thing, the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 were supposed to be on the same date.  I could be wrong, but I seem to recall that. Then the delay. Alright, fine, delays happen. But again, I point you to my previous ranting for why this is kind of a problem.

Oh, and a minor problem with IGN but how do you have an 8 out of 10 rating for DLC on Playstation 3 that isn't actually out on Playstation 3 yet? Seems you all are just a little too eager to please...just saying...

MadCap's Mad Rantings - "No Dawnguard for PS3?"

Okay, so, I was linked to this, thanks to a friend of mine. I've already expressed my disdain that "Hearthfire" is coming out on Xbox before Dawnguard is released on PS3, but this just has me confused.  Bethesda reps are claiming that, to quote the article, the "issue" is "difficult to solve", but doesn't actually state what exactly they mean by that. So...what is the issue, Bethesda?  They don't say, only saying that "we are working together with Sony to try to bring you this content" and "We understand the frustration when the same content is not available on all platforms."

Yeah, guys, I would say there are some people who are frustrated. I'm even frustrated, and I don't even play on PS3.

A possible explanation for the "issue" might have come from J.E. Sawyer, who you all might remember as one of the fellas from Obsidian that worked on Fallout: New Vegas.  Him claiming that perhaps it was a lag issue that affected both New Vegas and Fallout 3 on PS3, which were also a problem for Skyrim during launch on that same platform.  However, Pete Hines - the VP of PR and marketing for Bethesda - refuted the claim, stating that Sawyer "brings up issues we solved long ago" and that he "did not work on Skyrim nor this engine and his comments don't reflect how the current tech works."

However, he doesn't at all elaborate on what the actual issue is. Not even giving us a vague hint of something.  So, is it just denial on his part and Sawyer is actually completely right regardless of how much he "did not work on Skyrim"?

Seriously, Bethesda? What is going on? Is it an actually game issue? Is it an issue with Sony? I've found no comment from Sony on the matter, just part of Hines' statement that "we are working together with Sony to try to bring you this content." So...what's the deal? You're being unnecessarily vague about what's going on, and it's a real piss poor way to try and sate your PS3 fanbase.  

So is it the software? Is it you guys at Bethesda? Is it Sony? Is it even, dare I think, Microsoft using their silver tongues to get more 360s purchased before the end of this console generation?

...seriously (Bethesda or Microsoft), if you guys are trying this as a marketing tool, then go sit in the corner and think about what you've done.

I really would just like some kind of explanation for this, Bethesda. Being vague and dancing around the issue without actually telling us what exactly is the issue is tantamount to...some simile that I have neither the stability of mind nor the patience to concoct at the moment.

In conclusion, Bethesda, just say what's going on. If you came out and said there was a problem, explained what it was, you'd probably end up getting at least a tedium of respect for it.  Or at the very least, people would be less frustrated with you. I just hope you guys are working on this like you say you are. Ask your buddies at Bioware, Hell hath no fury like that of a gamer scorned.

MadCap's Trailer Reactions - "Skyrim - Hearthfire DLC"

Eh, not sure how I feel about this one. I remember reading that Bethesda was promising fewer DLC releases but with far more substance to them.  THIS is not exactly what I thought of when I heard that statement. Of course, this may still yet surprise me, though I have my doubts. As long as you guys aren't trying to pull another "Horse Armor", I suppose this could actually work.

Now, from an aesthetic perspective, I love this to death. It gives you a brand new home that you can make your character construct with his/her own two hands, it lets you modify that building by adding on new rooms and adding trophies and the like, which is all well and good. It's about the best that people playing console will get considering we don't actually have to enhance our games with mods and can just enjoy the game itself (that's right, PC Elitists, I'm talking to you).

Speaking of which, Bethesda, this new announcement is all well and good, but when are you going to release Dawnguard for PS3? I don't play PS3, but I'm not going to want to keep things from anyone that does. I'm all for cross-platform brotherhood, after all. Gaming is gaming no matter how you get it, and the PS3 crowd deserves to enjoy the little ball of "No, really, vampires are cool again" that you've given us with that.

So...what's the deal, Bethesda? Get on the ball.

Hearthfire, the second official DLC for the Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, will be available for download from Xbox Live on September 4.