Division dev says Watch Dogs delay ‘took courage’ and ‘sends important message’

Massive Entertainment’s MD David Polfeldt has heaped praise on publisher Ubisoft for delaying Watch Dogs.

"It’s tremendously important for us as a developer studio, to know that the owner and the publisher are ready to take that hit, and [the Watch Dogs delay] was a massive hit. I think their shares fell 25 per cent on the day it was announced,” The Division developer told Examiner.

It takes so much courage to live through that day and still think that was a good decision. So for us in the development [side of things], that’s an important message that ultimately the management will back up the goals that we have, which is the game has to be great.”

Polfeldt added that it’s all due to a commitment to quality at the publisher that is in contrast to many companies that prioritise share holders.

"That’s ultimately the end goal and then it’s a million times better if it’s on time, but if there is a choice between time and quality, then quality will win,” he added. If you look at Ubisoft you see a lot of people who have been in the company for over 20 years and that’s not very common today in corporate landscapes.

But I do think that one of the reasons is people believe that ultimately this company has a very positive agenda about putting out good entertainment products and we’re willing to back it up, we’re will to take a few hits and some larger risks to make sure quality is very high.

"Definitely when we go to the internal milestones, we’re constantly being pushed for more innovation, thinking further, what could you do that surprises even ourselves? What are we not doing that we could do? Have you studied the competition?”

Having missed the launch of PS4 and Xbox One last year, Watch Dogs will now arrive on May 27th.