Sony has Two Worlds pub "hopping mad"

By Robert Purchese Published 11 November, 2010

"Lazy buggers" missed PS3 release.

The Two Worlds II release saga continues: now Euro publisher TopWare/Zuxxez is "hopping mad" with Sony because the PS3 version of the game wasn't made on time.

Everything was paid upfront, TopWare/Zuxxez CEO Dirk Hassinger explained on the Zuxxez forum (reported by Eurogamer Germany) - but a bunch of "lazy buggers" at Sony meant Tuesday's European Two Worlds II launch only happened on PC and Xbox 360.

"The PS3 version wasn't delivered on schedule for release. We can choose our pressing plant for PC and 360, but unfortunately not for PS3. I'd preferably post the email and phone number of the lady responsible at Sony here," threatened Hassinger. "We're hopping mad!"

He went on to muse what a press release - which can't be released until Sony says so - would say. Something like, "Sony needs too much time for the production because mainly lazy buggers are working there."

The ramifications of this outburst mean Sony may pull the PS3 version of Two Worlds II. Apparently Hassinger is aware of this.

Initial reaction to Two Worlds II has been overwhelmingly positive. Eurogamer Germany deemed the PC version of the fantasy role-playing game worthy of 9/10.

In October, Eurogamer revealed that Two Worlds II wouldn't make Christmas in the UK (or the US). SouthPeak handles the game here and decided that Two Worlds II wouldn't get "the shelf space it deserves" among the busy Christmas release schedule. The new target is "just after Christmas".

Picture of Robert.

About Robert Purchese

Bertie is Eurogamer's Senior Staff Writer. When he's not hunting down news stories he's often found playing with his kids or gabbling about fantasy games and strange online worlds. @Clert on Twitter.

Read more articles from Robert by visiting the Robert Purchese archive page.

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Comments (40) Latest comment 2 years ago

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  • cianchristopher #1 2 years ago

    Two Worlds II = Four Worlds?

  • jefranklin18 #2 2 years ago

    If the issue is with the pressing of disks, I suspect all plants were focussed on pressing disks for something that Sony have committed to releasing before Xmas...

  • DoctorZoidberg #3 2 years ago

    Have a re-read Jefranklin18. This is for the PS3 euro launch where its meant to be out. Only UK is after Xmas.

  • Bertie Verified Senior Staff Writer, Eurogamer.net #4 2 years ago

    If the issue is with the pressing of disks, I suspect all plants were focussed on pressing disks for something that Sony have committed to releasing before Xmas...

    Good point.

  • Rack #5 2 years ago

    9/10! Good lord, I don't think I'v ever been so surprised about a game being unexpectedly good.

  • StolenGlory #6 2 years ago

    @jefranklin18

    Agreed. Priorities and all that.

    Especially since the lynch mob for Two Worlds II is a small student protest in comparison to the worldwide 28-days later style chaos that would be caused by that 'other' title not making release.

  • abigsmurf #7 2 years ago

    If the issue is with the pressing of disks, I suspect all plants were focussed on pressing disks for something that Sony have committed to releasing before Xmas...

    If that's the reason, they'd leave themselves open to lawsuits regarding monopolistic or unfair business practices. There have been a few lawsuits (including an at the time record fine for Nintendo) about abusing control of console game productions in favour of first party titles.

  • mingster #8 2 years ago

    Never heard of this game untill now. Nice bit of PR.

  • Vlad27145 #9 2 years ago

    Geez, Eurogamers Germany pop up ads are even more friggin' annoying than the UK's version of them. Craaaazy.

  • Markusdragon #10 2 years ago

    Ah, so that's how Sony have managed to fit the new Gran Turismo into the pressing plants so late; by giving a third party the shaft. :p

  • flanker22 #11 2 years ago

    sigh always the little guys that get fucked. hopefully they sue sony and get restitution for breaching dates.

  • drumbaby #12 2 years ago

    Was he pissed (inebriated) when he made these comments?

  • GamesConnoisseur #13 2 years ago

    Seems risky snda bit murky for Sony to have full control of the disk pressings, for example GT5 being so anticipated and wanted before Xmas and where another 3rd party paid up for the service ie 2 Worlds.

    Did Sony decides to shift the obscure title for their own favoured title which arrives very much well after 2 Worlds?

    I as sure as hell wants to get my hands on GT5 but not if it's meant Sony playing loose and fast even when they are contracted.

  • jefranklin18 #14 2 years ago

    @DoctorZoidberg: "Have a re-read Jefranklin18. This is for the PS3 euro launch where its meant to be out. Only UK is after Xmas."

    Yes but my point is that all resources in SCE will be focussed around ensuring sufficient volumes of the GT5 disks in the run up to Xmas and they will use whatever plants they have to make them available. This will impact other games as their capacity to produce will be diminished.

    Regarding the issue about unfair business practices, this is merely speculation but I would not be suprised that in the contract between Sony and 3rd party publishers there is a clause which states that Sony reserves the rights to reschedule publication runs due to external events.

  • binster #15 2 years ago

    Those comments read like Alan Patridge.

    "Now you've got Norfolk's maddest man!"

  • nooneyouknow #16 2 years ago

    Seriously though - openly ranting on about Sony? Not a good idea - doubt Sony will lose any sleep over not releasing on PS3 and doubt it'll do any future titles a favour either.

  • randompanda #17 2 years ago

    Massively unprofessional comments, even if they're true.

  • UsernamePending #18 2 years ago

    I guess the SDF don't mind getting their games later than all the other gamers...

  • arcam #19 2 years ago

    Massively unprofessional comments, even if they're true.

    Nice to read some honest comments, even if they're unprofessional ;)

  • mkreku #20 2 years ago

    I don't know, I think his rage is a breath of fresh air in this industry. I mean, read the interview with the Xboss yesterday.. Geez. I prefer this man's rage to that.

  • darleysam #21 2 years ago

    Gotta print those Gran Turismo 5 discs first, chaps!

  • linksdad #22 2 years ago

    Its a good job Sony execs are so proffesional isnt it? They'd never slag off the competition or lie.

    What he has done is point out (one of) the failure point at Sony and placed the blame where it is. Not doing your job is unproffesional and Sony is the only one of the three that hasnt.

  • nooneyouknow #23 2 years ago

    Lots of people slagging off Sony for giving priority to GT5 but remember that it's only speculation!
    I know in the past they have run off an entire order only to find that it was a complete mess and had to do the whole thing over again. So really we shouldn't be jumping to conclusions.

  • FortysixterUK #24 2 years ago

    Shame there's no xmas time release, as having looked at the different versions out there, the Royal Edition boxset looks very nice, witht he usual flashy case, then a figurine, OST, art book, Mouse pad, deck of card etc etc.

  • jag10 #25 2 years ago

    someone asked on the forum why the royal and premium versions of the xbox 360 versions aren't arriving in time. His reply:

    "This is ours. to be precise, my fault".

    sounds like disorganized work on his part so don't see why he's mad. also he asks for someone's address so he can send them a promo copy. WTF!

  • Haerger #26 2 years ago

    Sony has been rubbish this end of year - GT5 and this.

  • arcam #27 2 years ago

    also he asks for someone's address so he can send them a promo copy. WTF!

    What's wrong with this?

  • loveless #28 2 years ago

    Two Worlds II, or Gran Turismo 5... I'm with Sony on this one

  • irve77 #29 2 years ago

    actually i don't care much about either ! I can't believe GT5 is going to be that mcuh better than forza to justify the wait

    And i've still not played oblivion let alone two worlds

  • Vanmunt #30 2 years ago

    I don't get this story... what did sony do, as they say themselves that a Christmas release would harm sales... or am I being a bit thick.

  • Jamiesan #31 2 years ago

    "I would not be suprised that in the contract between Sony and 3rd party publishers there is a clause which states that Sony reserves the rights to reschedule publication runs due to external events."

    Most likely the case. But I would hardly call them faffing around trying to finish GT5 for the last 3 years an 'external event'.

  • Stepharneo #32 2 years ago

    Right so how come the usual excuse for the UK waiting for a later release is that we are part of Europe and there have to be localisations for the mainland, but now because we are English speaking we have to wait for the American version.

    Why do we always have to wait?

  • Steroyd #33 2 years ago

    If it means getting GT5 out to stores, then it's a sacrifice I'm willing to take.

  • flipperpod #34 2 years ago

    Sony are not even trying to sell multi-platform games on their system anymore then!

  • Lord_Gremlin #35 2 years ago

    Um. Are they sure the game was OK? You see, games like Fallout NV should never pass Sony quality control. What about Two Worlds 2? Is it bug-free enough for a PS3 game?

  • thubie #36 2 years ago

    Question is what for releases are in the holidays to delay this have they seen jan,feb,mar and april that period is jammed to the roof with AAA titles.

  • darc #37 2 years ago

    Wow, the Euro release date is SO early. No UK or US until January, and it's already being reviewed in Germany/ Austria. A couple of weeks is typical, but this is kinda weird.

  • Bumbuliuz #38 2 years ago

    Been thinking abour ordering the game on 360 from Germany since that version has english voices and text already.

  • TAPNGO #39 2 years ago

    what!!!!!!! everybody knows the developers are lazy, how the hell can sony be at fault :)

  • clockworkzombie #40 2 years ago

    @drumbaby
    11/11/10 @ 13:06

    Tired and Emotional is PR speak for drunk. It will be interesting to see what the explanation is.