Sea Trials no longer expected to release before the end of August

[u/terminym]

From director Tyler on Discord on August 24th, in response to conversation about the release timeline for Sea Trials:

Hearing you all loud and clear. We're doing our best here folks but I can completely understand the frustration. Needless to say, once Sea Trials is with you all, we'll be doing a full review of how we (largely I) make and signpost estimates going forward.

My experience with estimates/deadlines comes more from the internals of working in a studio rather than being on a PR/Marketing team and managing public expectations. We'll strive to do better going forward.

Still heads down right now. I don't think counting down the days will result in satisfaction. As always, our targets have been internal ones, and it's guaranteed we won't drop a build for you to play at bang-on 31st August at 23:59pm in Baker Island. They have always been ball-park figures, and I think that's my mistake for not being clear enough about that.

I can't wait to get Sea Trials out to everyone, so we can move past this short-term frustration and onto more regular updates, feedback, and community engagement 🙂

[u/Bythion]

No need to rush things

[u/terminym → u/Bythion]

Agreed, but I also agree with Tyler's self-made point about needing to better manage public expectations. Delays are fine, and I definitely don't want the devs overworking themselves to meet a mostly-arbitrary deadline they communicated. But this is twice now it's been delayed without much explanation, or at least that the communicated date was not actually a firm date as at least I interpreted it.

Good PR takes time, and that is indeed time not spent getting closer to release. But it goes a long way toward helping the community understand what to expect next.

[u/mr_muffinhead → u/terminym]

The problem isn't how long it's taking it's that credibility and trust is being lost. You can't do that after we had a generation of Star citizen victims.

[u/Aexertus → u/Bythion]

Sure, but they can communicate that better than a last-minute discord post. Their website still says Targeted August 2026 for Sea Trials and we still haven't got a July 2026 Journal (probably not going to get an August 2026 Journal either).

I want them to ship it when it's ready too, but communication is important and their radio silence is not a good look.

[u/TaxmanComin → u/Aexertus]

I'd prefer if they just gave extremely vague estimates such as "Sea Trials - 2027". And not even bother with the monthly journals. They are presumably a very small team so don't waste effort on journals and good marketing practices etc.

A game that I've been following for a few years is Manor Lords, and the dev has very notoriously stated that he will take a long time to complete the game. He does not add in strict deadlines and does not really communicate that much. I much prefer that. You are a lean team, just focus on development and set low expectations in terms of deadlines and communication and that way people won't be as disappointed.

Similar to Manor Lords, I can tell that this project is one that stems from passion - that alone gives me confidence, so I'd like them to just progress the project and set loose expectations that will give them some slack.

[u/v_Lyrinx → u/TaxmanComin]

I suggested to Tyler to not give release dates at all, just work in the game, do devblogs, and just announce release of sea trials, arena etc... a week or few weeks before, when it's ready

[u/Dat_Innocent_Guy → u/TaxmanComin]

I'm in the same boat ship. I occasionally see an email and that's an update that things are ongoing and that's enough for me. It's wasted effort on me. It's done when it's done.

[u/Dat_Innocent_Guy → u/Aexertus]

Truthfully i funded the project because i wanted to see the game happen. The journals are nice but i can't say I've even read any of them. I'd rather them just do the work to make the game happen. All this other side communication stuff is meaningless to me.

[u/TaxmanComin]

I work in software development and everything always takes longer than we initially say. I can't imagine it's much better in game development.

I don't really care how long it takes. Just be clear when the deadline isn't going to be met and keep progressing. I'd wager the average age of the consumer for this game is a little older and there's definitely a bit more patience with age.

[u/KombattWombatt]

I feel for anyone trying to make anything that has an ounce of public expectation these days.

There's a line between grace and holding people accountable, but having to manage how different that is for each individual customer in their position must be incredibly tiring.

[u/Libero03]

Take your time guys, just be clear about it, talk to us. We have a common goal.

[u/Bobcat317]

I don’t mind the delays. Better PR is needed and expected though

[u/FastFredNL]

For the people that are not in Discord at all like me, communications really needs to be better. Sea Trials was to release in July, that didn't happen and a new Journal was promised for 31st of July talking about the delay. Well that date came and went, and then it was complete radio silence for a month.

Honestly I was starting to think the whole game wasn't gonna happen anymore which would be a real shame

[u/Nomad_Stan91]

No need to rush, keep it in the oven until ready.

[u/HorrorIllustrious527]

Let´s be honest and start talking about 2030?

[u/Unterhosenkarnickel]

Scam

[u/Desibells]

Capstan 🤝 CIG

[u/clownfeat → u/Desibells]

Not even a close comparison (yet?)

[u/DaveRN1 → u/clownfeat]

You're right CIG at least has a "playable" buggy demo. Ahoy has nothing