Sangman, on May 10 2009, 03:27 PM, said:
I'm not sure if it would.
I am.
Here's why I am.
If this is a hoax, George would need some method of selling it, right? Some method of distribution. None of the distribution networks have heard of it.
If it's a hoax, and he says "It'll be out soon! I promise".. what the hell do you think people would say? OHHHH, there's some honesty from George, right? "Oh, thank God, it really is going to be out soon."
No way. Money talks, bullshit walks. The only way people would fall for his crap again is if he walked out with a beta. Even if he announces it's a hoax any time soon, if he doesn't have the box of the game that he just picked off the store shelf, the industry will laugh, shrug, and say "Whatever, George."
An open beta, though.. that changes it all. That makes things FAR different. That can't be denied.
So why fire everyone, claim you're closing your doors, and talk about your distributor _WHO YOU'RE CONTRACTED TO_ screwing you over.. when you can get far further with an open beta and a "gone gold" release?
BOTH would get the same attention. One just makes alienates everyone, and one excites everyone.