The survival MMO H1Z1 from Sony Online Entertainment has been on the verge of launching into Early Access for months. Fan interest peaked in April and May, but is now fading.
The MMO H1Z1 has been heavily discussed by the press and by SOE itself several times. It was supposed to enter Early Access in May. Then in June, it was said it would be by July at the latest. Dates kept coming up. Dates kept being pushed back. Now we are in August and still no date is announced. The “soon” or “very soon” remains unchanged.
The problem here: When it is officially stated that “it starts in June,” any small detail later is enough to stir new rumors in the press. Every time some online retailer lists a date for the game, it’s seen as the new major information. But even the concern “Now I’ve heard a release date!” that many chased in June seems to be out of fashion by now. Fans appear a bit burned out. Interest is simmering on low flame.
SOE suffers from these “misfires.” Google Trends, a sentiment barometer based on search queries, clearly shows how hard it is to keep interest in H1Z1 simmering after a peak already in April and May:
SOE was not satisfied with the version they had for the planned Early Access release date. The game, it was said later, did not meet player expectations, not even for an Early Alpha. Therefore, they decided to first implement all “minimal” features into the game, so as not to scare away players who expected more from H1Z1 with the Early Access.
In less than two weeks, SOE Live, the in-house convention of Sony Online Entertainment – similar to BlizzCon – will start. Various “keynotes” and “panels” for H1Z1 are planned. On Friday afternoon, August 15, a H1Z1 keynote panel is scheduled.
Then would be a good time and place to announce an Early Access. SOE has stated that they would notify a week before the Early Access starts when it would be ready. For the game and its fans, we can only hope that a start into Early Access will be announced during SOE Live for late August. Otherwise, fan interest could fall even further. And unlike zombies, there is no guarantee that it will come back.
