The development team at Robert Space Industries has announced that the roll-out of Star Citizen’s Squadron 42 beta testing phase has been unfortunately delayed by three months into Q3 2020. This delay is attributed to the implementation of a new staggered project development approach for their teams.
Understanding Staggered Development
“Staggered Development is an approach that splits the various development teams between multiple delivery dates. This puts teams into a cadence whereby they are delivering larger features every couple of quarters instead of every quarter, but due to their staggered nature, you would still receive an update every quarter.
To oversimplify for clarity’s sake, an example of this would be that half our dev team may be working on 3.7 features, tech, and content, while the other half would be working on 3.8. Once the team working on 3.7 delivers the patch, they would then transition to 3.9. Rinse and repeat.
Staggering the teams like this means 6-month cycles for development instead of 3, which means more time to ensure features are more complete with fewer bugs – all while still delivering quarterly patches.”
Benefits and Challenges of Staggered Development
The staggered development approach offers several benefits. By allowing teams to focus on larger features over a six-month period, the quality and completeness of these features are significantly improved. This method reduces the number of bugs and issues that might arise from rushed development cycles. Additionally, it provides a more sustainable workload for developers, potentially reducing burnout and increasing overall productivity.
However, this approach is not without its challenges. One of the primary concerns is the initial delay in deliverables, as seen with the Squadron 42 beta. Fans and backers of the game may feel frustrated by these delays, especially if they are eager to experience new content. Communication becomes crucial in this scenario, as developers need to keep the community informed about the reasons for delays and the long-term benefits of the staggered approach.
Moreover, coordinating between teams working on different cycles can be complex. Ensuring that all teams are aligned and that their work integrates seamlessly requires meticulous planning and robust project management tools. Any misalignment could lead to further delays or integration issues.
Community Engagement and Future Updates
Robert Space Industries has been proactive in engaging with their community to explain the reasons behind the delay and the new development approach. They have utilized forums, social media, and other communication channels to keep their audience informed. This transparency helps in maintaining trust and understanding among the game’s supporters.
For more information on the new staggered project development scheme adopted by Robert Space Industries, jump over to the community forums by following the link below.
Source: Eurogamer
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