I have no problem with the releases of patches, as long as they are done after the utmost effort has already been put into a game. Think about it. How many times have we played potentially excellent games that have suffered due to budget constraints that result in slow framerates, lack of options, poor sound, poor presentation and gameplay? I think the release of patches can be a potential boon to both developers and gamers alike.
Unreal is already an excellent online shooter, receiving rave reviews from nearly every site that reviewed it. Now the developeras are releasing a patch to make it even better and you think thats a BAD thing? Funny, I thought it was an excellent example of corporate responsibility.
We coming into the age when video games takes years to make and cost millions to develop. The money/time will not always be available to give you the gaming experience that you deserve from a game, and with patches being available it allows developers to release the games, have them make a profit which frees up revenue and then the developers can afford to develop patches for features that they most likely would have wanted to include in the first place.
And no, most developers can't just say "hey, lets throw more money at the game to make it perfect!". Gaming powerhouses like EA and Acclaim are the exception, not the rule, and with all their money they still make mainly average games. Most developers have investors that neeed to be kept happy, and you keep them happy by releasing product so that said investors can make a profit. This does not always lead to the best product seeing store shelves.
Also, with Online gaming quickly coming to the forefront, patches and add-ons will be necessary to keep interest in XBox games over long periods of time. An excellent example of this, which I am greatly anticipating, is the upcoming MechAssault add-on that gives you another arena to play in and 2 new mechs for FREE. No purchase of an expansion pack required.
My advice to all the negative Nellies out there would to stop looking at the negative aspects of patches, and start looking at the many more positive things that can come from them.
Damn, that was pretty good, I think I'll write an article for the site of the positive side of console patches.
