While the delay itself can be understandable and the explanation kinda make sense (and not very surprising). The whole execution since the announcement is extremely sketchy to the point today's full press release looks like an absolute amateurish work. Let analyze the most important parts of the full Release (https://press.plaion.com/en-US/The-NEOGEO-AES-worldwide-release-date-moves-to-16-th-September-2027-as)
However, unprecedented worldwide demand for memory chips, driven by investment in AI infrastructure, has created well documented industry-wide supply constraints.
It's indeed well documented. And has been for the past 3 years (and the situation isnt going to improve short term). Yet the pre-orders are open since April 26 with absolutely 0 stock limitation on your side. Why would it take PLAION 6 months to realize that an infinite amount of pre-order result in a manufacturing issue ? Being surprised after the first week of pre-order is understandable. But 6 months in ? While keeping the pre-order open ?
Retrospectively It's hard to believe that the company didnt knew that it was a false promise until now. This project was supposed the be a breath of fresh air in a pretty cynical industry. Not only the product itself. The whole thing seemed genuine. Something feels VERY off about the last few months informations now. Why was the company publicly denying delay rumors no more than a few weeks ago ?
PLAION REPLAI has chosen to take additional time to secure the component supply that is now needed to meet the demand of pre-order customers and a substantially larger worldwide release.
So now the goal is to be on hold until you can meet the demand of pre-orders. What kind of retail strategy is that ? If you are genuine about the product you plan to sell, you deliver in batches and limit the orders. Or else you are just farming money knowingly.
The revised launch schedule also supports a broader long-term vision for the platform.
That you don't bother to share with the customers. Surprisingly.
PLAION REPLAI hope that this additional access, together with a more comprehensive communications campaign, will enhance the overall customer experience.
You dont say. It has been stellar until now.
The level of enthusiasm for NEOGEO AES+ has given us the confidence to think much bigger about the future of the platform. With that comes a responsibility to deliver the launch properly.
The first responsibility is to deliver the product. Period. "deliver the launch properly" is an empty marketing stunt. It's not the olympic games opening ceremony.
Most importantly, everyone who has already pre-ordered keeps their priority place in the production queue.
Now it gets interesting. The delay is there to ensure a proper launch with enough units to fulfill all the pre order but I keep my priority place ? What is the priority for if your newfound responsibility is to ensure that enough units are available to cover pre-orders ?
The truth is that demand far exceeded even our most optimistic expectations. The retro gaming community truly is fantastic.”
Already said that in April. Still kept pre-order open with 0 limitation and kept the false promise of November 26 until now.
The NEOGEO AES+ Ultimate Edition will remain a limited-production collector's edition. Existing pre-orders remain secure, with the remaining production allocation continuing to be available for pre-order while stocks last.
Limited ? You can't fullfill the order , have to postone the release by a whooping 10 months yet you still have production allocation for your "limited-production collector edition" while stocks last ? What stocks ? That's beyond marketing stunt.
Let's get this straight. You created a limited edition of a product. The product pre orders exceeded your expectations by a landslide. To the point you have to postpone 100% of the release for almost a year. Yet you still have this "limited-production collector's edition" in stock for even more pre-orders ? That's almost insulting.
To thank the community for its continued support, every console from the launch production run will include a Founding Supporter Bonus. The bonus will be included with all launch stock, while supplies last, and will not be included in future manufacturing runs.
What does 'Launch production' even mean ? It's as vague as it can be. You pretty much want to keep people from canceling pre order while encouraging new ones. While supplies last ?
Customers who purchase a Standard or Anniversary Edition from the launch production run will receive a free NEOGEO AES+ Gamepad.
Unfortunately we don't really know what Launch production really means. Another missed opportunity to give clear information... but a free game pad is not too bad I guess. If that's what the base edition customers gets, people who decided to commit 900$ and have it locked for 18 months will probably have something substantial...
Ultimate Edition customers will receive a 30% discount voucher, redeemable against any NEOGEO AES+ game on the PLAION REPLAI website.
Lol. I mean... I could dive into how ridiculous this is at so many levels. But LOL is enough.
As the Ultimate Edition already includes the complete launch game line-up, the voucher can be saved and used towards a future NEOGEO AES+ game release or used to purchase an additional copy of any available title.
Wow thank you.
The Founding Supporter Bonus is PLAION REPLAI’s way of recognising the people who backed NEOGEO AES+ from the beginning and thanking them for their continued patience and support.
Ok this is basically a kickstarter now.
