Why Ubi need to push the MP
Before we get into this, I happily admit I know zilch about marketting, my thoughts here are in the context of a consumer. How 'average' my thoughts process is remains moot :)
I'm not going to go into all the why's and wherefore's of FC3's lack-lustre performance, they have been gone over many a time, but even Ubi acknowledge they dropped the ball last time around. Most gamers now regard FC as a superb single player experience, but not to be taken seriously as a multiplayer game at all. a lot of them won't even have played FC2 or the earlier games, they're gonna need some convincing!
What I'm wondering, is how will this effect release sales, and therefore player population for FC4. The game comes out in the run up to christmas, so will a significant proportion of people be thinking along the lines of 'well I loved FC3 SP so I definitely want it, but I'll add it to my pressie list, it can wait till then, the MP really wasn't worth much'.
This could reduce population, interest, buzz etc as the game is released, and by the time everyone opens their xmas pressies the population has dwindled even more.
I think that Ubi really need to regain trust and confidence for FC (watchdogs didn't help, sorry guys but it's true) and right now, the tiny drip feed of info we're getting regarding the editor and MP isn't helping with that. Too many might equate 'they ain't telling us much' with 'they didn't tell us much prior to FC3 too... hmmm...'
We do need more info this time around Ubi, and I think we need it sooner. Don't worry about me, I'm getting this on release day anyway (yeah yeah I'm a fool :p) but I think a lot of people felt burned last time and we'd very much appreciate having our concerns laid to rest :)