Warner Bros Issues Full Statement Regarding Lego City: Undercover Install Confusion

@AlexOlney oooooohhhhhhh!!!

Sick burn!

Good stuff. Still can't believe they are charging full price for this.

Would have been better to just release number 2.

Guessing WB are thinking that so many people missed out on first game that they feel people will treat this as a brand new game

'typical content update patch'

on a 4yr old game.

bloody hell WB

Meh. Every Lego game I've ever played has been average at best. I don't know how or why they're so popular.

This is still good news for anyone that wants to buy it.

Something seems very, very fishy.

The game size on Switch is 7GB, whilst on PS4, Xbox One and Wii U, it's around 20GB....did they compress the cutscenes?

That mandatory install might be that "typical content update patch" in disguise...

Uh oh....
Swap that pesky information from the box, WB !

@Moon Lego City is not like other games.

This is basically GTA 5 with Lego gfx.

@Moon this game shames every other Lego game released prior to--and since--its release. It takes the core elements of Lego games (collect-a-thoning[??] and puzzle-platforming) and marries it to the core elements of the newer GTAs with astounding results.

@ECMIM true but doesn't hide the fact that this a 4 year old game. Plus the switch version still runs at 720p docked like the Wii U version.

Full price does seem excessive

I've got my eye on you, Warner Brothers.

@Moon It probably has something to do with Lego being the biggest toy brand in the world

I still don't see how they somehow managed to lop off over half the original file size then. There's no way they could compress it down, so where'd the rest of the data go?

"Typical Update"? That doesn't sound right, sounds like an update, not actually a download of the game. I'm with you @memoryman3

I doubt they compressed a 20 GB game to 8 GB, only on Switch. The other new builds are closer to the Wii U original in size, which was 20 GB.

Also, a "content update" for an old game? I think they're trying lying but desperately avoiding bad press trying to throw water on the fire.

@kobashi100
Skyrim was 5 years old when they decided to resell it

Hey Warner- get those Midway classics on the Switch!! Would be great to play joust, defender, robotron, paperboy, tapper, satans hollow, gauntlet, etc etc on the go!!

I'd pay a ton for gauntlet and paperboy!

@memoryman3 ô_o that's super weird. Maybe they're rendering the cutscenes live in engine this time around? Using video for cutscenes is pretty heavy on the bytes. Then again, why would they?

Maybe everything on the listing is wrong, even the game's size.
I don't see why would anyone would buy that day one though. Let's see how wrong that cover is, first.

@Moon Undercover is an astounding game! Not like the other lego games.....

The digital version is listed as 8.2gb or there abouts if memory serves. I don't see why it would be listed as the 13gb it is on the package. The picture I saw was zoomed in just to capture this text. I never fully trust leaked packaging shots or leaks of any kind. I'm glad they've clarified it but should investigate into who pictured the in store box.

I get the feeling this whole thing is just the result of someone misreading 21GB as 7.1GB when they were entering the data for the game into the Switch e-shop... probably due to either poor eyesight, or poor handwriting.

perhaps there was a mix up and information about the digital download version was put on the box?

And they all lived happily ever after.

Great news! Did think it was utterly ridiculous when I read about this yesterday...

I had it and sold it on Wii U. I can easily get it again for the Wii U for under $20. I will by it for the Wii U before I buy it for my Xbox or Switch.

The Wii U is the Superior system to play the game.

@chiptoon It's not just a simple port.
The orginal didn't have CO-OP mode.
So under the hood a lot has been done to port it over to other platforms, especially since it was originally only developed for the WiiU. So not an easy system to port from.
Implementing full CO-OP is quite a significant addition to the game, so a big bonus in my book.

We will see how the statement by WB holds water, since they cannot quickly fix a larger cartridge anymore as all games have been shipped already. A lot of retailers have the game already in stock since end February and are just waiting for official release.

So either they are lying or maybe this large content update is 1080p rez texture pack to play in high definition in docked mode and the game cartridge only comes with 720p content.

It wouldn't surprise me in the slightest as only shipping with 720p content saves significant space on the cartridge and reduces cost.
The XBOne and PS4 use bluray discs with a 50GB capacity, so no issue there.

First, horrible load times on the Wii u and now they cannot even print off boxart properly. Sounds like a poorly run company. Maybe Yakko, Wakko, and Dot truely are in charge.

@memoryman3 i agree 7gb is to small to be the whole game while xbox and ps4 are 20gb unless 7gb is the whole game and 13 gb makes the game better with no loading screens and better textures?

I wonder how many gb's gamepad connectivity takes up on the Wii U?

@Moon Never have played one myself but my theory on their popularity is a combination of the Lego branding and the fact that's it's one of the only large recognisable, non-sport and non-Nintendo games that is suitable for all ages. Whilst there are plenty of games out there suitable for younger gamers, you'd have trouble finding many hugely marketed ones in your average high street shop.

Also I hear they are really easy to get into.

Well, let's see if that holds true.

Something about this whole story if fishy because the issue was original about whether Switch owners will need to take up a huge chunk of their internal memory to simply download and/or play the game, via the initial 13BG required to download thing (presumably they just meant the digital version), but Warner now seems intent on making it be about basically whether you need to go online to simply play it at all, which I don't think anyone was ever really suggesting was the case anyway.

Feels like some marketing man is try to spin the story imo.

I really liked this game on Wii U. Might well pick it up again.

And here I thought Warner Brothers found a way to break the used-games market. Phew.

Awesome game, btw. Probably will not double dip, but tempted.

This is a great game worth every cent. Stop moaning.

@Moon Kids man, kids love the lego games.

@BinaryFragger No we're informed consumers. Toxicity toward retailers and publishers who make obscene profits off of us for sub-par cotent is completely warranted.

@bolt05 No profanity, thanks.

Ah, good. Now I will most likely get this game later in the year, probably for Christmas.

"...download the 'typical' contendo update patch."

Warner Bros, there's nothing typical about a patch bigger than the game itself on Day-1.

@AlexOlney I simultaneously love and hate that joke.

Awesome. It did sound weird you had to buy the retail game, yet download it. It's back on my maybe list.

@HeelGanon
Uh oh...
Did you mean those Crazy Animaniacs: Wakko, Yakko & Dot ?

Wakko probably developed the game (And burping during working hour).
Dot probably make mess typing.
Yakko probably deliver the games.

Good to hear. Guess I won't be getting a microSD after all. Looking forward to this game!

@Moon
Actually I have no interest with mostly LEGO games due to Blah Western licences such as Star Wars, Harry Potter, Marvel Heroes, Lord of the Ring, etc (Ugh...can't stand for those stupid euphoria).
But LEGO CITY Undercover was exception for me. First, No Western licences included like above that means Brand New Story and New characters (But at first 3 years ago, I ever Hate that game for a moment after I realized the game based on adult game that I Really Really Hate Most). Second, the plot is play as a Police to save the city, capture the bad guys, disguise like a criminal by going underground . I like to play as a Police, defend the Justice, arrest some bad peoples in Cartoon way (Though, there are also Stealing Car mission that I Hate to do it honestly consider this LEGO based on that **** game. No way, I couldn't "stealing" a car by purposely even in the game, I felt quite guilty to did that). Third, custom disguise that allows me to custom Chase in different outfits. My favorite custom disguise = Man face + Six pack body for all 8 disguises. Well, my Chase looked so fabulous in six pack and shirtless.
Oopsie... too much comments. But this LEGO is different from other LEGO games. Maybe you can watch from Youtube first until you can engage with the gameplay.

@bolt05 - Entitled consumers. So many believe the entire industry should cater specifically to their personal wants and whims, and everything should be free or close to it. Whatever falls outside of those narrow boundaries will be immediately savaged online and on social media. Many have never matured beyond the 10 year old who didn't get the game he/she really wanted as a birthday gift.

Ok fare enough. That 59.99 price needs a patch though. I'm just sayin'...

What's up with misprints on Nintendo game boxes as of late? The misprint on the back of Wii U Botw game boxes indicates 4 different control methods and now all this nonsense on Lego City boxes.

@Anti-Matter It's not really based on GTA, it's kind of a parody of the trops of GTA and video game logic in general, mixed with a parody of 80's action movies & cop shows which were very popular in the 70's & 80's, but never by name. It's an ode to retro stuff overall and all the better for it! I'm rebuying this game (now that I know it's actually included on the cart) even though I already played it on WiiU. it's just a classic plain and simple.

@bezerker99 Procon, Joycon grip, Joycon ungrip, handheld. That's the 4 control methods, right? Or did it have something weirder (I don't have the box with me.)

@BornInNorway81 @SwitchVogel I'm guessing it's a mixture of compression (Nintendo carts are always compressed, BDs rarely are considering how slow their access time is to begin with. X1/PS4 don't seem to have install sizes much bigger than the disc size most of the time so the content seems to USUALLY be uncompressed to optimize install time. BD (WiiU) likely had redundant data on the disc as disc-read games often do due to the tracking times of the servo controlling the laser. Vs X1 PS4, I'm not sure how many langauge packs are on each, if those versions have 7.1 audio, if they have higher res texture packs (doubtful since the game was built around WiiU, the assets were probably not too different), etc. etc.

Seems like an odd difference but it's our first multiplat that's not an indie game, so it's hard to compare against what is/isn't included. PS4 is also required to have PS4Pro/PS4 support on-disc so if there's content differences that adds space. X1 doesn't (yet) have that issue.

Worst case is that Switch uses lower res textures, but I doubt it's lower res than WiiU.

So now that we know that the world is normal and the game is exactly as it's supposed to be and there's just a misprinted piece of paper in the sleeve, will we get an apology from the 50 websites that in less than 12 hours had reached viral levels of complaining about how publishing on Nintendo is terrible and expensive and companies can't afford it and the new normal will be downloading retail games?

Of course not. They all move on to their next scandal and let that "truth" that was only "true" for half a day based on speculation based on a shakycam photo of a box sit on he internet and fester so that in 4 years we'll see new forum complaints about how expensive publishing on Nintendo is.

Don't trust 'em.. I'm not buying it until I see a LetsPlay..
If anyone wants my YouTube Subscription, unbox the game, stick it in your Switch, and time how long it takes to get playing.. (eg, post rubbish cutscenes.. the actual gamey bit!)

@DragonEleven Or a dropped "1" in front of the file size listing.

Because 17.1 GB would fit the Xbox size.

@Raylax really you can't be that dumb lol Wii u review would be the same lol since it's the same game lol

@Jayenkai since it's a Wii u game there have been let's play lol

Well that clears that up. It works a bit like Zelda does and all the other retail games that are on cards.

But not really worth paying for again if you have played the Wii u version.

Im sorry but hall you people are retarded basein what you play on someone else's opinion lol last of us real gamers are 80s and 90s kids which are adults now.the 2000 gen ain't true gamers

Classic internet hysteria over what was probably a photoshopped cover to begin with.

At no point did the person on Reddit attempt to play the game to prove their point. Therefore: fake.

I think the most amazing thing is the number of people on twitter/forums/Reddit who fell for it.

It's not Saturday yet.

@Slim1999 I own the WiiU edition, and have "played" it for about 2 hours.
.. of which, approximately 5 minutes was actual gameplay.

I really want to play this game but 60 vs 13 on Wii U is hard to justify buying it on Switch.

@RadioHedgeFund The statement from Warner Bros clearly confirms that it's a genuine mistake on the packaging.

Why wasn't The Chase Begins updated and tacked into this package as well since this is technically part 2?

I want this game but I know they're hiding something. Unless we see the file size updated on the eShop, then we can bet on there being a huge download for retail copies.

@Slim1999
Be proud to be born on 80's or 90's.
2000's and 2010's are sucks.
Some of young generations nowadays can't even play very systematic games like FF VIII or FF Tactics, Dance Dance Revolution with very insane stepchart, Very customable games like Animal Crossing New Leaf, etc. They stick on minecraft, stickman, growtopia, poor looking games too much. Lazy to think, doesn't like to maximize their art talents, likes cheating and hacking people's account. That situation happens in my country.

Lemme guess, this update patch is required, and is 13gb in size...

Thank goodness, I pre-ordered this a month ago and have booked the day off work. Looking forward to this....

@Moon I have this on the Wii u. It's honestly one of my all time favourite games. It has incredible humour and a really large world filled with great personalities. It's also a pretty big game if you want to get obsessive solving the puzzles to get all the blocks etc. It's more like a parody of GTA than one of the movie tie in Lego games. Anyone who hasn't played it should really consider it.

@Jayenkai think you played a different game to me. I put in well over 40 hours on this a few years ago. I utterly loved it.

@subpopz I don't even have a quip to go along with that. It's just basic truth plainly stated

Not sure who wastes their time sitting around with no reason but to pretend to like a company's products they don't like just to complain about them, or those that really just have a problem of liking some of the company's products but wanting them to be delivered in the manner they want them rather than the way other people want them. I'm guessing most are kids (and adults who never grew up) that are still obsessed with being accepted by the cool group, and shaping their likes and dislikes, and then needing to reinforce them based on that perception. Others might just be plain jealousy.

Hopefully everyone will stop moaning now.

@bimmy-lee Well that's capitalism my friend. If one company in the industry can't provide to a consumers personal wants and whims, then they'll move to the next company that'll provide those want and whims. Whether their entitled or not, it's just how things are.

@BinaryFragger i disagree. I think people are toxic and the gaming community has plenty of people in it. I didnt read about any death threats over the lego game. I think youre overreacting... a 13gb download was printed in a retail box, this got some people uwho care enough about nintendo to post on a fan site understandably upset.

@bimmy-lee Consumers are by definition entitled! We vote for products we like with our money. We are completely able to be entitled to expect a product to live ip to expectations especially when promoted in a certain way. A 2015 space exploration game comes to mind...

If we dont like a product, which is entirely subjective, and self opinionated as it is in every single marketplace on earth, we dont pay for it or we demand our money back if the product didnt perform as advertised. This is how the free market works.

@chiptoon Skytim Remastered - 5 year old game that was broken.

Oh the drama.

@AlwaysGreener - I'm familiar with Capatalism, and it's not at all what you outlined. You're referring to a Free Marketplace, which is what bolt05 referenced.

@bolt05 - The irony of your original post about "informed consumers" under an article about consumers being misinformed by a redditor wasn't lost on me. While I mostly agree with the second paragraph of your response, the first paragraph is very rube-like. If you have expectations about any product based on promotion and advertising; you're a mark, and preyed upon by large, sometimes global corporations. Every consumer is entitled to a functional product, but entitled consumers are, perhaps ironically, the easiest prey, and the hyper speed sharing of misinformation or opinion based information is a negative for all consumers who put weight in the source.

@AlexOlney Get out! xD

@bimmy-lee I guess just saying "well that's, capitalism" would be a broad term. But nevertheless everyone is entitled to have expectations of said product. If said company/corporation can't deliver on said product or give a good reason to buy said product, then the consumers has the right to move on the next said company that will. If the consumer doesn't like said product they have the right to give his/her dissatisfaction with said product. And if entitled consumers are spreading misinformation or giving negative opinions of said product. It's up to the company or corporation to debunk misinformation and appease those who are having an issue with said product to insure that sales are good. That's what PR is for.

Again, consumers are meant to be informed and somewhat entitled. I see the term entitled consumer used a lot on these forums and i facepalm over it. We should be entitled in every marketplace else the vendor is entitled, and in fact vendors in the free market economy are intended to fall flat on their face and fail if their product fails... and yes that means if we greedy little whinging "entitled" consumers dislike something about their product. Saying entitled consumer like itw abad thing is wrong. Because its the way its meant to be.

@DragonEleven Best explanation so far

I have another theory, I think they're skirting around the issue here. I'm starting to suspect that the cart has a compressed version of the game (7.1GB) that needs to be installed to internal storage to be played (where it takes 13GB, hence the requirement on the box).

In which case, they did cheap out of the cart size and will force us to install :/

I guess we will find out shortly!

@AlexOlney

@Skunkfish Well on the PS4 all physical retail games still need to be installed on the HDD. So that is on average 20-44 GB per game.
I had to upgrade my PS4 disk from 500 GB to 1 TB within the first 6 months already and now 3 years later I have to clean up games to free up space regularly.

But ofcourse, the Switch only has 32 GB onboard storage (like WiiU Premium) and an exta SD card is pretty much needed.
I immediately bought a 128 GB SD card for both my son and mine Switch, so we are good to go for a while.

@AlwaysGreener - It's not a broad term, it's incorrect. You're talking about a free marketplace, and what you're describing is totally reasonable. However, any expectation a consumer has about a product is on them.

@bolt05 - I think we're operating on two different definitions of entitled. I believe a consumer is definitely entitled to certain expectations when purchasing a product. I'll give a specific example of an entitled consumer. Five years ago I decided to get a real estate license. Many first time home buyers now want to forego the idea of a "starter home" and want their first home to be on par with the home they grew up in because they've become accustomed to that level of comfort. However, they don't want to pay the appropriate amount of money for such a home, and they also don't want to invest the money and effort to upgrade a home to that level. They're accustomed to that level of comfort, therefore they're entitled to that level of comfort. Entitled consumer. Also, there were hundreds of posts on NL leading up to the Switch launch that could be used as examples of entitled consumers.

@Skunkfish That would be so crazy. The whole point for cartridges is that you can load the game from the card. Otherwise the card would be just a good as a download code in the package (in the case you have an internet connection).

Ok, It's back on my list

@bimmy-lee I see now what you're trying say. Consumers shouldn't over-anticipate a certain product then blame the company for it, whatever expectation they have is on them, if they don't like it. Although consumers can be informed and entitled, if they feel that a company isn't giving them what they want, then they're allowed to spend their money elsewhere.

@AlwaysGreener - Yes, I agree with that summary. Well stated, you said it better than I could. Nice chatting with you.

@bimmy-lee I'm glad that we kept this conversation civil.

@AlwaysGreener - Me too. And as a life long video game consumer myself, I'm certainly pro consumer. The irritating thing about this story is that someone felt entitled to (mis)information that was not yet supposed to be made public and caused a minor internet uproar. I feel bad for anyone who didn't play this game on WiiU, saw this story, never saw the correction, and took it off their buy list. I guess we'll know soon enough, but if it turns out that half the game isn't on the card, then it's dirty pool on the publisher's end and I hope they face the consequences.

@electrolite77 precisely. Vendors who fail to understand this relationship will end up like atari.

Ie. If ps4 gamers demand that they are entitled to 60fps 1080p then sony will have to cater to it.... oh wait they have via the ps4 pro. Oh and MS is through the scorpio.

As far as the video game market is concerned the customer is always right.

Nintendo knows there is demand from nintendo fans and they have proven time and time again they dint need the latest hardware to sell boatloads of software. If only they would also listen to us entitled fans who want metroid, castlevania, secret of mana and many other gameboy and snes titles reincarnated - then they might make obscene profits.

Some people love a good outrage so much that they don't engage their brain and work out whether it could be wrong.

@Anti-Matter

I was born in 04 and I'm so happy I grew up on older stuff like a gba sp and a ps2 and i didn't get a 7th gen console until my brother gave me his PS3.... in 2014! I never tried an rpg before but the rpg-like zelda botw I've put 55 hours into.😄

@Slim1999
There is absolutely no need to be rude and offensive to other people on here.