Late reply, but Publishers often have Developers by the balls. Destiny would not have the ridiculous budget if it wasn't for Activision. You just have to see the [url=http://www.develop-online.net/interview/revealed-the-huge-promises-and-secret-stipulations-of-the-bungie-activision-deal/0117411]contract between Activision and Bungie[/url] to understand the publishers make the rules. Publishers will look at the progress, if they dont like it, they will change it. Why do you think Jo Staten left mid project? Destiny's story would have been his baby, Activision come in and say, "No, we want it this way". He's like -blam!- this I'm out. Which is why there is basically no story in the first game. Publishers will make decisions about DLC releases too, which is why people get mad when maps/weapons etc. all ready on disk at launch get locked for future DLC - again, encouraged or demanded by the publishers. What Im trying to say is pre-orders reward shit games. If studios get punished for shit games, i.e. not making money from it, they have to make more effort next time.