But it's pretty realistic and happens all the time. I don't see what's 'bootlicky' about not trusting 'promises' by corporations years before release that are not protected under laws like the Trades Description Act.

I don't know what was supposedly promised, because I didn't follow interviews and stuff leading up to it, I just bought the game based on what was actually delivered in the end, which is how all purchases should really be made.

Stuff mentioned during development should never be taken as a promise, no matter how trustworthy or honest the developer is. This is just the simple reality of long projects.

It's also why we don't hear from devs as much these days, instead it's mostly PR people, as too much weight is put on off-hand quotes.

Studios like CDPR have nothing to gain, and lots to lose, by deliberately over-promising.