If you may want to clarify the situation, as reading the post makes it possible to interpret it in multiple ways:
- The finale/ending of the game will not release on itch.io
- The game will release in its full state on Steam for a asking price, but that version will not also be available on itch.io by updating this project and adding a minimum price to pay
If that is the case, this is always ... quite divisive. As someone mentioned it pretty on point a few days back on the community board, this always feels like you made a userbase on this platform and leave them behind for Steam after they 'supported' you, leaving them with the unfinished product. Saying that the game would always be able to change also makes this only so much better, because it still gave the impression that you had plans to release the full product on here. Not finishing the product in itself can always be a risk, but knowing that it actually became a finished product - just not on here - will always have a bitter aftertaste.
Something to justify this semi-sufficently: It was not a paid product. If that would have been the case, I do not think this could have been salvaged in any form or way, to be honest. But saying it was an in development work people could support voluntarily, makes it a bit more redeemable. But not completely - because those people still donated.
Now I do not know how many people did support you this way, or how much of a userbase you had on here at all - and this does justify a decision like this. I am not saying that one glove fits all here, and I also was more or less on board this development since its release on here, so I am the last person who would not understand or support the situation as much as possible. But it still makes it a bit difficult, at least when there are alternatives available:
- Why not release the full Steam release on itch.io as well, by updating the project and switching to minimum price to pay. People who already claimed it by donating will still have access to the project as well that way
- There is also an option to give out Steam Keys for people currently owning the project by having donated. The project (in its current state) could be switched to completely free, so nobody can donate anymore, and then everyone who did beforehand could be handed out a Steam Key. You can read more about that here: https://itch.io/docs/creators/download-keys#external-keys-steam-etc
These options (in whatever combination) would easily make this situation more supportable.
All that being said, as mentioned above, I do support your decision to go to Steam with the game and wish you recognition and success. It was enjoyable to go this journey with you and see the project grow and improve over time.
I am not sure if I will check it out on Steam. I would be inclined to do so, even paying for it in full once more as I really do like the game and want to support you - but I am done with the platform for a good while now and did not have the intention to go back to it. Thinking about making an exception here should say a lot, but I still need to think about it.
If you feel like changing your way going forward on itch.io, I would of course also gladly take a look at it. But I am only writing this for the sake of making it obvious. Choose to do what you think is best.
Best regards.