Hey Chiel, have you ever considered releasing your games by routes? I know I've seen it done pretty commonly, and the developers like it because they get real time feedback and money. LOL
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Wow, really? It is actually super popular. Some people release routes right after they are finished, while others start releasing them after they are confident that they are far enough along with the process to ensure that there won't be too much time in between each route.
The pricing is usually based on the final price of the game. For example, if you were planning to release a game with five bachelors for $20, each route will be $4. If the person decides to buy each individual route, they are often given a code to access the unified game of they want it.
This method usually keeps people engaged long-term, keeps a constant flow of money coming in for the creator, and it allows the players to give feedback on what is available so that the creator can use it to improve other routes. I never mentioned it to you because I thought it was common knowledge amongst creators. LOL
This method may allow you to take on some of the ambitious ideas your have, but put off due to the required time commitment and lack of incoming cash.
I see... Can you give me a few links/game titles as reference? OuO I still find it a little hard to imagine how it'll turn out--like, there's a file for demo but the routes will be separated? If there are 3 bachelors, there would be 3 more files?
It still feels a little strange to me but I'm willing to give it a try~
Sure!
The first one that comes to mind is Mystic Dynasties. Below are links to the finished game and each individual route.
https://aeondreamstudios.itch.io/mystic-destinies-deluxe-edition
https://aeondreamstudios.itch.io/mystic-destinies-serendipity-of-aeons-shou
https://aeondreamstudios.itch.io/mystic-destinies-serendipity-of-aeons-tatsuya
https://aeondreamstudios.itch.io/mystic-destinies-serendipity-of-aeons-shinji
https://aeondreamstudios.itch.io/mystic-destinies-serendipity-of-aeons-takumi
https://aeondreamstudios.itch.io/mystic-destinies-serendipity-of-aeons-hikaru
https://aeondreamstudios.itch.io/mystic-destinies-soa-hikaru-book-2
The next I'm linking to is still in progress.
https://zeiva.itch.io/anicon-sheep
https://zeiva.itch.io/anicon-cat
The next is the Wilder series. The creator eventually dropped this for personal reasons, but I think most people were okay with it since we respected her reasons and we did get two complete routes before that decision. There were five routes planned initially.
https://sonnet009games.itch.io/wilder-rans-story
https://sonnet009games.itch.io/wilder-bahadurs-story
These next guys, I don't know what happened. They are released two routes, but they then just vanished.
https://lettucewaltz.itch.io/sp-mikio
https://lettucewaltz.itch.io/sp-hayato
I'm not a creator, just as avid player (LOL), so I don't know the intricacies of how they do this. I believe the first and third I listed are still around if you have questions. I'm not sure about the second since I don't follow them. The fourth has been radio silent forever it seems.
I know that there are some creators that give access to the game and send out updates with additional routes as (DLC, maybe?), so in those instances the player buys it for the full price. I'm not sure how it works, and unfortunately, I can't remember which of the games in my library does that. The only one that comes to mind is (https://celianna.itch.io/tailor-tales) -_-
Lastly, you don't have to do this. We'll wait! I thought you had already knew about this, which is why I even bothered to ask. LOL
Hi, KyiSoRo! Thanks for taking the time to give me lots of reference! I really appreciate it (≧▽≦)
Ooooh~ interesting! So they make new game page for each route and another one for 'deluxe' edition which includes all routes? Hmm... Once I understand how itch.io pre-sale thingy works, I think I can give this a try :'3
I mean, it feels like a win-win! You guys don't have to wait for long and I get funds--I'm really selfconcious about my slow programming... So to me, you guys are Saints for being able to be so patient with me QuQ
Again, thank you so much for bringing this to my attention! *bows* I'll try this after Bermuda is finished -^.^-
No problem! ^_^
I'm glad I could help. Also, the other win I see is that you wouldn't have to limit how long or deep your stories are, because you would be releasing them in pieces. In fact, if I remember correctly, this was the only way the visual novels were released on the voltage app when I used to read those way back when. Either way, I'll be reading however and whenever you release your games!