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Suggestion - alternative to price changes

A topic by RDFozz created Jan 26, 2023 Views: 278 Replies: 3
Viewing posts 1 to 2

I believe itch has an option for you to require certain purchase prices to receive certain versions of a product. With other products, I've seen options like $X gets you the base version, $(X+Y) gets you the bonus version, and $(X+Y+Z) gets you the premium version; or, the most recent but 1 version is free, but to get the most recent version you have to have paid $X.

The suggestion, therefore, is to set the prices for how soon someone can get the most recent release (for example, $25 to get it as soon as it's released, $15 to get it after 2 weeks, $5 to get it after a month). Then, you just move the new release down through the "tiers" (yes, like with Patreon) as it gets old enough to open up access. This would let people buy in at the level of "freshness" they want easily. Right now, if I'd be willing to buy in after a month, I have to be sure I look in at the right time to pay (or so I assume), and have no access to an older release once a newer one exists. Among other things, pricing is clearer and more visible; even though I know what you're doing, constant price changes make things feel unstable.

Developer (3 edits)

I have no idea what you are talking about when it comes to versions since 1.4 includes all of the previous versions in it. I already offer an "Early Access" sale to the product while keeping the price matched with Patreon so I am being fair to my patrons. Once Early access is over, I then move on with monthly sales of bundles. There is literally no reason to purchase the older version aside from a price difference between it and the "Early Access" next version.  I only add a version number to let people know that while this is indeed still SHRiNK R&R, it has new content in it. I do, however, lower the previous version's price gradually until the new version replaces it, entirely. 

My reference to versions was simply one way other developers have used the itch tier system. However, a point of clarification will determine whether this has any relevance to you. If impaid $10 today for release 1.3 (no longer listed as early access), will that purchase allow me to download 1.4, 1.5, etc. when they are out of early access. If I paid $25 today to get 1.4 in early access, will I be able to download 1.5, 1.6, etc for early access? Or do I have to pay for each release separately? Also, if I'm busy and don't download the early access version of 1.5 when it comes out, will I still be able to download it when it drops to a lower price point?

If paying $25, $20, $15, or $10 on itch lets me continue to download newer releases when they hit that price point, then setting matching itch tiers and simply moving releases to a lower tier when appropriate might make things clearer and simpler. If that's not how you intend for it to work, forget the idea. And, maybe no one finds the changing prices constantly confusing or irritating. Just a suggestion.

Developer (2 edits)

I understand now. 

"Also, if I'm busy and don't download the early access version of 1.5 when it comes out, will I still be able to download it when it drops to a lower price point?" 

You can always download it later if you missed it as early access, or simply can't afford to purchase it at that price point/don't want to pay that much. I offer "EARLY ACCESS" for those who do not like supporting developers through Patreon for their own reasons, and it lasts until the game goes out of early access (2-3 weeks). Pricing does indeed change but only goes down from the usual starting point of 30$, once every 5 days or so. Once it has reached the lowest point of what is considered an early access tier, it then goes on sale/monthly bundle, etc. Early access just means getting it sooner, not being the only ones who get it.  You can get it at a later date for a lower price, but after 2-3 weeks of early access.