I can see here a lot of angry guys. Maybe because they paid for a game that later changed to free to play with ads. What I can advice to the developer, is to provide codes to those who bought the earlier version of the game. How's the deal?
The more I think about it, the more I'm on the fence. I too bought the game on day one and played the heck out of it until it got pretty "grindy". I would say I got my 2.99 worth of entertainment, but it does feel like a kick in the teeth when you buy a game expecting that game to be yours forever, only to have it changed to a F2P model. Then to have to pay another 2.99 for a premium version to get back the experience you had when you first bought the game a year ago. Like I said, I'm on the fence. I'm sure the development team has their reasons and I'm not judging them at all. They are a business and they have to do what's best for their company. I guess I see both sides. I just feel a little frustrated as a gamer. Just my opinion.
That's very fair and understandable that the initial reaction was not positive. Perfectly understandable. But you are very right also with the second part so thanks for that understanding and expressing it well. Well I won't want one anyway Nick. I'm gonna stick to my guns and support a premium unlock/model irrelevant of the changes that have had to be done to compete in the marketplace in the past and what I see as an obvious decision or at least indicator to support premium development on ye're part. I hope it works out
It is purely principle, not the amount that matters. It's lecherous business practices. Getting screwed by the developer turning a premium game I paid for into a freemium game was bad enough, but to then have this thrown in our faces is plain disgusting. Your examples are frankly ridiculous. These people made a specific decision to screw their customers, and then release the game we originally bought, that they subsequently ruined, so that we have the opportunity to buy it again. Like, whoops, sorry we crapped on your fun. Here pay us for the game a second time. If a waitress made a conscious decision to hold onto my eggs for a while (or more similar to this situation, serve them hot, then as I'm eating them, spit on them), and then after I sent them back, offered to sell me another order, yes I would speak to her in the same manner, regardless of the price of eggs. I will admit the lazy comment was probably unfair, but I stand by everything else I've said. I realize small development studios can have a rough time of it, but there is no reason to stoop this low.
Thats the way i think. I was in the middle (after buying it initially) but its like 'pretending' the original game was double the price. Before it went freemium i spent a lot of time playing it and think its superb. You can tell a lot of love/work went into it with the great graphics etc, i sometimes feel 'guilty' when buying a game like this for a few quid. Back in the 80's i bought a lot of games which were quite high priced back then ($12) so 30 years later i obvoiusly work and a few quid to a dev for a game is nothing. If it helps slightly bring a sequel or similar game in the future then me paying twice is worth it. Its not the worst crime out there, i doubt the dev sat there thinking 'we'll release it for full price, make it freemium and then make people buy it again....'. For some companies i feel iOS gaming can be a very tough market and they have to make tough decisions, i would rather the likes of this dev stay in iOS gaming than have to quit and leave
I did too, bought it day one. Deleted when it went freemium. While I see the reasons for why it went freemium it's unfair to the original supporters who bought the game before it went freemium to have to pay for it again. As someone who paid for this game already it's very upsetting that I would have to pay again if I want the premium experience. To the developers, Is there anything that can be done for the original supporters of this game (promo code, free for a day) or are we going to have to re purchase?
I'll make one thing clear out of all this. We will no longer be doing free 2 play titles. It's not who we are or want to be. We believe that good games deserve to be bought. The typical mobile customer is not a gamer. Not a real gamer anyway. We wondered how serious you guys were, but you are the best type of customer on the app store believe me. You're passionate, you pay for good stuff and you don't want free 2 play....I'd call that 'real gamers'. And therefore - quality customers. Those casual mobile players are not good customers. The download because they see it on the front page and it's free. 50% delete it after a day. How are they ever considered customers? Well we could spend our time on "User Engagement" and "User Acquisition" and "Analytics" and "Minnows, Dolphins and Whales"......but then who are we? We become a data company - not a games company. We loved the idea of getting our game out to millions of people, but when they are not even going to play it and discover whats so great about it - what's the point? So...gamers....Real gamers.....Premium prices. No more free2play. No advertising waterfalls.....we're not interested and we're sorry we went about it in the wrong manner too. Its been a tough year....we've learnt a lot.
You know what - I'll make it free until Monday - in exchange - I'd prefer people to review the game on it's merits, not our business mistakes? Deal?
And that is also a very key point for me, you've hit the nail square on the head. I want see a TTR2. I want it to be premium. And I want it to stay premium. And I'm hopeful that is exactly what will happen.
Nick, if I had a gif available with somebody standing up and applauding, I'd have it in here. That would be extraordinarily generous of you. Extraordinarily so that I'd need that stand up applauding gif again. But I'm still glad I already got it and paid for it. I admire the stance you're taking. I know that is comes off a particular way but I don't really care as you're just demonstrating that its the game for real gamers that is your priority and that should be admired. On that note, I think I've posted enough so I'll leave it there. I suppose I should apologise for over posting but I strongly believe in this team and support them as I know very well that they have a pure love of gaming and deeply want the people who buy their games to enjoy them in the proper way. The dev has said all that needs to be said anyway.
Is this story to be forthcoming? I suggest you not lose the thread by responding randomly to endless posts. Make a clear statement. I was definitely crazy pissed when this one went freemium the way it did, since I did recommend it through many channels as a great premium game. So I'm very interested in the rationale you propose to offer. What bothers me most is just how convenient this is. The freemium market is finally at the saturation point where breaking through is nearly impossible for independent devs. Now all of a sudden, the paid chart is looking more realistic, and devs are willing to focus on "real gamers" again? Yeah, right. But, I do support a dev releasing both a premium and a freemium version of a game from the start. I wish that had been done with RR3. At least you seem to be coming to that model regardless.
I can only see this harming you in the long run. I don't know, look...I too bought the original and deleted it once it went freemium, but...ugh...it's 3 dollars for ****'s sake. Peoples' entitlement when it comes to these things is so bloody weird.
Yep, it's not the money that bothers me it's just the fact that you're asking people to potentially pay for something they paid for in the first place. I like many here bought it on day one - it got quite a fan fare and then deleted it when it went free. You are, in essence, asking those who paid before at full price pay for your business mistake. That to me just doesn't seem right. It was a great game though. iCade too I seem to remember - can't remember if it had MFi as well as I'd deleted it by then. Again, I'm not too fussed but I just don't like the idea of paying for the same thing the first of which is now unobtainable, twice.
I've made a statement on the previous page, but there's bigger story too. I understand your cynicism, and thats not the reason for the shift in thinking - it's because we don't want to be that type of company - it's not what we came into the indie business for. And so to back-up what I've been saying, and to make amends for those of you who paid before it went free....for this weekend only, have it for free. I've dropped the price to zero - this really isn't about the money. On Monday it will be going back to paid and staying there. Any other promotions will be in line with Apple's wishes. Hope that help quell some of that (understandable) cynicism Much love from Liverpool - have a great weekend guys Nick
wow. I paid for the original and now I can't even get this for free. and the one I paid for is gone. super disappointing, but not surprising.
I've just made the premium version free for the next 55 hours....crack on mate, if you paid already you certainly deserve it for nowt.
Let's say you paid for a bus pass, then the passes went free, then the bus pass went back to paid and everyone had to re purchase regardless. You are saying that's fair? Forget about the cost, I agree $3 is nothing. The point is I paid for my pass to play this game why should I have to purchase again? Nburcombe - thanks for that gesture. I think that is the right thing to do.
