Chapter 4.5 Beta - Release date

Funny thing, though AFCMan, once in a private message Ocean told me that our support is very much appreciated but he understands that not everyone can contribute 12 months out of a year. He himself has had to change his lifestyle multiple times just to keep the game and his life moving forward. Do what you have to do is pretty much what he told me. And I appreciated the honesty.

Timothy Gjerde

The problem with anything that is subscription-based is that the subscription has to have limits. These limits are as the Gyvs said, are posted when we subscribe. If you want more, you pay more or don't subscribe at all. I have often run into a severe money crunch on occasion. You can stop contributing for a short time. Everyone has to choose what they can afford. Ocean chose what he needed to charge to keep on top of expenses, I'm sure. So even the creator is limited in what they can offer and at what price. I'm not chastising you for sharing your opinions, just voicing mine. Inflation sucks, being broke sucks and it's unfortunate that one of the most enjoyable, entertaining AVNs has such a long production schedule. As a wise man once said...It is what it is.

Timothy Gjerde

He'll lose even more if people decide to go get the game for free anyway.

AFCManUk

I wouldn't describe a full chapter release as "I have to say, at the moment I feel like I'm chucking £5 a month at someone and getting very little in return.". If you want beta you can always momentarily increase your support tier and revert after you downloaded the beta. I always do like that cause I know I can't contribute that much per month, I still contributing and I am content with the benefits I get with my current tier. The point is that you choose how much you can give to the dev of the game or not to give at all. It is not like Early access in steam for example, where you pay once and get updates. And that example would not work for a solo developer. If you think that tier benefits are not to your requirements you can always lower your tier, but if you like the game and can afford to spend those £5 a month and think that it will help the dev to improve the game in some or other way then do it, it's up to you. And again you get the full latest chapter game after 3 days of release, there is lots of VN there you would get an update (not beta) after weeks of release for the same price. Anyway, not saying you are wrong and I am right, stating my opinion here. If you think you don't get enough for what you pay then you have the right to voice your opinion/concerns. I just think that we kinda feel like we can make demands when no one forced us to support and pay money to developers. We chose that, we got information on what we get from that payment.

Hell nah he loses lots of money doing that.

Turqez

Woah...bit harsh on the above message, but I do sympathise a bit. I have to say, at the moment I feel like I'm chucking £5 a month at someone and getting very little in return. Yes, for some people it's not a lot of money, but for others it is; especially when food prices, taxes and energy bills are going through the roof here in the UK. People just don't have the spare cash laying around anymore. Don't take it the wrong way Ocean. I f**king LOVE Summer's Gone, and I appreciate the time and effort that you put into making it - If I could afford to give you more each month I definitely would, but I'm not in a position to do so. As a 'Lower Tier' Patreon, I signed up knowing I wouldn't get much for my money, but, let's be honest, I can read about this game, it's various updates and what others' opinions of it are, on any number of Free Forums without having to pay for it, so I'm struggling to see any benefit of being a 'Summer Tier' Patreon at all. Even APK versions of the game are readily and freely available on various Mod websites, as I'm sure you're all too aware, but I refuse to touch those out of pure principle and respect for the original creators. I guess what I'm trying to say is, throw us lower tier guys a bone! Access to downloads of the Beta Versions of SG, a couple of weeks after the higher tiers would be something at least. Give us a reason to keep investing in this brilliant game. I hope things change, but I'll re-evaluate my own position in the new year.

AFCManUk