Release Strategy

Yup, coming down to the line. Here we are with only two months left in the year, and I have wanted to release the final version of this game around that time. 

Reflecting on all the things that are in the game, I feel like I accomplished a lot. Three expansion themes to choose from. Several maps to explore and gather materials. A story of exploring the planet and learning more about it. The start of a crafting system so as to make new gear and consumables to use during the journey. Now human NPCs and their own side story that adds more content to the game. Even multiple endings, which is story and art complete, but need some bug fixes to make them accessible. 

As for the release date itself, I've been learning more of the hard way that there is less time for myself and development around holidays, and they're coming up. Plus, I'm really happy for the opportunity to add in more story and maps for the NPC content. My goal for end of the year could be possible, but it's more realistic that Jan 2023 will be the time that a final product can be released.

As for how that looks, I will definitely keep the game on itchio, where I have already have a deployment setup for it, and I can easily see how I can premake keys to give to supporters. I'm still working on Steam, but I'm also reviewing a game studios name and setup before I make that account and start exploring how to deploy over there. 

Plus, I still have the free version up, which is only one version behind of the supporter build. To add value to supporter contributions (Which has been significant up to this point. I can't give thanks enough that some supporters have provided as much money as if they were paying for a hyped, AAA game). So I'll be announcing to the free players on the forums that starting with v0.10, I'll start selling the game as the equivalent to a Steam "Early Access", and continue to update the game as one single version from there. Also moving to one single version will help me move faster with bug squashing and finishing the last features of the game.

I'm going to target a price point of $9.99. Everyone who has been a supporter on Patreon will receive a key through email, if they have met the following conditions:

Supporter ($3/month) - If you have supported two or more months to the project

Patron ($5/month) - If you have supported one or more months to the project

Esteemed Patron($10/month) - If you have supported one or more months

I'm also considering ways to add value for Patron and Esteemed Patron levels, such as all art assets to the game, special mentions in addition to the names of patron supporters in credits, etc. If you have any ideas, please let me know!

Paying or receiving the keys for the game once will then give you all future versions up to the final v1.0 release. I'll likely keep the patreon going until then, for those that are gracious and willing enough to continue support the development of this game and the next. For everyone here though I know that times are tough, and you have supported enough already to break even on the art costs. Once the final release is out, I'll be stopping the patreon completely. I'll consider opening another if/when game development kicks off on the next project.