The first chapter will be released for free, to give everyone a fair chance to try the game and see if they like it. The following four chapters will cost money, however if you pre-order them before the game is released you will get them at a discounted price. The system for pre-ordering will come online sometime next week hopefully. Pre-ordering the game will let you play the second chapter immediately.
Though we'd like to release the game for free, we simply can't afford it. We're only two guys working from our homes. We don't have any investors or publishers backing us up. We've been working on The Dream Machine for almost two years now, and we've put a lot of time and soul into making it.
We'd also put the money we hopefully make into working on another game like this. So if you like this type of game, why not vote with your money and support the makers? If you don't support this type of niche games, they will vanish and be replaced by bland same-y shooter clones, like Call of Honor™, Medal of Duty™ and Modern Halo™.
More about that next week.
Cheers,
– a
And don't forget to come up with a deluxe bundle too! Really looking forward to the Dream Machine.
ReplyDeleteFantastic news, guys!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to try your extraordinary game! ;)
4 chapters to buy... 5 dollars/euros/whatever per chapter?
ReplyDeleteYeah, 5 bucks a chapter feels about right to me. You could also offer a slightly cheaper option to buy all the chapters up front - a subscription package, if you will. Only if you're 100% sure you'll finish though, otherwise the refund requests will be a nightmare.
ReplyDeleteI would gladly pay $10 per chapter based on how I liked Chapter 1.
ReplyDeleteWill be looking for the pre-order package with great anticipation.
Perhaps you could try matching Telltale Games's pricing, as they appear to be the most sucessful game company using the episodic classic point and click adventure games model.
ReplyDeleteHowever, perhaps you need to price higher, seeing as Telltale Games simply has better advertising and can ensure more customers simply due to the fact that they're not two people, have more money, are made up of veterans in the field, and base their games on well established series.
On the other hand, maybe you can price lower seeing how you don't have to hire voice actors. But on the other hand, you buy a lot of clay; and more importantly make a lot of things with the clay which I suppose translates to energy and food. Or maybe you can price lower because you're aiming to make the game as cheap as you can without going bankrupt.
I generally expect downloadable games to cost less than physical ones seeing how they don't require all the manufacturing, packaging, and transportation, but as a fan I would gladly pay $70 (the price of one game) for all 5 episodes. It would seem expensive to me at that point though.
How would it work? Would we pay for each chapter as and when it comes, or would we pay a lump sum up front?
ReplyDeleteI'd be willing to part with about 5-7 dollars per chapter or about 30 for the lot.
Personally I like pay what you want, but that is normally only done for sales and not ongoing.
ReplyDeleteStu>>> Both ways of purchasing the game will be supported. You can buy a standalone chapter, if you feel like it, or the full game in a bundled package. That chapters will be unlocked as soon as they are released.
ReplyDeleteA nice way to support the project would be some kind of "supporter" account, which allows to donate and help you in your efforts. All with the names (photos?) of the "supporters" somewhere in the homepage ;)
ReplyDeleteLuca>>> We're working on something similar right now, but I like your photograph-idea!
ReplyDeleteHow about $5 for a single chapter and $30 for the whole package?
ReplyDelete"We'd also put the money we hopefully make into working on another game like this. So if you like this type of game, why not vote with your money and support the makers?"
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts exactly. Buying the game means more to me than collecting some entertainment to fill my (virtual) shelves: it's an investment in the developer(s) themselves, and recognition that their efforts deserve to be rewarded, as clumsy a reward as money is (although money is always nice of course!).
I absolutely love The Dream Machine so far - come on, it's gorgeous! - and I want to see more games like this. I also like you guys and I want to support your work, whatever you decide to do next. For that reason, i'm more than happy to buy the game, and I won't put a price on it; whatever you decide is fine by me.
I will say though that your timing with preorders is excellent: that's Christmas this year sorted;-)
will the deluxe version of the dream machine be available in germany? :)
ReplyDeleteI love the 1st chapter!
Svilen>>> Sure thing!
ReplyDeleteWill the following chapters be longer? I found I got through chapter one very quickly and there were only a few challenges to solve. It looks beautiful and if the paid for chapters were longer I would gladly pay.
ReplyDeletePJ>>> We're aiming for about one and a half hours worth of playtime for each chapter, but the puzzles will get successively more difficult and might take you longer to solve.
ReplyDeleteAll in all you'll net about seven and a half hours worth of playtime, which is more than some $60 AAA-titles offer you.
I think we offer good value for money. Otherwise I would not be selling this game.
Cheers,
- a
I have just bought the bundle and cannot wait for chapter 3 to be released. This is definately worth the money, I have never bought any 'shoot em up' games before as I find them really dull but this is fantastic - be prepared to lose yourself in 'The dream machine' daydreams.
ReplyDeleteThanks guys.
A preset sum amount but then the option to pay more if we felt the game needed it. I want to donate more than the small ammoint I payed for all the chapters... I feel guilty. People who work on Call of Honour in particular don't spend 2 yrs on a game before throwing it at it's consumers wallets. If not I'll just use the donate button on the homepage.
ReplyDelete¥
I've just played and finished 1st chapter and i liked it. You look like that you put a good effort on making it.
ReplyDeleteI'm planning to make a game like this, maybe not exactly like this but it'll be a point and click type too i presume. But i have to ask in no offence; how did it take 2 years to develop these 2 chapters? i mean it has pretty short gameplay (no offence again).
I am just curious.
I would have preferred $5 to 5Euros, but I still bought the chapter! I do want to see this game succeed and more like them.
ReplyDeleteHaving said that, the puzzles in Chapter 2 are devilishly hard.
I am a mom and I have a 5 years old daughter, so I can understand that for any mother how difficult it is to look after her children and going out for job. That is the reason I prefer to work from home that allows me to look after my child and make me independent as I can earn from home and stay updated with today world. If you are also in same situation I have a suggestion for you from here you can learn how to make money or get good earning from home based job, I am confident it will be of Great Value to you and yours. Respectfully, Enjoy
ReplyDelete