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Author Topic: Alpha Game and Donations  (Read 1047 times)

AName

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Alpha Game and Donations
« on: July 10, 2015, 04:42:34 am »
Okay, so here's the deal: I want to release my game really, really soon as an alpha game. It would not come with fully playable Sheep Tag in it, and I'm currently debating with the help of some friends whether it will even have a very basic Sheep Tag implemented when I go alpha. I'm also considering whether I should have it be an open or a closed alpha (closed would be e.g. only 20-100 players are allowed to play the game).

If I release early, I get these advantages:
  • quick quality testing on peoples' computers to find bugs, overlooked problems, and general feedback
  • earlier exposure, which gives the game and the community behind it a lot longer time to develop
  • a lot of encouragement to me as the developer (and those helping me with various stuff) to work harder on it

However, I'm afraid of releasing too early because it could lead to:
  • a hole in my pocket: this is because as soon as I release the game, I need to host the server publicly and that costs money, anywhere from $6/month to $40/month per server (will start with 1 for the first few weeks at least) - note that I'm already paying it a lot of my time and some $72/year on the website for domain name and good hosting
  • players driven away from the game (possibly) due to its suckiness (underdeveloped state*), though I will probably set up an email list to play so that I can at least email everyone at a later time when the game gets good

So I really want your feedback, and it would be great if everyone could respond and get those who would still play the game but aren't active on WC3/STC to give their feedback as well. What's best for you and me is the same.

  • If I set up a Paypal donation, would you donate some money, and if so, what kind of money? $1? $5? $20?
  • Of course, on what conditions/promises/rewards/etc. would you donate money, and what would cause you to donate more?
  • What do you think the most effective release time for the alpha game would be? How playable would the game need to be for it to benefit the most?
  • When I announce the game and its website and forums, will you help to make and keep the forums active over the next few months?

Basically I need your guys' support in whatever way you're willing to give it: money, testing, advice, etc. So let me know what I can expect so I can plan this alpha release better, thanks.
« Last Edit: July 10, 2015, 04:45:40 am by AName »

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Nmcdo

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Re: Alpha Game and Donations
« Reply #1 on: July 10, 2015, 05:22:22 am »
Based on what I read I think you should hold back, a little bit. Wait until the game has maybe 2-3 playable modes where bug testing can be done on multiple fronts. Because the game I assume would have the same kind of interface ish from game to game I would assume some bugs would tie into each other.  Also the servers / websites seem expensive, so I think you should try to start the game by storm sort of speak. Once it's officially moving forward obviously get the general knowledge into people's heads, they will either support you or not. Within th alpha stages are you planning on including chat? I think it would be awesome to talk to others and see what they have to say RIGHT after a game. I'm not sure how well you could publicly advertise the game AT FIRST so I'm not sure about open / closed alpha. I can test the game and attempt to give advice like this in the future. Thanks.
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AName

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Re: Alpha Game and Donations
« Reply #2 on: July 10, 2015, 06:13:39 am »
The website is up for good now. The cheap server I can get for only $6 a month ($72 a year), and it should be able to support chat and games just fine for the alpha stage. If we can raise a little money like $30-200 from donations (over time) why not? What are good reasons not to release the alpha early?

Myll

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Re: Alpha Game and Donations
« Reply #3 on: July 10, 2015, 03:19:30 pm »
Is the game even ready for multiplayer (no offense)? Or is it just going to be a bunch of sheep and wolves running around not doing very much? You can probably just have us test single player for the time being to test out the feel of the game, running around, building farms, check out the UI, etc. Have cheat commands to spawn wolves, reset the game, etc.

Nmcdo

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Re: Alpha Game and Donations
« Reply #4 on: July 10, 2015, 03:25:23 pm »
It's just that I feel the overall experience to those who are aren't from this community etc would be more inclined to see the potential and see the development through with because they can see that potential. Don't get me wrong it's fine if you release alpha as early as you want.
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Myll

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Re: Alpha Game and Donations
« Reply #5 on: July 10, 2015, 03:37:58 pm »
It's just that I feel the overall experience to those who are aren't from this community etc would be more inclined to see the potential and see the development through with because they can see that potential. Don't get me wrong it's fine if you release alpha as early as you want.

I doubt it'd hurt the public image for the game if he keeps the alpha within this community and close friends.

Nmcdo

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Re: Alpha Game and Donations
« Reply #6 on: July 10, 2015, 03:41:40 pm »
I had meant if it was open to all, Myll. As for donations I sure as hell could if my current position was different, but I'm sure some people would. All at differing levels.
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XXXandBEER

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Re: Alpha Game and Donations
« Reply #7 on: July 10, 2015, 11:03:27 pm »
Closed alpha definitely (If you think its ready), but start going public with pictures/videos as soon as you can.

AName

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Re: Alpha Game and Donations
« Reply #8 on: July 12, 2015, 07:39:23 am »
http://www.fragilegame.com

I do ask that you make an account on the forums. :) Feel free to subscribe to the blog as well.

Nmcdo

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Re: Alpha Game and Donations
« Reply #9 on: July 12, 2015, 06:33:51 pm »
I think you should put even just a little of a description going on within that website.
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mivel

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Re: Alpha Game and Donations
« Reply #10 on: July 26, 2015, 01:43:39 am »
pro tip: give up

AName

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Re: Alpha Game and Donations
« Reply #11 on: July 26, 2015, 01:44:32 am »
Who are you?

HaWkys

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Re: Alpha Game and Donations
« Reply #12 on: July 26, 2015, 03:50:46 am »
Somebody that wants you to fail. Someone who can't do it themselves and think YOU CAN'T DO IT. I however believe you can. DO IT, MOTIVATION!

Nmcdo

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Re: Alpha Game and Donations
« Reply #13 on: August 20, 2015, 09:35:24 pm »
AName so how is the game going?
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AName

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Re: Alpha Game and Donations
« Reply #14 on: August 20, 2015, 09:37:31 pm »
Working on it now, actually. :D It turns out I made the server login and registration process synchronous, aka. it can only handle 1 at a time, which is not good, but I have a good quick fix for that. I'll try to cut down on my gaming.

 

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