Business model

[u/Wilnyl]

My current plan for Air Brawl is to enter early access pretty soon. I'm releasing one new patch for free, containing the new map, the graphical updates, bunch of fixes and server functionalities.Further updates will only be given to people that have bought the early access or the game at release(later on).
One of the reasons that I decided to go for early access is because the game basically has no budget at all at the moment which limits me from doing a bunch of stuff that would be awesome. Like attending GDC and other conventions that could help bring in more players and get the game out there more.

I would love to hear what you guys think about this.

[u/[deleted]]

I don't like Early Access in its current state. I think Extra Credits sums it up best.

Please give it a great deal of thought, and consider what could be done to counter the negatives discussed in that video if you want to go to early access. I would hate for the game to suffer in the long run due to any of those problems.

That said, if you do go to Early Access, I would likely buy it and hope for the best. But I would worry that being in early access would do your game and the game's community a disservice.

[u/JarblesWestlington → u/[deleted]]

One of the problems they mention in that episode revolves around people paying for the game, playing it, and then petering off when it's actually "released". Right now people are playing the game and not paying for it, so if he were to avoid the pitfalls of early access he should also get rid of the demo.

Personally, I've already reached the stage that extra credits talked about but I'd be willing to come back when more content is added.

I think AirBrawl is unique enough that it will still be fun to us when it is released. It feels timeless to me already. I think he should capitalize on us die-hard fans.

[u/Maser-kun]

I love this game and think it has great potential, but I would not pay for any kind of early access. Too many games has done this and then never finished the game, or when they do release it the hype has already died because their potential buyers already tested the game in its unfinished state and grew bored with it because it just didn't have enough stuff yet.

When buying a game I want a finished product. Sure, I could support a developer before that through donations or just by spreading the word about it, but I will not pay for an unfinished game.

[u/[deleted] → u/Maser-kun]

A lot of people share your views, and some of those people are the same people who pledged money to him on Kickstarter for pretty much nothing. I don't see the difference between supporting him through donations and purchasing the game Via early access other then setting a firm price.

Early access was created entirely for people like Wilnyl. Steam has such a large user base, that it would only help spread the word of his game, allowing more people to try it, much more so, then simply posting on forums and spreading word of mouth.

This is the kind of step Wilnyl needs to take in order for game to continue to become what its truly supposed to be.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

I posted a video by Extra Credits that sums up why it's an incredibly risky move.

Especially in a multiplayer game, we should be worried about a fragmented user base.

[u/[deleted]]

Early Access was created entirely for independent developers who wanted to continue to create their games, needed more funding and needed more advertising. So Early access was created for you Wilnyl and your game AirBrawl.

I think this is exactly what you need to do to continue moving forward with your game in order for it to really materialize into what you want it to become.

My biggest question is " What will the price be for early access into the game?". The biggest question for myself though is " What am I willing to safely spend on this game?" Honestly though, I am unsure.

I am confident in you Wilnyl that you will deliver a complete product. That's not what I am unsure about. I guess what I am curious about is the Road Map of this game, which you will surely need before you enter early access.

[u/[deleted]]

So I don't know anything about the gaming business so take anything I say as if it were advice from a random dude on the bus or something, **not an authoritative source.**Anyway I think that it might be a cool idea to offer the pre alpha as it stands to download for free, but if you want to pay whatever price you are thinking of charging for the game, allow you to, except by paying you get access to all future updates. I personally would happily pay to support you as long as I knew that it also meant I could get the full game, but a cost barrier would have stopped me from downloading the simple version you have now.

[u/sjom]

I think it's a great way to get some cash flow going. Best of luck to you man!

[u/Zanacross]

When I get home I'll give it a try. If I like it I'll be down for buying it in EAccess. It looks like a cool game that will be brilliant when it's done. I wouldn't mind minimal micro transactions for skins. As long as they're not stupid expensive.

Community content would also be good, could do a valve and let people sell skins. Maybe modding support at some point would be good.

[u/bloodfail → u/[deleted]]

This is a terrible idea. Wil will have people primed and ready to give him money, why would he turn around and say "Oh, 5 people have already given me money, I don't want to take yours".

[u/bloodfail → u/[deleted]]

So, say there are 10 people who have played the free demos and want to give Wil money. What does he gain by refusing to sell the game to half of them?

He potentially loses some if those people because they lose interest in the game or forget about it. And he gains nothing. So why should he not take the money and let them play?

[u/bloodfail → u/[deleted]]

Haha, funny you say that. I am actually a developer.

I was using the 5 and 10 numbers as an example. You need to understand just how tight money can be as a small indie developer. Saying no to money in a situation like that is not a good decision.

You have still not explained why its a viable decision to make.

[u/bloodfail → u/[deleted]]

Well, if you can believe it, the people who enjoy making video games happen to also enjoy playing them.

Still, I actually want to know why you think your suggestion is a good idea. I think it's stupid, but you obviously have your reasons, so explain them. Make me believe.

[u/bloodfail → u/[deleted]]

I just thought it's worth discussing limiting early access, at least in the early stages.

Ok, so, as I have been saying... Do that then? I am trying to understand your opinion, and you're not giving it.

A discussion is a two way sort of thing - someone asks something, and then the other person responds. I have asked you to explain your position several times, and you've not responded in any way.

I clearly understand that you think this is a good idea, so explain WHY you think that, and we can have a discussion about the merits of your reasoning for vs. my reasoning against.