Tier Rewards Updates / Changes

I think i will upgrade my support in the next month. I love this game.

That's the problem, I can't know someone's older tier choices unless I check manually for the 1000+ patreons, patreon doesn't log that info, I only get what is your current tier. So if for example, someone pledges $5 - $5 - $2, at sporadic times, for me its impossible to distinguish from someone who've been pledging $2 for the last six months. They both will appear to me as "Merchants" and they both will have a "$12 lifetime", but one has been on the Merchant tier 6 months, and the other only one. And like this example I have many that, again, would force me to check on the massive patreon list for hours on end every month.

Mirthal

If the tier is unlisted, you can never go back to that tier once you change your tier. You know the person has been in the tier for at least as long as it's been unlisted. See what I'm getting at?

Thank you Rupert!

Mirthal

Honestly no issues with the change and hope it works out for you all. The increase just brings it more into line with the level I'd expect to support a game like this.

That said, I didn't know about MxR! Thank you for telling us : )

Mirthal

Thank you Niklas! I've looked into making promotion of the game for quite a long time, I'll likely go forward with it once I feel the game is on a more "polished" state, likely by version .18

Mirthal

That was something I considered, but sadly, patreon kind of sucks at tracking people's patronage (ironic), I can only know how much time they've spent with us and what's the total amount. This doesn't account for tier changes or other factors. So there is no way for me to know who's stayed in a tier for long enough other than making a list of the 1000+ patrons and checking one by one, and even if I pulled it off with a database that automatized most of the process (and that's already extra work), I would have to do that EVERY MONTH for hundreds of people, and It would get worse and worse as the game grows.

Mirthal

Have you considered grandfathering in people who have supported you for months using unlisted tiers?

You should look into getting the likes of MxR Plays to try your game and make a video or give a shoutout if it is too expensive. I don't know if you have tried reaching out to youtubers who review/lets play adult games, but MxR Plays is almost to 1mil subs and does play patreon adult games on his channel. I think it would be worth looking into. Just discovered this game and would hate for it to disappear when it is so high quality compared to most other independent projects i have seen. Keep it up, you are appreciated.

Niklas De Varulv

Thank you Tyranno! We'll try our hardest to stay afloat. We are not giving up.

Mirthal

After reading the google doc, I understand the decision that was made. I'll be maintaining my Merchant tier as I have been for now, but will consider Knight once it's clear that the project will continue.

Calhoun

I already held doing this for a year, just for the sake of those who stood in the lower tiers. So I would say its far from a "they get f'cked" move. As for everything else, you're free to modify your pledge any way you want; I'm not pushing anyone here. If you feel like it's not worth it and you rather wait 30 days, I'm perfectly happy with that. That's why we even had that option to begin with.

Mirthal

5.6k a month, divided between the team members, adding taxes, licensing fees for software, and other expenses mean that we would barely get minimum wage. The number on the front page is pretty but incredibly misleading.

Mirthal

So if you're one of the ones who's not canceling after each new update, but can't afford to pay for the higher tier then you're just F'd, is that it? You know that supporters tend to support more than one project at a time, right? Is it not possible to have the "per update" option along side the monthly subscriptions; are they mutually exclusive options? Not that I don't get where you're coming from; even though your Patreon page says you're making just over $5,600 a month, you probably have to divide that between the people working on the project. On the other hand, you've been working on this project since 2018, I believe, and have gone from version .01 to .17 which, at the lowest tier, would have cost a supporter $48 if they signed up right at the beginning. If your pace remains the same then I estimate that it'll take you another 5-6 years before you get to version 1.0 and will cost a supporter, at the lowest tier, between $120-$144 by that time, if they signed up today. I could definitely see why some people would want to only pay for updates to the content as you also have to think about what kind of returns you want on your investment; how much of a cost is too much for the product you're receiving? Me personally, if all the tier changes means is I have to wait another 30 days to play the latest build then so be it. I like your game enough to remain a supporter, but I'll not be increasing my tier unless some of the other projects I'm supporting either finish or I lose interest in them. The same applies to this project; if you slow or stop the project then my support will likely go elsewhere.

BulldogB

Wow. $5.6k a month is doing quite well for an adult game with a small team, but, okay.

Sleepnir

I found it more amusing than anything; even if it did affect voting I don't mind, whatever wins the vote I doubt anyone is gonna complain that what they voted for didn't win, we're all winners no matter the result, since the result gives us content.

QuarterGamer

Noice.

Matt R.

If the income stays the same I'll likely have to drop the proyect or delay builds by pretty much double the time.

Mirthal

Thank you Lewd : )

Mirthal

Mhmm...I have been a Merchant for a few months and have to think about that and what this will mean for me. While it sounds like not so much more money per month if you get a tier higher, it is indeed a small amount more if counted over a year. So if I read your reasoning correctly, one of your reason why you implemented this change is to acquire more money for the project or, if the incomce stays the same from this point out, you will maybe have to drop the project or change something else?

RazRazor

This is a good business move, Aurelia is fantastic game and you and the team have done a great job delivering and more importantly communicating with subscribers. This is the same model that Devs like Dark Cookie and NLT have and it is worth it because the communication is superb.

To be honest, It still has to make a difference to this day. There hasn't been a single time that the popular vote was offset by someone who paid more.

Mirthal

The idea behind paying more money to have your vote matter more than those on lower tiers, that's a bit too close to reality, I know this has been a thing for a while but still.

QuarterGamer

Thank you Sugnarvo! No worries, we'll keep a spot for you.

Mirthal

Do what you need to mate. I'm subscribed at king level either way to support you. Sorry I've not been active in the discord for a while. Work has been all manner of hectic...

Michael Van Der Velden