Poll results.
Added 2024-12-06 17:55:41 +0000 UTCHey guys, thanks for everyone that voted in the poll and also for anyone that commented. This was exactly what I wanted from you guys, to tell me how you feel and what you want from this project. The results were basically 60% against a web version and 40% are open to it. Based on the number of votes already given I think I've seen enough. Also based on several angry private messages of patrons threatening to end their pledge, it's obvious I shouldn't do this. It was just a thought and an attempt to thwart the piracy for first few weeks, but clearly this isn't the answer.
One thing I want to reiterate is I never had any intention of trying to remove the game from f95. Half a dozen of the comments talked about how I won't have any exposure if I take it off f95. All I want is to uphold the Patreon exclusivity for a few weeks, just to recoup some costs I incur during development, then it could go up on that as usual. Every release costs over a $1000 to make, depending on how many licenses I need to purchase along with all the other things I mentioned in the poll post. I'm managing this project completely by the book as to never have to worry about being sued or what have you.
Anyway, I just want you all to know that things are fine the way they are, I'm making more than what I need to to keep things going so it's not the end of the world.
Thanks for your input. I currently have the flu, so if I'm slow to respond to anything, that is why. I hope you all have a great weekend, and thanks again for all the support.
Bobby
Comments
Piracy is just a sad fact of all this, it's the downs that come with the ups. If movie studios that rake in tens of billions of dollars a year can't really stop it then adult game devs certainly can't do much about it
Cloud Strife
2024-12-08 11:41:40 +0000 UTCI think anyone who knows how renpy works and a basic understanding of python coding would be able to disable any limits like that and upload a fully unlocked version. Besides, I want the full game to be on there, I just want to have a few weeks just for the supporters to have it.
Bobbyboy Productions
2024-12-08 10:22:46 +0000 UTCI admit, I DLed the game off F95Zone. I liked it enough that I became a sub. I will support the author buy buying it off Steam as well, assuming I continue to enjoy it's direction. But I wouldn't be able to do that had I not first been exposed to it on the sharing site. That is some of the best advertising most developers can get. It's a fine line in a black market. I've often wondered if it would be possible to embed some crypto into the game code that only allows people to play Episode 1, but requires a unique Patreon Code, given to each user uniquely to access any content after that.
Liam Altair
2024-12-07 23:38:55 +0000 UTCThe spellbook doesn’t use renpy as its game engine which is just one of its many strengths. The next update will have a one week exclusivity for my most loyal supporters. I’m still ironing out the requirements but it will ensure the people that support me between releases are rewarded. I’ll make a post about this soon.
Bobbyboy Productions
2024-12-07 11:27:44 +0000 UTCI don't know patreon technical possibilities now, but it really annoyed me that I had barely paid when your game was available on f95. Is it not possible to make extra or full content available only for Patreon members, as is the case with “The Spellbook”?
Freak Power
2024-12-07 08:56:36 +0000 UTCHey, thanks for that. I remember when chapter 6 leaked, the person that posted it said something along the lines of "Maybe this will convince you to lower your prices.* and just put a link to the game. A real piece of work.
Bobbyboy Productions
2024-12-07 02:38:02 +0000 UTCNot sure. I've just known that I'd read somewhere on the site essentially what I'd answered. Many of the Devs don't have that problem, where the new content is leaked immediately. Some cases it happens where there is a disagreement between having cheats, etc., hidden behind a paywall. Quite a few members find and try new games, then support the Devs. Many supporters respect the Dev enough to hold back on sharing new content, and the Devs even post one-update behind as public when the new update is available. I'm not sure where that line is crossed by whomever posted your new release within a day or two; I think that it is wrong - but that doesn't mean anything to the one who shared it. You may want to confer with some of the Devs who seem to haves less of that happening to them ... Yoshigames comes to mind. UPDATE: I made a supportive post on f95zone. I'm sure you can figure out who I am.
A M
2024-12-07 01:23:04 +0000 UTCHonestly I'm glad it's not going the web route. I already deleted m itch account last year and I really didn't want to create another one.
Joshy92
2024-12-07 00:11:56 +0000 UTCIt's funny, whenever someone leaks the game, I report the post and select "Poster linked to a new version of the game." as the reason, and every single time the report gets rejected. Why is that option even there if never gets enforced?
Bobbyboy Productions
2024-12-06 22:31:28 +0000 UTCIt won't deter me, I'm still really enjoying making the game .
Bobbyboy Productions
2024-12-06 22:29:41 +0000 UTCYeah I've been approached about that, but I worry it might be annoying to my patrons getting ads essentially sent to them.
Bobbyboy Productions
2024-12-06 22:26:36 +0000 UTCThanks Ben, and you're right. I guess I got so stoked after some of the early releases that I wished it could be that way again. I guess this is just the way it is and more self promotion is really all I can do.
Bobbyboy Productions
2024-12-06 22:25:45 +0000 UTCI can go to Steam a buy a finished quality game for (insert price), or I can pay monthly for a small game I hope will one day be completed and not abandoned. The math doesn't work out for Patreon, it's clearly a bad decision for the end user. We pay because we want to show support and help the game on the way, we will always be in the minority % of total users. Even more so the amount of games we would like to support will always exceed the money we have to give. So it will always end up a numbers game, you want maximum exposure/marketing to pick up those Patreon types, forget the others, you want hype, you want the discussion boards to run to hundreds of pages, tons of fan art, etc etc. supporters will pay because they want to, updates and communication is key, you're getting that right. I can only guess the value of all the fake Star Wars merch out there making absolutely no money for Lucas, but it actually helps in the bigger picture for the brand. Piracy might be wrong and demoralizing but I would trade massive exposure over obscurity any day. I do get your point that it would be polite of them to wait a week or two, but I'm not actually sure it makes as much of a difference compared to getting banners, fan art and the word out there. This isn't supposed to sound harsh, just pragmatic. On a personal level I get annoyed at these 24hr later posters too.
Ben Hill
2024-12-06 22:06:06 +0000 UTCNot how it works. Once it is up, it stays forever and a day.
A M
2024-12-06 22:00:03 +0000 UTCNot sure you ever used cross promotions with other devs on Patreon. But it’s another method of getting awareness and trial for your game.
TPB
2024-12-06 21:46:03 +0000 UTCI hate to hear the game is being pirated and hope that doesn’t deter you from your work or quality of work towards it. Bud, I’m addicted to your creation which is definitely a first for me. Maybe raise your rate? I would definitely pay a bit more
odie
2024-12-06 21:33:30 +0000 UTCAre there no moderators for F95 that could take down unapproved releases? I think it's fair to have an older version available for free and pay for the newest release.
Krieger San
2024-12-06 21:28:26 +0000 UTCThat's great Jonny, thanks so much!
Bobbyboy Productions
2024-12-06 21:23:17 +0000 UTCHere's my honest feedback on this issue: -> First off, anyone threatening to end their pledge because you don't want to have your VN Game released prematurely and without permission, such as early leaks that forces you to lose money, should not be a supporter and I would be mindful of such individuals for even going there. They are probably responsible for the leaks. Second, I would support any method that protects the Dev / Creator above all else because it does cost money and takes a lot of time to create a quality VN Game like The East Block. Third, for the Dev to release the game to the public for FREE on any platform several weeks after the initial release date is awesome, and we should all be thankful for it! - Basically, everyone gets to experience this awesome VN Game for free if they have some patience and allow the Dev to get the support needed to continue working on the game. So, to anyone that has an issue with any of this, you're the problem! We should appreciate all Creative Artists when they contribute their time and money to share their work to entertain us, and eventually for free! Not complain about it! -> As for how to best protect yourself from unauthorized leaks, Bobbyboy, I will email you some suggestions that can be helpful to limit and discourage leaks and unauthorized sharing. As for where to share your new release after several weeks of release, I think F95Zone is a solid platform to release the game on and that shouldn't change. There are other platforms too, but I would keep F95Zone on my top list. Either way, you have my continued support, my friend. So keep up the good works, regardless of the challenges. Cheers and Happy weekend! PS - Most importantly, feel better and recover well, my friend. - J 👍
Jonny Boy NY
2024-12-06 21:14:06 +0000 UTCYou don't have sick days, so get back to work!!! J/K, hope you feel better quickly.
JoonLee
2024-12-06 18:07:13 +0000 UTC
