Please forgive this interruption to the postgame development for a question specifically for non-patrons! Got something I'm considering as I get a bit of spare time away from development.
Patreon isn't a store, but it really seems to want to be, regularly pushing new features at me. One of them is the option for people to buy items via the site: my understanding is that you do a one time payment and instantly get access to a post and its contents.
Now, this doesn't have much value for patrons, since they already get access to new content (and I give free links to anyone who has been around for a while). Hence, this is actually more relevant for people who might be here: would this be a useful feature to you? My games are already available on Steam and itch.io, but I know some people don't like to use platforms. This would be a way to get a straightforward DRM-free version of the game, without needing to wait for me to confirm payment and get back to you.
Is this something that would add value to the people interested in my work? I'll do it if it would help a couple people, but I don't want to jump through the Patreon hoops if it doesn't actually add any convenience. My games would stay on other platforms and TLS will remain free, of course.
Oh interesting would have tempted me on some author patreons where the public one ended with a cliff. For something like this I would probably first check whether I can get the game on itch or something. Knowing patreon they probably won't have an easy link to your single purchases and I would have to go searching for the post first if I ever want to re download later. Or maybe I am to negative about them because I mostly use it for stories which they don't really support well because it isn't made for serialized stuff.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the input. You're right, I have no idea if Patreon keeps track of your purchases or any other useful store features.
DeleteI could be tempted if I know what post contain useful info for me, or not.
ReplyDeleteBeing unable to do so, I prefer to abstain.
To be clear, this would be another way to buy access to complete games, not posts. That said, your answer is also useful!
DeleteI don't use either steam or itchio. I would find it interesting if it was another way to purchase games of interest directly. I presume it could also offer a better way to promote new material. I found TLS entirely by accident years ago when I found it on an obsure website called ULMF.
ReplyDeleteThe real issue I think you have is a limited ability to promote your products. For example, you used to submit artwork for a website called Hentai Foundry. But you haven't produced anything for HF for years.
Unfortunately, I stopped putting art up on HF because I found it wasn't actually leading a meaningful number of people to my work. It's certainly difficult to know how to promote; ULMF and all the other forums I used when the game was starting out are ghost towns now, and social media is terrible.
DeleteI agree with you entirely about ULMF. It's had nothing new on it in months or years. At most I go to it once a season. None of the other sites listed on the miraheze splash page "Discuss the game"
Deleteseem to have much activity either.
The top links may not, but the Discord is reasonably active! Most discussion of TLS is on the server or the Steam forums.
DeleteHave you considered using GoG? It offers a DRM-free installer in addition to launcher, and it changed rules to allow adult material a couple of years ago. It's been choke full of adult games since then, and it has a lot of older ones you'd struggle to find or get to run elsewhere.
ReplyDeleteYes, since GoG started allowing adult games, many have asked. I intend to approach them after TLS is truly finished!
DeleteLike you said, you already sell em on Steam, that's where I got crimson gray and ouroboros, and if people are shy about that, steam now offers the ability to hide/private games games you buy. That said another platform to sell on couldn't hurt if it requires minimal effort/upkeep.
ReplyDeleteIt's just my opinion but whatever reasons one might have that make them not want to use Steam, would apply to Patreon 10 times more.
ReplyDeleteThis might be more relevant with the new censorship in itch.
ReplyDeletePotentially, though Patreon is hardly a safe platform either.
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