The Academy : A new game platform
Added 2022-01-16 16:50:05 +0000 UTCA couple of years ago I started thinking about a new way of releasing my game content.
The current publishing arrangement with Vdategames was a bit limited, especially in terms of how it could handle a game the size of The Academy series.
So for about the past year I've been working with a very talented developer to create a custom built platform on which to host my games.
The platform will allow several key features allowing players to do the following.
- The ability to save progress at multiple points
- Go back and replay episodes, scenes and sections again from a save point
- Track and display personal in game and global goals and achievements
- Access in built bonus scenes, walkthroughs, hints and cheats
From a technical perspective, it should solve all the issues with browser based cookie handling problems, and make the game function more smoothly and securely.
The platform is being built around a credit based system. Players will be able to access some of the game content for free, but will need to buy credits to unlock certain scenes, features and episodes.
Patreon supporters will be rewarded with discounts and special offers on credits.
We are getting pretty close to testing the beta version very soon, with the intention of going live in Spring 2022.
Comments
Thanks for the response and for easing my concerns about the financial model. This has put my mind at ease and I'm interested to see how this goes.
grenlem
2022-01-19 00:31:35 +0000 UTCHello and welcome grenlem. Firstly, thanks for your comment and your support. I've only just launched my first Patreon page so haven't yet fully formulated or published the member benefits. I can assure you that all supporters regardless of their level of support will be able to access deals which, in terms of equivalent fiscal outlay, will allow them to access the games at a level which matches or exceeds their level of support here. In simple terms, patronage here will earn credits that can be used to access the otherwise 'locked off' content. In terms of access, I want the new platform to fairly and reasonably reflect the quality and quantity of what's on offer. The Academy is a huge game with (currently) over 16,000 images multiple story paths, characters and outcomes. Despite this scale, I don't intend to make it expensive to play. Out-pricing consumers doesn't work as a financial model. A credit based system will allow players to play for free to an extent and then and pay for additional and bonus content. It also avoids paying for any perceived periods of inactivity between game 'releases'. (Not that I intend this to be the case) If you buy/earn credits, they will wait for you until you are ready to cash them in. I've worked for nearly six years on this game series. The past two years worth of work hasn't yet been released and as such I haven't actually made any earnings from it either. I'm a fair minded individual and I'm hoping for a fair level of renumeration. The deal for consumers will be a good one. The deal for supporters will be even better.
dsp3000
2022-01-18 22:50:42 +0000 UTCSo we pay via Patreon for you to develop a game. That game then has some of its content locked off until we pay for in-game credits so we can get the full experience of the game we funded the creation of? Correct me if I'm wrong because that seems like a bad deal for the consumers.
grenlem
2022-01-18 16:41:19 +0000 UTC
