NiiChan
patreon
Release Schedule Update
🕑 Added 2024-12-06 12:13:57 +0000 UTCTo our dear patrons,
We want to start by thanking each and every one of you for your incredible support. Your belief in this project means everything to us, and we don’t take it lightly. Every pledge, message, and interaction pushes us to keep moving forward and deliver the best possible experience for you.
We also recognize that change isn’t always easy, and we want to acknowledge that this update to our release schedule may feel disappointing to some of you. Please know this decision wasn’t made lightly. We’ve spent a lot of time reflecting on how we can ensure every tier feels rewarding while keeping things sustainable for the future of the projects.
Here’s the updated release schedule we’ll be implementing going forward:
Updated Release Schedule:
$50+ Tier (Devotion tier and above): BETA
The benefits in this tier will remain the same: access to the update's beta build and the ability to play the latest content before anyone else.$20 Tier (Intimacy): Day 1
Receive the earliest access right at the official release and play the update for 10 days before the rest of the non-beta testers. You are our most dedicated supporters, and this change reflects just how much we value your contributions.$10 Tier (Passion): Day 11
Access to releases 10 days after the official release, giving you the chance to enjoy the content early while staying ahead of the public.$5 Tier (Attraction): Day 16
Receive the update 15 days after the official release for our budget-conscious supporters who continue to play a huge role in keeping this project alive.Public Release: Day 20
After 20 days, the update will be available to everyone.
$1 Tier (Sparks) Updates:
We deeply appreciate all of our $1 patrons and the vital role you play in supporting this project. While this tier will no longer be part of the early release schedule, you’ll still receive:
Exclusive access to our 'Patrons Only' Discord channel
Frequent status reports on development
Community posts and updates
We hope these benefits will continue to make you feel connected and valued as part of the development.
Why We Made This Change:
This was not an easy decision, but it was made with a lot of thought and care. We wanted to ensure that the benefits provided at each tier match the level of support you so generously provide. This adjustment is meant to create a fairer balance across all tiers while also giving us the opportunity to deliver even more quality content in the long term.
These changes will take effect immediately as we move to adjust the membership description and will apply in the next update.
We Understand and We’re Listening
We know that this change may not sit well with everyone, and for that, we sincerely apologize. Please know that our goal is never to diminish the value of your support but to ensure that we’re building a structure that rewards every level of contribution in a meaningful way.
If you have concerns or feedback, we’re here to listen. Feel free to message us directly here on Patreon or join the conversation in our Discord channel. Your thoughts and feelings are incredibly important to us.
Thank You for Your Support
This project exists because of you. What ever tier you pledged, your support is what keeps our projects going, and we’re endlessly grateful for it. These changes are part of our commitment to honoring that support and delivering the best experience we can.
Thank you for sticking with us, and for being such an essential part of this community.
With gratitude and appreciation,
NiiChan
Comments
SillyGoose
Just curious TDS, if the earlier access is the only thing that matters to you, why do you even take spark for months if you can also take attraction for 1 month when a new update drops. Costs you about the same amount of money and you're even getting the update sooner?
vityan
@TDS, Hmm... I actually didn't assume that at all, especially that I support multiple creators myself. Just discussed the pros of the tier, no less, no more. :)
TDS
Vityan: Your argument is based on the flawed assumption that I only support a single creator. My suggestion would be to stop assuming.
NiiChan
Also your support allows us to buy assets for the game renders. This makes us tell our stories to the fullest without worrying about a map, environment, outfit, or an item not existing within the Studio. Without the necessary assets, we can not tell and show stuff. Can't really go to a Ball wearing t-shirt, right? Every cent counts towards those assets we buy each month so you can enjoy our games.
vityan
@JeremyCole300, You will be able to download it like you did before, just during NC's 'public' availability announcement, so nearly the same just a few days later. @TDS, While I fully understand your frustration, as I had quite a poor youth myself, and sometimes could hardly afford even my cigs, 1$ tier can definitely support the dev, even if seems 'useless'(Let's just say 5 sparks create an attraction ;)), the socio part can allow you to know about NC's progresses and when to expect the next EP of the games. Socio part doesn't require you to take an active role - Being a viewer(Hidden spectator) is good too - You get the information and you know when you'll meet your lovely characters again and much in advance. I sometimes start with lowest tiers for new authors before I play their game at all, but after I've read good reviews about their stories, and then bump it up after being attached to the story. The good thing about NC's and Cari's games is that they become publicly freely accessible to everyone after a quite a short time, w/o requiring ppl to become Patrons at all, so Patroning them, is sort of, coming from the heart. Just my 5c.
The Greggen
Thank you for the update and I understand, I usually stay on the $1 tier and if I feel comfortable, I upgrade when it's release time to play earlier. I really enjoy your games and will continue to support you in some way at least. I can't wait to see how these games end. Have a good weekend. :)
Edward
Wow. And here I had only JUST subscribed a couple of weeks ago at the most. May as well go to $0 until my situation improves (which doesn't look like it will be any time soon). Guess I won't be subscribed next month. Finances are already stretched thin.
NiiChan
I still hope you continue seeing the games to their end. And I want you to.
TDS
More than fair enough. On that note, leaving WITHOUT explaining would have been disrespectful (I do appreciate your storywriting)... Keep up the good work. :)
NiiChan
I understand what you mean, and your reason is valid. However, I will not ask mercy to those who want to leave because of the change. I will respect it.
TDS
Dear creator: The early access was in fact the only benefit that mattered. Take that away, and what's left for spark tier is what's free anyways. Paying to be "social" isn't ... an attraction. In fact, I try my best to AVOID these social things. So basically - you removed the only benefit sparks tier had. ... I think Dire Straits made a song about "Money for nothing", if you catch my drift. ;)
NiiChan
Of course, albeit, along with the public release. The game is free, and I will not hide the game in a paywall. The only thing removed from Sparks is the early access before public release. You can still access the status reports and community posts.
JeremyCole300
I might be misunderstanding. Will we be receiving the game or will we have to go download it from another website like 95 ZNE?
Tarkasion
That was literally the only change. Sparks tier is still totally worth it for me.
NiiChan
That is totally understandable. We expect that there will be people who will not take it well. As for the benefits, only the early access has been removed. You will still access the status reports and casual status report+preview posts.
SillyGoose
What else did go away besides a few days ealier release than public?
ValiantWinter
will stick with Sparks for the time being and look forward to upgrading to a higher tier when I have the opportunity
JeremyCole300
Yeah, I'm with you on this. I feel like this means they're saying the lowest tiers don't support enough so they're not worth it. I subscribe to lower tiers so I can support multiple developers.
TDS
Alas, for me personally, this change means that I no longer see any benefit in contributing the $1/month I'm currently on. Given my own economic status, this means I go to zero/month, instead of increasing. Sorry about this.
