Ceolag
patreon
Rant post - beware
🕑 Added 2024-07-31 09:58:43 +0000 UTCAs the title says, if you don't want a dev see ranting about internet stuff, close this post.
So the 0.5 version got leaked earlier to a certain pirate site.
And to make it fully clear: I knew this was going to happen at some point.
In fact, I'm active there and quite a few of you guys here came through that site.
I enjoyed the discussions there (most of the time...) and got good feedback.
I'm not blaming the site, of course, it is what it is.
But honestly, I hoped for at least a bit of exclusivity for this update.
At least until the update dropped for the 5$ tier.
I worked my ass off for this update. If I count the time spent on the game as work time (usually I have fun so it's not as bad as it sounds...), I worked 70-80 hours a week (mind you, I have a full-time job) since the start of the year and the development of Chapter 5.
Why am I saying that? Because I can't understand how people value that effort so lowly, that I can't even get a week of exclusivity for a new release.
Hell, I can't even understand why some people value their own 13$ so lowly that they're worth 30 seconds of internet fame.
I'm pretty open about development speed, things that went well or bad, and stuff like that.
So I'll be open about the income for this game too.
Before the update dropped, I had 88 paying patrons (THANK YOU) and ~300$ a month. That is before taxes and stuff. In my country, I get barely 50% out of that after taxes.
With the release, that went up to 121 paying patrons and 579$/month as of the time writing this post.
I fully expect that to drop once the release month is over. And that is fine!
The reason I tell you this is to show that I'm not one of the big devs who pull in thousands of dollars a month and who are barely affected by the game getting leaked.
For me, it will affect me. And it will HURT (financially speaking).
So not even getting a single week after a release fucking sucks.
Yes, I'm fully aware that I'm pointing at the leaked version with this post but I need to get this out of my system.
As a result, I'll make the update available to the 5$ tier later when I calmed down.
Not that I expect it to matter anyway at this point.
To close this post:
To anyone who supports me (and it doesn't matter what amount and for how long): Thank you! I appreciate every one of you.
Rant over - enough internet for me today.
Stay safe guys.
Cheers,
Ceo
Comments
ceolag
I'd be lying if I said I didn't think the same at first. But in the end, it just sucks and makes it worse for everyone. So we're probably both a bit of an asshole ;-)
Getoffmyname
Am I an asshole for enjoying the fact that the leak had a virus that from what I read is a real pain in the ass to get rid of?
ceolag
hey Saphire, Thanks a lot for your support and the kind words. The mood is already a lot better compared to yesterday and all the positive feedback here and on Discord had a big part in that.
Saphfire
Hi Ceolag, i feel really sorry for you that some asshole did this. I really love your avn, so i just paid a yearly chaplain sub. Hope that little helps to calm your nerves a little.
Jonathan Davies
You don't deserve this I've seen other devs milk thousands and produce nothing. You spend more than enough time building your game I'm glad to donate because you deserve it. If they bought a game like COD or Fifa what they could give you just for the updates is still nowhere near the cost of those not including the extras. The sad fact is the old school values are dying out I just hope this doesn't put you off because you have a great game here especially that ending I didn't expect that
ceolag
Thanks, Impracticality. Of course you're right with the fact I can't fight piracy. And I won't try it, I'm not Don Quichote. It is what it is. Regarding the advertising: I know that a few people here came through that forum (those where I was able to connect the dots), I have no idea how many. But I do have numbers for the Steam support from said forum. In the past 2 months, wishlists coming through that forum made up for 0.3% (no, that is NOT a typo) of the total wishlists. And that doesn't even involve putting money behind your intended support. That may look differently for other devs, I don't know. I only have my numbers. I'm happy about every guy who finds and likes my game through said forum but the financial aspect of that "free advertisement" seems highly overrated to me.
ceolag
Thanks Jack. I'm really happy you guys are here. And while it wasn't the intention of my post to fish for it, the moralic support here and on Discord was great today.
ceolag
Thanks Jonathan. Don't go over your limits to support me. Really, if the budget is tight, keep the money. The rant wasn't really about the money itself but more about morals, as you said. I'm probably just old school... ;-)
ceolag
Thanks, Vleder. I already did that... somewhat :-) I just got caught by surprise that it happened that quickly (not that it happened in general). Guess I'll need to adjust my expectations for the next release. Don't worry, through the fire and the flames, we carry on. ;-)
ceolag
Thanks a lot for your kind words and your support, Pax.
ceolag
I saw the person who shared it. It wasn't me or any of my split personalities (pretty sure of that...) ;-) After that, the thread got updated by a mod. But yes, I need to get my name out of that thread or at least the first post. You're not the first with that assumption
dpas9993
What surprised me was that I went to that site after seeing this post and it certainly was there, but it said that the game had been submitted by YOU (it had the Nevertales logo as well)! Either your account has been hacked, or someone is trying to impersonate you. Maybe you should check on it.
Pax
You deserve better. I had meant to bump to a higher tier with this release and decided to go with an annual sub as well. I enjoy the story you are telling and wanted to offer more than just my words of encouragement. Thanks for this update (which I know I will enjoy) and for sharing your continued passion for this AVN. Cheers!!
Vleder
Sorry that happened Ceolag. It's the usual selfishness. People don't care for anything except for their immediate gratification. In the end, they risk angering or demotivating the devs and kill development chances. I didn't even have time to play the latest update (not that it makes any difference) but that's not going to change my stance on your work. I'll gladly keep my monthly support until development ends, the same way I'm doing with other worthy authors. I only ask that you keep your cool and try somehow to channel the anger and frustration you must rightly feel to keep working and improving your story. I'll be here. Take care man!
Jonathan Davies
I've really enjoyed this VN and yet another classic cliff hanger ending which I'm really looking forward to on the next update. Due to family circumstances I would love to give all the dev's regular monthly support but I would be absolutely guilty having something for free that's not the way I was brought up. There are dev's out there that milk their patreons with little to show for it yet you amongst others have great games yet get rewarded so little but what gets me they love the game but yet just can't part with just that $13 to get the update is it that important for them to keep it. Hopefully in the next few months after things have settled down I'll be able to give you my regular support you've done amazing work just it's sad that people have little morals these days on how it affects other people
Jack T
I'm sorry this happen but for me even if it leaked it wont change the fact I will still support you. The leakers don't get it for a game as great as this and CEO needs support for all the hard work and effort put in. Again sorry it happen but you have already established you have the makings of a great game and your patrons will stand by you.
Impracticality
There's a difference between caring about something and actively wanting to support it. The latter is obviously better, but IMHO the former still has some uses just in terms of raising awareness the game even exists to the world at large. I'm all in favor of Ceolag getting as much money as possible for the excellent work he does. I'm disappointed the game leaked. But piracy isn't going anywhere anytime soon, so we might as well try to roll with the punches as best we can.
NoFX
what else to add, nothing of course, I totally agree with the developer
Tremonia
If people would care enough about the game they wouldn't leak it (so fast). The best way to get a dev broke and stopping to work on the game is to destroy the source of income.
Impracticality
I'm very much of two minds about these sort of leaks. On the one hand, it's almost inevitable and the fact people care enough to leak the game really early implies they recognize the quality of the game. It's probably decent advertising, too. But on the other hand, obviously, it sucks to take money out of the hand of a small developer trying to make ends meet, and it's not like waiting a couple weeks is that big an imposition. I'm really sorry it leaked this quickly, Ceo; this is definitely a game worth paying for. But I guess try to take a deep breath and focus on the silver linings, because if the game grows more popular (as it absolutely should) it's even more likely to get leaked quickly next time. It's not fair, but such is life. :-(
Tremonia
I can't stand these worthless pieces of human garbage.
Joyeux Rouge
I know I know (almost?) All games can be got for free. But if a game is good, I want it to continue. And that the Dev also gets something for his work.
