Dev Behind Highly Regarded PC Game Explains Why He Raised The Price: "Go Pirate It, I Don't Care"
Dev Behind Highly Regarded PC Game Explains Why He Raised The Price: "Go Pirate It, I Don't Care"
David Szymanski is hoping publicity from the upcoming film makes up for lower sales volumes right now.
summary:
The article discusses game developer David Szymanski's decision to raise the price of his game "Iron Lung" from $6 to $8. Szymanski explained that he raised the price to make more money and believes the game is worth the higher price due to added value/content. He openly stated that he makes games to earn money and that if people don't think his games are worth the price, they are free to not buy them, wait for a sale, or even pirate them. Szymanski acknowledged that the price increase was a gamble and that the game's sales volume decreased as a result. He expressed hope that the upcoming film associated with the game would help make up for the lower sales. Szymanski also mentioned that he is open to adjusting prices based on feedback for future releases.
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"I did it to make more money."
I mean, this is kind of a scummy thing to say. Nobody really would have cared about an increase to $8 from $6 for the game, but a person with the attitude that this developer has by saying what they said will probably not be conducive to getting more sales. Should have just not said anything.
I rather like the honesty of it
People are so used to being lied to that they get angry when you tell them the truth instead, even though they already knew the truth.
I'm half joking, though. Part of what makes society work is all the things we do to put a nice facade on things that are ugly. If we all went around telling the hard truth all the time, everyone would be angry at everyone.
All that said... Basically saying "I underpriced the product of my hard work and I'm correcting that" shouldn't be that shocking. Especially when tempered with "Go pirate it if you want".
I get what youre saying but to me there is far too much sugarcoating today. I much prefer being a bit more honest. That doesnt mean be an asshole though.
It would make me more inclined to buy it actually.
Why else would one raise the price? Honesty is far more valuable than making up a lame excuse
Would you feel better if he blamed inflation and Covid and the evergrande supply chain issues like every other business on this planet? And they’ve doubled and tripled their prices. He only increased his by 33%
Spoken like someone who's never had to earn money
you know I have switched jobs to make more money and have even told the company that at exit interviews.
He's effectively trying to get a raise. I don't see this any different from asking a raise from your boss at work. I mean, if you don't want more money from work, that's your problem, not his.
I dont have a problem with him wanting more money, it's just his incredibly abbrasive attitude. How he said what he said just comes off as needlessly rude. If he had just raised the price without saying anything, people probably wouldn't even bat an eye. I mean, its $2.
To say "well pirate it then" is just aggressive without cause. Thats something you say when you raise the price from $6 to $60. Not for a $2 increase. Unless you have a chip on your shoulder/ incredibly abbrasive personality.