What I am saying is that next to the thing that says I bought ch2.0 there is a link that says download, implying that a minimum I could at least redownload the version I bought. Things happen, and I haven't met another game on itch that does this (maybe there are, but I haven't met one); however I am also saying it was unclear that I would need to pay for each additional version. I understand if that is the case, but (again) most of the games I have bought on itch let me download each new update without additional cost. So I think this needs to be more clearly communicated
I'll work on communication since I've obviously failed in that regard. I'm assuming these other games don't eventually become free though correct? If you purchase the game and it stays at that price, it makes sense to create free updates for those who paid for it, as paying for that game again at "full price" is ridiculous. But MGFF Always becomes free after some time. I've been more of a Patreon Creator so I'm ignorant of how others use itch, I just reflected the price of my game to match the subscription tier at that time. Comes out at 10, goes down to 5, goes down to 1, then becomes free/public.
It seems though that I've upset some people with this practice, So I'll try to put ch2.0 back up.
no they don’t, but the general assumption is that if you have paid for the game you get the new releases of the game as they come out, because we have already paid for the game. This is the big difference.
But also saying during this period that I can’t redownload the thing I own… like if I deleted it after I played it, and now I want to replay it to get familiar again is kinda disconcerting. I should at minimum still have access to the thing I own. Seeing that I had access to nothing and being told to wait X weeks after playing and supporting on the Patreon is worrying
in the end we are talking about a fairly trivial amount of money, that is fine. But there is a mechanism to let us get the game without waiting or paying again, and going against that precedent is what is causing some friction
as for this being how it was done before, I came in in February. I was unaware this was the expectation for this game
I want to give one very last thought on this, because I have probably said too much. In addition to what has been already said, I keep coming back to something a head of marketing once told me: don't treat old customers worse than new customers. You are obviously trying to make money, because that fuels development.
But someone who has never played the game and comes in and drops $5-10 on it now is treated better than someone who bought it, played it, loved it, talked it up to others, perhaps subscribed to your patreon, etc etc; and what we are told amounts to "well you can enjoy all of it in a month, when everyone else can without paying for it". I already paid for "it" and supported you on the patreon, I don't regret either; but it does feel like I am being treated worse.
Again I am not mad, this is a trivial amount of money at play, but I am trying to put words to why you are getting pushback from me and (I presume) others
Just to give my 2 cents here. Other games that do what you are trying to do here don't sell a paid copy on Itch. They only release the free version here, and direct anyone who wants early access to the Patreon to pay it there. That way it's clear that if you are paying, it's on a monthly basis, and if you are here for free access, you wait for the free release on Patreon. I'll admit, I was also confused by how you are doing it. I thought paying for it on itch was paying for the game in perpetuity