A note on the Redux upgrade for existing owners

[Professor Pew]

When we announced Metro 2033 Redux and Metro: Last Light Redux earlier this year, we confirmed that PC gamers who owned the original title would benefit from a 50% discount against the corresponding ‘Redux’ version.

We thought this was a great offer – but while there are many who are clearly very happy with the deal, it's been made clear on the Steam discussions here that there are others who think we have not done enough for owners of the existing games.

Some think we should have released these as ‘free’ updates, or offered a bigger discount (particularly on Metro: Last Light Redux).

This response blindsided us a little. We have taken our time to review the concerns and arguments and offer a proper response.

So here it is:

Almost the entire team of around 80 people at 4A Games will have been working on the Metro Redux titles for almost a year by the time we release next month. It has been a substantial project for the studio, with three main elements:

• Significantly updating the 4A Engine, adding (amongst many other features) Global Illumination and terrain tessellation, as well numerous performance enhancements
  
• Upgrading Metro: Last Light to run in this engine, while adding some minor features such as Check Watch and Check Inventory, and some significant ones such as the new 'Survival' play style
  
• Completely re-building Metro 2033 to run in the new 4A engine, with the new and improved Last Light gameplay framework; and adding new content and assets

For sure, Metro 2033 Redux is a far more significant upgrade over the original than Metro: Last Light Redux (and we're not trying to pretend otherwise).

We think the 50% discount is more than fair for the amount of work that has gone into this title. It is a complete remake of the original game in the latest engine, that will offer a significantly different experience from the original throughout with improved graphics, performance and gameplay.

Metro: Last Light Redux, we will readily admit, does not represent as significant a change over the original. So why the same 50% discount and not more? Why not just patch the game?

The latter proved to be impossible for a technical reason. Because of the changes to the engine, which necessitated dropping 32-bit support; we literally could not 'patch' the game.

In fact, both Redux games will exist as new titles in your Steam libraries, and the originals will still be there.

So why ‘only’ a 50% discount, the same as 2033?

We felt that because the Redux version also included the DLC in addition to the new game mode and enhancements, that was also a fair price.

But we understand that for those of you who already had the DLC, the offer is not as compelling - again, we are not pretending this is as significant an overhaul as Metro 2033. And we did consider alternatives – e.g. 50% if you only owned the base game, 75% if you owned all the DLC – but these ideas raised a number of practical / logistical challenges.

In the end, a flat 50% discount was judged to be the simplest, fairest solution. Ultimately, you are free to vote with your wallets.

If you have already bought Metro: Last Light, with or without the DLC, and you feel that we are not offering enough to tempt you to upgrade - that's fine.

We are extremely grateful for your support for the original game - we do not expect you to purchase the Redux version, nor do we feel entitled to your custom. Make your own decision based on whether you think that $12.49 (or the local currency alternative) is worth the asking price, and we will respect that.

We know this response will not please everyone – but even though you still might not agree with the rationale, we do hope you understand that our goal was to reward, not exploit, existing owners while still making a viable business model that allowed this Redux project to go ahead on PC as well as console.

And for newcomers to the series who have yet to experience the world of Metro, we hope that you will enjoy what we believe is an extraordinary amount of content, painstakingly remastered at great length to the highest standard, for a fantastic price.

[☜☢☞☠Some1☣☜☯☞]

1 question, is Metro Last Light Redux a native build on windows?

[MagnAn]

Does the loyalty discount still apply after release, since the store page makes it seem like it only applies to pre-orders?

[RIOT|Stalkermaster]

Originally posted by MagnAn:

Does the loyalty discount still apply after release, since the store page makes it seem like it only applies to pre-orders?

Acording to twitter its just for preorders, unless what ive read is wrong?

[Madjoki]

Originally posted by Professor Pew:

Metro: Last Light Redux, we will readily admit, does not represent as significant a change over the original. So why the same 50% discount and not more? Why not just patch the game?

The latter proved to be impossible for a technical reason. Because of the changes to the engine, which necessitated dropping 32-bit support; we literally could not 'patch' the game.

But we understand that for those of you who already had the DLC, the offer is not as compelling - again, we are not pretending this is as significant an overhaul as Metro 2033. And we did consider alternatives – e.g. 50% if you only owned the base game, 75% if you owned all the DLC – but these ideas raised a number of practical / logistical challenges.

This isn't 100% true. It could've been separate library entry with any owned DLC carrying over.
Company of Heroes did it this way. Also Deus Ex Directors cut gives 80% discount (or 50% without DLC) if you own game and DLC, so thats not impossible to do either.

[itsdonallen]

To the guys at 4a, I want to commend you on taking the time to address this. Some may not agree, but you can never please anyone, and I think the most we could ask for is transparency and honesty, and you've delivered on that. Thanks.

[Furnace Inferno]

Although I'm not particularly bothered by the price and think it is very reasonable, especially when you look at the prices other remasters are selling for. I also howvever think it would be fair to say that most of the work that went into these was centred around getting the console versions closer to the PC experience than the 360/PS3 could muster, so I find the statement a little disingenuous.

For Metro 2033 to be updated in the new engine is fair enough, but the updates to Metro LL had it only been for PC I'm sure could easily have been integrated in a graphics patch. Personally I won't be buying either as I've already experienced them maxed and so have very little to gain, I do however look forward to whatever future games you release and wish you the best of luck with the sales of the Redux to new customers as it deserves far more recognition IMO.

EDIT: I will add though as it just popped into my mind that you are at least offering the option for those who would otherwise complained about the lack of an update for PC, like with Tomb Raider: DE, either way you can't win unless it was a free update which isn't really a viable business solution!

[BmoreBraap]

Man, you guys at 4A rock. I think posts like this really show how much you guys do care about the end consumer, something that has become rare in this industry. So thanks for that.

I think this perfectly explains and answers any questions in terms of pricing for the redux. There was also a youtube video released today called Metro Redux-Uncovered[US] that does a great job of showing you these over hauls.

I gladly will throw $12 at a fully remastered version of a great game and support a solid developer at the same time, considering ALL remastered games today sell at full price. And as stated in the post, you guys all have a choice to not purchase, its not that hard.

I'm pumped to see the Metro series make it to Nex gen consoles already and hope this is a sign that the series has a solid future ahead!

[Jolly Devil]

As someone who owns both games with DLC, I am quite happy with what I've seen with the Redux. Granted, I won't be purchasing Last Light Redux for the obvious reasons even you all pointed out, but I am very excited for 2033 Redux. The updated game engine and combat is gonna be really interesting to see.

As for the price, I think the $12 is a fair price for those who already own the games. Some people don't realize what it takes to build a game, or in this case, put it in a new engine. It takes time and money and you all have to be paid as well. Simply giving a free update this big would be difficult. And I see the points some are making with them not wanting a "remake" when we PC users already have the best versions of the game just because the next gen consoles need games, but no one is forcing people to buy these games. So I say kudos to you all for acknowledging the complaints of the PC users, cause we are in many ways your main supporters. Console users play the game a couple of times then sell it. We PC users buy it and play it many times; supporting it for years on end.

I hope this leads to you guys making another game. I don't know if the author made another entry into his series, and if he didn't, hopefully you guys can make your own story, cause Metro is really an amazing series. Cheers!

[Smog....🐸]

Thanks 4A, I like many others have both games and dlc as well as pre order bonuses (because I preordered obviously lols) and I never questioned why you did what you did as it seemed like a perfectly normal business practice, do some work get paid.

I look forward to the releases as much as i did with the previous incarnations, I just hope they don't get delayed like they did the last time

Lastly, I am glad to see that you came here to defend your decisions like so many of us have been doing since the forums were set up for the redux versions, i wish you had done it sooner to save all the sillyness, trolling and personal attacks though.

Can't please all of the people all of the time......

[Reven]

I am happy with the idea of the 50% off deal, my only beef with it is that it's for pre-orders only, so I have to miss out because I don't have the funds for this and won't until next month, but props to you fine people for remaking these wonderful games for a new generation of hardware.

[nXane]

It is one thing to release a remaster on a different platform, it is another to release the same game with improved graphics on the same platform
I dont care if the game has the dlc , they can block that. That crappy excuse that they dropped 32bit made me laugh, they can easily add a 64bit launcher to the library.


It took them 1 year to remaster 2 games for 3 platform , how long do you it really took them to remaster it on PC do you think? I'll let you do the math but i'll tell ya it isnt even worth the 50% off rebate


Paid full price to beta test yo game so you could RESELL me the updated version

GFYS 4A Games ,you can ban me now for speaking my mind as you probably dont want too many people knowing what a con artist your studio really is.

[RIOT|Stalkermaster]

Originally posted by Superman:

It is one thing to release a remaster on a different platform, it is another to release the same game with improved graphics on the same platform
I dont care if the game has the dlc , they can block that. That crappy excuse that they dropped 32bit made me laugh, they can easily add a 64bit launcher to the library.


It took them 1 year to remaster 2 games for 3 platform , how long do you it really took them to remaster it on PC do you think? I'll let you do the math but i'll tell ya it isnt even worth the 50% off rebate


Paid full price to beta test yo game so you could RESELL me the updated version

GFYS 4A Games ,you can ban me now for speaking my mind as you probably dont want too many people knowing what a con artist your studio really is.

How do you think they change engines? Just drop it in a ta da
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOeSS1d3XVo ]they redid all the assests they have added quite a few new things into the game
all that costs time and money
Speaking your mind is fine but its the way you do it which can get you banned

[Smog....🐸]

Originally posted by Superman:

.............[mostly uninportant self entitled stuff]........./quote]

Your profile is set to private and in all the time you have been using the forums THIS is your first post in the Metro forums.....true story bro.

[Sere]

the price points are MORE than worth it. I purchased Last Light at $60 the day it came out, and I'd do it again, $12.50 for a new and majorly improved version of both games is definitely a great deal.

[ShaDoW]

Really, you guys shouldn't even be explaining yourselves, but now you have my respect even more, and i'm now going to buy the game, really you guys deserve the money.