40% As low as we go

[nasKo]

Originally posted by lemmy101:

Hey all, since we've had various people inquiring about whether we'd do a bigger sale down the line, just thought I'd write a little here about our steadfast decision not to go beyond 40%, the reasoning behind it specifically.

When we first launched the game, selling via our paypal account and manually sending out keys, and for a good year or two afterwards, the price was £5/$8. Even though apparently people thought the game well worth the price for what we offered at the time, it didn't have 1/10th of the features the game has now. It was really really buggy and early.

We also weren't on Steam, and a lot of people purchased before we were even on Desura. People have expressed concerns about Early Access games now, but just imagine dumping money straight into our paypal account. That's some massive trust and faith placed in us that we really really needed at the time. We were broke, literally unable to pay the rent the following month. These people made our dreams come true and set us on our way to where we are now.

Those people put faith in us and bought in early. They could have waited until the game was more developed, but if everyone did that we wouldn't be here today.

As such it was a decision we made very early on that we would not under any circumstances let anyone else who purchased the game during development, or for a good period after it was completed, get the game for equal or cheaper than those original supporters paid for it. Truth is we could probably make a lot of money by doing some crazy sale, or going on a bundle, but its important to us that we reward those who helped us on this path and make their purchase a good saving for years to come. It's a matter of ethics to us.

As such 40% takes us to just above the price they paid for it. We won't go below that.

Once NPCs and Vehicles go in, possibly when we go to 1.0 but its possible it'll happen before, we will increase in price one final time to our release price. That will be the final 1.0 price of the game. At this point we will perhaps consider going beyond 40% in sales, but again, we will only go as far as to keep the original alpha price the cheapest the game has ever been, so it'll be a bigger % of a higher price that will likely amount to the same price it is now during the 40% sale anyway.

Then when enough time has passed, PZ is in its twilight years, we will probably do bigger sales, or consider bundles. This is a long way off though.

We're aware that when buying a 4-pack during a 40% sale this technically does take it below the original alpha price per copy, however considering the investment of purchasing 4 copies at once this still seems fair, buying in bulk and all, and it would be way too difficult to arrange this otherwise.

So if you're on the fence about buying, or holding off for a cheaper price, then just bear in mind that it will be some considerable time. I would be amazed if you could get the game cheaper any time next year. Perhaps the year after.

Hope this explains the situation and makes people aware we're not being greedy or cocky for refusing to discount any further (though we honestly and proudly feel it is well worth its current full price). Steam is all about the sales, for customers and devs alike, so while its counter-intuitive to say we're putting ourselves out of pocket with this decision to keep the price up. I also want to make it clear that it's not specifically the 40% that's our ceiling but the price it takes it to, so people don't see a bigger % sale down the line when the game's price is higher and think we've gone back on our word.

But its an assurance that the price it is now is certainly the cheapest you'll be able to get it this year or next. We may do 40% again. We don't know this for certain though. If this prices anyone out of purchasing then we apologize, and hope to see you some time in the future when the game is complete.

Hope this fills people in on the situation :)

Thanks everyone for your support, We're always really proud when I step in here to see what a positive and friendly Steam community we have <3

[Unbenannte]

#Respect

[Godhand Himself]

make it 99% off I dare you

[nasKo]

Originally posted by Flem:

make it 99% off I dare you

I'll grow a beard before that happens.

(I can't grow a beard...)

[Godhand Himself]

Originally posted by nasKo:

Originally posted by Flem:

make it 99% off I dare you

I'll grow a beard before that happens.

(I can't grow a beard...)

ok i DOUBLE dog dare you

[Smegma the Clown]

For what it's worth, this sort of statement is what got me to go ahead and buy a copy for me and my girlfriend. Knowing this is the deepest discount we're going to see means I don't have to play the "Steam Discount Waiting Game". Can't wait till it installs and we give it a go!

[playCat]

I buy Zomboid on -20% and I'm not sorry. Game is worth full price!

Great Game! Love it. Thanks guys developers!

[evilxinsanegod]

Anybody who would even think of waiting years before purchasing is crazy. This is a great game. I don't even regret paying full price for it.

[Gonzo Max]

Friendly note that a thread about pricing isn't the place to beg for a copy of the game ;)

[Amorfelicia]

Your one of only early access devs that I really trust so I finally picked up a copy of the game due to the sale. First heard about you guys due to Mathasgames and been following your project ever since. Now I just have to get my boyfriend to get himself a copy and we can enjoy it ourselves ^^

[Cyberjesus]

As one of the people who bought it back when it was just a purchase button on your website. I'm glad to see you're still thinking of us ;)

It's amazing to see how far the game has come with so many updates since shoving a pillow over your wifes face and getting shot by a random broken npc in the next house XD

Keep it up sirs. You're a shining example to why early access can work.

[BigSilverHotdog]

I bought a 4 pack after being on the fence for a long time. I still don't think the game is worth what you are charging right now but I'm hoping you continue to develop it into a product that WILL be worth it before much longer.

Mainly though, I appreciate your consistent updates and openness with your community. This is uncommon enough in Early Access that I feel it should be rewarded. Thanks.

[nasKo]

Originally posted by Spizy Chicken:

Originally posted by nasKo:

You shouldn't try and start a project when you can't even pay your rent.
The fact you made those risky and poor financial choices shows your lack of business sense and financial management and is huge cause for concern as to what will happen in the future with this game.

I personally do not invest in early release games for this very reason.
People always work harder when they have to complete a job before getting paid.

The lack of business sense and financial management isn't evident considering the project was and so far continues to be a success and is financially stable enough to support the development of the game for the next two years if it stopped making any money starting tomorrow.

If anything, the future of this game being finished is more likely than for many other Early Access games.

It is however obviously your choice to not put money into something you don't trust, so that's perfectly fine.
You've mentioned before that you don't like to spend money on unfinished games because you've had a bad experience with it. Sorry about that

[waTTe]

This is great info, thanks for telling us what to expect. I respect your sale policy.

Wish more devs would act like this. Will buy now!

[GFTDphoenix]

As a supporter since very early on, I'm very pleased with this decision and see it as an honourable choice to make. I salute you for that. I'm pleased to hear that the game is financially secure and have full trust in the developers finishing it.

Good job devs!

[Blue Mage CXIV]

I remember buying this back when it was on Desura a few years ago. Didn't regret buying it for full price then and certainly do not regret it now. The amount of progress that the developers made since then make this game worth every penny. Still don't regret the purchase to this day!