Kickstarter exclusive levels?

[JCB]

While searching for info on the game, I came across its kickstarter page, and I noticed among the rewards listed there's at least 2 exclusive stages mentioned on different tiers.

Does the game really have actual full stages locked to non-backers, or what actual content is unavailable on this Steam release, compared to the game backers received?

thank you

[halberdstudios]

Hey JCB,

Our additional Kickstarter levels will be available in an upcoming DLC in the next few months. We are still reviewing the process to have levels exclusive for our backers!

Thanks for commenting! :)

[JCB]

Originally posted by DiegoMayorga_HS:

Hey JCB,

Our additional Kickstarter levels will be available in an upcoming DLC in the next few months. We are still reviewing the process to have levels exclusive for our backers!

Thanks for commenting! :)

Thank you for your reply, and for the info.
Hopefully you'll consider selling them to non-backers in the future, since I'm sure there's people, like me, who were completely unaware of your campaign, and would happily pay for the chance to play them.

Kind regards

[Oni]

i'm going to say this in the nicest way possible since i know how much hard work you guys put in the game

Originally posted by DiegoMayorga_HS:

Our additional Kickstarter levels will be available in an upcoming DLC in the next few months.

Please do not ever lock exclusive gameplay content like this, outside the game and storefront, the game isn't feature complete on release

Its fine to lock exclusive cosmetics, but not actual gameplay content

this is a big faux-pas, i can't in good conscious buy the game now until the game has 100% of its gameplay content

and i do really want to buy and play 9 years of shadow

Originally posted by DiegoMayorga_HS:

We are still reviewing the process to have levels exclusive for our backers!

I hope this doesn't mean you still intend to keep levels exclusive

[Cavou]

Yeah it is a shame that two whole areas with unique enemies, bosses, and likely a unique reward were locked behind a tier that cost approx $150 CAD for both.
I wish I had backed that tier instead of the tier to just get the game + name in the credits, I hadn't felt confident in spending that amount of money with my financial situation at the time but I've been regretting not doing it now.

[Wesray]

Originally posted by DiegoMayorga_HS:

Our additional Kickstarter levels will be available in an upcoming DLC in the next few months. We are still reviewing the process to have levels exclusive for our backers!

I too wasn't aware of the Kickstarter until years later. Making the DLC free for backers but purchasable for everyone is probably the fairest solution, and the way most Kickstarter games handle this situation.

[Melodia]

Originally posted by Wesray:

I too wasn't aware of the Kickstarter until years later. Making the DLC free for backers but purchasable for everyone is probably the fairest solution, and the way most Kickstarter games handle this situation.

And if what the above said is true and you needed to back at $150 to get the levels that's.....well suffice it to say my interest in this game has dropped way down now.

[toughnails]

So, time limited $150 VIP DLC with all new levels and bosses in a freaking indie metroidvania, this game is such a joke.

Have fun explaining this to potential customers.

[Cavou]

The price I'm referring to can be verified by anyone using the Kickstarter page for 9 Years of Shadow, the tier "The Portrait Master" was the cheapest tier to get both areas, which cost 1,999 MX, or 149.11 CAD. You could get a single one of the two areas for 1,500 MX, and the areas were also included in higher tiers such as the 9,999 MX one.

I hope someone at least uploads footage of those areas when they become available for the approximately 200 total people who backed at the 1,999 MX tier or higher, since it will be at risk of becoming lost media due to the low number of people who can experience it.

[Cavou]

Honestly something like having the backer exclusive DLC be timed exclusive to backers 6-12 months ahead of everyone else, then giving non-backers or backers who didn't pledge the 1,500 - 1,999 MX the opportunity to buy the DLC on Steam would be a nice compromise.

I just would very much prefer for the DLC areas with gorgeous art to not be lost to the world outside of a maximum of around 200 people; even then, most likely not all of the 200 people are going to play it, and there's a good chance none of them will record and upload footage of those areas online.

[CID]

Originally posted by Cavou:

Honestly something like having the backer exclusive DLC be timed exclusive to backers 6-12 months ahead of everyone else, then giving non-backers or backers who didn't pledge the 1,500 MX the opportunity to buy the DLC on Steam would be a nice compromise.

I just would very much prefer for the DLC areas with gorgeous art to not be lost to the world outside of a maximum of around 200 people; even then, most likely not all of the 200 people are going to play it, and there's a good chance none of them will record and upload footage of those areas online.

^ This. As a regular backer of indie releases, I hope that all of the "backer exclusive" in-game content that I helped fund eventually becomes available to anyone who wants it. Even if the cost of what I funded was substantially more than that content's eventual public price of entry.

[Za]

having exclusive levels in a game some people feel is already too short isn't the smartest idea ever.

[Melodia]

Originally posted by Za:

having exclusive levels in a game some people feel is already too short isn't the smartest idea ever.

Well, whoever is giving out the clown awards thinks it is.

[weirdee]

I was in the kickstarter and I wasn't aware of the exclusive levels either, lol

[Rubyeyed]

On one hand we have Team Cherry and The Game Kitchen that release kickstarter goals for everybody and expansions for free to their already relatively big games and on the other hand we have you guys.

Keep your levels exclusive for backers and don't even sell them, I dare you. See how that will turn out.

Thanks for the topic OP. Saved me some money.

[Georgiana]

Originally posted by DiegoMayorga_HS:

Hey JCB,

Our additional Kickstarter levels will be available in an upcoming DLC in the next few months. We are still reviewing the process to have levels exclusive for our backers!

Thanks for commenting! :)

Is this still your stance - to lock out content from the general public? I feel like an official statement is truly required for such a thing (a pinned thread AND something on the store page). You're basically selling an incomplete game at that point. It feels very disingenuous to not disclose this to potential buyers.