Why there will be no updates, ports or localized versions of Grimm

[Spicy Horse Games]

Steam Users and Grimm Lovers,

We've seen a number of requests for updates, improvements, ports and localizations of Grimm. This includes users reporting bugs/issues that were contained in the game back when it was originally launched on GameTap (many, many years ago). Also included are requests for Steam-related updates (Achievements and Cards). These all result in the same answer, so for the sake of clarity we're going to post a sticky here on the topic:

The source code for Grimm has been lost. The project exists only as you see it today, in the form of finished executables (the stand-alone episodes) for PC. The situation is as tragic to us as a developer as it is frustrating to you as players. The loss resulted from a catastrophic server meltdown. Consider it an act of God, who apparently hates Grimm.

While we understand your desire for the things listed above, it's critical that everyone be aware of why we're limited in what we can do to further support or improve the game.

We also want everyone to understand that our goal is to be as transparent about this situation and our limitations as possible.

Please, do not rage against our Community Managers or our company for something we cannot control. If it bothers you we can't make localized versions, add support for Achievements, fix old bugs, etc... then simply do not play the game. If you absolutely insist on raging against something, then scream at your wall socket, since it was Evil Electricity that destroyed Grimm's files. If you want to submit pictures of yourself screaming at a wall... that's fine too.

Thank you, for your understanding.

Cheers,
-American McGee

[Aklim95]

Remember you mentioned the possibilities for Grimm 2 durning the Greenlight campaign? You did mention it will be easier to pitch if the sales go well. So can you tell me any info we got so far? Any word on the future and fate of the beloved stinky little fella?

[PhalopianTubes]

Thumbs up for clarity an honesty!

[cobaltdragon9332]

I agree! I raged at my wall, but it just turned rotten...lol. Anyway, now I see why you are selling eace season instead of getting them all like you could yesterday. It is still a very reasonable price and, if it will help with a "Grimm 2" so much the better. Good luck devs and I am so sorry that this happened to you. If I have a problem, I will be happy just to get a question or so answered if I need it.

[VeilStrider]

I can understand the position you're in right now. It must be hard.

Just one question, are you not in a position, be it financially or situationally, to rewrite the codes for the game from the scratch?

Whether I get the answer or not, I wish you luck.

[Shad0WeN]

Originally posted by zeroxxx:

I can understand the position you're in right now. It must be hard.

Just one question, are you not in a position, be it financially or situationally, to rewrite the codes for the game from the scratch?

Whether I get the answer or not, I wish you luck.

That doesn't sound to me like it would be worth it business-wise, especially for an older game. I would think you would be expending resources that would be better served applied towards a new project.

[Snow Phoenix]

Originally posted by Spicy Horse Games:

<snip> -American McGee

ignoring any other thoughts i really have to appreciate your honesty, its a very rare thing in this world and even more so within the games industry so a serious thank you.

[zombiworkshop]

"If you want to submit pictures of yourself screaming at a wall... that's fine too. "

Tell me there's a gallery!

[Aklim95]

Originally posted by BrandeX Ultra:

You shouldn't need any source code to add trading cards. You submit some picture to Valve to put on the cards, the Steam client already knows when you are playing a game and will automatically drop cards in a users inventory. It has more to do with the Steam client than the game itself afaik.

Please listen to his comment, Spicy Horse and American McGee. This can be useful for an old game.

[Spicy Horse Games]

Originally posted by BrandeX Ultra:

You shouldn't need any source code to add trading cards. You submit some picture to Valve to put on the cards, the Steam client already knows when you are playing a game and will automatically drop cards in a users inventory. It has more to do with the Steam client than the game itself afaik.

I should have included a note regarding this in the original post, but we have answered this elsewhere: Thing is, we don't control this - Valve does. THEY decide which games get these and which do not. We've asked them to add them to Grimm and there has been NO reply. Same with Akaneiro. NO reply. There's nothing else we can do at this point aside from wait patiently.

[Aklim95]

Speaking of cards, some developers can get busy experimenting with the feature while waiting. Different ideas for cards (imagine fan art as cards, even crossover ones.) and also in the case of Eversion and Legend Of Dungeon, getting help from the community.

[darkshadow64540]

Would you be accepting of community created patches for some of the bugs?

[darkshadow64540]

Do you really think most of the hacks/mods/patches that get made by fans are done with the source code?

[Chizu]

Seems a little shortsighted to have only kept the source files on the servers that were nuked and not have had a copy stored somewhere seperate in case of such things. (I hope you do that now, from past experience :v)

As for the cards thing, I'm pretty sure valve won't say no to anyone adding cards, most new games have them now, whoever submits them.
You can always make up the card art and emoticons in the mean time :p

[lomaxgnome]

Originally posted by Spicy Horse Games:

I should have included a note regarding this in the original post, but we have answered this elsewhere: Thing is, we don't control this - Valve does. THEY decide which games get these and which do not. We've asked them to add them to Grimm and there has been NO reply. Same with Akaneiro. NO reply. There's nothing else we can do at this point aside from wait patiently.

The developer still has to create the cards, backgrounds, and emoticons and then submit them to Valve. Assuming that has been done, there's a bit of a delay before they get posted, but it isn't real long. Value doesn't create anything though, so if you're waiting for that, it will never happen.

[Aklim95]

Originally posted by lomaxgnome:

Originally posted by Spicy Horse Games:

I should have included a note regarding this in the original post, but we have answered this elsewhere: Thing is, we don't control this - Valve does. THEY decide which games get these and which do not. We've asked them to add them to Grimm and there has been NO reply. Same with Akaneiro. NO reply. There's nothing else we can do at this point aside from wait patiently.

The developer still has to create the cards, backgrounds, and emoticons and then submit them to Valve. Assuming that has been done, there's a bit of a delay before they get posted, but it isn't real long. Value doesn't create anything though, so if you're waiting for that, it will never happen.

Spicy Horse, this guy has some clear advice regarding the Trading Cards.