Voice Attack V2, needless expense.

[Xiro]

The forum post has mentioned all of the ways that their hands are tied and that there is nothing that they can do to help the existing user-base that got them this far. It is not a new program, it is a version update and it is underhanded to try to fleece people twice over.

A screenshot of a persons inventory to prove owning the game and they are able to distribute keys to those who already own it. Steam allows for keys to be handed out. It might not be able to upgrade a person, but I know for a fact that you are entirely capable of doing the same ownership thing as with your forum.

I do not think poorly of the company, at this point I am not certain that they are even aware of this capacity or whether they have ignored it. A part of me worries that this will just get deleted, rather than addressing the point made.


We are all adults here, so let's talk about it?

[Xiro]

I am able to prove my eligibility for the terms laid out for the people who bought from your website in a single screenshot, I just need somewhere to send the screenshot showing the date the item was purchased. I can email it to you and you can email back my key for VA Version 2, everyone wins.

[gmagenheimer]

VoiceAttack version 2 (v2) is compiled under .NET 8. I made the decision to offer v2 as a separate app because an automatic update of v1 to .NET 8 would totally leave a large number of owners that utilize runtime-compiled inline functions dead in the water (major pack/plugin creators use inline functions that are runtime-compiled). This would not be a good idea. The bottom line is that I have to move this software forward, while at the same time not completely disrupting a majority of users in the process.

There is no attempt to, as you say, 'fleece' users. This store page has to remain open for a time, as Steam requires advance announcement of store page closure. Otherwise, this store page would have been closed down, and the v2 store page opened. Although this puts this store page in somewhat of a bad spot, I have to follow the rules.

Just a little bit of history. VoiceAttack version 1, as it stands at this moment, is the product of work over the last 18 years (started in 2007). Since 2009 (when VA was introduced to the public), updates have been provided free of charge. That is, updates have been free for this software (just v1) for the last sixteen years, moving from Windows XP, to Vista, to 7, 8, 10 and now 11, each time supporting and adjusting to the idiosyncrasies of each major OS release. In the meantime, the list of new and updated features has grown exponentially. I don't think I need to say more than that I don't know of any other software company that has provided free updates that are this vast for this long at this price point.

[Xiro]

First, and most importantly? I genuinely appreciate that this was not just deleted and that alone lends you significant credibility. I have had time to think about it, and choosing words like "fleece" was and still is inappropriate to label you as,. and for this I am sorry.

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Originally posted by gmagenheimer:

There is no attempt to, as you say, 'fleece' users. This store page has to remain open for a time, as Steam requires advance announcement of store page closure. Otherwise, this store page would have been closed down, and the v2 store page opened. Although this puts this store page in somewhat of a bad spot, I have to follow the rules.

As said above, I was in the wrong to accuse you of anything like this because I have read and respected the following message. Brings a lot to the table.

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Originally posted by gmagenheimer:

Just a little bit of history. VoiceAttack version 1, as it stands at this moment, is the product of work over the last 18 years (started in 2007). Since 2009 (when VA was introduced to the public), updates have been provided free of charge. That is, updates have been free for this software (just v1) for the last sixteen years, moving from Windows XP, to Vista, to 8, 10 and now 11, each time supporting and adjusting to the idiosyncrasies of each major OS release. In the meantime, the list of new and updated features has grown exponentially. I don't think I need to say more than that I don't know of any other software company that has provided free updates that are this vast for this long at this price point.

This was the part that put the pieces together the most and gave me a slice of humble pie. For me? I have bought this and gotten a year or two out of it, and felt pretty raw that the project was getting abandoned. In this light I hope it is a little more clear why I felt like I was being shaken-down I definitely should have done more homework before saying anything about the subject.

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You are owed my apology, and respect for approaching this head on. Many wouldn't bother to even humour a response. I do have further questions to ask though...

(01) Can you explain why the people from the website are entitled to the update while Steam users are not?

(02) Can it be done that I, (myself and/or other users), can access a code to access the website route?

Just looked and I have had this barely a year and change, way beyond the refund date but slicing away a massive chunk of product usage. (August 24 2024). Again, I can and would gladly prove as much using screenshots from my end to prove as much.

[gmagenheimer]

I appreciate the apology. I did work on trying to make this a seamless process, but between the updated .NET framework and the way Steam delivers applications, I was not really afforded much room other than produce a second product.

To answer your first question, the Standalone version users are given a two week grace period ahead of the release date as Steam users can simply just request a refund for up to two weeks after purchase. By not offering at least that avenue to the standalone users, it would be completely unfair to them.

In regards to your second question, I am not offering any upgrades. However, the Steam version will release with a 25% discount, and the price is going to be kept low for a time period after release.

[gmagenheimer]

I have bought this and gotten a year or two out of it, and felt pretty raw that the project was getting abandoned.

Just want to be clear: Version 1 is not being abandoned. It will still be available through your Steam library, as well as on the website (for standalone users). Critical updates will be actively provided through October 2025, and beyond if time permits (that is, updates will be a lower priority).

[gmagenheimer]

@Xiro - i sent you a request. I need to ask a few questions if you don't mind.

[Xiro]

Done, and any time I don't mind at all.

[SlaskoCZ]

Also if you want to do deals for owners of VA1, to make transition without negativity, you can use steam feature that some games already use
For example Death stranding upgrade to Death Stranding Directors cut
https://ctrlv.link/N0lj
Edit: Link to the Game
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1850570/DEATH_STRANDING_DIRECTORS_CUT/

[gmagenheimer]

@SlaskoCZ - Thanks for that. Actually, I have considered several different routes, but I keep running into the fact that if v1 is 'upgraded' (that is, replaced) by v2, that situation would leave a large number of users completely stuck if they do not have a way to upgrade their inline functions (a lot of well-known packs use runtime-compiled inline functions - if their profiles are locked, that's it - they're done).

[Melonar]

I don't know if it is possible if the VA1 store page is shut down, but a VA1+VA2 bundle discount could be a potential avenue to provide some goodwill while giving existing users an avenue to get VA2 at a discount.

I'm sure many users will feel that VA2 will be worth the full price as VA1 has been updated faithfully for free for so long, but unfortunately you will get some blowback regardless of discounts between those who feel they should continue to get free updates and those who purchased more recently but before the cutoff date.

[Attractive Profile Name]

I have been using V1 for years and will happily support the dev by buying v2. You should feel blessed it's not going to a yearly subscription!

[unboundlopez]

I'm happy to support the developers. I misinterpreted the announcement that I saw on steam. I believed those who purchased version 1 on the website were going to be entitled a free key to version 2, but that's not the case. People who purchase version 2 on the website are allowed to use version 1 without having to purchase version 1 which is fine with me.

Believing there was favoritism made me and possibly others upset.

[Pfeil]

To be clear: Steam users that purchase version 2 will also have access to version 1 (as will Steam users that already have a license for version 1, of course)

For users with a version 2 license that want to use version 1, they need to download the installer for version 1 from the website, under the heading "Steam Legacy Edition": https://voiceattack.com/downloads

Steam users that have a version 1 license should have version 1 available through their Steam library, and should not use the above installer.

[Xiro]

I actually forgot about this in the state that I left it. The dev took the time to explain the same truth as those above.

I hope that anyone reading this as a necro post can see the transition and what it means and entails.

Again I appreciate the way this was approached, and how much the developer cares about this kind of thing. It was nice to have concerns dealt head-on, it was really kind of them.

[MataCabras//pt\\]

I have V1, but just to suuport the dev for all the years with free updates, I want v2 but without steam. i don't want steam open just to tun VA when I'm playing non steam games. I play Elite Dangerous outside of Steam. How can I get V2 without steam?