Starter Edition FAQ

[SBZ_Elisabeth]

One of the most active topics of conversation since launch has been the price. Having read your comments and thoughts about how best to move forward, we’re introducing the Starter Edition!

Many are new to 4-player co-op games. By introducing the Starter Edition, we can now offer a more accessible price point with the flexibility to choose what content to go for as we continue to expand OVERKILL's The Walking Dead. This is great for players who want to test the waters, or for any of your friends who want to give it a shot. As an added bonus for Standard & Deluxe players, you can host and invite Starter Edition friends to play on the levels that are included with your Season 2 content. Teamwork is at the core of the experience, and this way, your group can continue to survive the apocalypse together, one mission at a time.


Q: How much does the Starter Edition cost?
A: It costs $29.99; for regional pricing please see the store page.

Q: What is included with the Starter Edition?
A: The Starter Edition includes the first season of OVERKILL's The Walking Dead, meaning all the content released before, but not including, S02E01, launching today. Of course, you also get access to the ongoing improvements & fixes, regardless of version.

Q: What are the future episodes going to cost for owners of the Starter Edition?
A: That depends on the content of the episodes. Some have more content than others, and prices vary accordingly. The first episode of Season 2, releasing today, is $7.99. If you own the Standard or Deluxe Edition, it’s FREE, as is the rest of the Season 2 content, releasing up until June.

Q: I already purchased the Standard/Deluxe Edition, why can someone else get the game for cheaper?
A: The best deal is still the Standard or Deluxe Edition. The Starter Edition is for those who want to get a taste of the game, though they’ll have to pay for the content of Season 2. There is at least $40+ worth of content planned for Season 2.

Q: If I have the Starter Edition, do I get access to all content if I play with a friend who owns the content?
A: Yes, you can play the levels with your friends. Note, though, that Season 2 weapons and characters are only available to those who own the Standard / Deluxe Editions or who’ve bought the additional content.

Q: If I buy the Starter Edition, can I upgrade to the Standard or Deluxe Edition?
A: Not at this stage.

Q: If I buy the Starter Edition, can I still join my friend who owns the Standard / Deluxe Edition to play the new mission, No Sanctuary?
A: Yes, you can still play the new mission with friends! You won’t be able to join it through matchmaking, however, only by joining a friend’s lobby.

Q: I already own the Standard/Deluxe Edition, can I switch to this edition instead?
A: The standard rules for returns on Steam apply; if you’ve played less than 2 hours, you have the option to return your game for a refund and can switch versions from there. You will then have to pay for the Season 2 content, at a higher value.

If there are any other questions you guys have about the Starter Edition, feel free to leave a comment, and we’ll try to answer your questions as best as we can.

[Thermal Lance]

Well 6.99$ sounds a little harsh for a single episode (wich from what I get is 1 map.) but other than that. Very good idea.

[Blyat Life]

"There is at least $40+ worth of content planned for Season 2."

Hmm?

[Kasiornis]

This idea should've been implemented at launch to avoid the situation where Starter buyers will have the same content (at this moment) as Deluxe preorders.
I understand that you're want to make the price more acceptable and expand the playerbase and I can't agree more, it was a needed and requested idea.

But be more transparent in future, please.

[Makoto Naegi]

Originally posted by Lance The "Hater":

Well 6.99$ sounds a little harsh for a single episode (wich from what I get is 1 map.) but other than that. Very good idea.

At the price, I'm assuming that it comes with more than just the new level, possibly one of the new survivors. That would justify the price more. I guess we'll see.

[Red]

If you don't release a "Season pass" for the second season for $30 at the same time you release the starter edition or at least in a timely manner you're shooting yourselves in the foot, again. A starter to standard edition upgrade for $30 is pretty much a must.

People will see that they'll have to buy season 2 in pieces that's going to cost far more than the "Full" edition's equivalent of $30 and not even give the game a chance, again. It's kinda obvious that season 2 separately is going to cost much more than $40.

[Thermal Lance]

Originally posted by Red:

If you don't release a "Season pass" for the second season for $30 at the same time you release the starter edition or at least in a timely manner you're shooting yourselves in the foot, again. A starter to standard edition upgrade for $30 is pretty much a must.

People will see that they'll have to buy season 2 in pieces that's going to cost far more than the "Full" edition's equivalent of $30 and not even give the game a chance, again. It's kinda obvious that season 2 separately is going to cost much more than $40.

Pretty much exactly what im worried about. Feels like the investors are so desperate for cash they get narrow sighted to the point of risking implosion.

[Thermal Lance]

Originally posted by Makoto Naegi:

Originally posted by Lance The "Hater":

Well 6.99$ sounds a little harsh for a single episode (wich from what I get is 1 map.) but other than that. Very good idea.

At the price, I'm assuming that it comes with more than just the new level, possibly one of the new survivors. That would justify the price more. I guess we'll see.

I really hope. Because if they dare charging me that price for a defense map alone... You have no idea how rude my future posts will be. XD

[AdayDr1en]

Originally posted by Lance The "Hater":

Well 6.99$ sounds a little harsh for a single episode (wich from what I get is 1 map.) but other than that. Very good idea.

Company has to make their money back. Steam purchases have a commission of 30%, which means Overkill is really only getting 2.00 usd. Not 6.99.

[E3kHatena]

Breaking up the $60 purchase into two $30 ones seems a lot more reasonable and would give players the chance to evaluate if they want to keep playing without spending too terribly much money or if the remainder of the content is worth the remaining 50% of the bill, but hearing that you can't upgrade to the full release and instead must buy each new mission as a separate $5-10 DLC is just outright a deal breaker on that regard as well, making the Starter Edition a significantly worse deal than just a $60 release. Between this and how PD2's Ultimate Edition made gifting the game impossible and gifting enough money to cover the remainder of the bundle to a friend a hassle, I'm so amazed that Overkill has managed to mess up selling a game on Steam twice now when they had no problem doing this once before.

[Ninja Gaijin]

No starter edition in Australia appears

[Ninja Gaijin]

"$40 worth of content in season 2" rofl

[Red]

Originally posted by AdayDr1en:

Originally posted by Lance The "Hater":

Well 6.99$ sounds a little harsh for a single episode (wich from what I get is 1 map.) but other than that. Very good idea.

Company has to make their money back. Steam purchases have a commission of 30%, which means Overkill is really only getting 2.00 usd. Not 6.99.

...But that's relevant to every version of the game too. They're "Losing" the same amount of money.

[Thermal Lance]

Originally posted by Red:

Originally posted by AdayDr1en:

Company has to make their money back. Steam purchases have a commission of 30%, which means Overkill is really only getting 2.00 usd. Not 6.99.

...But that's relevant to every version of the game too. They're "Losing" the same amount of money.

BTW episode 1 season 2 is now 1 dollar more expensive....

[Nohiro]

Just hope that season 2 will not be an asset flip from season 1 becuse i'm kinda tired to see the mall :D

Going on the subject tho, Yes a starter edition is a good thing is the pricing right ? not sure the game as it is now is barrely a 25 dollar game , especially because of the lack of content and the reuse of a LOT of the same things. see characters from the show could be great since you have the rights but looks like it's a missed opportunity. heather is dead and a lot of PR was made on her character but yet you decided to kill her to replace her by an other one... yes we get it people die in the walking dead... But still not a good idea.

I woudnt mind if one season was 19.99. Would be a fair price in my opinion.

[SBZ_Elisabeth]

I apologise from my initial mistake, I have corrected the price point for the 'No Sanctuary' DLC now.

As for future episodes, they will not all cost the same and we will have some free updates in the mix as well.