From the publisher: let's talk about regional pricing

[kiwihotaru]

Hello! This is Tanya, the lead of Kitfox.

I understand many of you are unhappy about the pricing of Dwarf Fortress, especially in regions and countries where the Steam guidelines feel unfair. We initially decided to go with the Steam guidelines because they have a team of financial analysts and we don't. We're a few game developers in Canada and we can't let our prices be dictated by a feeling.

BUT! I know this is a common complaint, and the spirit of Dwarf Fortress is one of sharing and community, so I'll look into it and let you know. It may take a few days. For now, I would recommend posting or linking any resources that could help us find new guidlines, and taking a deep breath.

It's totally fine to discuss things like this, feel free to do so, and I understand many of you are disappointed. But please remain polite and do NOT stoop to random insults and hurtful comments. We've deleted a bunch of inappropriately worded posts and will continue to do so as needed. Be respectful.

Thank you.

[Pug Jesus]

Thank you for your efforts to bring DF to a wider audience!

[McFuzz]

❤ Knowing what all is being offered for the price, many of us understand that $30 is more than acceptable.

[Kenuty]

I think 30 dollar is too cheap for the game, There should had been 100 dollar packages, or even 500 dollar packages, I would had gladly handed it over to you.

[kara_buga]

Originally posted by Frank McFuzz:

❤ Knowing what all is being offered for the price, many of us understand that $30 is more than acceptable.

she's talking about the pricing in other countries

Originally posted by kiwihotaru:

Hello! This is Tanya, the lead of Kitfox.

I understand many of you are unhappy about the pricing of Dwarf Fortress, especially in regions and countries where the Steam guidelines feel unfair. We initially decided to go with the Steam guidelines because they have a team of financial analysts and we don't. We're a few game developers in Canada and we can't let our prices be dictated by a feeling.

BUT! I know this is a common complaint, and the spirit of Dwarf Fortress is one of sharing and community, so I'll look into it and let you know. It may take a few days.

it's easy really. Just check the average monthly income of a country and see how much the game is sold for in said country. And if you think %15 to %30 of one month's income is a fair price for this game you can keep the price unchanged.

[Dalorath]

You are Canadians, and said it would be $30. But because of regional pricing, And after tax, it is actually 44$ approx for your fellow Canadians.

[Ole "Slim Jolo" the Hobo Hero]

It feels like peoples offense is more a sense of entitlement that they deserve the game for less, not actually any reasoning as to *why* they deserve the title for less. It's insane people are complaining when they can just keep playing the free versions until a sale or more affordable price for them drops.

Like, if you think the price is just $30 for a sprite pack, etc, why are you so offended, literally go play the free forks with community packs, and if that feels like work, understand that is why it was all bundled into a single priced product like this in the first place. It is such a non-controversial thing for a title that's already been available for almost 20 yrs to be the price it is with the glow up publishing has given it.

[lordvomitor]

Originally posted by Kenuty:

I think 30 dollar is too cheap for the game, There should had been 100 dollar packages, or even 500 dollar packages, I would had gladly handed it over to you.

you could still donate that money directly to the brothers

[murderbits]

Originally posted by Kenuty:

I think 30 dollar is too cheap for the game, There should had been 100 dollar packages, or even 500 dollar packages, I would had gladly handed it over to you.

Just go to their website and send them money! There's a link on the front page. Then Steam doesn't take 30%. :)

[fiat luxia]

Rimworld had to remove their regional pricing concession because everyone was using a VPN to buy in cheaper currencies.

Don't let zach and tarn get screwed out of money they earned.

[Butt Force]

Originally posted by fiat luxia:

Rimworld had to remove their regional pricing concession because everyone was using a VPN to buy in cheaper currencies.

Don't let zach and tarn get screwed out of money they earned.

Amen. Regional pricing is a devil's bargain, from the perspective of a seller.

[murderbits]

Originally posted by Ole "Slim Jolo" the Hobo Hero:

It feels like peoples offense is more a sense of entitlement that they deserve the game for less, not actually any reasoning as to *why* they deserve the title for less. It's insane people are complaining when they can just keep playing the free versions until a sale or more affordable price for them drops.

Like, if you think the price is just $30 for a sprite pack, etc, why are you so offended, literally go play the free forks with community packs, and if that feels like work, understand that is why it was all bundled into a single priced product like this in the first place. It is such a non-controversial thing for a title that's already been available for almost 20 yrs to be the price it is with the glow up publishing has given it.

It's not that they feel entitled to anything. It's that economics are different in each country. For example, in Turkey, the average take-home salary is only $285 USD per month.

That would be like the average person here in America paying $410 USD for a copy of Dwarf Fortress.

Now, granted, if you live in North America, you have to pay North American taxes and North American prices for things. That means when you sell a game that is the same proportion to income in other regions, the developer is then taking that hit. So if they adjusted it to 1/10th of the price to accommodate people in Turkey, they're only going to make a little under $2 USD on the game (after giving Steam their 30% and then even less after giving their publisher their cut).

Of course, Tarn and Zach want everyone to enjoy the game, so if that's something they choose to do, then they are doing so at a significant impact to themselves -- and they're not Ubisoft or Naughty Dog. They're a tiny team with limited resources.

[Nebnii]

Just using the previous steam guidelines before the new raise is enough tbh. Their new guidelines hiked from 50% to 500% in some countries.

https://steamdb.info/blog/valve-price-matrix-2022-update/

You can see their previous one here. i'm sure my argentinian brothers and many others would be fine with the old prices

[Underlying Health Conditions]

Cool game, Added to library. Now add achievements plz

[McFuzz]

Originally posted by kara_buga:

Originally posted by Frank McFuzz:

❤ Knowing what all is being offered for the price, many of us understand that $30 is more than acceptable.

she's talking about the pricing in other countries

In the top paragraph maybe. But the rest is talking about the 50 threads we've had in the last 2 hours screaming "muh 30 dollars *insert rage and slurs*"

[flagyl2]

Originally posted by murderbits:

Originally posted by Ole "Slim Jolo" the Hobo Hero:

It feels like peoples offense is more a sense of entitlement that they deserve the game for less, not actually any reasoning as to *why* they deserve the title for less. It's insane people are complaining when they can just keep playing the free versions until a sale or more affordable price for them drops.

Like, if you think the price is just $30 for a sprite pack, etc, why are you so offended, literally go play the free forks with community packs, and if that feels like work, understand that is why it was all bundled into a single priced product like this in the first place. It is such a non-controversial thing for a title that's already been available for almost 20 yrs to be the price it is with the glow up publishing has given it.

It's not that they feel entitled to anything. It's that economics are different in each country. For example, in Turkey, the average take-home salary is only $285 USD per month.

That would be like the average person here in America paying $410 USD for a copy of Dwarf Fortress.

Now, granted, if you live in North America, you have to pay North American taxes and North American prices for things. That means when you sell a game that is the same proportion to income in other regions, the developer is then taking that hit. So if they adjusted it to 1/10th of the price to accommodate people in Turkey, they're only going to make a little under $2 USD on the game (after giving Steam their 30% and then even less after giving their publisher their cut).

Of course, Tarn and Zach want everyone to enjoy the game, so if that's something they choose to do, then they are doing so at a significant impact to themselves -- and they're not Ubisoft or Naughty Dog. They're a tiny team with limited resources.

I understand your point, but we are not talking about food, water or energy.

A game is bit a necessity. One can live without it if they cannot afford it.