My plan for my games (free demo, commercial release)

[BOYD1981]

didnt paypal get sued for not giving some people their dough? sounds kinda risky. I avoid it. heres what I do
to folks in the state of Ohio, where I do most of my bussiness, I sell CD's with a ton of stuff on them, all the bob's quests, TGC demos, unrealeased AGS stuff, and throw in some behind teh sences and walkthrus and stuff. I charge 5$

For people who dont live in Ohio, (AGSers mostly) or people with uber-good internet, I offer the games for download, free. They just dont get the goodies. I think this is the best way to make money in AGS.

the way i view it is; AGS is for making games, not money

[Teh Crabe]

the way i view it is; AGS is for making games, not money

I'm not making money off AGS.  I hope to make money off the game I create with it.  AGS enables me to do that easily (I'm no programmer) and its creator allows me to charge for my game if I want to.

The phrase "You get what you pay for" holds true.  An amateur developer working for no money is only going to take the game so far.  Apprentice is a good example.  THat's top notch, but if those guys could make a little bit of money, imagine what they could produce.

There will still be free games, but I want to make something good enough to charge for.

[Minimi]

Yes, I totally agree with you boyd! Take for an extreme example CJ, he coulda become richer than tony blair, but he refused it, and went for respect, wich I respect And to follow in the steps of CJ I feel kinda responsable to make some nice free adventure games for everyone to enjoy. Asking money wouldn't be fair. If you really want to do it straight, and you ask $1 for the game, you should give at least 75cents to CJ, because he made the awesome-est engine evah!!

hmm a quick addition to your latest reply teh crabe, I think your whole view of people at ags is wrong, because if I take for example ratracer, I see this great work TLJ, where I would have paid for, if he asked it, and its topquality in my opinion. So don't judge about people that they do better when they get paid in money, because getting paid is not only in the way of money... ohwell... you'll understand.... LATER

[Teh Crabe]

I don't want to start a flame over whether it's right to charge for games or whatever.  If someone wants to put out a professional quality game and give it away, great.  If someone wants to put out an awful game and charge for it, great (commercial publishers do it all the time).

As far as paying CJ 75 cents for every dollar I make, I would, if that was required, but he specifically gives it away royalty free.  That's his choice to make.  

As a final statement on the topic of whether charging is fair or right or whatever, I don't think giving away your efforts for free makes you worthy of respect, nor does charging for your efforts make you unworthy.  

The example minimi made, you said you'd be willing to pay for top-quality work.  That's my point.  If there is a market out there for adventure games (and I think there is) the only way to get professional developers into it is if there is financial sense in doing so.  I want to see if there is.  I'm not all about profit and getting rich off my games.  That's not the point for me, but I do want to make it worth my while to work on these games rather than another of my lucrative hobbies.

Saying you're willing to pay for something only if the creator is willing to refuse your money and give it to you for free is kind of hypocritical.  Saying that's the only way to be respectable about it is almost insulting if taken the wrong way.

Just because I intend to charge a wee amount for my game, I'm still going to give back to the community.  I'll share artwork and tips and participate in discussions about coding, etc.  Wanting to make a hobby worthwhile financially isn't wrong, and shouldn't be discouraged.

[._.]

._./ hi

Here's a thought: You can't build a reputation on what you're going to do.

[Teh Crabe]

._./ hi

Here's a thought: You can't build a reputation on what you're going to do.

I absolutely agree.  I just felt I should respond to the implication that I was unworthy of respect or that I was doing things wrong by wanting to charge for a game.  

It's certainly no sweat off anyone here if I'm full of crap and don't deliver anything.  My original intent for the thread has kind of been side-tracked and for that, I apologize.

[Toefur]

the way i view it is; AGS is for making games, not money

(Graphic) Adventure games were created for making money since the 1980's; all our great favourites would never have been made if not for motivation to make money from them... personally, I think AGS is for making both... at once.  

[Andail]

great, now we have two threads just discussing moneymaking....
well, all you need to know is:

1. If you're gonna sell a game, nobody will hold a grudge to you or think you're being immoral
2. But less people will play the game
3. You won't become rich
4. The game will have to be so good that if you don't start making it already (instead of just posting about it) you won't make it before 2005 or something...and then we could all be DEAD!