Releasing a game in sections

[Dave Gilbert]

Hi all,

Well I've finished about 1/3 of "Bestowers of Eternity," which is going through the beta phase.  This third sort of stands on its own, albeit with a cliffhanger.   I've been debating whether or not to release it.

I've noticed that other people release games in parts (Book of Spells, The Melt/Drake RON series, etc) and I was wondering how people generally felt about it.  

I also figure that  if people like part 1, it would give me even more incentive to finish the rest of the game.

Any thoughts?

[Vel]

YES!!! Release it, and when you have all three parts ready, code them altoghether with some bonus material like cutscenes, voice acting, more music and stuff - the feedback will get you more motivated to finish the whole game.

[Ginny]

I agree with Vel on everything he just said, you should tie the parts together with extra's (bug fixes and such too) and release a full version, but meanwhile divide it into parts
It's great that you have a cliffhanger, it will make people anticipate your game even more

[Ishmael]

Good Idea! That don't work for short games though... Like first part: 3 rooms, second part: 7 rooms, third part: 6 rooms.... okay, I'll cut the nonsense.

[custard1]

go for it will they be bundled together later?

[Snake]

Gilb:

It all really depends on you. What you really feel like doing is up to you. If you'd rather it be a full game, then release it as a full game. But like you said, if it kind of stands on it's own with a cliffhanger ending, then by all means, release it. It'll definately give you some modivation if people love it, which they will. Also, it depends on if the other parts will be "stand-alone" also...

I wouldn't release it if the other parts aren't stand alone parts. If the other parts of the game can stand by themselves and be distributed, then release the game in parts. It works excellent with Book of Spells.


--Snake

[Dave Gilbert]

Thanks for the tips, gang.  Now that I think of it, the other two parts don't stand on their own very well.  What I might do is release the first bit as a demo, and the rest as the full game.

[Snake]

Yeah, that would work. Or something else you could do, which is kind of funky, but you could release the first part, and then release the second and third as one?

Nah, go with you're new idea


--Snake