Disc version/Future Retail plans

[Alec]

Yeah, the one you can order from Plimus is just in case you want a hard copy or if you have a really slow internet connection. AFAIK its just the bare bones. (Plimus handles it, so I have no idea what kind of label they put on it)

Derek and I really want to do a Special Edition collector's case. One that's reaaally nice. The first step to that is getting the soundtrack out and seeing how well that does. The soundtrack will be a really cool collector's item. The booklet alone is beautiful and it will have a new song by me and Jenna!

If the OST manages to cover its costs, then we'll have a good idea of how well the Special Edition will do and can try producing that. (the SE will probably end up costing more to produce than the OST)

[Hawkey]

I would suggest some kind of "pre-invastigation" would cover at least a few ones, too see how many people are interested in it (paying money for an pre-order bounds more people than just a simple "one-click-vote" and you could offer a 5$ discount, instead of 25$, just 20$ like the game). Hopefully your & Jennas work will be as good as allways (= awesome) 

For the Special Edition: I am really looking forward to it,  since the game showed me what a Independent Gamedeveloper could do (long time before I recognized WoG, Gish or CC) compared to the "mono-mass comercial market", at which companies sells often the name or the graphic of a title to attract customers (less than the core content, like the story)...
If you do a Special Collector Edition (perhap you could mention that it is limited too 1000, so you could calculate the costs ?), I hope we could still make it unique by giving you our names for the title screen etc.; moreover it would be great if some goodies will be included (such as a printed Manual, an Artbook, a Map of Aquaria and some other bonus) 

[PS:  I don't know what you thought about the price, but if it's for me; I am willing to pay nearly any amount up to 80$, which I think is normal for a rare limited Collection Edition (if it should be cheaper, I still wouldn't complain)  ]

[Alec]

You speak a lot of good sense, sir! 

[Stalfos]

[PS:  I don't know what you thought about the price, but if it's for me; I am willing to pay nearly any amount up to 80$, which I think is normal for a rare limited Collection Edition (if it should be cheaper, I still wouldn't complain)  ]

Like everyone else that fell in love with Aquaria! And still, there are games that we do pay 50$... so why not some uber Collection Edition Case!

Suggestion on the content were pretty much made in this topic, so content is almost "allready" decided in a certain way...
As for preorder: count me in! Perhaps a Donation button may help?

Anyway, keep up the good work, i'll watch this topic with attention and great care .

[theruler]

At witch point are we?
Are the plans come to a concrete level  (like set deadline) or still only thoughts?

Let us know!!! 

And another thing... Please get rid of Plimus...
Every cent I give I want them to reach YOU! not a company that (ok, provides a service but) takes a ridiculously HUGE percentage of YOUR profits... (10% is even more expensive than ebay fees!)

Isn't there an alternate method to manage the financial and download parts?
Which difficulties implies doing it yourselves?

regards

[Chibi]

I believe the main problem is fielding the hundreds of emails that buyers send. As for doing it himself: Alec might have to create (or pay a monthly fee for) a program that fulfilled only the functions of the purchase form, and have the IRS breathing down his neck to make sure everything's legal. In the end, the ten percent fee is worth it.

_{Note: the above is speculation, so refrain from correcting me - thanks, lol.}

[Nava]

There are no concrete plans or deadlines for the disc version yet, though it's something that Alec (and I believe Derek) still wants to do. The trouble is working out the cost/logistics behind it. I'm sure Alec will make a big post if/when plans are made.

As for Plimus; while I'll agree that they are a bit poopy, 10% is not much of a cut to give for their services, and I think it's less than what Steam takes (but don't quote me on that)...  recently, an iphone game publisher Alec was looking at for other projects was asking for 70%, if memory serves me right.
In any case,  what Plimus offers is, as Chibi said,  purchase forms and credit cards forms and all the security that has to come with that (it costs companies money to take credit cards as payment), a server for the game downloads, and some support for the purchases. This saves Alec and Derek a load of time and money, so 10% is not an unreasonable amount to give in return. Considering that they're both really busy working on other projects, it would be impossible for them to singlehandedly take on the business end of things as well.

[Chibi]

There you go - Nava said everything I didn't. 

[Alec]

World of Goo and Crayon Physics use a PayPal + PHP system, I think I'm going to switch to that next time. PayPal takes a significantly smaller cut.

The main reason, is because Plimus says in their FAQ that their support will handle customer download reactivation. But in reality, they just whine about it and pass the emails back to me. 10% is a lot, and they should be able to handle very simple email-based reactivation for that much.

Man, they piss me off. I don't have a lot of good things to say about them anymore. I don't think I'd recommend them to anyone after my recent experiences with them.

[Chibi]

If you switch, I'll try to convince some more people to buy the game to fund the change. (The lottery idea is still on the table) 

[Titch]

I'll pay $50 for a collectors edition if it came with a Naija plushie or model. [/lack of realism]

I really want a Naija plushie.

[Hawkey]

@Titch: I guess it will cost more if the package will include such a plush, but I think it will be defenitly worth the money (don't forget it isn't easy to produce a high qualatiy, limited boxed version with extra stuff) 

I would appreciate something like a nice Naija (or even a small pet) plush too (beside the magnets of the Macworld Expo ). Perhaps you could talk with Danielle (Ed's woman) about such a thing (she even offers individual commisions for 35$, hopefully mine will arrive soon ): blog & shop.

[Chibi]

Danielle would be perfect for the job - though I'm holding out for a Nautilus Prime plushie. 

[silverflagon]

Danielle would be perfect for the job - though I'm holding out for a Nautilus Prime plushie. 

I wouldn't mind one of those also Chibi lol

But having the choice of paying using Paypal would make Aquaria open to a lot more peope as many won't buy anything any other way..

[Nautilus]

A tin with a little Nautilus Prime plushie would be so cool.

This is really the kinda game that deserves to be showcased in a game collection, and a high quality disk release like that would do the trick!

I'd be willing to pay a lot for something like this. Besides supporting you guys its kinda like donating to PBS. Its for the benefit of everyone.