Disc version/Future Retail plans

[ZealousD]

Hey Derek and Alec!

Congratulations on finally finishing the game! I've been eagerly awaiting the game ever since I first saw the trailer on GameTrailers.

Anyway, I've just got a couple questions on some "business"  stuff.  I heard the game was going to come out at $30 and I was slightly taken back, just because I was actually expecting a bit less. Now, it's not a huge problem as I'm sure the game will be worth that much, but once you get into those numbers it almost becomes an investment. However, because the title will be digitally distributed, that means that I won't be a getting a physical copy of the game, which I would prefer for such an investment. I have enough of  a problem losing discs for some of my older PC games, but it's even easier for me to lose files on my computer! If Aquaria is as good as I'm hoping it is, I'll want to play it 5, 10, even 15 years from now!

The guys over at TellTale games (the ones making the new Sam and Max stuff) had a pretty good deal where you upgrade your digital purchase to a disc copy (with a bonus disc) for essentially just the cost of manufacturing and shipping, around $7-$10. Do you guys have any sort of future plans about "upgrading" to a physical copy or anything like that? Perhaps plans for ports  on console platforms (IE Wii/360)? I think I'd feel more comfortable with my purchase if I could go beyond simply digital distribution.

Anyway, I'm excited for the game! Hope to be playing it soon! 

[Derek]

Hi, ZealousD!

Some people  have expressed that they feel $30 is a bit high for an independent title, which is to be expected.  But for the unique experience and amount of content you're getting, we believe it's very reasonable.  There are roughly 2000 pieces of hand-painting artwork in the game, and 50 music tracks composed by Alec... not to mention Jenna's amazing voice work.  Of course, a game has to be more than just a sum of its parts, and we've spent a lot of time working to ensure that all the pieces fit together to create a complete experience.  This game is meant to be enjoyed on many levels.

And keep in mind that you're also getting the very tools we used to craft the game, and all the ensuing updates!

Anyway, that's not really your question, but... since a few people have brought it up to us, I thought I'd address it.

Regarding a hard copy, I totally feel you.  I like to get something physical, with a nice manual to rifle through.  It makes it feel like you have something tangible.  So we definitely have plans to release the game on CD eventually, we just didn't want to delay the game's release any further to do it.

But yeah!  When we do get some hard copies made, we'd like to do it the way you describe - let the people who have already bought the downloadable version upgrade for whatever the difference is!  You can rest assured that we have been thinking about it and are planning for it.

[Alec]

Mr Robot = 25.00

Aquaria = 30.00

Difference = 5.00 = the price of a fast food burger

So yeah, just skip McDonalds this week. Make yourself a nice sandwich at home. The game is definitely worth not eating a crappy burger for.

In terms of investment, the game isn't going to be locked to a server or anything, it'll keep on working. You could always contact us if you lose your copy somehow! So unless we've died in 10 years, you should be good.

You're also investing in the future of indie games, which will bring a warm glow to your cheeks guaranteed. I know I felt pretty good inside after buying Chocolate Castle. Even though I initially felt $20 was a bit much, I also felt like it was worth giving money to a developer I admire so he could continue to do what he does.

Boxed copies would be awesome. But its not something we can produce effectively right now, being broke and all.

If the game does well enough though, I'd love to invest a bit in a limited run and do it up really nice!

[ZealousD]

Haha, didn't want to give you guys the impression that I was complaining about the price point. Given how long and how much effort you guys are putting into it I think it's reasonable. Just thought I'd express the viewpoint that once you get that high, it's nice to have something tangible and in your hands. Makes it easier to keep and gives a better sense of ownership, know what I mean?

[Alec]

Haha, yeah we totally do! I am a big fan of old school game manuals.

[SixFifty]

No complaints about the price point here. Sounds like a bargain to me 

[shinygerbil]

Considering that $30 is currently less than

[Hiro]

The USD to NZD exchange rate is really good right now. If it stays the same Aquaria will only cost me 38-39$. New game on the shelf = 70-100$ so Aquaria does look good to me.

An upgrade to hard copy does sound really cool though. Maybe hard copy has the OST on it too?

[Alec]

An upgrade to hard copy does sound really cool though. Maybe hard copy has the OST on it too?

Yeah, I'd really like to do that.

For a limited run I was thinking:

Boxed version (maybe in a tin?)
* manual
* poster/map/both?
* soundtrack CD (w/ booklet/liner notes if possible)
* game CD
* maybe a personal message handwritten by me/Derek/both "thank you for supporting us" kinda thing
* some kind of plushie?? that would be so awesome if we could make it. i'm not really sure how though? (like a lil' stuffed nautilus prime or something would be pretty rad)

So the main thing would be trying to keep the cost down somehow. We printed some nice mockup manuals for IGF (like 3 of them) and it was really expensive. We'd probably have to invest in a run of them somewhere. 

Yeah, I'm not really sure of the details, but we can dream.

[Sfiera]

* some kind of plushie?? that would be so awesome if we could make it. i'm not really sure how though? (like a lil' stuffed nautilus prime or something would be pretty rad)

If you really want to be cool/evil, you could make one for each of the pets in the game, and randomly select one for each box--people'd have to burn money on multiple copies. I sort of expect though that a run of them would be prohibitively expensive.

[Czechman]

Really good will be plush Naija in normal or in other of her forms  

(BTW: How tall is Naija?It looks to me like she is very small-about several centimetre-because of those cliffs? )

[implicid]

* soundtrack CD

Be sure to do this no matter what.  Looking forward to release!

[emphyrio]

... There are roughly 2000 pieces of hand-painting artwork in the game,...

...would be very interesting for some sort of special edition.

[illithid235]

Sweet, thanks for getting back to this question. I don't think $30 sounds like too much. The game looks gorgeous, and like you said, it gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling to support independent game developers. And if you put all that stuff with a physical copy.... wow. Head asplode.

[Guert]

30,00$ is a very small price for what you guys will be gettin'.  I've paid more thand double this price for some commercial games that have half the content of Aquaria...

Now, back into the shadows, lurking for some other occasion to tease you all...