I think that with the $299 price there is no reason for another price level/model. However, the current PlayHaven setup for free users is not very appealing. While I personally would not use GS with these Ads (hate full page ads), it is possible to succeeded with these ads. Many (many, many, many) people use the free versions of Draw Something or XYZ with Friends with annoying ads every change of scene (so one round of Draw Something has about 4 ads), and their ads are worse than PlayHaven. So if you game is outstanding, people might forgive you...
But a whole lot of factors do come into play. Does Playhaven generate more than $99 per free GS user?
If you make a smashing hit with GS Free, GS will make good money (and not you) or $299 because you will be running to buy Pro and get the Ad revenue yourself (if you are not too late)
i planned making games with the free version of gamesalad and then go pro when i made enough money,but with the free version and these ads i don't think i could take money for the game.
The model of "I'll make some money with Free in order to upgrade for pro", is dead. Don't know if it was intentional or not, but there is no developer monetization on the free accounts anymore.
tenrdrmerMember, Sous Chef, Senior Sous-ChefPosts: 9,934
I agree with @FryingBaconStudios -- but, free users did get a bit screwed by this update. It was working one way, and now it's working a completely different way.
How exactly did free users get screwed over? Did they lose the ability to publish to iOS for free? Nope they still get a free ride. GameSalad has just adjust the way they make a few bucks off those free users. everyone was pissed about the splash at the start. So they have changed it again. guess what everyone's still pissed. The people who want the world for free will never be happy. GameSalad could give these people free pro for a month and they would ask for 2 because a month is just not long enough for them. There's always going to be a reason these guys are not happy with GameSalad. I wish they would just go back to no free users and get rid of the whinny ass begging.
I agree with @FryingBaconStudios -- but, free users did get a bit screwed by this update. It was working one way, and now it's working a completely different way.
How exactly did free users get screwed over? Did they lose the ability to publish to iOS for free? Nope they still get a free ride. GameSalad has just adjust the way they make a few bucks off those free users. everyone was pissed about the splash at the start. So they have changed it again. guess what everyone's still pissed. The people who want the world for free will never be happy. GameSalad could give these people free pro for a month and they would ask for 2 because a month is just not long enough for them. There's always going to be a reason these guys are not happy with GameSalad. I wish they would just go back to no free users and get rid of the whinny ass begging.
Awesome post of the week
tenrdrmerMember, Sous Chef, Senior Sous-ChefPosts: 9,934
I agree with @FryingBaconStudios -- but, free users did get a bit screwed by this update. It was working one way, and now it's working a completely different way.
How exactly did free users get screwed over? Did they lose the ability to publish to iOS for free? Nope they still get a free ride. GameSalad has just adjust the way they make a few bucks off those free users. everyone was pissed about the splash at the start. So they have changed it again. guess what everyone's still pissed. The people who want the world for free will never be happy. GameSalad could give these people free pro for a month and they would ask for 2 because a month is just not long enough for them. There's always going to be a reason these guys are not happy with GameSalad. I wish they would just go back to no free users and get rid of the whinny ass begging.
@patapple You must invest and then you can make money!!!! It's with everything, do you want to earn money with a shop: you must buy things that you can sell and have a site/shop. If you would a farm, you must buy tools, a farm and seeds/animals. That's the same as developing apps, you must buy a Mac, iPhone/iPad/iPod touch and GameSalad. As you have a good idea you can get your money back with sales or ads. (I'm also student)
How exactly did free users get screwed over? Did they lose the ability to publish to iOS for free?
They kind of did. There is no free option anymore. Now you have to work for GS trying to make them money with a crippled app. Either you degrade your work or go pro. Doesn't sound free at all. Don't call it free, call it limited/conditional or children edition. And the problem solved.
How exactly did free users get screwed over? Did they lose the ability to publish to iOS for free?
They kind of did. There is no free option anymore. Now you have to work for GS trying to make them money with a crippled app. Either you degrade your work or go pro. Doesn't sound free at all. Don't call it free, call it limited/conditional or children edition. And the problem solved.
It IS FREE - you CAN publish the iOS game for FREE.
Just my two cents. It should stay exactly as it is now. If you don't want the ads pony up.
However, I do have to point out that comparisons to pricing of software that is a one time cost and the yearly pro fee of GS isn,t valid. For example, yeah I have to pay bank for photoshop professional but once I pay I have it forever. Yes, when a new version comes out I would have to pay for an upgrade if I wanted it but if I did not I could still use the version I have. This is not the case with GS. Once the pro subscription expires I lose all the pro features I have. And that is ok, cause that's the model I signed up for. But to compare the pricing of the two different models is just invalid.
How exactly did free users get screwed over? Did they lose the ability to publish to iOS for free? Nope they still get a free ride. GameSalad has just adjust the way they make a few bucks off those free users. everyone was pissed about the splash at the start. So they have changed it again. guess what everyone's still pissed. The people who want the world for free will never be happy. GameSalad could give these people free pro for a month and they would ask for 2 because a month is just not long enough for them. There's always going to be a reason these guys are not happy with GameSalad. I wish they would just go back to no free users and get rid of the whinny ass begging.
Because the software did one thing, which wasn't too obnoxious, and now it does something else, which makes it pretty much useless for publishing an actual game. I agree with the rest of what you said.
Personally, I wish they'd get rid of the free version (or make it so it only publishes to the arcade). That way people could try it, and when they're ready to release a real game, they can buy the software. I think that would also make a lot of the more obnoxious users in this forum just disappear AND help the reputation of GS at the same time.
You know what would be extremely awesome if you could win pro or templates like let's say they have a challenge and the top prize is a month of pro or a year and the winner of the competition will get it.
You know what would be extremely awesome if you could win pro or templates like let's say they have a challenge and the top prize is a month of pro or a year and the winner of the competition will get it.
That would be soooooooooo awesome.
But I know it will never happen
There is Think Outside The Box - the winner gets Pro for a year, and other cool prizes. It's once a year, and there were already 4 editions. I've won the last one
Try and find another game engine that lets you publish to all the devices.. you may find some that are cheaper, and you will find some that are better... what you ou will not find cheaper AND better.
but for the price, and the options, IMO nothing beats gamesalad. I found this software a few weeks ago... and I feel like it's making my dreams come true!!
I'm not pro yet, as I'm deving for the company I work for on their pro account, but the SECOND I get to work on my own games I'm going pro for sure.
Gamesalad is worth 5x more than they charge in my opinion
I think 299$ is fair price, just saying that FREE is not an option anymore, at least for an artist who cares about his game and player experience.
DrawSomething Free, Word with Friends Free and other games in that category show 100% ads between "scene changes" and still do well. If your game is good and free, people (who pay nothing) will enjoy it. So Free GS is still free and allow you to create great games without paying GS a penny.
Now, since you care about your game and player experience, free account is not the way to go with any GS release (splash screen, opening ad, or any other option). If you think like a Pro, go Pro.
Answers
I think 299$ is fair price, just saying that FREE is not an option anymore, at least for an artist who cares about his game and player experience.
However, I do have to point out that comparisons to pricing of software that is a one time cost and the yearly pro fee of GS isn,t valid. For example, yeah I have to pay bank for photoshop professional but once I pay I have it forever. Yes, when a new version comes out I would have to pay for an upgrade if I wanted it but if I did not I could still use the version I have. This is not the case with GS. Once the pro subscription expires I lose all the pro features I have. And that is ok, cause that's the model I signed up for. But to compare the pricing of the two different models is just invalid.
Personally, I wish they'd get rid of the free version (or make it so it only publishes to the arcade). That way people could try it, and when they're ready to release a real game, they can buy the software. I think that would also make a lot of the more obnoxious users in this forum just disappear AND help the reputation of GS at the same time.
That would be soooooooooo awesome.
But I know it will never happen
but for the price, and the options, IMO nothing beats gamesalad.
I found this software a few weeks ago... and I feel like it's making my dreams come true!!
I'm not pro yet, as I'm deving for the company I work for on their pro account, but the SECOND I get to work on my own games I'm going pro for sure.
Gamesalad is worth 5x more than they charge in my opinion
Now, since you care about your game and player experience, free account is not the way to go with any GS release (splash screen, opening ad, or any other option). If you think like a Pro, go Pro.