Well, since my post was deleted, I guess because I mentioned the dev and his previous game, which will now go unmentioned (even though it is shown on the OP), I will try to make my very valid point about
this game, and its development.
Heir Apparent looks like a great game, I had already clicked download, and then I looked at the name of the dev. I thought to myself, "It was a shame the last game was abandoned, but maybe I should give him another chance. Maybe he just didn't like where the last story was going and wanted to try something new that might get more fans." But then I saw what he has posted on his page for Heir Apparent, and this gives me grave misgivings that this game will ever be completed, or even make it to update 0.02.
The renders look great, the story seems interesting, though not incredibly original, but should we completely ignore the fact that the dev is saying that if I get $300 i will work 15 days, if he gets less, he will work fewer days, and that even at full funding that his maximum capacity is 180 renders a month, which is quite low? Then looking at his project goals, his goal is $1,200 a month before he agrees to work on version 0.02. Hmm. That is asking quite a lot for a dev with a track record of abandoning his last game, and after only a single short update.
All devs want to make money, to support their games' development, but to state clearly on the Heir Apparent page, at the beginning that the game will be abandoned at version 0.01 if he doesn't make $1,200 a month, that it will be abandoned at version 0.02 if he doesn't make $1,600 a month, and that it will be abandoned at version 0.03 if he doesn't make $2,000 a month, is the wrong message to send to his fans and potential donors.
So as a player, and a potential donor, as I am to all the games I play here, how should I consider this statement from the dev himself about his plans (or not) for Heir Apparent?
I always go to bat for devs here, and I support quite a few devs here that are working on games that are very good, but I think underappreciated, where I know the dev really needs the support. Mainly to show my appreciation, and encourage them to continue. I even supported this devs last game for awhile, because I thought it was quite good, had an original story, and intriguing characters, and great dialog.
But with Heir Apparent, I can't approve of the devs worsening bad attitude. It would be different if he turned over a new leaf with Heir Apparent, versus his last game, but he has doubled-down on entitlement. Even despite the fact that it makes the dev sound bad, on a strictly transactional basis, people support devs on Patreon because they want to show support to a dev, where they like their work, and that they hope that with their contribution, the game will eventially be completed. The devs own statements, with Heir Apparent, shows that he is going to hold the development of the game hostage until he gets a truly large monthly contribution. If he doesn't hit the target? Well say goodbye to Heir Apparant, and for all the financial contributors that have supported the dev, "so long".
To be a successful game project, the dev needs to have the attitude that they love what they are doing, that they are happy for any support they can get, and that they are committed to developing the game, but if they get more support, they can develop their game quicker, create more detailed renders, etc, etc. Not hold the game hostage until he hits an ever increasing target each month.
Lol. The problem is that he DEMANDS the money. He doesn't even ask for it, he doesn't let interests grow, he just demands, "give me x amount of money, or I'll stop working." And that is not how it works.
Exactly.
