Question for devs & uploaders: coordinating initial release?

[S Pied_Piper]

Hey everyone,

I know the usual process for new games is: dev posts in Game Request, then an uploader picks it up, makes the release thread, and only after that the dev can request the Developer badge and ownership of the thread.

What I’m wondering is - is it common (or at least acceptable) for a dev to reach out to an uploader directly beforehand, to coordinate the timing of that first release? For example, if I’d like the forum release to match a specific timeline.

Is this something uploaders are usually open to, or do they prefer to just pick up games from the request section whenever they get to it?

Curious if other devs here have tried that approach, and whether it worked out. Just want to understand the etiquette before doing anything. Thanks!

 

[Hagatagar]

For example, if I’d like the forum release to match a specific timeline.

If by that you mean something like delaying the leak, so that it arrives here later than your official release, then no. This is a pirate forum after all.

If you just want the uploaders to give a heads up of an upcoming release, then you should ask an Uploader directly per DM if this kind of thing is possible. Because these threads can get lost in the mass of other threads and it can be that no Uploaders will see this.

 

[S Pied_Piper]

If by that you mean something like delaying the leak, so that it arrives here later than your official release, then no. This is a pirate forum after all.

If you just want the uploaders to give a heads up of an upcoming release, then you should ask an Uploader directly per DM if this kind of thing is possible. Because these threads can get lost in the mass of other threads and it can be that no Uploaders will see this.

No, I actually meant the exact opposite. I don’t want to delay anything or protect from piracy - quite the contrary. What I’d like is for my initial release (and all following updates) to happen here on F95, so that the forum thread goes live at the same time as my chosen timeline.

Basically, I’m not trying to hold anything back - I just want the initial release date here to line up with my schedule. That’s why I was wondering if reaching out to an uploader in advance to coordinate timing is an acceptable thing to do.

I’m still hoping that maybe a dev or an uploader will see this thread and clarify how things work before I start knocking on DMs.

 

[anne O'nymous]

No, I actually meant the exact opposite. I don’t want to delay anything or protect from piracy - quite the contrary. What I’d like is for my initial release (and all following updates) to happen here on F95, so that the forum thread goes live at the same time as my chosen timeline.

Well, in this case you can leak the game yourself. Like link in the thread opening post will be updated anyway (for many reasons), the best options is to post one link to the last update directly in the thread, then to report the post as being a game update.

But note that, despite the number of uploaders, there's mostly only 2 that are really active. Therefore the thread opening will not be updated immediately, nor will the thread be promoted (bumped up in the Latest Updates list) immediately. This said, players that are really interested in your game will follow the thread, and therefore see your link right the instant you'll post it.

 

[Insomnimaniac Games]

You probably won't get the exact timing, however you can make it easier on uploaders if you have the upload speed. Make the thread according to this (Use the template) AND provide 3-5 links yourself. I've never heard of someone DMing an uploader, and I frankly wouldn't. They get to it when they can, a DM isn't going to bump you up the queue in all likelihood.

Now, for future updates, if you have thread ownership it's easier. Update everything necessary, provide the 3-5 links yourself, and you can get priority on being pushed to the LU page. (There's more info in the dev-only forums, when you get there).