- Thread starter PixelsLab
- Start date
- Nov 20, 2018
- 10,967
- 15,835
They already explained why they won't work on it, at least right now. I've also summarized this a couple of times. They don't need to do anything but take care of themselves and their situation right now, actually.thy need to finish off this game it seems thy won.t able to now
In my personal opinion, this is one of the best games on this forum - the plot is really really good plus the dialogus were funny and witty (not to mention the outstanding quality of images).View attachment 3130665
You must be registered to see the links
Hey, everyone.
I won't take too long. I got a rejection from Steam.
I knew from the very beginning that it would be like this. It was pretty obvious that Steam wouldn't like Alice, and they decided to reinsure themselves. It's still very frustrating though.
The reply from Steam came over a week ago, and all this time I've been trying to finally decide what to do next.
I've already mentioned my situation in the last post, now I'll try to explain it in more detail, telling you what happened to me for the last year and a half. But before I do that, I'll make it clear that I'm not writing this to make you feel sorry for me, but to explain why I have to close the game.
About the finances.
After I took a break last February and froze the page for 3 months to regain some health and nerves, I lost about 45% of my support. That's when I decided not to complain about life, and just keep doing what I can to keep the game alive. That's why I hardly wrote any personal posts like I used to do. And every month after that, the support on Patreon dropped harder and harder. I had small savings, and I could live on them. But gradually they started to run out too.
Then, in November 2022, Payoneer, the payment system I used to withdraw funds from Patreon, announced that it was closing all accounts for Russians. And I then asked those of you who had the opportunity to subscribe for a year, so that I could have at least some reserves. And a lot of people responded. Thank you very much again! I then raised $2,489, which I stretched over the course of 6 months. Obviously, I wasn't doing so well, so I started borrowing from people I knew and doing part-time work to keep afloat somehow.
In June, I traveled to another country to open an account there and withdraw my Patreon savings. I had to travel three times before I could receive them. As you can imagine, traveling to another country is not cheap, and to save money, I decided to take the bus. And that turned out to be a big problem because of my back. 17 hours straight one way on a bus with a sore spine is hell. It's been five months and I still haven't recovered from those trips. I withdrew $3,287 dollars from Patreon back then - that's what I had accumulated in a little over 6 months. Which would have been a good amount, but I was already in quite a bit of debt at the time, and I gave away most of that money almost immediately. And don't forget that to get that money, I had to travel to another country 3 times, pay for the trips themselves and the hotel. Now I have 2900 dollars saved up on Patreon again, which will barely cover my current debts accumulated over the last 5 months.
I realize a lot of you math doesn't add up, but this weird stuff from Patreon. Right now it says on the home page that I have $739 in support, but I'm very lucky if I raise that amount. More often than not, I raise $100 less. I never figured out how this counter works in so many years.
Anyway, that's all I wanted to say about finances. Once again, I'll make it clear that this is not an attempt to make you feel sorry for me, I'm just trying to tell you about my situation in life. If you felt sorry for me and decided to support me after this, you should be very wrong. I'm just a guy on the internet, and my situation is far from the worst. There are millions of people in the world with much worse problems, help them better. Also, don't forget that the holidays are coming up and you'll need to buy gifts for your loved ones. And I'll pay off my debts myself, since I've already found a job. But I am still very grateful to you for helping me for so long!
About health.
In fact, that's the main reason I gave up. Because I feel worse and worse.
As I've shared before, I took a break for three months in February 2022. And it really helped me! I felt normal for over a year, hardly ever thinking about my back. But after the 3 trips mentioned, it got worse than ever. Especially after the last one, when the bus got stuck at the border and instead of 17 hours, I sat on the bus for 28. That totally messed me up, and I still haven't recovered even though it's been over 5 months.
In September I had a very severe attack and for 2 weeks I basically couldn't work, couldn't sit, lie down or stand normally. I was in a lot of pain and no painkillers helped. That being said, I went to doctors, got massages, had a bunch of shots and lay under IVs with painkillers. It was because of this that I was not able to get the October update out in time. And now every day I'm afraid that I can break down again and go down for a couple more weeks, or possibly forever.
It was after the October update that I decided to close the game. I realized that with my health, I wouldn't be able to release even short updates every month. And if I don't release updates every month, support goes down a lot.
About motivation.
As you realize, it's hard to develop a game with these inputs. It's hard to come up with dialogs, jokes and other things when you're struggling with your own health and financial problems. And the motivation is getting weaker and weaker every day.
Also, of course, it's frustrating when you look at some new game that in the first 2 months gathers as much support as I've been gathering for 3-4 years. That's a lot of pressure. And I can't even understand why it's not like that for me. I mean, I really tried. I tried on every word, render, animation and everything, everything, everything. Is it just luck? Or is my game that much worse? I know it sounds pathetic, but it still hurts.
About Steam.
I'd like to add a few words about Steam. I've already said I was sure about the rejection, but some developers I knew and just friends urged me to try releasing the game there, as it could bring in enough for me to finish the game without worrying about money. That was one of the reasons why I started reworking the first chapters. But unfortunately, what happened is what happened. It's hard to blame Steam, since the fact that it releases adult games at all is already surprising. But it's so fucking frustrating!
Actually, the most annoying thing about this whole situation, in my opinion, is that the game has enough content for a fully finished game. About 200,000 words! That's more than in two full-fledged novels. Over 6 thousand images! Most of which are well done. Cool animations. Yes there aren't many, but they're good. So good, in fact, that several developers have offered to let me do animations for their games for money.
Now that I think about it, I'm really surprised at what a gigantic job I did. And how frustrated I am that I never got around to finishing it....
Oh, okay. Stop feeling sorry for myself, I already look like a whiner after this post. Let's summarize.
Bottom line.
I have neither the health nor the financial ability to continue The Intoxicating Flavor. Therefore, I am permanently closing the game.
I am very sorry. I apologize to you for not being able to bring the story to the promised end.
I have already taken an official job. I contacted a former boss of mine who we worked well with for many years, and he offered me a position with him. It seems to pay a good salary. Now I need to work at least six months to get back on my feet, pay off my debts and make at least some savings. But what will I do after that?
I really want to keep making games. I think I have pretty good skills for that right now. At least I have a good renderer, and the animations are getting better and better every time. I'm not so sure about my skills as a screenwriter anymore though. TIF was too unpopular... But, I still have hope to make an interesting game.
I originally wanted to remove the pages on Patreon, Boosty, Subscribestar and all social media related to the game, as well as the Discord server. To completely disappear as PixelsLab. After all, even if I decide to create a new game, I'll still have the shadow of an unfinished project on me. But on the other hand, I've heard so many words of support in the last two weeks that I just don't want to part with you. Besides, many of you have become, if not friends, then at least good acquaintances whose opinions are interesting to listen to.
So there's no way I can decide how I should proceed. I'm still leaning towards closing the page, since even if I start a new project, it will be very different from TIF. But for now, I've decided to freeze the page until the new year so Patreon doesn't charge you, and closer to the end of December I'll either extend the freeze or delete the page for good.
Unfortunately, there is no way to freeze the page on Boosty and Subscribestar. So you'll have to unsubscribe on your own. Anyway, at the end of December I will remove the support levels on these sites so that those who forget to unsubscribe will not be charged.
Also on Patreon you can request a refund for the last month. If that doesn't work, write me and I'll try to do it on my end.
And I want to apologize to you again. I'm very sorry for letting you down like that. And thank you more for being with me these years! You gave me a chance to do something new and unusual for myself! I wish I could have taken that chance to the fullest.
P.S. Would you like to discuss the reason why TIF never became popular? I'd really like to hear your opinion. I wanted to write a separate post about it myself, but more than anything I want to hear an outside opinion. I'm very interested.
It is hard to believe that such a great game is abandoned now and we will never know how it ends.
PixelsLab - people say never say never, so who knows maybe some day you will decide to finish this masterpiece.
Just take as much time as needed - relax, fix your health (do some excersizes/physio for your back, etc), make some money (at your everyday job) and have some fun in your life too!
(One thing about money though - it is never enough and it does not matter how much money you make).And who knows, maybe one day you decide to finish this game - just to leave some legacy (because let's face it - there are not many games like this one on this forum). Yes, there are some new games that make some money (almost right away), but after a few years people would not remember those games (because they all look too similar) - where your game is something that people would remember even 10-20 years from now.
Just out of curiosity - how much was left of this awesome game (more like half of the game is finished now)? Did you have a detailed plan of the game (like step by step events)? Or maybe everything was very fluid and you were adding new events when you were getting some inspiration? Maybe there are only two-three episodes left?
I wish you all the best in your life and, please, remember if one day you decide to come back - you are always welcome here!
Thank you again for your hard work on this awesome game.
Last edited:
PixelsLab - I posted my message yesterday (on the thread that supposed to be finished) and already seven people liked it (in just 24 hours), which means there are a lot of fans here waiting for your awsome game.
You mentioned that money is one of the factors here, so I have to ask (and I hope for reasonable and honest answer): how much money do you think you should really get for this excellent game (every month)?
The reason I am asking some developers are very specific and say "I need X number of supporters". Keep in mind - the times of BADIK and Summer's Gone are gone now - those game were started five years ago and really stand up at that time with the quality of graphics.
While in Theory anything is possible - in Reality (with the number of game comming everyday) it would be hard to match those numbers today (I mean, if you want to start a new game tomorrow). And I think this is the reason why those game barely get any updates now (the developers already know it).
You mentioned that money is one of the factors here, so I have to ask (and I hope for reasonable and honest answer): how much money do you think you should really get for this excellent game (every month)?
The reason I am asking some developers are very specific and say "I need X number of supporters". Keep in mind - the times of BADIK and Summer's Gone are gone now - those game were started five years ago and really stand up at that time with the quality of graphics.
While in Theory anything is possible - in Reality (with the number of game comming everyday) it would be hard to match those numbers today (I mean, if you want to start a new game tomorrow). And I think this is the reason why those game barely get any updates now (the developers already know it).
Last edited:
- Mar 13, 2021
- 4,568
- 7,938
LOL
This game's development started 1 year before BaDIK, you know. And it barely got any updates in its last 3 years before it got shut down.
- Jul 12, 2020
- 7,470
- 16,310
- Nov 14, 2017
- 57,115
- 28,251
well if day job covers rent/mortgage and food etc then few 100 bucks could be enuf, if full time dev then 10 times that as bare minimum.
as i said earlier it's very unlikely that he visits here anymore.
- Nov 20, 2018
- 10,967
- 15,835
- Mar 13, 2021
- 4,568
- 7,938
HELL NOanother victim of the russia-ukraine war
Just start scrolling and reading this thread from the opening post and you'll know why.
Thank you so much! One of those reviews that makes you want to go back and finish the game as soon as possible.In my personal opinion, this is one of the best games on this forum - the plot is really really good plus the dialogus were funny and witty (not to mention the outstanding quality of images).
It is hard to believe that such a great game is abandoned now and we will never know how it ends.
PixelsLab - people say never say never, so who knows maybe some day you will decide to finish this masterpiece.
Just take as much time as needed - relax, fix your health (do some excersizes/physio for your back, etc), make some money (at your everyday job) and have some fun in your life too!
And who knows, maybe one day you decide to finish this game - just to leave some legacy (because let's face it - there are not many games like this one on this forum). Yes, there are some new games that make some money (almost right away), but after a few years people would not remember those games (because they all look too similar) - where your game is something that people would remember even 10-20 years from now.
Just out of curiosity - how much was left of this awesome game (more like half of the game is finished now)? Did you have a detailed plan of the game (like step by step events)? Or maybe everything was very fluid and you were adding new events when you were getting some inspiration? Maybe there are only two-three episodes left?
I wish you all the best in your life and, please, remember if one day you decide to come back - you are always welcome here!
Thank you again for your hard work on this awesome game.
Answering the questions. The game is about 65 percent complete. I have a plot plan, but it keeps changing, either because I can't realize something well or I just find a more interesting solution. Consider that I have an ending and the obligatory events that lead to that ending, and everything in between has a very fuzzy shape.
- Nov 20, 2018
- 10,967
- 15,835
Just b/c of being busy with real life. I just wasn't sure, that's all.Why?
- Aug 11, 2020
- 46
- 47
Praise the Lord, he is alive
!Normaly I‘m rather a thread reader, than a writer. But in this case I‘m very rejoiced to hear about PixelsLab and wanted to write this few words. I hope, your health and RL-situation will be soon as good as you wish, and, for our sake
, you can finish this wonderful and amazing VN.
- Nov 14, 2017
- 57,115
- 28,251
well i reported that poster but apparently his post is within rules.
It is really good to hear from you - PixelsLab!
I hope you are feeling better (about your back pain). A while ago I personally had an issue with my left sholder, which I hoped would go away soon, but it did not. After one year somebody recommended to check with physio therapists (which I thought were like 'withch doctors' or something). I went two times and the doctor gave me some exercices to do (twice per day). Three weeks I was completely cured (but I did do all the exercises that I was given - about ten minutes in the morning and evening). So why don't you try to do something like that to fix you back?
I was also thinking about your great game - if it is only about one third of the game left (which is roughly two years of your development time) and you can make corrections as you go (which means you don't have those 'boring and must have' scenes) - why not to finish your great game then in the next two years. If Leonardo Da Vinci would switch from his art work to 'something more profitable/easy' (at that time) - the world would not have his amazing artworks! The same goes here - you created an amazing game (with almost Biblical references incorporated in the modern world) and it is only two years left to finish this amazing game. You know, people say, the last steps in any major work/project are the hardest.
I understand how frustrating it is looking at some new game getting so many paying fans and why you think that starting a new game maybe a better choice, but
- there are only a few new games that became immediately popular (and hundreds of other game quitely died)
- you don't know for sure if your next game will be really popular. What if not - then what (start a third game)?
I remember there was a game (and I had to look up the name, because I could not remember it anymore - after so many same looking games) - "Wife at all costs". It was going strong (about seven-eight episodes), but then it was cancelled and a new game was started. This new game did not last and it was cancelled too (after a two releases or so). Then a third game was started and then cancelled too. So when the developers were trying to start a fourth game - people were just making sarcastic remarks and nobody took it serioulsy anymore. I have seen some games coming to this forum and thinking: "it should be really popular" - and it had an average fan support. And other games (which looked so average and cliche) - had a big success. People say the same about the Holywood shows - it is very hard to predict how popular they will be.
But your game is really stands up and has a big fan base: my first message (about a week ago) was 'liked' by seven people in twenty-four hours (and it was not even the week-end when many people check this forum), which means there are so many people that come to your thread everyday and hope to get some good news from you.
I would say - finish this game to create a Legacy and a Recognizable Name!
Many people would respect that and they would definitely folllow you next game (because they would know that you can deliver the results, unlike many other game that are gone now).
And my last point - there is never enough money in this life (you start making more money - you start buying more expensive things, etc). Plus there is this saying: "Easy come - easy go", which means a lot of 'quick win' money gets often spent on some useless crap ('oh, I alway wanted to have/try it, etc'). Unless you really need money for something very specific like "my son/daughter got accepted at this prestigious university, but I don't have money to pay for him/her". Otherwise, I would not make money as a top reason to quit your amaizing game (for example, I am not rich and it does not bother me - I have a roof, food/beer and some good friends).
If you really want to get to the "Steam" thingy - make Alice tall again in the next episode (like she was in the last episode) and then you can slowly rework her previous images (and fix text about her height). In this case, you would have two versions of the game:
- Director-cut version (for this forum) - "The Intoxicating Flavor"
- General public version (for Steam) - "The Island Trip" (or something like that)
Plus people say - strange things happen in this life. Imagine - when your game is finished (and many people really liked it) - some movie studio could decide to make a movie based on this game (with the current special effects it would not be so difficult). That would be a good amount of money coming your way (from the legal fees, etc).
Sorry, it was a long post, but I hope that some day you will change your mind and will continue this great game!
Last edited:
- Jul 1, 2021
- 49
- 34
PixelsLab
I'm so glad to see you
I want to tell you that your game is amazing. I always played with great pleasure (I was happy even with small updates),I replayed it 4 times and always had great fun
I want to wish you health and stability in life
(English is not my native language, I'm from Russia)
I'm so glad to see you
I want to tell you that your game is amazing. I always played with great pleasure (I was happy even with small updates),I replayed it 4 times and always had great fun
I want to wish you health and stability in life
(English is not my native language, I'm from Russia)