unforum

[lollipop00]

[Pixiestix]

[Jediwannabe]

[quote="Pixiestix"]

[carmenmiranda]

Yes, I feel bereft, too!

As far as paying for an ARG goes, what I said (and what is true) is that I would not have paid to start playing this ARG. It was my first one, and someone showed me one of the puzzles, and asked me to help solve it, and then I got hooked.

AFTER the hook, this game felt so much like the PMs were like fantastic party hosts--they wanted you to have a good time, and put on a really good spread. Because of that feeling, now, I would be more inclined to pay to play in a "foot the bill" kind of way, with/for the specific people who put this on--but only because it seems very personal and friendly, and not in any way a big corporate money-making scheme, if that makes sense.

[Pixiestix]

ha, shows you... i didn't bring Gizmo to the forums today.

although, i DID tell driz i would post this:

This is the reason i missed game end.
http://flickr.com/photos/pixiestix/415669434/
http://flickr.com/photos/pixiestix/415669432/

I made like, 5 of them.

[Jediwannabe]

[mgelles]

I think it speaks well to the overall quality of the arg that we're all so upset about missing the endgame. Although I said in the feedback that I don't have much extra cash for a pay to play model at present I would definitely consider it in the future and to keep me abreast of upcoming endeavors Meigeist related or otherwise
Michelle

[Pied Piper]

I echo mgelles sentiments. The overall game quality was great, which is why it was hard to miss out on the endgame. I also wish it had been more of a "BANG!" kind of a thing. I've played video games where I felt the same.

My budget right now wouldn't allow for paying much, but I would be willing to pay to do this. I pay to buy video games that have much the same elements as this ARG, and if it makes for a better game, then, yeah, I'd shell out some bucks. In fact, I wanted to get in on Majestic when it came out, and would have if it had been available on the Mac platform. I know that it kind of bombed, but the idea was a good one.

So I told them I'd be willing to pay for it.

Minor edits for spelling/grammar.

[coffeegirl18]

[Phaedra]

The whole pay-to-play model sets up a lot of interesting questions. We're accustomed to getting our ARGs free, so those of us who have been around the community for a while, for all our love for the genre, theoretically might possibly be more resistant to the idea of a pay-to-play ARG than the rest of the population.

People have been willing to pay upfront for Studio Cypher and Virtuquest.

So, opinion question:

If you'd been playing Meigeist (or a similarly well-produced game), and after you'd been playing for, say, a week -- or however much time you needed to determine that you liked it -- you learned that if you wanted to continue you had to pay a small fee, would you?

Would you be upset if you weren't informed before you started playing that what you were essentially getting was a demo? (I.e. would your feelings about it be different depending on whether you were informed upfront "you'll be able to play this for a week and then if you want to continue you'll have to pay a fee?") What if, instead of a set fee, it was a "suggested donation" sort of thing?

[WolfHawk]

My initial response to the pay tp play question was yeah, I'd pay (I did pay 5 bucks for one ARG). Wasn't sure how much to say then I realized I spent about $30 on the Yuki (thanks to the money exchange between the US and the UK), and another $15 on the Timehole coffee mug so I said apparently I will pay up to $45 if the swag is good enough!

The only thing about the ending I didn't like was Eva and Keir's hug in the hall. It was one you'd expect to see between two long-lost lovers, but they hadn't even met before! Yes, it would have been nice to have everyone together for the final thing, but, logistically, that could be difficult with all the different time zones and work schedules.

I am hoping the remark about Eva keeping the chip so we could stay in touch with her means we could get a sequel??????!!!!!!!! * Please, please, please. *

Edit per Phaedra's question.
I would be upset if it was sprung on me that I had to pay after starting the game. I would prefer to know upfront even if the cash isn't due right away. Maybe if it was worked into the plot a bit - become a top rated agent for 10 bucks or something. Or maybe get a little extra for paying like some extra puzzles that non-pay people don't get, or a coffe mug!! As long as it didn't detract from the plot for those who couldn't pay.

I did pay upfront for Virtuquest: Township Heights. That ending was pretty weak, but I didn't regret paying for it.

[carmenmiranda]

I would feel tricked and completely turned off if I got into a game and then found I had to pay to continue. I'd want to know up front. However, I may not feel the same way if there was a complete "intro game" like this one, where you had an ending and everything, and then there was a big sequel that you could pay to continue on with. I'm not sure.

I prefer the idea of having optional merch to support the game. I know it's probably not possible to pay for an entire decent game that way, but it just seems like...if a game is fun, and you can afford a timehole mug, then you're happy to get one.

[nitefoll]

[Pixiestix]

context man.... context. what i said as a whole was a response to the part i quoted as a whole but i will sum it up again - i really don't feel it was a time scale issue, there was more than enough time for it to be wrapped up properly for us to feel a little less slighted...

[WolfHawk]

Maybe a final entry in Eva's blog showing her, Keir and Erwin together and talking to us one last time.