New FG version license

[gandred]

Hi all, I don't know if this is right forum section and if it's asked before.

I Know devs are woking on a unity version of FG, that I presume it will support android and 3D features. Will this new FG be a separate application? In that case, I have purchased ultimate license of FG (can we call "2D version"?), so I have to purchase again a "ultimate unity" version license? Hoping I've correctly explained it.

Thanks!

gandred

[dulux-oz]

The details of the licensing/upgrade path to the Unity version (probably FGv4) haven't been released to us yet, so we can't say for sure.

However, I purchased my Ultimate License way back with v2.something, and I've gotten free upgrades ever since (now on v3.1.2) - so whatever the SW boys decide, I've got my $$$ worth :)

Cheers

[damned]

Hi gandred,

There is no official decision on it at this stage.
As some background SmiteWorks have upgraded licenses for free continuously from day 1. Even for people who bought licences 5years before SW bought the business. FG has had 3 major versions and umpteen minor version upgrades.

It seems *likely* that there will be an upgrade fee/cost for the next version. It seems likely that licenses bought closer to the upgrade release date will upgrade at less cost. Subscriptions will be entitled to upgrades. This is all conjecture on my part based on previous comments in these forums. I personally think that as cool as the eternal free upgrade is, its not really sustainable long term. Of course a license cost is a bigger or smaller hip pocket hit depending on your income and will be unpopular with some but it probably needs to happen...

The Unity version is unlikely to support Android/iOS etc at release. However the game engine will have the ability to be ported to those platforms which the current engine doesnt support. The whole UI would likely need to be redesigned for the mobile platforms with much smaller screens. There is even talk of an Xbox/Playstation port but these are all likely to come separately to the Unity release.

[gandred]

Thank you very much for the answer! Of curse I assume the unity conversion is a hard work and I think that it must be paid! :) I am on the side of those who understand the hard work and that this has a value, like in FG 3.x -and this is one of the reasons why I preferred ultimate license!

Go on, you're are a great devs!

[jshauber]

I have heard that there "MAY" be a kickstarter to help support the unity release as it gets closer.

Again, as others have said this is just something that I have heard and may not be the final word on how things go.

Regardless, FG is well worth the money and after even a few months of play you will be getting more out of it than your payment.

[gandred]

I have heard that there "MAY" be a kickstarter to help support the unity release as it gets closer.

Again, as others have said this is just something that I have heard and may not be the final word on how things go.

Regardless, FG is well worth the money and after even a few months of play you will be getting more out of it than your payment.

Oh, I know, I have ultimate license and it's a great deal. Kickstarter IMHO would be a great opportunity chance! Thanks for answering! :)

[PsychoPif]

It's not my business, but I suspect SW is making far more money on licensed content than on the client.

One thing I'd like to know is if I purchase 5e content licenses for 100s of dollars, will I be able to keep using them.

[dulux-oz]

It's not my business, but I suspect SW is making far more money on licensed content than on the client.

One thing I'd like to know is if I purchase 5e content licenses for 100s of dollars, will I be able to keep using them.

I'm not so sure about that - a lot of FG users don't use licensed content: they make their own gaming material, in the same way that not everyone who buys a physical copy of an RPG also buys the prepared modules; they make their own.

So yes, while some people who have purchased FG have also purchased the licensed content and therefore SW has made some extra money, some people haven't purchased anything but FG, and therefore to say that SW is making more (actual "far more") on licensed content than on the exe is (IMNSHO) incorrect.

[damned]

It's not my business, but I suspect SW is making far more money on licensed content than on the client.

One thing I'd like to know is if I purchase 5e content licenses for 100s of dollars, will I be able to keep using them.

SmiteWorks have stated in the past that the bulk of their revenue comes from client licenses and not licensed product. Im sure that gap has narrowed with the very good (and popular) 5e products but Id suggest its still well and truly in favour of the client license.
As Dulux says many people never buy any DLC.

[PsychoPif]

And I was one of them but the 5e content is very tempting. I'm just fearful that I'll buy for 2-300$ of content only to be force to pay again in a year.

[JohnD]

And I was one of them but the 5e content is very tempting. I'm just fearful that I'll buy for 2-300$ of content only to be force to pay again in a year.
Is there something somewhere that makes you think you're only buying a yearly license or something?

[ddavison]

Hey all,

Most of the comments are correct as far as we know today. The client makes up the large majority of our revenue -- but we also pay out a substantial royalty and commissions on each DLC sale, so each sale there is worth significantly less to us as a similar amount of purchases on client licenses. The goal with Unity is to make it backward compatible or at least able to import and update all purchased DLC without having to buy them again. As has been mentioned, we do expect some sort of upgrade fee for existing licenses depending on how long you've owned the license before the new version becomes available. We plan to set this very low (around $5) for more recent purchases and then tier it up for older licenses. We've discussed doing a pay-what-you-want style upgrade pricing structure with several recommended levels and letting our customers choose which one best matches their situation.

[jshauber]

And I was one of them but the 5e content is very tempting. I'm just fearful that I'll buy for 2-300$ of content only to be force to pay again in a year.

I honestly don't think you will have to pay again for the DLC you have already bought. There might be some slight fees involved to cover any conversion costs that might arise from putting it into a new format. I think that is part of the "possible" Kickstarter I mentioned above.

[PsychoPif]

The goal with Unity is to make it backward compatible or at least able to import and update all purchased DLC without having to buy them again.
That's my biggest fear. It's nice to know you're at least working toward that goal. I guess I'll just have to pray you succeed ;)

BTW, I don't doubt Wizard must be taking the lion share of the DLC money. After so many year snubbing the virtual market, I guess the were a hard bargain.

[Nylanfs]

Here's something to reassure you. If they make a significant change then ALL their old modules need to be updated. quite a few of which were made by community members, who might not be available to update their creation. So it would fall on the current dev team, which is three people right now. They do NOT want to do that so they have publicly said that backwards compatibility is a very high priority.