Floating licenses and affiliate program

While I can't say with 100% certainty what the future would hold, I don't envision an FG III in the near or mid term future. Future editions are currently planned to be 2.x.xx for some time now. If some brand new technology surfaces which mandates a complete or significant re-write, then it might warrant a jump to 3.x.xx, but there is nothing on the horizon that I know of that would fit that bill. Okay, maybe if Microsoft Surface or something like that came out and became popular enough to fill every home.

The Ultimate license is basically a FULL + an unlimited number of floating licenses combined in one. An upgrade from a full to an ultimate would make sense but would probably be scheduled for later as well since it requires a bit of additional coding to support it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ddavison

Okay, maybe if Microsoft Surface or something like that came out and became popular enough to fill every home.

---

Fantasy Grounds Surface ....drooool! :cool:

Quote:

---

The Ultimate license is basically a FULL + an unlimited number of floating licenses combined in one. An upgrade from a full to an ultimate would make sense but would probably be scheduled for later as well since it requires a bit of additional coding to support it.

---

At $150, the cost of an Ultimate license would be roughly the equivalent of 1 Full and 5 Lites (or 6 Lites when discounts are factored in). With the cost of the floating licenses being mooted, the Ultimate would be the equivalent of buying 4 floating licenses on top of your Full version. For an unlimited number of floating connections, this seems like a good deal and I'd probably take you up on this. Especially if someone wants less than 4 floating licenses, they can purchase individually.

However, to play devil's advocate, I'd caution that maybe an Ultimate license may hurt sales in the long run? Would the availability of an unlimited floating license version encourage the expectation that GMs put up the money and players game for free?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Valarian

...

However, to play devil's advocate, I'd caution that maybe an Ultimate license may hurt sales in the long run?

---

Stop being the Devil Val!!! Long live the Ultimate License plan yay!!!!! :-P

Let's focus instead on THIS part of his post:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Valarian

...

this seems like a good deal and I'd probably take you up on this.

---

hehe, I kid, I kid - I'm sure dd will make the right call.



zWolf -out.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Valarian

However, to play devil's advocate, I'd caution that maybe an Ultimate license may hurt sales in the long run? Would the availability of an unlimited floating license version encourage the expectation that GMs put up the money and players game for free?

---

I know I joked earlier... but honestly the best argument is that that position looks like the exact and most logical price point that he'd want to be at to attract the 150$ sale right?

I mean, if people are going to buy 'single packs' and get one floating license at a time they would pay slightly more to get to the 'normal' group size (5,) than some one that was willing to plunk it all down up front. Most 'normal' GM's would most likely only buy the 'one or two' floaters for the folks that just want to 'try it out' first before they buy their own Light licenses and encourage those that tried it out and liked it to get their own light license so that the floater will be open for some one else to try. <--- this last thing is how I think MOST DM's will use a floating license.

I think that the ultimate is really going to appeal to a fairly small audience, but, that small audience will most likely be a HUGE advantage at getting exposure of FGII out to the masses.

heck, it was your Demo Valarian, that you ran me through at FUMcon back in April that convinced me to pony up the cash for my DM + 7 purchase. Imagine what you could do, if you weren't limited to the 'demo'. ya know?

on the flip side, for those few that want to buy for their whole groups and just be done with it, there is a very attractive and simple plan available. much more than $150, and the number people that would actually be willing to put up that kind of cash gets quite small. perhaps so small that it might not even be worth putting the option up on the store... who knows.

I can see how one might factor in the 'lost sales' to the free loaders, that 'might' have purchased a light license instead of getting the free ride, but here are the counter points to that.

I. - more exposure to increase the player base. there will (potentially,) be allot more players getting exposed to Fantasy grounds. With the floating license they only get to play in games where DM's have paid for the floating license, there should be quite a few players that would be willing to spend money on the light licenses so that they have access to ALL games run by DM's. with any luck, the additional exposure to new gamers, could actually BOOST sales of light licenses. it will be hard to judge that one.

II. - Some players that are exposed to FG II, via the floating licenses, will want to DM their own games. it's a natural progression, these players become potential buyers of Full licenses, and a few of them will pick up the 'Ultimate License' as well.

anyway, those were a few 'serious' reply's that I thought of -

if ddavidson, is really concerned about it, he could offer either a limited # of Ultimate licenses, OR perhaps only offer them at certain high profile times... 'black Friday sale' or Holiday specials... Anniversary sale or during FUMcon etc. etc.

this would allow him to track what happens, and make a more informed 'permanent' decision after some of the tracking data comes back in.

anyway, there were a few thoughts from some one that should have been asleep hours ago... I hope they made sense.

zWolf -out.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by zWolf

Most 'normal' GM's would most likely only buy the 'one or two' floaters for the folks that just want to 'try it out' first before they buy their own Light licenses and encourage those that tried it out and liked it to get their own light license so that the floater will be open for some one else to try. <--- this last thing is how I think MOST DM's will use a floating license.

---

This is how I saw the floating licenses as well. One or two licenses to allow people to really try out the product before they commit to buying.

Quote:

---

I think that the ultimate is really going to appeal to a fairly small audience, but, that small audience will most likely be a HUGE advantage at getting exposure of FGII out to the masses.

---

I agree here as well, and I'd probably be tempted to purchase the Ultimate version to do some evangelising myself.

Quote:

---

heck, it was your Demo Valarian, that you ran me through at FUMcon back in April that convinced me to pony up the cash for my DM + 7 purchase. Imagine what you could do, if you weren't limited to the 'demo'. ya know?

---

:D

The ultimate license is now available from the store. You will need the new installer to use the ultimate license key. I am testing the waters with this and we will see how it impacts sales over the next several months. It may be for a limited time only if we determine that it is hurting sales long term. Either way, if you buy it now, it will be active even if we discontinue future sales of it in the store.

Along with this, your potential players will need to download the normal setup and check the box during the install which says "Install unregistered version for connecting with ULTIMATE licenses (check box and leave license field blank)."

The demo version is still a stand-alone install that is limited in overall functionality. Over time, we may merge this in with the unregistered license, but for now they should uninstall the demo version if present and then install the new unregistered version.

I am still planning to release a true floating license that can be associated with a full license.

AWESOME!!!!!
Now we just need to get a fix to our current economic situation so I can go buy a few.

I'll definitely be picking one up as soon as there's a little more money to spare, probably next week. Thank you!

Woot!!

Way to go Doug!! I'll be buying mine immediately.

/em makes sure that there's still room on credit card... :-P

zWolf -out.

My gods... Is this ever a lovely christmas present. Once the rest of such are bought I will be looking into one as well.

- Obe