Tomorrow, Horror Tales The Beggar releases with a ONCE IN A LIFETIME 40% discount. Why would the devs be so crazy to launch with such a DEEP discount??!?!!?!?!?!?
Well, first of all, talking about "The Devs" in plural only works if you count my cats Nina and Nus as devs too. You could argue they are fundamental emotional support for the development, though.
This game has been developed and self published by only me, Carlos Coronado. I've been launching and developing games since 2012 and this is the first time I have been scared with a release. Indie games, specially indie horror games are selling every day less and less copies. If you follow the news in the industry I am sure you are aware of this. The layouts, the studios closing, etc. It is not something happening in the AAA sector. Sales have been decreasing since 2021 for every dev. Average new teenager players just don't want to play indies anymore. Instead they download Fortnite or Roblox and never leave that game. With the passing of the years, this is taking a toll on indie devs.
Ok but, wtf does this has to do with a 40% discount?
Obviously, It is on my own interest to sell as many copies of Horror Tales The Beggar as possible and I want to make a VERY attractive launch offer to compensate for the decline of usual sales. But honestly, it goes beyond that. My games have never sold a shitload of copies, but they have always allowed me to gain enough to develop the next game. That is success to me. This is the first time in my career that I don't know if I will be able to develop the next game. And the next game is about Exterminating fascist robots in a Half-Like style mediterranean dystopia. It will also end the story of The Wine and The Beggar.
And honestly, I want so f***ing hard to develop Iron Reich! That's why the 40% discount on The Beggar. Yes, my games have flaws, they are not for everyone, but each and everyone of them proposes concepts and gameplay that are whatever you want to call them, but they never are generic or dull. My games don't have filler, microtransactions, loot boxes, paywalled dlc content or similar predatory industry techniques. This may be bad marketing and monetization, but I never want to use those tools. I just want to keep developing these weird concepts and a strong release of Horror Tales The Beggar will allow be to do just that. That is again why the 40% discount.
On the other hand, during the next year after the release, the game will never be discounted 40% again. If you want to buy The Beggar, this is the cheapest it will be FOR AN ENTIRE YEAR!
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1343340/HORROR_TALES_The_Beggar/
Feedback and reviews.
I won't be the first dev to tell you how important day 1 positive reviews are! If you like the game, please come by and leave a review! On the other hand, if you didn't like the game of course you can leave a negative review :( but I always listen to negative feedback and it is way, wayyy less harmful for the game if you leave your negative feedback or problems with the game in the Steam Discussion forums for The Beggar. Using this kind of feedback allowed me to update the demo with better mechanics, controls, and bug fixing. I always listen and I am fast updating the games, it really is the only advantage t
of work alone! There is no need to leave negative reviews to gain my attention.
This turned out a little bit more personal than expected. I don't know if tomorrow I am going to regret it but f*** it, I realse the best game I have ever done tomorrow!
Big hug,
Carlos.