The existence of for-pay stuff doesn't hurt you
Tuesday, April 22, 2008 by Draginol | Discussion: Personal Computing
I read a news announcement about a new freeware program that does some cool stuff. I check it out and it is vastly superior to an existing freeware program. Yet when I read the comments, the new, superior freeware program is being flamed. Why? Because the guy making it also offers a for-pay version that has more features.
I check out the forums of a game I enjoy playing. Normally people are singing the praises of this game. Now, the forum is full of flaming and angst. Why? Because the developer started offering optional premium content for players if they want.
Let me tell those complainers a truth about life: Money is exchanged for goods and services.
Before the current generation of l33t-speaking complainers became the norm on the net, we had a concept called shareware. Someone would make something cool and offer a version of it to try. This version might time out or it might have fewer features or it might just work on the honor system. If users liked it, they bought it. End of story.
Nowadays, we have it better. People make free stuff and release it. No nags. No missing features when compared to other "free" competitors. No time outs. But the developers will also release an even better version. And the complainers get vocal.
What annoys me is that the whiners are attempting to bully people from making stuff that many people like me want. I don't live with my mom in her basement. I don't begrudge paying a few dollars to someone who made something I want. I recognize that I already pay $80 a month for my cell phone and $60 a month for cable so bitching about paying $9 to $20 for something I want is pretty ridiculous.
And I certainly recognize that the mere existence of premium stuff doesn't hurt me. If I want it, I'll pay for it. If I don't, I won't.
Let me give you two examples:
The program ObjectDock is the best dock out there. We make it so I'm biased but it has far more features than any dock out there. It's also free. You want a cool dock on Windows, this is what you get. But there is also ObjectDock Plus. It's $20 but adds a ton of features like tabbed docks. And so what do people say? They'll say that ObjectDock is "payware" or "crippleware". Why? Because a non-free improved version exists.
Similarly, I love Team Fortress 2. It is a great game. And you know what? If Valve created a new character I could play as for say $10 I'd buy it in an instant. I want more characters in TF2 to play as. But you know the reaction they'd get. They'd probably get flamed because the parasite-class would argue that they should get that for free because buying something once to them means that the developers are perpetual slaves to them after.
I understand that we all want to keep from getting nickled and dimed but one assumes that we can make our own judgments as to whether something is worth it or not and allow others to make the same judgment.
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Reply #22 Wednesday, April 23, 2008 5:00 AM
Reply #23 Wednesday, April 23, 2008 5:31 AM
I think Fungus has a point there, but as opposed to him I enjoy Brad's posts. I hardly ever agree with what he says, but the fact that these forums aren't cleansed by the PR departement and the CEO is dares to say what he think is quite refreshing. Just for I that I like Stardock as a company. And then there are all the other cool and unique things like good games, great support, ...
Reply #24 Wednesday, April 23, 2008 6:06 AM
Sounds like a good business model. Get a service provider for micropayments and charge for posting here. Instant profit
Reply #25 Wednesday, April 23, 2008 6:11 AM
I entirely agree with you on all the points you made here. As you've stated, it applies for all digital products and services available today, not just Stardock products. Although obviously the issue is personal for you Brad, when it comes to Stardock products which you have conceived, designed, produced and updated through years of interaction with a development team and the community base. For what its worth I like the distribution model Stardock uses. Digital delivery, with free software and themes available and premium content for when you want to receive that special product polish. With this method I demonstrate that I feel a theme or product is valuable/exceptional by paying for it with money.
I think that many internet communities today are populated mostly by children, teens and young adults. Factor in that unless the language used reflects the age of the poster, it is hard to ascertain someones age from a comment or forum post.
I think that these are the people who create the negative 'buzz' about products and services. I see a few reasons for this, such as: a disproportionate value on commodities they actually pay for, a desire to 'own' a complete product (everything), a difficulty in obtaining subscription services illegally... and a belief that corporate markets are inherently evil (and the consumer is naturally the wronged victim of such thieving ways) and will suck away your life essence if you let them.
I guess as always, those who are impressed by a product will recommend it to a friend or even write a review.. those for whom the product 'does what they expected' will probably never say anything either way about it, and those who feel wronged somehow or disappointed will express their opinions with eloquent vehemence on every forum they frequent....
Brad, Stardock make fantastic, quality software. I guess their are a lot of people who are unprepared or unable to purchase the software - and to make themselves feel better they try and convince themselves, and everyone else they can, that the software wasn't worth having in the first place.
I say: Their loss. If I'm reading your comments above correctly as well, it sounds like you are happy Stardock doesn't have these types as customers anyway.
Reply #26 Wednesday, April 23, 2008 6:28 AM
I don't agree with you very often about Politics, but when it comes to software development, you're right on.
And you're a 'jerk' when someone says something stupid. And I love that in a CEO.
Reply #27 Wednesday, April 23, 2008 7:19 AM
I really think it's interesting when someone complains about paying $15 or $20 for an application they will use every day. I'd really like to see how people spend their money, I mean I spent almost $20 at Dunkin Donuts the other day.
Reply #28 Wednesday, April 23, 2008 8:14 AM
Good point, but I quote this to bring up something purely non sequitur -
Did you know in Europe, for some indiscernible reason, Dunkin' Donuts is named Dunkin' Coffee?
How exactly does one dunk coffee, anyway?
Reply #29 Wednesday, April 23, 2008 8:23 AM
Reply #30 Wednesday, April 23, 2008 8:38 AM
Reply #31 Wednesday, April 23, 2008 8:46 AM
Anyways, thanks for the great games and effort!
Reply #32 Wednesday, April 23, 2008 8:49 AM
Isn't "Dunkin'" = thank you in Holland? Ok i know its not but it sounds a little like it.
Back to topic:
I have to say that I've seen other posts by Stardock peeps that are similar in language to this one. But, I've never thought "they can't say that to a customer", in fact I find it refreshing that their opinion is being stated as they feel it and not sugar coated. It reads like a converstion, as I imagine they would be telling it to anyone. I feel that on this forum there is more of an equalness between everyone, that we are all people and its not developer verses custom.
I don't really have an opinion on the post itself except to agree. The only free software i had was AVG anti viruse and i never begrudged the company for selling a better version. I was greatful that i was getting something for free even knowing it wasnt as good as the for-pay one.
Reply #33 Wednesday, April 23, 2008 8:51 AM
Reply #34 Wednesday, April 23, 2008 3:14 PM
Reply #35 Wednesday, April 23, 2008 3:41 PM
I entirely agree with you on all the points you made here. As you've stated, it applies for all digital products and services available today, not just Stardock products. Although obviously the issue is personal for you Brad, when it comes to Stardock products which you have conceived, designed, produced and updated through years of interaction with a development team and the community base. For what its worth I like the distribution model Stardock uses. Digital delivery, with free software and themes available and premium content for when you want to receive that special product polish. With this method I demonstrate that I feel a theme or product is valuable/exceptional by paying for it with money. I think that many internet communities today are populated mostly by children, teens and young adults. Factor in that unless the language used reflects the age of the poster, it is hard to ascertain someones age from a comment or forum post. I think that these are the people who create the negative 'buzz' about products and services. I see a few reasons for this, such as: a disproportionate value on commodities they actually pay for, a desire to 'own' a complete product (everything), a difficulty in obtaining subscription services illegally... and a belief that corporate markets are inherently evil (and the consumer is naturally the wronged victim of such thieving ways) and will suck away your life essence if you let them. I guess as always, those who are impressed by a product will recommend it to a friend or even write a review.. those for whom the product 'does what they expected' will probably never say anything either way about it, and those who feel wronged somehow or disappointed will express their opinions with eloquent vehemence on every forum they frequent.... Brad, Stardock make fantastic, quality software. I guess their are a lot of people who are unprepared or unable to purchase the software - and to make themselves feel better they try and convince themselves, and everyone else they can, that the software wasn't worth having in the first place. I say: Their loss. If I'm reading your comments above correctly as well, it sounds like you are happy Stardock doesn't have these types as customers anyway.My god the quoting on our forums stinks. It wipes out the paragraph spaces. Anyway...
I just want people to have choices. I am a big believer that people are smart enough to decide for themselves. They don't need someone else telling them that something is a bad idea or not. If someone wants to give their opinion, fine. But where I have a problem is when people decide a concept is bad and make it their business to try to quash it rather than letting people decide for themselves. That's an over simplification I admit but that's the basic point I'm trying to make.
What is really a shame was the whole "Horse Armor" incident because it really gave people a bad taste in their mouths about the concept of micropayments for content.
I've been putting in massive hours to finish Twilight for the Arnor for GalCiv II (one reason I'm so cranky) and I think it's a real shame that other than the 2.0 update we'll be making later on, that's pretty much it for the game for many years.
I'd love to put up a module that just changes the United Planets in GalCiv II. Or a module that adds new types of planets or new super abilities or new random events or whatever. But I'm not doing that for free. We'd have to be paid for it. I'd probably ask for $9.95 or something per module. But would we get massively flamed? Probably.
Reply #36 Wednesday, April 23, 2008 3:44 PM
MyColors themes include the software you need. The Suites are just content. If you have Object Desktop, you can get MyColors themes for $9.95 (see the Object Desktop discount on the MyColors page).
Reply #37 Wednesday, April 23, 2008 3:55 PM
But would the flaming of a few dozen people who feel entitled really hurt Stardock's goodwill? Or seriously effect the bottom line return on such a module based venture? Isn't it possible that offering more "pay for this feature" content - that for whatever reason you choose to package as less than a full expansion - would still generate a net return of increased goodwill, player interest, and game quality?
I'm an interested party. I've made no secret that I want more expansions/content... and the price point for this product is such that I'm a guaranteed sale. So, I want the calculus to come down on the side of it being more advantageous to pursue the module system.
You yourself have asked the question: do game developers just want to be rockstars? You seem to be taking the opposite tack here (no offense) - making a business decision to avoid the annoyance of being attacked by those with an unjustified sense of entitlement. Is the flaming of a few teenagers really SO annoying that it is worth you a) abandoning working on a project you enjoy,
abandoning a potential revenue stream, c) abandoning a potential net gain in (intangible) good will towards your company for the continued support.Really, I guess the question revolves around c. Are you really going to lose brand good will over pursuing a module system? I have my own answer, but I don't run your company. You are undoubtedly the most experienced person at managing the risks that Stardock takes. Is this really such a bad gamble?
Just curious,
~ Wyndstar
Reply #39 Wednesday, April 23, 2008 4:42 PM
Reply #40 Wednesday, April 23, 2008 4:50 PM
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Reply #21 Wednesday, April 23, 2008 3:04 AM