Indie free?

[Architex]

So, I noticed gamecore indie is now free.  So how about I get the pro version since I've paid to use the software? 

[flim]

I bought BV several years ago and now I can got GameCore Indie for free.

Will I get upgrade discount if I upgrade to GameCore Pro edition?

[Architex]

btw- I'm not trying to whine, I'm just pushing my luck, , but seriously it would be nice.

[Steely Dane]

So I could have waited a year and got it for free instead of paying $200....niiice, I love a deal.
I like it more when it's in my favor, but hey, WTF, right?

I may have to reevaluate my direction now.
When I drop $1500 more of my hard earned cash on the pro version, will it one year later drop to $1000?
I don't mind investing in the tools of the art, but it makes me a little leery to pay more, so some future users can pay less (or NOTHING), with zero benefit to myself.
If I want to fund research and development for a game engine, I'll do it for my company, not someone Else's, thanks.
I don't know about anyone else who payed for the Indie version (even those of us who got the discount for buying in early), but I kind of feel taken.
Why would any of us have paid if we new it was going to eventually just be given away?

Have to hand it to GC though.....get some people to pay to beta test your product, then stick them with the hobbled version at what appears to be a generous discount for your loyalty and tenacity, then release that same hobbled version, free for everyone a year later, and center all of your development on the high end "PRO VERSION"....Freakin' genius, man.

[flim]

I think it would be fine if pay user receive a discount for Pro version.

I am not going to buy the Pro without a clear upgrade policy.

For instance, if I pay $1499 for ver 2.5, is the upgrade free forever? or when 3.0 release, I have to pay again? and how much?

[BigDaz]

I can't blame them, it's hard to get people to buy your product when the competition are just giving theirs away. Although 'free for non-commercial use' might have been a better choice. Anyone can download and use it but you pay a premium to release a commercial product, which of course we've already paid. But an upgrade to the pro version would be nice

[Architex]

To tell the truth, I think they're going to focus on selling addon packs.  They now have 3 of them, and possibly more to come.  I wonder just how many of those they have sold, I just got the urban pack because I saw potential in it. 

[Steely Dane]

@ Big Daz;
I don't blame them, it makes perfect sense when everyone else is giving this level of engine away for free.
That doesn't excuse the fact that those of us who have paid for it have been apparently left swinging in the wind over our investment.

It would also make perfect sense for those of us who have paid, hung in there through the incomplete manuals and all of the other crap that should have been done in the first place with the ambition of being one of the grassroots users that made this engine a logical choice, to get some sort of a break on upgrades, access to these add on packs, or at least acknowledgement that they in fact don't give a rats ass that we feel slightly ripped off.
Maybe I'm alone in this because I've been an ardent defender of this engine's potential.
I still think it's a great engine.
I'm beginning to question wether Helios is a company I wish to support if this is how they wish to conduct their business.
I guess a closer investigation of some of the competitors for my next project might not be such a bad idea....

[zknack]

I feel the same as others- kinda cheated in a way. Almost wishing I'd gone a different route.

I am in serious debate whether to switch engines and ditch the added support from vibe2k as well,
as I'm just no longer sure it's worth it to go with a company (and affiliate) who while getting better
continuously, isn't showing any desire to encourage those of us who've kinda been boned.

[Steely Dane]

Yeah, it's kind of like having a hooker for a girlfriend, but you're the only one who had to pay....
Like I said, you have to question the wisdom of a company that is willing to alienate long time users in the interest of gaining a larger user base.
I certainly will not even entertain the idea of an upgrade at that price, when I've already dumped a bunch of cash and time into something which has been rendered worthless...
I wouldn't be at all surprised if there are no more, or at best, minimal upgrades to the indie version.
Why bother when no one is paying for it, there is no incentive if there is no profit, with the exception of enticing users to shell out for the pro version.
That being said, there has been no response from Gekido and friends to this thread (possible they are not aware of it yet, which is unlikely), so for all we know they are throwing something together for us as we speak.
Unfortunately, the deafening silence from that front will make any gesture seem like an afterthought at this point, since they should have had something in place already.
I'm just glad I'm not one of the suckers that paid $400, I'd be really pissed and demand a refund.
Sad.
Really fu**ing sad....

[Steely Dane]

I'm not sure what disappoints me more....
The fact I was taken for a ride, or that this thread has been up for 3 days with no reponse from anyone in the company.
I would consider this a "calling out", GC crew....
How about explaining to us loyal users (or is it royal losers ?) who paid, how sticking around and trusting you further is worth it to us?
Anybody?
Ross?
Gekido?
Your silence is not helping.
At the very least, you could tell us to go f@#k ourselves......

[Architex]

Hopefully that'll get their attention steely, lol.  But yeah, it's not going to look very pro when I go around blabbing about how I use a top-notch game software, then someone says "Isn't that free?"  That's not good at all. 

I'm still going to use the software though, but dont expect me to upgrade.  Maybe if they gave a huge discount, I'll ONLY consider it. 

I know this next thing I'm going to say is a little off topic and doesn't really belong here, but -- why the F*(&^ haven't they created some kind of character editor!  NOW that would be dope. 

[Steely Dane]

You see, that got me thinking...
Us Indie Users don't know what's really available with the pro til we buy it.
That stuff, complete docs, and more are probably in there, or in Studio.
We have no way of knowing.
It could be stipulated in the license that you can't give out details, just like the Vmach course.
I'm not even sure I give a shit if I got their attention.
I company that gives a damn about their core users shouldn't have to be waved at by said users to get said company's attention.
I'll take a lot of crap, but blatant disrespect makes my vulgarity filter turn off.

[Steely Dane]

Further that.... How is it the dudes from Vmach know more about how to do stuff in this engine than the Tool's who work for helios & GC ?
Why am I paying someone from another company to teach me how to use an engine that the makers seem to have no idea how to use themselves?
What the f##k is going on with this company?
Is this $hit real, or am I having a "Beautiful Mind" moment, and none of this, or you, exist, because it is so ridiculous?

[pixel_legolas]

this is a little what we have argued about before steely? Stuff has changed and we don't get word until later etc. Often they have fixed something for us that was great so we all calmed down before. But the silence is the worst. I hate the silence