Steam

[martianant]

Steam doesn't directly support my system of buying months of play time. They suggested that I use their in game microtransaction system, to sell some sort of object that expires after a time. I like that idea because it allows people to download the software for free, which might help to reduce returns from people who don't like what they see.

Take a look at EVE Online. It has two player account types. "Alpha Clone" (free player) and "Omega Clone" (paying subscription). It is a monthly subscription based game, and it is possible to pay for months via steam. Granted, accounts that buy gametime from steam can only be used on an account that is made using steam. But it hints that there are indeed ways to make steam work with it. Is the issue that the way you've set up accounts isn't compatible?

I think the badge system is going to just add even more unneeded confusion. Splitting up parts of the game might make sense if every part had something to do, but as it stands there isn't really much someone with a commander badge can do if they can't hold government offices (because if I am not mistaken that includes the office needed to build cities.) If Hazeron has hundreds of players, with lots of large empires, and a valid play style was literally just fleet commanders and fighting wars, then it would make sense. As it stands though, there isn't much to actually do beyond expand and build cities, explore with the purpose of expanding. Making the online designer cost 1$ a month won't really deter people who would want to spam in my opinion, since 1$ is extremely low. A cup of coffee costs more than it would take for me to spam inappropriate designs. If I was a nefarious person I would have no trouble doing that. I think a better approach is to just make sure there is a report system, users can report designs that might be against the rules or such, and then moderators could review them and delete/unpublish them. Community moderation can work, especially as right now much of the community are all on your side and it's fairly tight knit.

I don't want to upset or offend you in any way, but have you given Early Access a second thought? I really, really think it would be in the best interest of the game. I realize it might seem like it means "unfinished game" or some kind of negative connotation, but I think it would be beneficial for Hazeron. It feels like the core gameplay loop isn't fully done. There isn't a real concrete progression system yet since the tech removal. New Style cities are not fully fleshed out and still have a fair amount of bugs. I know Hazeron is a project of passion that has been in progress for many years, so I can absolutely see and understand how hearing someone call it "early access" might hurt. I just think it will send a different message to potential steam players. I really fear a poor steam release and what it might mean for the future of Hazeron. It's going to get compared to AAA games and for many it won't stand up, and in a way that is OK. But public image is important. The players that actually might enjoy it might take one look at the hundreds of "unfinished game marketed as finished?, buggy, blah blah" reviews that might happen and not even give it a chance. In addition, early access nets you two "release" periods, giving the potential for more marketing opportunities. I see it as the difference is a potential player looking at the game in it's current state and seeing it as "fully final, unlikely to change in any major way" without the EA tag, verse the "going to change in some fashion, perhaps I should take a look." I'd argue that adding a progression system is a potential large change to the way the game plays.

In the end, I just want only the best for Hazeron. I greatly fear it tanking on steam and it being the end. I wish it the best, and will try when I can.