Option 3 is the best way to go while there still is significant changes to the game. You can't make everyone happy with Steam option but you can make people happy finishing the game faster. Steam is ideal for that.
"Steam gets in the way of source modification" Then tell me; why have the devs told us outright, (repeatedly) that going through Steam will allow them to make multiple daily updates and be easier all around? If anything, micromanaging a secondary beta release will just create more work for them. Not to mention the huge increase in pirated copies of their game. As well as outdated, erroneous versions of their product floating around the Internet, completely unchecked. I personally don't even think that a DRM-free version should be an option.
I really think you should do the one that can account for the earliest version of beta, some of us really want to help you out by sending bug fixes and such and would love to play no matter the stage, so i believe your best option would to release the direct DL
I may be wrong ehre.But i don't think she presented you with options for you to chooose but with the things they tought about.And then they settled on Option 3. Edit : nevermind i am dumb. I'd choose option number 3 tough.
I agree with everything everyone else has been saying, option 2, or 3. 1 doesn't sound good for progress, and you guys don't deserve the extra stress that it would add to your schedule. This Dev team is a great one, and once beta launches you guys just need to be worrying about cracking down on those bugs and pushing the game forward into the following stages up to release. Imagine the amount of feedback you will be receiving once Progenitor launches.. I honestly cant imagine. Either way, you guys are amazing and one of the most "together" indie Dev teams I have seen and your community interaction is just awesome! which ever option you choose, I am 100% with you till the end and I know you guys can push through anything the road to release dishes out.This is my most anticipated game of the year. (and next)
Your last option (3) would be the most beneficial too you guys and many beta testers. You mentioned that updates will be fast and regularly, a DRM-free vision just seems to be too time constraining at this point in development.
Your best bet would to go with option 3. I know the DRM-Free folks won't get the game for a bit, but it will be easier for your team to provide the necessary updates for the game if you are focused on just one engine to run the program. I really do not think you will have an issue with the consumers if you put it out on Steam concerning your worries about people play the game. Anyways, excited to play the game and thank you all for work very hard on this game.
I think the complaints about source modification aren't for the Chucklefish team, but for modders. I'm not entirely sure it's worth putting in a ton of extra time at this stage to cater to people who want to mod the game. It's going to change rapidly, anyway, meaning half of the work the modders do will also be disturbed. I'm not sure I'm convinced that Steam actually gets in the way of modding that much anyway, but I honestly don't really know. Anyway, I'm biased, since I use Steam heavily anyway - but if it was up to me, I'd keep most of the rapidfire building to Steam only, and build out DRM-free standalone packages only once in a while. I'm not certain of the numbers, but I suspect you'll find way more people using Steam than otherwise anyway. That doesn't mean the non-Steam folks should be ignored completely, but it's a matter of cost-benefit.
i dont mind either way you you do it what ever way is easier for you guys seeing as you,ve been working pretty mucu non stop for so long u deserve the easyest and most effective option... thank you for all your awesome work
I'd go with 3. personally i enjoy steam very much. i have no problems with steam at all. as far as i can tell.
I'll go with 3rd. Less of a hassle, I like Steam, and you might be able to get the DRM-no version up soon. (if it means beta fucking do it)
I'd personally go with option 3. I would hate for people who will not (for whatever personal reason) use steam or are unable to use it to have to wait LONGER, but I would think for the most efficient testing/updating process, going through Steam may be the best option here. Option 3 would still allow those who cannot/will not use Steam to get into the Beta, while later than those who would use it, would still hold up to the promise that their money would get them a copy of the game and access to Beta. Simply my opinion, though it looks like it's a popular one. I would love it if everyone could play at the same time but it really does look like this would be the most efficient option, making it so testing is done quicker, more efficiently updated, and allows the team to continue working on getting everything else working so we can get the FULL game sooner. Which, of course (as molly said,) we will obtain a key that gets us both a steam copy AND a DRM-free, download, so it isn't like it's going to be 100%, Steam Only. On a side note: 3 rhymes with Bee, so...BEES!
