New TGB pricing model - upgrade typo?
by Neo Binedell · in Torque Game Builder · 05/25/2006 (7:32 pm) · 35 replies
Just got this in the GG Dev News Letter:
I have marked the offending sentence in bold above and wonder if that is correct or
a simple typo?
Binary License: $100
Source License: $250
Source Upgrade: $195
So a binary + upgrade will cost $100 + $195 = $295 or $45 more than normal source license?
;p
~neo
Quote:
There will be a new pricing model for TGB when it exits the Early Adopter stage on June 7th. Since most people do not need or want to use the C++ source code of TGB in order to make a game, we will be introducing a binary-only version of TGB which includes the TGB engine executable and all the TGB tools and documentation.
An Indie license of TGB binary will still be $100. TGB with *Source Included will be available for anyone who wants the full TGB C++ and TorqueScript source code for both the engine and tools, and will cost $250 to Indies. If you first purchase TGB binary for $100 and later decide you'd like to upgrade to TGB with *Source Included, the upgrade cost will be $195 for Indies.
Commercial licenses will be $495 for TGB binary and $995 for an upgrade to TGB *Source Included. At $100 for the binary and $250 for binary + source, TGB is one of the best deals in game development. And remember, Early Adopter pricing will remain at $100 for TGB with *Source Included until June 7th, so purchase now to save even more! Note that all developers who purchased TGB during the Early Adopter period will automatically have free access to TGB *Source Included.
I have marked the offending sentence in bold above and wonder if that is correct or
a simple typo?
Binary License: $100
Source License: $250
Source Upgrade: $195
So a binary + upgrade will cost $100 + $195 = $295 or $45 more than normal source license?
;p
~neo
#2
Note: Just a reminder, as it says at the end of the newsletter, if you are a current owner of TGB you will automatically get the Full Source version since you bought it at EA price.
05/25/2006 (7:57 pm)
It's like any bundle deal, if you buy the binary + source in the Source version bundle you save money :)Note: Just a reminder, as it says at the end of the newsletter, if you are a current owner of TGB you will automatically get the Full Source version since you bought it at EA price.
#3
I think perhaps I got confused with normal product updates where being an existing
customer qualifies you for a upgrade discount ;p
$250 is quite a price jump, basically the same price as TGE + TSE.
Is this still in the realm of indie prices?
Just curious...
~neo
05/25/2006 (8:06 pm)
@Matt: Heheh, I'm not worried I got in early so saved meself a stack of cash.I think perhaps I got confused with normal product updates where being an existing
customer qualifies you for a upgrade discount ;p
$250 is quite a price jump, basically the same price as TGE + TSE.
Is this still in the realm of indie prices?
Just curious...
~neo
#4
Well, this is the first time we've released a product with the same product model as this, where the binary and source of the engine's market make sense to release two different versions, one with binary and the other with binary + source. So the pricing model needed to be a bit different as well.
The engine, at the price even, is still a great deal, especially considering the tools and the docs, as well as the docs to come :) Also, as mentioned, the official release is coming up, though updates still will be coming.
05/25/2006 (8:22 pm)
I figured you knew Neo, just wanted to chime that in at the start to make sure no one worried :)Well, this is the first time we've released a product with the same product model as this, where the binary and source of the engine's market make sense to release two different versions, one with binary and the other with binary + source. So the pricing model needed to be a bit different as well.
The engine, at the price even, is still a great deal, especially considering the tools and the docs, as well as the docs to come :) Also, as mentioned, the official release is coming up, though updates still will be coming.
#5
Sure is and I agree that source should be extra as it allows one to do so much more
(just look at the iso stuff I'm up to ;p)
Like I said just curious (and very agreeing)...
~neo
05/25/2006 (8:31 pm)
Quote:
The engine, at the price even, is still a great deal, ...
Sure is and I agree that source should be extra as it allows one to do so much more
(just look at the iso stuff I'm up to ;p)
Like I said just curious (and very agreeing)...
~neo
#6
Just wanted to get a couple points out there to hopefully head off some possible concerns people may have, we still fully welcome feedback as always :) Especially constructive feedback, and respectfully phrased questions, as you have done.
05/25/2006 (9:43 pm)
It's definately awesome to see you take full advantage of the source, your iso stuff is great! Just wanted to get a couple points out there to hopefully head off some possible concerns people may have, we still fully welcome feedback as always :) Especially constructive feedback, and respectfully phrased questions, as you have done.
#7
For that price one could assume that the whole TGE source is contained within ... not a stripped down version of TGE ... or at least full access to all TGE related ressources ...
I don't say that the 2 model thing is bad.
Just the price of the source model is a little far over the top compared to TGE ...
05/25/2006 (11:47 pm)
Is it really that constructive if the 2D only sideset costs 2.5x as much as the full 3D package?For that price one could assume that the whole TGE source is contained within ... not a stripped down version of TGE ... or at least full access to all TGE related ressources ...
I don't say that the 2 model thing is bad.
Just the price of the source model is a little far over the top compared to TGE ...
#8
05/25/2006 (11:54 pm)
@Marc- TGB is not a stripped down version of TGE. TGE doesn't have the Level Builder, Tiles, Particle Fx, Physics simulation that TGB has. TGB also has better docs. Just my 2cent.
#9
05/26/2006 (12:30 am)
Hmmm, toughie, I wonder if it's worth upgrading to the commercial license now for a relatively small $295 so I'm covered for any future thing I might want to do... *scratches head and checks bank account*
#10
Edit: TGB is ABSOLUTELY worth those prices... it is odd that it's more expensive than TGE, though. I wonder if TGE is gonna get a price change?
05/26/2006 (12:31 am)
Wow, EA ftw! Lmao!Edit: TGB is ABSOLUTELY worth those prices... it is odd that it's more expensive than TGE, though. I wonder if TGE is gonna get a price change?
#11
05/26/2006 (2:56 am)
I think this pricing model is ok. For people who just want to get a good start for their spare time game-dev the binary-only version is fully sufficient. $100 is something everybody can somehow come up with if he really wants to. And you really can do a lot without the source code.
#12
05/26/2006 (4:53 am)
I think the price makes perfect sense. You can create a game with TGB _FAR_ easier than TGE. A lot of this I think is due to the excellent docs/ref material they provide. Just look at how many games have already shippped with T2D/TGB. :)
#13
so can recoup your investment rather quickly. You could release probably 4 or 5 (or more) TGB games for
every TGE/TSE based game.
Getting up to speed and producing anything with TGB is an order of magnitude easier and dare I
say more productive.
I think I will have to follow the same course of releasing dual binary/source for the isometric add-on to match
the version of TGB the user has.
Surely the private forums should then have to cater for the duality as well?
~neo
05/26/2006 (5:56 am)
I think the important thing here is that with TGB you have a much shorter turn around time andso can recoup your investment rather quickly. You could release probably 4 or 5 (or more) TGB games for
every TGE/TSE based game.
Getting up to speed and producing anything with TGB is an order of magnitude easier and dare I
say more productive.
I think I will have to follow the same course of releasing dual binary/source for the isometric add-on to match
the version of TGB the user has.
Surely the private forums should then have to cater for the duality as well?
~neo
#14
05/26/2006 (6:07 am)
It should just involve splitting off the C++ forum, and maybe creating a new C++ bug report forum. I'm sure the GG guys have already thought of that though :)
#15
I'm not saying that these are the only reasons for the new pricing and product models, but I do know that literally personnel-months (if not years) of analysis and decision making went into the new pricing model, specifically to plan for the future--and the future looks so bright you gotta wear shades!
05/26/2006 (11:17 am)
Product marketing, price point selection, and the concept of resellers needing a price buffer to be profitable are all quite complex situations--and something that quite frankly, the original TGE pricing models didn't take into account.I'm not saying that these are the only reasons for the new pricing and product models, but I do know that literally personnel-months (if not years) of analysis and decision making went into the new pricing model, specifically to plan for the future--and the future looks so bright you gotta wear shades!
#16
05/26/2006 (11:51 am)
Wow, i am feeling pretty good getting in with the EA. I saved a lot of money. Thanks a lot guys.
#17
On the note of being out of the range of indies, I strongly disagree. Any serious independent developer can work hard and acquire 250 bucks to buy a tool that would help them produce their product. If you don't have enough money to buy it, take on some more hours at work, or get a second job. No one every said making a game is easy, and if you can't figure out a way to come up with $250 dollars, that is probably the least of your worries.
05/26/2006 (12:00 pm)
I also think that the extra money you are spending really isn't going to the engine per se. Its more that you are paying for the whole experience which is TGB. This includes the extremely refined editors, the huge push Garage Games is doing with documenting it heavily and the extreme ease of use of the platform. In comparison to TGE, TGB is a lot more refined (although honestly, i like the core of TGE better, even though its more difficult to use). So i think charging more for TGB makes sense.On the note of being out of the range of indies, I strongly disagree. Any serious independent developer can work hard and acquire 250 bucks to buy a tool that would help them produce their product. If you don't have enough money to buy it, take on some more hours at work, or get a second job. No one every said making a game is easy, and if you can't figure out a way to come up with $250 dollars, that is probably the least of your worries.
#18
05/26/2006 (1:52 pm)
Ok now I'm confused.. if I want to upgrade to commercial "with source" how much will it cost me? It says right now "Torque 2D Commercial License - UPGRADE FROM INDIE $295.00 USD" So what will that price become? Am I reading this wrong or will that cost MUCH more after June 7th?
#19
[edit: sorry- my bad. Joe is asking about Commercial license not Indie- never mind -alex]
05/26/2006 (1:54 pm)
@Joe you missed the paragraph about Early Adopters being golden - they get it all for no additional.[edit: sorry- my bad. Joe is asking about Commercial license not Indie- never mind -alex]
#20
05/26/2006 (2:05 pm)
Basically the prices that you see now (like they have been) will be good until June 7th, then the new prices will kcik in, as described in the newsletter. So if you plan on upgrading, now would probably be the best time. 
Torque Owner Nicolas Quijano