It appears that over at RPGnow a large number of previously free products are now offered as “pay what you want”. That’s cool and I totally see why a publisher would do that – people can still take your product for free, but if they want to chuck you a buck or two, they can do that, too. It is an interesting psychological thing going on there, I think. I have picked up a few games now that, had they simply been offered for free I would have grabbed, but since they were offered as “pay what you want” I have been more than happy to donate (is it odd I think of it as “donating”?) a dollar or (usually) two dollars.
I have been thinking about offering FU under the same option, but am not sure. Part of me likes the purity of saying “It’s free, take it, share it, love it (or hate it) – you can’t complain because it was free!” The other part of me is thinking “FU gets downloaded 5-10 times every day, if that brought me a buck or two every couple of days, I could buy more games!” I guess there is an element of confidence involved, as I can kind of hide behind FU’s free status if someone doesn’t like it. I think the game works, and is pretty darn good, so I should have the confidence to say “Yeah, it’s worth a buck!”, but sometimes I just don’t have the mental fortitude to.
What do you think about “pay what you want”? What do you think about offering FU under that system?
Hey, I think that would be great! It’s a worthy, quality product, deserving of money (even if it has ”free” in it’s name). I’ve used it of a couple of years now. I’d throw some money at it.
Thanks. I am constantly surprised (and pleased) at how well received FU is. I am certainly seriously considering it, though perhaps with a couple of additions / clarifications.
I think it is a good idea to have FU “pay what you want”. You put time and effort into the system and should get some amount of compensation.
“Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” (1 Timothy 6:9-10)
“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Luke 6:38)