Leafko
Leafko is coming to Steam!
Thank you very much for supporting this project. I am happy that Leafko has been well received by most of those who played it.
Recently, Leafko has finally being added to Steam. You can now add the game to your wishlist. I hope this will give the project more visibility.
For this reason, I must announce that Leafko will become a commercial title with a fixed price after the release of its final chapter. The game will no longer receive free updates on itch.io until the final version is released. You will be able purchase the full version in itch.io as well.
The builds that have been available for free since March 2022 are part of a beta. It has been very important in allowing people to get to know and almost fully enjoy this plant world. However, it was made clear from the beginning that many things could change throughout development. The final version on Steam will feature numerous changes and rethinking of previous ideas, including: no random battles, revamped graphics and maps, new mechanics and skills, better English translation, subtle changes in the plot, etc.
Don’t worry, the freeware version of Leafko will remain free for a period of time, so you can continue to enjoy the original script until the final chapter is released. Consider this the "beta version" or "early access build." As for compatibility, save files from version 2024.05.01 can theoretically be transferred to the Steam version. While repeated sequences or misplaced objects might appear, there should be no continuity issues. However, I recommend starting a new game to explore the new elements. This beta has served to test and refine the final result I have been aiming for.
Additionally, a demo is available right now on Steam. It includes the first two chapters for free. There is no set release date yet, but I hope the full version will be available in early 2025, after 5 long years of development. The final price is expected to be $9.99 USD. Those who already donated to the project, will recieve a free Steam key.
Once again, thanks everyone who has supported this project. It has been a great journey for me to bring to life such an interesting idea as Leafko. Please stay tuned to my Twitter for any announcement. I hope you enjoy the conclusion of this little plant.
Comments
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If you may want to clarify the situation, as reading the post makes it possible to interpret it in multiple ways:
- The finale/ending of the game will not release on itch.io
- The game will release in its full state on Steam for a asking price, but that version will not also be available on itch.io by updating this project and adding a minimum price to pay
If that is the case, this is always ... quite divisive. As someone mentioned it pretty on point a few days back on the community board, this always feels like you made a userbase on this platform and leave them behind for Steam after they 'supported' you, leaving them with the unfinished product. Saying that the game would always be able to change also makes this only so much better, because it still gave the impression that you had plans to release the full product on here. Not finishing the product in itself can always be a risk, but knowing that it actually became a finished product - just not on here - will always have a bitter aftertaste.
Something to justify this semi-sufficently: It was not a paid product. If that would have been the case, I do not think this could have been salvaged in any form or way, to be honest. But saying it was an in development work people could support voluntarily, makes it a bit more redeemable. But not completely - because those people still donated.
Now I do not know how many people did support you this way, or how much of a userbase you had on here at all - and this does justify a decision like this. I am not saying that one glove fits all here, and I also was more or less on board this development since its release on here, so I am the last person who would not understand or support the situation as much as possible. But it still makes it a bit difficult, at least when there are alternatives available:
- Why not release the full Steam release on itch.io as well, by updating the project and switching to minimum price to pay. People who already claimed it by donating will still have access to the project as well that way
- There is also an option to give out Steam Keys for people currently owning the project by having donated. The project (in its current state) could be switched to completely free, so nobody can donate anymore, and then everyone who did beforehand could be handed out a Steam Key. You can read more about that here: https://itch.io/docs/creators/download-keys#external-keys-steam-etc
These options (in whatever combination) would easily make this situation more supportable.
All that being said, as mentioned above, I do support your decision to go to Steam with the game and wish you recognition and success. It was enjoyable to go this journey with you and see the project grow and improve over time.
I am not sure if I will check it out on Steam. I would be inclined to do so, even paying for it in full once more as I really do like the game and want to support you - but I am done with the platform for a good while now and did not have the intention to go back to it. Thinking about making an exception here should say a lot, but I still need to think about it.
If you feel like changing your way going forward on itch.io, I would of course also gladly take a look at it. But I am only writing this for the sake of making it obvious. Choose to do what you think is best.
Best regards.
Oops, I think I need to update the post to rewrite that part.
So the itch.io page will no longer receive updates until the final version is released. The May build is the last one until the full release. Once the complete version is released on Steam, it will be a priced title. Therefore, the free beta on itch.io will no longer be available after the game is fully released. The "Steam version" will be available for purchase here as well.
And don't worry, I actually planned to give free keys to those who donated. It was meant to be a surprise, lol.
Reading the devlog and the announcement on twitter did make it seem like it. That being said, a part of me already knew that it could be different, especially knowing your way of writing for a while by now. But it made more sense to me to adress the assumption directly instead of making it a long comment chain.
All that being said, it was a misunderstanding and I was wrong. So my apologies for that.
Have a nice day.