Ok i have an idea to resolve all the "discount and fairness" of early access. An idea that if work well in reality like sound in my head can resolve ALL the future discount/fairness/olderfounder issue. let's call it "loyalty program" short version: after a crusader become a founder he/she start to mature a discount coupon. For example a 25% discount valid for buy 1 product in the founder store (and in the game store after release). After 6 months, a founder can go on his founder sheet, click on the "loyalty program" tab: "thank you, *name of the founder* for be one of our ealry supporter! we reward you with this 25% discount code, after 6 months you will recive another 25% discount code! click redeem code for obtain your code!" you click redeem code and you have something like "my pack" tab: a list of "id/name/status" of all the "loyalty program" discount code. long version: ok i hope that the short version is clear, it's only a basic idea, appear solid but need a lot more and can be improved a lot: 1) retroactive: this can resolve all "old founder" issue, also don't need to rush for give something to old founder, because when the "loyalty program" go live people that are founder since day one will be rewarded for that. 2) not cumulative: so i can't combine 2 discount, or 2 "loyalty code" for a -50% or more discount. 3) no expire: the gift code shoud not expire: when a founder obtain the code should decide to keep and wait when use the code. 4) only for founders: not available after release: so if you want 25% of discount every 6 months, you must become a founder NOW dont wait another day! 5) help a friend: what if a founder have already all in the shop? he can keep the code and wait, or... give the code to someone that don't own the game for a 25% discount on a founder pack. why the founder should do something like that? 2 referral, instead of one, maybe cannot be convenient... so why i added that? because now the code can be use also for example on some giveaway: so the team now have "deluxe referral code" to give to streamer youtubers etc etc.. So the team can give for example to a streamer 50 of this code on his account for a giveaway. 6)help others: instead of use the code for a discount or for a friends.. the code can become a small (3$? 5$?) charity donation. A founder can decide to don't use the code, so bE will donate something to BeGenerous instead of give a 25% discount to the founder. The founder can recive instead of the discount 1 referral point. This can help also to generate a positive image of the eternal crusade community: a community can be toxic if give to charity 40k$? 7)not on steam: Sorry Gabe. the 25%discount don't work on steam or other online shop, only on eternal crusade main shop. so if someone buy the founder on steam, for sure the next time will use the site shop for upgrade the pack or buy a booster pack instead of use again steam. 30%>25%. 8) No more moral dilemma: "can EC early access be released on steam with a 25% discount?" YES because older founder already have a discount gift ready for them when they want to use. and NEW founders don't have this discount: they must wait 6 months. If someone is an older founder will always have at least 1 or 2 extra 25% discount coupon. this is why retroactivity is important. 9) 6 months it's not a random number: because you know.. the founder program started the 25 june: so after 6 monts.. yes exaclty 25 december. 10) no extra work(sorta):i know that instead of a simple discount some exclusive item for the older founder can be better or more shiny, but need also extra work. the "loyalty program" also need some work on the site etc etc and also have a cost (i have no idea how can really cost and how complex is form an amministrative side) But all games have a form of "loyalty program" and this one can do 3-4 different things at the same time: reward the founders, giveaway sistem, attract more founder (help a friend), give to charity, incentive people to not use steam... so the idea is good? how can be improved?
I LOVE the idea.... and Its very good that Brother Grigdusher mentionned it FIRST since I will be able to brag that ''Here another innovative idea from our Community'' Gimme time to work it throughly. I want the royalty metric to be based on FIRST when you made your first purchased then SECOND how much you have spent so far. Eternal Crusade SPACEMILES fidelity program!!!! ;-)
Isn't it great when the community does the work for you? I can already see it. When you come back from vacation you have just to review and load it up, because we already worked all the kinks out and such
Loving how supportive the devs are to the community. Makes me not want to submit a support ticket for a refund...
Considering they are humoring this idea one can deduce that if you do get a refund, you are no longer a "day one backer". You forfeited that right by asking to "back out" and then get "back in". Hence in a system that would be similar to the above, you would be treated as someone who "joined" the system at the date of your repurchase, missing out on the perks of still staying a day 1 man. Then both sides are satisfied, people who want a refund NOW get their dosh back and the people who held steadfast will reap the benefits of being counted from the beginning of the programs launch (talking if you are day 1 backer ofc). Pretty fair on both sides, the ones who felt betrayed, and those who felt their backing was their own will even in the light of all these sales.
