A New Hope
Hey everybody! I’m back! Actually, I’ve been officially back to work for over a month, but I didn’t really have anything to say so I felt awkward saying anything, and then so much time had gone by that it would take something really important to break the ice… you know how that is? I had some stuff to get through **, and a lot of you were really there for me, and really supportive, and I can’t even explain how much I appreciate it, and how much it helped me.
And now I’ve gotten through it, and now I finally feel back to my usual cheerful self! I’ve really missed working, and I’ve missed you guys too!
I’ve been wanting to talk to you guys about something for a while now. Everyone I’ve talked to about this idea has said, “It’s a nice thought but that sounds like a terrible idea” but maybe you can help me figure out how to do this:
If someone pre-ordered SFK5 a while ago, and has gotten tired of waiting for everything beyond the Vampire Scene to come out, I think they should be able to get a refund, and just opt out of receiving any more SFK5 scenes.
It sounds fair, to me. Developing SFK5 has taken way longer than I ever anticipated, and I know some people are tired of waiting, which is totally understandable. If they want to contact me and request a refund on SFK5, I should give it to them… somehow.
There are only two problems. The first is that my billing company can’t handle refunds on products from so long ago, so… basically for each person who requests a refund, I’d have to write them a money order and mail it to them or give them a store credit voucher immediately, instead – MUCH EASIER! The second problem is that I only have so much money saved, so if tons of people requested refunds, I’d have to delay paying some of them for a month or two.
Even so… it sounds manageable, and more importantly, it sounds like the right thing to do. What do you guys think?
Oh look, the future!
If anyone has any suggestions about a better way to address this, I’d love to hear it. I’d love to hear from you guys in general. Suggestions, questions, cheers, and random thoughts are always welcome.
I’m working on the next SFK5 scene, but this post isn’t news about that. I don’t yet have a feel for when it’ll be done, so that means it may be a while still. Gah! Looking at the project as a whole, it seems insurmountable… but I’m just breaking off every little piece and taking care of it one step at a time. It just feels so good to be working again. It feels like being myself… and coming out to play!
^_^
**(For those who don’t know what I was talking about at the beginning, well I suffered a great and tragic loss, and I really had to grieve for a while. Any other job and I would have been back to it quickly, but with art… well, conjuring up light-hearted, cute and sexy images and animation was the last thing on my mind. I put my heart into this work, and my heart was just totally broken.
I wrote a post about all that, and a lot of you gave me very wonderfully supportive comments, but because of the dark tone of the post, when I’ve just now finally returned to cheerfulness, I’ve decided to move it back into the archived posts – let’s all just put it behind us, and look ahead!)
Dec 06, 2014 @ 12:42:24
I’m just glad your back on your feet. Sadly, I didn’t get a chance to preorder SFK5 but I’ll be one of the first to pick it up when its up.
It is an awesome gesture though and I hope you can get it squared away.but if you need anymore help, I can always donate here (I don’t think Patreon is gonna take anymore of my money). In any case, I know the die hard fans out there will wait patiently so get those creative juices flowin’ and get those scenes out!
If there’s anything I can do to help, you know where to find me.
Dec 09, 2014 @ 12:06:48
You’ll be getting it through Patreon if you stick with that (at the $12 level or higher) – each scene as it comes out. Apparently a lot of people don’t care too much about the wait, so that’s good. I’m hoping to get a scene out pretty soon! Thank you! ^_^
Dec 21, 2014 @ 17:45:14
Hey Galaxy, i’m happy to wait. Your work is worth it, plus there’s still all the previous installments to enjoy over and over and over! =D
Glad you’re feeling better!
Keep up the great work!
Dec 21, 2014 @ 19:40:27
Thanks very much! I hope I won’t keep you guys waiting too much longer! ^_^’
Dec 07, 2014 @ 01:00:56
Skyrim sex mods have convinced me I’d play an SFK rpg. Whenever you get around to it I mean.
Dec 09, 2014 @ 12:03:11
I’m not sure if it would end up being an open world 3D type game, or if it would be essentially 2D with 3D artwork – like, clicking on the map to go to places, with pretty backgrounds with clickable zones and people to go to close-ups/interaction… something like 1993’s “Rise of the Dragon” from Sega CD (which was one of the games that made me want to make games when I grew up), or a lot dating sims. Galaxy Angel sim date on Newgrounds would be a good example of some of the gameplay features I’d probably use, although the dialog is inane.
Actually doing a realtime 3D game would probably involve hiring additional people to do a lot of things I’m not capable of doing on my own, so the other way is more likely.
Dec 07, 2014 @ 14:26:32
Hard to say. I think you should provide the option but I know that even though I pre-ordered SFK5 and I havn’t even seen the Vampire Scene yet, (I’m waiting for it to all come out in one big piece) I would be willing to continue to wait for you to finish. I doubt I am in the minority on that sentiment either.
Don’t get me wrong, even if it were a small percentage of folks who wanted a refund, you could still take quite the hit, but even then, considering the community you have rallied up so far, I doubt they would be so crossed if they were delayed in getting their refunds.
So I think you should allow the option but only because I feel that we wouldn’t be dicks about it either. To be fair, I’m not on this site all that often other than checking for updates every month or so, so if you feel my evaluation of the community is wrong then you might want to hold back until you have a plan on how you are going to be dealing with the (possibly large? *shrugs*) influx of refund requests.
I will also say this. You have experimented in the past with various models – pre-ordering, releasing scenes one at a time, releasing your products on your site versus on another’s (like DL-site) among other things. In your experience, how has that worked out? Again I only check in so often so I only get snippets. If you feel you can handle this model, then I say go for it!
Dec 09, 2014 @ 12:42:02
Well, I think you’re right about how most of the people around here are either a real bunch of sweethearts, or at least pretty laid back about this stuff, so I don’t think a lot of people would give me trouble.
As for various models, well… DLsite is kind of dead, at least for my work. The last time I released something on there it wasn’t received very well. Affect3D on the other hand, seems to be a bustling 3D porn marketplace, where my work has fit in pretty well. That and Patreon are what keep me afloat these days. My sales on my own site are not great, and DLsite is even worse.
What has worked really well for me in the past, is to include a +Donation option for my products. Even without an additional incentive, if people have the option to pay a little extra just to be nice to me, a lot of people do! I think that’s because I’ve made it clear that I’m a sole proprietor with real feelings and life struggles and stuff, and that I really appreciate all the help I can get, to make ends meet. So, it kind of prevents the “faceless corporation” syndrome. I’m not a corporation at all! >_< Anyway, I think at present, I can handle taking the hit of offering refunds, if it's important to some people, but it's looking like not very many people are interested in that (if everybody was, it would be way too much of a hit, but if it's a small percentage of people, I think it can be done).
Dec 10, 2014 @ 20:35:33
“So, it kind of prevents the “faceless corporation” syndrome. I’m not a corporation at all! >_<"
I dunno; "GalaxyCo. a subsidiary of PinK Industries LLC" kinda has a ring to it…
Dec 10, 2014 @ 23:25:11
Rather than an LLC, maybe I would be a German GmbH, or a Dutch NV. That seems like the fashionable thing for big faceless multinational corporations these days. ^_^”
Dec 07, 2014 @ 21:47:33
Glad you’re back. It’s really nice of you to offer refunds, but anyone who’s paying an amateur artist for anything should know the risk involved. I really don’t think it’s necessary personally. But it’s the thought that counts.
Dec 09, 2014 @ 12:10:23
Glad to be back, thank you! I guess people may be used to getting cheated, but I don’t want them to feel like that’s what’s happening with me… From the comments, it seems like it may be largely a moot point. ^_^’
Dec 09, 2014 @ 01:08:30
Your refund offer is very generous, but for myself I’m fine with continuing to wait. I’d also be very happy with you releasing each scene individually and then putting out a ‘patch’ that hooks it all together on the classic SFK Map.
Great to see you back and cheerful! Onward to debauchery, err… victory!
Dec 09, 2014 @ 12:08:22
That’s what I’m planning to do, release each scene like I did with The Vampires, and then packaging it all together when it’s done. ^_^
Dec 09, 2014 @ 15:55:42
I figured the SFK rpg wouldn’t be as in depth as skyrim, I was just thinking in terms of general “questing with a companion” stuff.
I trust you’d be able to make it work out anyway.
Looking forward to the next scene! Pre or post christmas?
Dec 09, 2014 @ 20:28:22
It’s definitely something that’s on my list for future projects.
Next scene… I would guess post-Christmas. This month seems to be going by pretty fast. >_<
Dec 10, 2014 @ 20:33:25
Awww, Shay’s so bright eyed and bushy tailed! ^_^ I wanna lick her freckles!
I’m fine with waiting for the full release of SFK5, so to speak. It’s more fun to get a bunch all at once, I think.
Dec 10, 2014 @ 23:23:31
This is her first adventure, in SFK5, so she doesn’t know how dangerous the world is yet… but Marigold the Bandit Princess will show her.
It’ll be an option to get them one at a time, and/or all at once. ^_^
Dec 11, 2014 @ 09:13:04
Waiting (mostly) patiently.
Dec 13, 2014 @ 23:07:38
^_^”” Thank you for your patience. <3