Wargame Design Studio and STEAM!
There are people who love Steam and people who hate it. Most of the hate comes from the fact that you do not really 'own' the software that you buy on it. It looks like WDS has found a way to make everyone happy. So, this is Wargame Design Studios big announcement in all of its glory:
"It's been more than four years since we took over the John Tiller catalog and we've made some big strides in that time. Not only in updating the various games visually, but adding in new functionality and of course creating entirely new games.
We have also made significant strides towards making it easier on the customer base to access and manage the games they have purchased. In 2021 you still had to save a copy of the installer when you bought a game for later use, or contact Support to have a new link sent. We now have the Store Account system in place so you can login whenever you wish and access a completely up-to-date installer and your serial number. Games from the original JTS Store are also there as are games that were migrated from HPS... really a massive leap forward in accessibility and convenance for all involved.
Our vision is to continue to improve our offerings, adding new features and refining older processes to make playing the games easier and more enjoyable. We have a tremendous amount of work happening behind the scenes that we will eventually share with you... if all goes well, before the end of this year we will be able to start providing a glimpse of what is coming.
But now we are taking a step in expanding our presence in the gaming world as a whole. For decades these games have inhabited a tiny corner of the internet. Ever since Talonsoft came out of physical stores really. It was almost a case of word-of-mouth to find them. Very limited advertising, and in the early days platforms like Facebook did not exist. We have expanded on that a bit since we have been in control of the IP, but it is a challenge to get much traction for a small developer through traditional advertising channels. So, we are embarking on a new chapter today, we are branching out onto Steam.
We have been asked, repeatedly, when we would be doing it. We batted it around here and there, but honestly, we wanted to get the games up to a better level before making the jump. While we still have a lot more work planned, we do feel the time is right to dip our toe in and see what kind of reception awaits us.
We will be leading with Crusades: Book I & Book II, making them available for wishlisting starting today. This particular timing has been chosen because Steam is having a "Medieval Fest" starting on April 20th, and we intend to have these titles available for sale at that time. (Note: Book I is live now, Book II will follow in a few days.)
Everyone who has purchased these games through our Store will be issued a Steam Key when they go live on Steam.
Our plan will be to always launch new games on our site first, followed a few weeks later on Steam. So, in the future we will issue Steam Keys at time of purchase in our Store in the same manner you get your serial numbers now. Our continued primary focus will be our Store front and direct sales. Nothing will change in the service you have been receiving, how you access your purchases and so forth. If you aren't a Steam user nothing needs to change for you at all.
Our pricing will be consistent across both platforms. When a game is on sale, it will be for the same price, on both our Store and Steam.
Expanding out on this platform might alter some of our policies and procedures... really remains to be seen. For example, you need to have a significant amount of lead time for people to wishlist games there, and we are generally pretty closed mouth about release dates - until it's upon us. So, you may see that loosen a bit, as we adapt.
We do not currently have plans to move the entire catalog up there. We will be focusing on new & newer games - at least for the short term. Titles that are built with our latest enhancements fully implemented as well as those with significant graphical overhauls.
What we would like to ask of our community is, if you are a Steam user and you have enjoyed the Crusades titles, that you would head up there and "wishlist" these titles. Again, not asking you to re-buy them... you will get a free key when the games release there.
Once they are released, we would ask that you would leave a positive review as well... as the growth on Steam will be very heavily dependent on the rating/review system. Since we are an unknown entity to the vast majority of people up there, it will be an uphill battle.
That concludes today's announcement. But here's a recap:
Not a Steam user - nothing changes.
Steam user who buys direct - you will get a Steam key along with your purchase.
Steam user who wants to only be on Steam, you'll be able to do that too as games release.
Pricing will be the same on both locations.
As always, we appreciate your interest and support. We couldn't do what we do without you"
Please do not forget to wishlist the two titles. Thank you WDS!
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