On the upcoming Steam release

[Vas]

Thanks for the ongoing responses everyone. I actually may end up just not doing Steam release now and leaving it for next year when I'm back and can be more on top of it. On the one hand, I want to get it done and I also want to provide Steam access for all of you for your convenience. On the other hand, I don't want to harm the game's biggest launch and make it worse than it could be.

Still considering options here.

If you're going to be gone for a significant time, it would give everyone a chance to get used to the workshop, and without game updates, we'll all learn how much nicer it is to have mods auto updating through workshop subscription system.  I still think early access is the way to go, but really it's up to you.  It is technically good enough for a release, but, if lots of changes are planned, you may wish to consider early access.  You can type your own statement and everything after all so people can see what your plans are and why it's listed as early access and such.  Maybe, you should do a poll?  To see what the community thinks?
http://strawpoll.me/4807323 - Not the official poll, I just made a quick one for you and voted. 

[RickyMartini]

I think the answer is simple, just like Vas said. If content is still going to be added, call it what it is, an alpha stage or "Early Access" on Steam.

[Axelios]

I think it should be delayed and put into early access after his break. Going onto Steam is a big move, and I think considering that after his break would be better than treating like something that needs to be done before it.

[Dr. Z]

I would say release it as early access beta now and going into your break, browse through the forums because there will be a ton of new feedback on Steam release and when you come back make the full release.

Personally I would also be fine with a Steam release next year but I think it would be better to collect the feedback while in your break and start work again with a reflected view on it rather than start work while the feedback from the Steam community patters onto you.

[Tynan]

I think it should be delayed and put into early access after his break. Going onto Steam is a big move, and I think considering that after his break would be better than treating like something that needs to be done before it.

I'm leaning more and more in this direction.

Another piece of news: Piotr Walczak is back to help again after his year at school, so I'll have some coding help until the end of September. You may recall he wrote the original code for the health system last summer, as well as various other smaller things. So that'll enhance Ludeon's output.

[TheRealNiall]

i was about to buy this game actually, but with the upcoming steam release, and the lack of guarantee that i will recieve a steam key should i still buy it?

[RickyMartini]

I would say release it as early access beta now and going into your break, browse through the forums because there will be a ton of new feedback on Steam release and when you come back make the full release.

Personally I would also be fine with a Steam release next year but I think it would be better to collect the feedback while in your break and start work again with a reflected view on it rather than start work while the feedback from the Steam community patters onto you.

One problem you forgot is that on steam he will get feedback but also game reviews, which could turn out to be negative due to him going on vacations almost right after.

[akiceabear]

i was about to buy this game actually, but with the upcoming steam release, and the lack of guarantee that i will recieve a steam key should i still buy it?

Based on the wording in the blog post, no - not if you care about a Steam key.

[Jaxxa]

i was about to buy this game actually, but with the upcoming steam release, and the lack of guarantee that i will recieve a steam key should i still buy it?

From the FAQ:
http://ludeon.com/blog/faq/

Will I get a Steam key?
– It depends when you bought the game. If you bought the game on or before November 4, 2014 you will get a key when the game is released on Steam. If you bought the game after that, we will try to get you a Steam key but Valve's policies prevent us from being able to guarantee this.

So no guarantees.

[TheRealNiall]

yeah, the only reason why i care about the steam key so much is because of the workshop support
as good as nexus is, its just easier, and there will be more variety with the workshop

[RemingtonRyder]

In my experience, Workshop can be a bit hit and miss. I take a look at the mods available for Game Dev Tycoon every now and then, and there's a horde of them just whipped up in five minutes with a requirement that you have UltimateLib, with not much actual content. Skyrim? I have some subscribed Steam mods, but most of them are downloaded from the Nexus.

[JonoRig]

Well, I'm reminded of discussions of stonehearth, as that game is (or maybe was, I'm not sure) unavailable to buy on steam, but was used as the distribution client. You could always release for those keys are owed, so that the community, support and workshop can support, before a wider release, and iron out any issues there are with steam client/player support issues, and then release to buy on steam when you come back?

I don't know how to arrange with steam, but just a thought

[Tynan]

Well, I'm reminded of discussions of stonehearth, as that game is (or maybe was, I'm not sure) unavailable to buy on steam, but was used as the distribution client. You could always release for those keys are owed, so that the community, support and workshop can support, before a wider release, and iron out any issues there are with steam client/player support issues, and then release to buy on steam when you come back?

I don't know how to arrange with steam, but just a thought

I've heard of that and tried to look into it, but I don't think that path is available to most. I'm not sure how they got that deal but I'm pretty explicitly prohibited from doing something like that.

[JonoRig]

I've heard of that and tried to look into it, but I don't think that path is available to most. I'm not sure how they got that deal but I'm pretty explicitly prohibited from doing something like that.

That's a shame to hear, because it might of been a good avenue to appease everyone

[mrofa]

Seems like a good choice, it will be one thing less to worry about on vacation.
In my opinion vanilia rimworld could use some polishing before relealse, since even now with its all cool futures, player wont be using even half of it, becouse the game dont encorage them to do that or they dont know about of thier existance. And as much i hate to say it mods wont help at the beginning, even thrugh they help highligh various game features, its all about first impression, and most ppl will just dont use mods at the start.