Someone brought this up on the POG board, and the more I think about it the better the idea sounds. So I'll post the idea here in the hopes that perhaps Dee or Ambrosia might be able to comment on the idea...
Would it be possible to release a "Coldstone Lite" application. Basically it would be a free version of Coldstone except that it will only be able to create plug-ins for POG. Now the simple and dirty way to do this, from my limited experience, would be to remove the "Create New Game" option, and then create a small check to ensure that the plugin being cerated is only for POG(although, having a version that only creates plugins for any Coldstone created applicationcould be beneficial as well). Anyhow, the reasons for this would be the following:
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Increased interest in POG would result in increased sales of POG. Currently the only way to extend the game is to purchase CGE, which in total is a $70 investment. Thats quite a bit for one game(yes, you can argue that CGE does more than create plug-ins, which is true, but some people may only want to create plug-ins). And marketing a game with limitless possibilities due to expansion is a bit over-exagerated if very few people are willing to spend the bucks to develop for it.
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Increased CGE exposure. If a free version of CGE were offered then more people would download it and try it out. They would be able to build plug-ins for POG which as mentioned above will result in increased interest and sales of POG. As the plug-ins are cranked out people would be able to see first hand what CGE can do for an existing game, which would draw more people to download the free version to make their own plug-ins. Which leads us to...
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Usage of a free "plug-ins only" version will get people familiar with how CGE works, and invariably these people will want to create their own games which will result in increased CGE sales. People typically purchase products that they know how to use. Having a free version available for plug-ins will give these people the time and latitude to get to know the product better than a 30-day trial period, as well as the ability to contribute to the community effort of POG. And when they decide to branch out they will purchase the full CGE because it is what they know and what they have been using.
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If the lite version was created, and if it allowed creation of plug-ins for any CGE created game as opposed to only for POG, then one last selling point for this would be an increased consumer base. Why is this? Because a game developer purchases CGE and makes a game that has plug-in capability. He releases the game and includes a note saying that those people interested in extending the game can download the free Coldstone Game Engine Lite(CGEL) and make their own plug-ins. Thus these 3rd party games are not only advertising CGE by producing their games, they are actively recruiting by saying, "Hey, making plug-ins is easy. Come make a plug-in for my game." And when these people get CGEL and design plug-ins for that 3rd party game, they become familiar with CGEL and when they too decide to make their own game then what do they purchase? CGE of course.
Anyhow, these are the ideas that came to mind when I saw the post on the POG board. Hopefully those with the ability to make the decisions regarding these things will like this proposal and act upon it. I'd really like to see the CGE community grow and prosper, and this is one of the things that could really kick start it.
Thanks.
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