Torque 3D 1.2 - Pricing Revealed
by Derek Bronson · 10/07/2011 (1:27 pm) · 308 comments
Welcome back to another Torque 3D 1.2 Friday. Last week I discussed some of the additional documentation that is going on for Torque 3D 1.2, you can read about it here. This week I am revealing the pricing regarding the update to 1.2 as most of you have been pretty curious in your blog responses. We tried our best to deliver what we believe to be a “no brainer” price to upgrade to Torque 3D 1.2 and I truly feel that the prices we have come up with compared to the value being delivered lives up to that no “brainer statement”. So without further ado:
| New Customer | $179 |
| Torque 3D Binary Owner | $69 |
| Torque 3D Pro Owner | $49 |
| Torque 3D Binary Studio Owner | $40 per seat |
| Torque 3D Pro Studio Owner | $20 per seat |
As with our other products, starting on the 17th these prices reflect a Full Source Professional Studio License. If you want more information on the move to Studio Licenses I would recommend reading over Eric’s blog that he posted a couple of weeks ago.
Buy Torque 3D 1.1 Now Before 1.2 Ships
If you haven't already purchased Torque 3D then now is the best time to pick it up or to purchase extra seats for your studio. Purchasing a license now saves you $31 over waiting for 1.2 to arrive. The base price for Torque 3D changes on October 17th so clock is ticking.
If you were about to purchase an upgrade to Pro or to convert your license to Studio but were worried about 1.2 being around the corner, don’t be! There is no penalty for upgrading/converting now, in fact it is an easy way to split up the cost of the upgrade to 1.2 depending on what type of license you have.
Also, all people that purchase Torque 3D 1.1 after the price increase on October 17th, will receive Torque 3D 1.2 for free.
Next week I’ll be going over some of the art packs that we will be releasing alongside Torque 3D 1.2 so I’ll make up for my lack of images there :) For now though its back to seeing what QA has dug up so we can get this release out to the world as soon as possible. I try to do my best to add things to the Q&A if any such questions appear in the blog responses.
Quick Q&A
Q: Will the tutorial be free or is it part of 1.2?
A: The tutorial will be available for free on the website but will require Torque 3D 1.2 to get the most out of it
Q: Can we still purchase Torque 3D 1.1 seats or upgrade our existing accounts to Studio after 1.2?
A: Yes, Studio Seats and Studio Conversions will be available for 1.1 users after 1.2 launches. Studio Conversions will remain at $29 but new seats will be at the new price of $179 after October 17th.
Torque 3D 1.2 Development Blogs:
- Introduction
- Chinatown
- Turrets, Proximity Mines and Teleporters oh my!
- Disembodied Arms
- Disembodied Arms, Part Deux
- Tutorial Revealed
- Additional Documentation
- Torque 3D 1.2 Pricing
- Alien Character Pack - Coming Soon!
#122
I paid more for Torque 3D to begin with than a new customer will have to pay for 1.2? But I STILL have to pay another $50 to update?
I mean... I've supported you guys for quite a while now, GG... But really? I've already paid out the ass for T3D, waiting until it just recently has become truly usable and I still get to pay more...
10/09/2011 (6:25 pm)
So... Let me see if I understand this correctly...I paid more for Torque 3D to begin with than a new customer will have to pay for 1.2? But I STILL have to pay another $50 to update?
I mean... I've supported you guys for quite a while now, GG... But really? I've already paid out the ass for T3D, waiting until it just recently has become truly usable and I still get to pay more...
#123
All of which were in need of much TLC.
My hat went off to Eric Preisz, he seemed to have his finger on the pulse of the community and I admired how he commented on the price drop to $99:
He was right we were in this together and I must admit I was a little inspired by not only these words but by the honest and open answers Eric has continued to give. For me it was step to unifying things, a big one and things have been riding high.
However, as much of a fan as I've been I have to say Eric it does feel that in the last couple of blogs on 1.2 and specifically the cost that I think you've missed the pulse slightly this time around.
Unfortunately costs are always the elephant in the room, more so with a tainted past, big price drops and promised features not delivered and I can't help but feel a comment midway through the comments section on an unlreated blog was not the way to tackle such a sensitive topic.
Talking about 1.2 having 150k worth of assets, slipping into a we/you language, saying we felt it was time to charge for an update creates segregation and doesn't help to diffuse and open dialogue about it.
Eric if you're half the guy I've judged you to be I'm sure the conversations have been had around if something could be done to appease those that forked out $1000, whether $99 is sustainable, if 1.2 could be free for some/all and what is best for both GG and the community/customers -- you seem to care for all sides.
If so -- then nothing wrong with having said something like -- hey guys we've looked at if 1.2 could be free or if we could do something for those that paid higher but unfortunately if we're going to continue improving GG at the rate you guys want us too then we need the money to invest to help us help you. We appreciate the honesty.
If you'd guided us down the route and thought process of why 1.2 needs to be or should be a paid update I'm sure most would probably feel that $20 is like robbing you guys for the work that goes in and the extra hours I'm sure people put in to get things ready and working.
For most the reaction seems to be down to the way the paid update is being handled and not people begrudging stumping up a small amount of cash to keep things motoring in the right direction.
For everyone though - we are in this together, company and community can't exist without each other lets talk more!
10/09/2011 (6:40 pm)
Been reading, pausing and thinking before I reply to gauge the response from the community. For those that argue about old and new GG I think you've missed the point, when starting up again GG took on not only a bunch of developers, some tech and artwork -- they also took on a community and customers and a lot of history good and bad that they need to manage.All of which were in need of much TLC.
My hat went off to Eric Preisz, he seemed to have his finger on the pulse of the community and I admired how he commented on the price drop to $99:
Quote:@Everyone, the "limited time" language is sort of up to you. We want to see how the community reacts to such a low price. We would like it to stay around for a while since we think that the price ( or some number near it) is really beneficial for our community. We're in this together ;)
He was right we were in this together and I must admit I was a little inspired by not only these words but by the honest and open answers Eric has continued to give. For me it was step to unifying things, a big one and things have been riding high.
However, as much of a fan as I've been I have to say Eric it does feel that in the last couple of blogs on 1.2 and specifically the cost that I think you've missed the pulse slightly this time around.
Unfortunately costs are always the elephant in the room, more so with a tainted past, big price drops and promised features not delivered and I can't help but feel a comment midway through the comments section on an unlreated blog was not the way to tackle such a sensitive topic.
Talking about 1.2 having 150k worth of assets, slipping into a we/you language, saying we felt it was time to charge for an update creates segregation and doesn't help to diffuse and open dialogue about it.
Eric if you're half the guy I've judged you to be I'm sure the conversations have been had around if something could be done to appease those that forked out $1000, whether $99 is sustainable, if 1.2 could be free for some/all and what is best for both GG and the community/customers -- you seem to care for all sides.
If so -- then nothing wrong with having said something like -- hey guys we've looked at if 1.2 could be free or if we could do something for those that paid higher but unfortunately if we're going to continue improving GG at the rate you guys want us too then we need the money to invest to help us help you. We appreciate the honesty.
If you'd guided us down the route and thought process of why 1.2 needs to be or should be a paid update I'm sure most would probably feel that $20 is like robbing you guys for the work that goes in and the extra hours I'm sure people put in to get things ready and working.
For most the reaction seems to be down to the way the paid update is being handled and not people begrudging stumping up a small amount of cash to keep things motoring in the right direction.
For everyone though - we are in this together, company and community can't exist without each other lets talk more!
#124
Just sell it as a FPS tutorial and be done with it :D
10/09/2011 (6:43 pm)
If GG release a RTS tutorial, I am willing to pony up $100. Seriously I paid way more for modelling tutorial, rigging tutorial etc, $50 is really a fair price for a GOOD tutorial.Just sell it as a FPS tutorial and be done with it :D
#125
I said on page #1: ".. I don't mind giving $20 for new things. .."
- I don't mind paying $20, I just don't agree with some of the ethics behind this release.
Aren't I allowed and capable to 'not agree' with somethings yet still 'understand why they need to charge for manpower' ? Please don't assume my thoughts are shallow, they NEVER are. ;)
10/09/2011 (8:02 pm)
Konrad & any others..I said on page #1: ".. I don't mind giving $20 for new things. .."
- I don't mind paying $20, I just don't agree with some of the ethics behind this release.
Aren't I allowed and capable to 'not agree' with somethings yet still 'understand why they need to charge for manpower' ? Please don't assume my thoughts are shallow, they NEVER are. ;)
#126
Not exactly, we paid for assets of the company. But I digress...I agree that talking about the price we paid isn't really in good form. It was a quick response to give you a sense of how much is going into the release. It's our job work out the economics of the value we present when we ask for a release to be paid ;)
I'm going to go over all of these posts again tomorrow and review them with Derek and spend some more time thinking about our response to your questions. So if you are concerned that your questions haven't been answered, don't worry, I'll look over everything again. Tomorrow morning is sprint planning day, so we probably won't post a response until later in the day PST.
10/09/2011 (9:24 pm)
Quote:If so, then that big 100k needs to come off what you are telling us does it not?
Not exactly, we paid for assets of the company. But I digress...I agree that talking about the price we paid isn't really in good form. It was a quick response to give you a sense of how much is going into the release. It's our job work out the economics of the value we present when we ask for a release to be paid ;)
I'm going to go over all of these posts again tomorrow and review them with Derek and spend some more time thinking about our response to your questions. So if you are concerned that your questions haven't been answered, don't worry, I'll look over everything again. Tomorrow morning is sprint planning day, so we probably won't post a response until later in the day PST.
#127
10/10/2011 (2:24 am)
@Eric: Still looking forward to your response to my earlier double post and any new ones you guys put out on this subject that stems from re reading :D
#128
10/10/2011 (2:42 am)
I do not want, need or desire a studio license, why is this being forced on me if I wish to update to 1.2. 
#129
10/10/2011 (3:14 am)
I wish they would just go to a yearly subscription feed. I wouldn't mind paying a maintenance fee per seat of my studio. That way I could budget a fix amount in each year. 
#130
when I purchased my T3D licence, ages ago, I purchased from a company called Garage Games.
Garage Games is the name of this company.
the products are the same products.
the core staff are the same core staff.
the core bugs are the same core bugs, ie: they are still there.
$20 is really nothing.
I dont believe ANYONE is bitching about the price,
its the slap that stings.....
no one wants GG to lose money or to stop existing, everyone loses like that.
but to say "f*#k the old licencees, we have enough new ones" is a bit of a bad move.
I think that anyone who purchased at the old high price should get the bug fixes as a free upgrade, not the level or eye candy, just the bug fixes.
the level and candy can still be $20 or $50, even $500.
and state: "this is for your loyalty, to a product, not the owners of the product, but thats it, next upgrade EVERYBODY pays for"
I believe it would diffuse this situation AND keep us all happy, 'cause you DID remember us.
just my 2 cents worth.
10/10/2011 (3:32 am)
personal opinion:when I purchased my T3D licence, ages ago, I purchased from a company called Garage Games.
Garage Games is the name of this company.
the products are the same products.
the core staff are the same core staff.
the core bugs are the same core bugs, ie: they are still there.
$20 is really nothing.
I dont believe ANYONE is bitching about the price,
its the slap that stings.....
no one wants GG to lose money or to stop existing, everyone loses like that.
but to say "f*#k the old licencees, we have enough new ones" is a bit of a bad move.
I think that anyone who purchased at the old high price should get the bug fixes as a free upgrade, not the level or eye candy, just the bug fixes.
the level and candy can still be $20 or $50, even $500.
and state: "this is for your loyalty, to a product, not the owners of the product, but thats it, next upgrade EVERYBODY pays for"
I believe it would diffuse this situation AND keep us all happy, 'cause you DID remember us.
just my 2 cents worth.
#131
By the way: Collision works also on the invisible parts.
10/10/2011 (5:37 am)
@Michael Tornberg: Here are two screenshots, i made today. In the first image, everything is fine. Then i am going a little bit foreward and i get the second image. By the way: Collision works also on the invisible parts.
#132
GG is a company, when it boils down to they have to pay programmers and artist everyday they are there.
If you go into a restaurant you don't tell the Waiter you spent $200 last time you were there ( this meal should be free).
It take money to run a business, yes everyone wants something for free. But seriously they are giving it to you at a good price (which is practically Nothing).
Personally I thought they were going to charge more, I would have charged at-least $150.
10/10/2011 (6:10 am)
I don't think its realistic to complain at all.GG is a company, when it boils down to they have to pay programmers and artist everyday they are there.
If you go into a restaurant you don't tell the Waiter you spent $200 last time you were there ( this meal should be free).
It take money to run a business, yes everyone wants something for free. But seriously they are giving it to you at a good price (which is practically Nothing).
Personally I thought they were going to charge more, I would have charged at-least $150.
#133
10/10/2011 (6:26 am)
@Morrie: But, if the steak is cold, if the potatoes are burnt and if the herb butter is seedy, then you want to get back your money or you will avoid the restaurant the next time. ;-)
#134
(In fact as a New..ish customer I think the pricing is absolutely amazing, I had heard rumblings once of a $99 upgrade price which I would have been ok with.), but more on a principle thing..
So perhaps GG should do something for the 'early adopters'.
Also not into the subscription idea, i'd rather pay for things as they come out, especially if the current pricing structure is here to stay :D
Okay with my tupence worth said.. i'll get back to lurking in the shadows :p
10/10/2011 (6:27 am)
The way I read it most people arn't complaining about the actual price(In fact as a New..ish customer I think the pricing is absolutely amazing, I had heard rumblings once of a $99 upgrade price which I would have been ok with.), but more on a principle thing..
So perhaps GG should do something for the 'early adopters'.
Also not into the subscription idea, i'd rather pay for things as they come out, especially if the current pricing structure is here to stay :D
Okay with my tupence worth said.. i'll get back to lurking in the shadows :p
#135
The engine that are free cost money once you come out with something commercial or a release even Unity has a price tag.
10/10/2011 (6:59 am)
But what you guise are failing to realize is: it cost money and lots of it every week. Programmers are not cheap and neither are artist, testers, producers, ect. There are free engines out there yes (UDK) is solid, but it will cost a fortune in the long run, the other engines don't give the source code in-case you need to add a tool. The engine that are free cost money once you come out with something commercial or a release even Unity has a price tag.
#136
GG you should create your own FPS to display the engine, Just as Epic did.
10/10/2011 (7:06 am)
I do think the wetness effect, and some Advanced AI features should be included in the update. here a hint for anyone, Game creator are not looking for demos, we are looking for tools to create our demos and make our jobs easier. GG you should create your own FPS to display the engine, Just as Epic did.
#137
1> Better and user friendly Tools to make our work fast
2> More and More bug fixed
3> Good Tutorials
Art materials that GG is providing with T3D 1.2, it will be of little or no use to most the us. So to invest mostly in Arts, instead GG should investing highly in bugs fixing and New better tools. What My thought.
10/10/2011 (7:41 am)
This is what I want from T3D 1.2+1> Better and user friendly Tools to make our work fast
2> More and More bug fixed
3> Good Tutorials
Art materials that GG is providing with T3D 1.2, it will be of little or no use to most the us. So to invest mostly in Arts, instead GG should investing highly in bugs fixing and New better tools. What My thought.
#138
10/10/2011 (7:42 am)
++ on what deepscratch said. I think deepscratch and I are of the same mind on this issue.
#139
I am confused as to how this works though. I purchased T3D a good while ago before the major price drop. Do I have to upgrade to a Studio Liscense now? Is that what I am seeing?
I understand I would have to pay $50 for the upgrade to 1.2 (Which I firmly disagree with but I will let others carry on that fight), but someone said something about HAVING to upgrade to a studio license? Could someone clarify?
10/10/2011 (7:53 am)
Hmmm... This is all rather interesting. I am confused as to how this works though. I purchased T3D a good while ago before the major price drop. Do I have to upgrade to a Studio Liscense now? Is that what I am seeing?
I understand I would have to pay $50 for the upgrade to 1.2 (Which I firmly disagree with but I will let others carry on that fight), but someone said something about HAVING to upgrade to a studio license? Could someone clarify?
#140
1> Upgrade to Studio version by Paying $49 and additional $20 for upgrading to T3D 1.2 after it is launched.
2> Else Pay just pay $49 for T3D 1.2 when it launched.
hope this will help you to clear.
10/10/2011 (8:00 am)
@Jhon - As you own T3D Professional, you two way to go1> Upgrade to Studio version by Paying $49 and additional $20 for upgrading to T3D 1.2 after it is launched.
2> Else Pay just pay $49 for T3D 1.2 when it launched.
hope this will help you to clear.
Torque Owner Edward Smith
Silencersoft
Because we want them to get it, so we get better tools etc.
The more they get the more we get.
Sure its a shame that we got the original V12, (Some TGE upgrade for 1.4 I think) TGEA and Torque 3D, as soon as we could so we've ended up paying a lot more. But this IS a new GG and we need to support them otherwise we'd have unsupported tech.
I REALLY want the new arm system to come with by default aiming down iron sights. This is something in every game. Lets make sure all content has simple things that's all I ask for!
But yes me choosing to upgrade to something like studio which seems not very useful but I took as a way to give more back to you that was my choice its a bit harder when its forced on us.