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Is this unethical?

989 Views | 18 Replies
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Is this unethical? 2022-01-14 02:47:46


Hi there :) I'm a videogame developer and I have a question


Is it considered scummy or in any way unethical,

to release a browser game on Newgrounds, and then sell the same game on Steam, Itchio etc?


The reason I ask is, because I've seen other people sell previously free browser games,

without people hating them for it


Just curious

Response to Is this unethical? 2022-01-14 12:17:29


At 1/14/22 02:47 AM, Drakensson wrote:Hi there :) I'm a videogame developer and I have a question

Is it considered scummy or in any way unethical,
to release a browser game on Newgrounds, and then sell the same game on Steam, Itchio etc?

The reason I ask is, because I've seen other people sell previously free browser games,
without people hating them for it

Just curious


I reckon... no? If you need to build a fanbase first, making it a free game first is perfectly reasonable. Once enough people like it, making money off of it is reasonable, but it may infuriate people. I suggest instead making a donation page, or getting a way to get ad revenue!


The creator of Reaper's Storm! Come read it here:

https://www.rstorm.net

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Response to Is this unethical? 2022-01-19 10:13:00


I think in this case what you're doing is basically a "pay what you want" to play the game. As a player it would make sense to me if the game was also free on Itch.io but had a "$5 suggested price" or something.


I would feel a bit slighted if I later found out I could have played the same game for free on another site. So I think it's better to be upfront about it or to just add some extra content so it feels like there is a difference.

Response to Is this unethical? 2022-01-19 11:10:35


i dont think its really unethical tbh

older browser games have been rereleased on steam with tons of added content so i'd say its fine


Anime tits, theres nothing better than that

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Response to Is this unethical? 2022-01-19 12:32:37 (edited 2022-01-19 12:32:50)


An alternative is to have a patreon for the latest version(s) and backport updates to the free version on a delayed cycle.


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Response to Is this unethical? 2022-01-19 14:29:11


In my opinion no, it's your creation, do what you want with it.


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Response to Is this unethical? 2022-01-19 17:48:21


At 1/14/22 02:47 AM, Drakensson wrote:Hi there :) I'm a videogame developer and I have a question

Is it considered scummy or in any way unethical,
to release a browser game on Newgrounds, and then sell the same game on Steam, Itchio etc?

The reason I ask is, because I've seen other people sell previously free browser games,
without people hating them for it

Just curious


If done correctly you can get praise for it, the henry stickmin collection should be what everyone aims to achieve


you ever just meet someone that smells like blue paint but is actually covered in green paint?

Response to Is this unethical? 2022-01-19 19:45:00


At 1/14/22 02:47 AM, Drakensson wrote:Hi there :) I'm a videogame developer and I have a question

Is it considered scummy or in any way unethical,
to release a browser game on Newgrounds, and then sell the same game on Steam, Itchio etc?

The reason I ask is, because I've seen other people sell previously free browser games,
without people hating them for it

Just curious


iu_528669_5430469.jpg

I'm pretty sure most developers release browser games on newgrounds then sell the game on other platforms as well. As most people said already it's your creation so do what you want.

Response to Is this unethical? 2022-01-20 00:05:48


I've played some games that were published as demos and some that were later expanded upon with a full retail version


its time of the year

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Response to Is this unethical? 2022-01-20 03:34:52


Alright. I've gotten all the answers I need now.

I wish you could close your threads here xD

Response to Is this unethical? 2022-01-20 03:44:56


At 1/14/22 02:47 AM, Drakensson wrote:Hi there :) I'm a videogame developer and I have a question

Is it considered scummy or in any way unethical,
to release a browser game on Newgrounds, and then sell the same game on Steam, Itchio etc?

The reason I ask is, because I've seen other people sell previously free browser games,
without people hating them for it

Just curious


nah do whatever you want its your shit


Come on down to Feet Village open 24/7 schedule your visit today!

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Response to Is this unethical? 2022-01-20 07:35:01


Thanks. It's great getting some answers to my question.

Newgrounds seems to be a nice and easy way for publishing your games too and get some

feedback without too much hassle

Response to Is this unethical? 2022-01-20 08:12:40 (edited 2022-01-20 08:14:53)


Not at all, not even close to unethical or even douchey. If you made the game, you decide what to do with it.

If there are more people involved with develloping the game, then things can get a bit more (or very) complicated.


Only broke fans ( <--- hmmm, maybe a name-idea for a nice website there) might end up feeling butthurt.

Response to Is this unethical? 2022-01-20 08:19:38 (edited 2022-01-20 08:20:20)


My first "game" will be out this week, for free here on Newgrounds.

You can read about it in a news post on my profile here.

Way earlier than initially stated. I only stated July just to be on the safe humble side.


I'm really nervous though. Because it will be very flawed and it has few animations.

My whole budget was actually just monthly insurance, so I had to be very mindful and frugal

about my economy. It will look very cheap, but I guess it's a good thing you don't have to pay for it then XD

But what I really want to do with my "game" is to demonstrate a gameplay-design idea,

everything else were second priorities. Hopefully I've succeeded in that demonstration, and people will like that.


I've heard from many experienced indie devs that your first games will always be crappy.

You have to make bad games to make good games (Thomas Brush).

I only hope the Newgrounds community will be understanding of that and not be too harsh on mah liddle ehss xD

Response to Is this unethical? 2022-01-20 10:01:22 (edited 2022-01-20 10:30:01)


At 1/20/22 08:19 AM, Drakensson wrote:My first "game" will be out this week, for free here on Newgrounds.


Just a heads up that Pixel Day is in a few days and there will probably be a lot of submissions then. If you'd rather not have a bunch of event submissions competing for the spotlight then you could hold off for a couple weeks, and maybe have a chance to step away from the game for a bit and look at it again with fresh eyes for any final tweaks. Of course if you're eager to see the game out there then go ahead and publish, especially if it's ready now and would have a few days before the pixels hit.


My newsfeed has random GameDev tips & tricks

Response to Is this unethical? 2022-01-20 13:20:57


My "game" is out now and is under judgement.

Hopefully people check it out, despite its flaws : D

Response to Is this unethical? 2022-01-20 14:00:17


At 1/14/22 02:47 AM, Drakensson wrote:Hi there :) I'm a videogame developer and I have a question

Is it considered scummy or in any way unethical,
to release a browser game on Newgrounds, and then sell the same game on Steam, Itchio etc?

The reason I ask is, because I've seen other people sell previously free browser games,
without people hating them for it

Just curious


Alien Hominid started on NG back in day, it has been sold on disk a few years back. I think you are good.

Response to Is this unethical? 2022-01-20 18:12:37


I wouldn't consider it unethical as long as players have a reason to want to buy the new version. like either as an upgrade (akin to motherload goldium) or if it has new content that will be worth the price (how i'm assuming FNF will be doing it)

Cookie Clicker has a paid version, which i got. but that was as support for the dev and as a way to get cloud saves. So even something small like that would be a reason to pay for a product already free, even if its the same functionally


wawaweewawooooooooooooooooooooooo you have got a good eye

Response to Is this unethical? 2022-01-22 19:16:09


I decided to retract my game and wait until the Pixel Day competition blows over.

The game is however, out now on Itchio as a browser game