Port the game to standalone on PC and allow us to host games on private servers

drlaparda wrote:

This issue would solve several problems that people constantly complain about.

Port the game to a standalone PC version on steam, charge 20 bucks for it and allow us to host games on private servers with full customization. That way, you don't lose out on that sweet Gold profit (because you're selling the game now), and people can do whatever they want. I've seen "our servers can't handle it" as the reason cited for not allowing us to both host as many games as we want and for not allowing us to raise the speed of the game at will. If you do this, and let US host the game on private servers (like our own computers or other game hosting services, free or not free), we could modify every aspect of the game from start to finish, change the starting conditions, the events, the loot crates, the speed and anything else we'd want to without stressing your own servers, and even run those ludicrous 250x game speed matches that I've seen you talk about on this forum which you only play once per year because your servers can't handle it. Not only that, but private discord groups and alliances could moderate and make their own games, invite or kick whoever they wanted and run more games at the same time (which is currently limited to once per month per person, even with High Command). I'd happily pay 20, 30, 40 or 50 dollars now for a version of the game like this forever. The only reason not to do this would be because of a stupid need to retain a more extensive control over the community and the game, which is what is currently killing it. You literally don't lose if you do this, especially because you can still run your normal games on your own servers on the web version, which most people would still use (and therefore you don't lose out on Gold, which experienced players already don't use), and the more experienced players looking for longer, slower, and even roleplay-based games can enjoy it too without getting screwed. I'd seriously consider this if I were you, especially given how bad it's gotten with people just leaving games 2 days in because they're too slow.

Donk2.0 wrote:

drlaparda wrote:

This issue would solve several problems that people constantly complain about.

Port the game to a standalone PC version on steam, charge 20 bucks for it and allow us to host games on private servers with full customization. That way, you don't lose out on that sweet Gold profit (because you're selling the game now), and people can do whatever they want. I've seen "our servers can't handle it" as the reason cited for not allowing us to both host as many games as we want and for not allowing us to raise the speed of the game at will. If you do this, and let US host the game on private servers (like our own computers or other game hosting services, free or not free), we could modify every aspect of the game from start to finish, change the starting conditions, the events, the loot crates, the speed and anything else we'd want to without stressing your own servers, and even run those ludicrous 250x game speed matches that I've seen you talk about on this forum which you only play once per year because your servers can't handle it. Not only that, but private discord groups and alliances could moderate and make their own games, invite or kick whoever they wanted and run more games at the same time (which is currently limited to once per month per person, even with High Command). I'd happily pay 20, 30, 40 or 50 dollars now for a version of the game like this forever. The only reason not to do this would be because of a stupid need to retain a more extensive control over the community and the game, which is what is currently killing it. You literally don't lose if you do this, especially because you can still run your normal games on your own servers on the web version, which most people would still use (and therefore you don't lose out on Gold, which experienced players already don't use), and the more experienced players looking for longer, slower, and even roleplay-based games can enjoy it too without getting screwed. I'd seriously consider this if I were you, especially given how bad it's gotten with people just leaving games 2 days in because they're too slow.

Interesting proposition, however, how would the in-game ranking system work like with this? I'm sure people will find some or more likely several ways to abuse this.

This sounds like a really good idea. I'm sure Bytro will be wary about losing players who don't want to pay the $20 though. Would the steam version be separate entirely?