At what cost?

[Campbell]

I have decided to take the plunge, and offer ADRIFT 5 for ***free***.

There are several reasons for doing this. These include the release of Inform 7, which is easier to use than it's predecessor (although still not a patch on ADRIFT!) and makes it simpler for non-programmers to get started with. Also with Quest becoming free it increases the number of no-pay alternatives, making the decision of which system to use somewhat more difficult. In addition, a large proportion of the ADRIFT user-base are minors who do not have easy access to online payments.

I really think ADRIFT 5 has the potential to become a major player in the IF world - but only at the right price. It is by far the easiest system to use, and has been for some time. Now at least, that ease of use will be open to everyone.

The first free version will be 5.0.19. I don't anticipate this will be ready for release for a good few weeks yet however.

Q. So will ADRIFT 4 also become free?

A. Well, no. There are a couple of reasons for this. Firstly, I would have to modify the code and create a new release. Secondly, I would very much like to encourage users of v3.9 and v4.0 to move onto v5.0 to take advantage of the improved parser, map and, well, everything really.

Q. I have just registered. Can I have my money back?

A. No, sorry. I do apologise if you have very recently paid the registration fee - there's always going to be a cut off point, regardless of when that is. However, I still think the registration cost is very good value for money. I will also be adding a 'Donate' button to the website, and I would like to think that anyone who enjoys the software and uses it on a regular basis would want to reward me for all my hard work.

This has been a big decision to make, and I hope it is the right one. But I also believe it will encourage a good number of new users to the system, and that can never be a bad thing.

[BlueMaxima]

Congratulations on making such a hard decision. Will look forward to 5.0.19. Just fix up every little bug in that list and we'll be good to go

PS: will people who have registered already get anything at all? Or just a thank you for support?

[David Whyld]

Good move.

[P/o Prune]

I hope it pays off...
I'm glad you decided on the donate button though....
Where are you going to announce it?

[KFAdrift]

Really hope that you get the support of the whole community with this and those who have registered don't get upset as we have all had the use of a good system. Guess we need to look for a bit of a re-launch into the wider IF world.

[NickyDude]

Good luck with this.

I wouldn't have done this personally as I would want something for all the hard work I'd put into it, whether or not others are free. I'd probably have brought the fee right down and may be put more into free version though so people could get a good feel for it. I do hope that this doesn't mean that you get disheartened and give up because that would be a shame.

I will also be adding a 'Donate' button to the website,

I would have added it right inside the Developer.

[Christinamari]

I just installed ADRIFT 5 on my laptop to start writing again, after years of not doing so (I'm who used to be called a long time ago Chenshaw, if anyone remembers me!), decided to register again for the forum, and saw this. What is funny is that I was just thinking, after all these years (must be about 6) seemed like you would have the right to charge me for an update. And now it's going totally free! I have to say, I would certainly be happy to donate, and will do once you get your newest release out there.

[P/o Prune]

I would have added it right inside the Developer.

That's a clever idea....

[P/o Prune]

Hi there Chenshaw..
And welcome back.. Of course I remember you (I went by Cowboy earlier)
I hope you'll stay and have some great fun with the new V.5
It's awesome

[KFAdrift]

Welcome back Chenshaw, always good when a drifter returns to the fold, and at such an important moment.

[David Whyld]

Good luck with this.

I wouldn't have done this personally as I would want something for all the hard work I'd put into it, whether or not others are free.

I'm guessing the "something" Campbell gains will be the nice warm feeling of seeing new people try ADRIFT out now the registration fee is gone.

Of course, it'll also be interesting to see how many tightwads decide to use it now they no longer have to mortgage their house, rob a bank and sell their children into slavery to afford the absolutely whopping registration fee of, um, £18.

[P/o Prune]

Good luck with this.

I wouldn't have done this personally as I would want something for all the hard work I'd put into it, whether or not others are free.

I'm guessing the "something" Campbell gains will be the nice warm feeling of seeing new people try ADRIFT out now the registration fee is gone.

Of course, it'll also be interesting to see how many tightwads decide to use it now they no longer have to mortgage their house, rob a bank and sell their children into slavery to afford the absolutely whopping registration fee of, um, £18.

YESSS!! I will now be able to buy my wife and 15 kids out of slavery

[BlueMaxima]

Good luck with this.

I wouldn't have done this personally as I would want something for all the hard work I'd put into it, whether or not others are free.

I'm guessing the "something" Campbell gains will be the nice warm feeling of seeing new people try ADRIFT out now the registration fee is gone.

Of course, it'll also be interesting to see how many tightwads decide to use it now they no longer have to mortgage their house, rob a bank and sell their children into slavery to afford the absolutely whopping registration fee of, um, £18.

YESSS!! I will now be able to buy my wife and 15 kids out of slavery

I'm just a head that rolls around pressing keys with my nose. I'll finally be able to get my limbs back!

[Christinamari]

Ahhh. I'd missed this forum. Thanks for the welcome back guys. I'm getting to grips with V5 slowly but surely. It's way cool .

I suppose making the generator free means you'll get more people trying it out who are new to IF in general, so I can see the point of that. But what I wonder is, if it's free anyway - why not just make it open source? Is there a community (even if small!) who might want to develop and bug fix a program like this to take some of the strain?

[Campbell]

Awhy not just make it open source? Is there a community (even if small!) who might want to develop and bug fix a program like this to take some of the strain?

I have no plans to make it open source at this stage.