Bad news for Automation :-(

[BurningBridges]

I have no problem with it either. I just won't use it, and I know a lot of people won't.

Also he and the poster before suggested locking the Automation forums to only people who go through registration. That will only pi** more people off, and they are more likely to look for unrestricted access.

[utopian201]

I think at the moment, the community is a large factor in what makes automation fun. I can honestly say I have spent more time on the forum, making car ads, writing articles and magazine covers than I have actually in the game making cars and engines.

it is fun to make a great car, but it is great to be able to show everyone oh hai gais this is my M3 fighter, come at me, and then have people go whoah, nice power AND efficiency!
I think restricting the forum so only legit purchasers is a good way to encourage people to buy so they can participate in the community.

[BurningBridges]

I suggest the exact opposite. You guys must make up your mind if you want to sell a game or run a private club. If you want the latter, raise the walls as high as you want and make it so that people have to apply before they can even buy your game. Shrink the community to a few 100 or so internet addicts, and you will have a very tidy, very concise forum. But if you want the former make it available to as many people as possible, and live with the fact that some may be using stolen versions or ask stupid questions that you have read before. In the long run, even with the freeloaders and undecided people, number of sales wills slowly rise. But you dont reach these people by slamming the doors shut. If I see a developer do something of that sort I think that they secretly hate their customers, otherwise they wouldn't try to shut them out.

[utopian201]

I dont think anyone said you had to apply to buy the game. The game isn't restricted to anyone - anyone can purchase right?
But giving access to the community is a bonus if you have paid for the game.
I see your point in that people who have only the demo can't participate though

If I see a developer do something of that sort I think that they secretly hate their customers, otherwise they wouldn't try to shut them out.

Do you mean they secretly hate prospective customers? Its no different to Ferrari saying no you cannot participate in our track days because you dont have a Ferrari.
Or an Audi booth giving away free champagne and strawberries but only if you drive an Audi (true story).
I see giving access as a carrot, you see denying access as a stick.

[BurningBridges]

That was a blatant exaggeration, but I wanted to make it clear that I am here to play a game not to fill out forms and applications.
And yes, the demo users are a good example. Or people who have the full version but wont register. Or people who have neither but want to see what people are talking about. Hell, even people who pirated the game unless they are so stupid as to talk about it. Most of them wont play/post much anyway. But others will realize that it's stupid and become paying members. Using legit versions has advantages but you dont get that across by imposing disadvantages.

[Pleb]

If that principle is applied, as it is with AutomationHub, then that would also affect demo users. And for me, I don't think it would be a good idea, as I think it would almost give off a similar vibe to downloading a free app and being restricted from 'premium users' by doing so.

I think both options have their good points and bad points, but just about everything gets pirated at some point, and it's becoming more and more frowned upon, that I just think we should leave it to each individual's moral thought to determine whether they want to support the developers. Those who decide to pirate will unfortunately dent the sales figures, especially since it's an indie game.

I also think that an added incentive for people to pirate the game right now, is that the game is still in development. Maybe some people only want to test it before they decide to put money into supporting development of a game they may not like, but using that basis, everyone would pirate it, so I think that's quite a long shot.

Long story short, I feel that we shouldn't restrict the forum, as it creates a somewhat snobby feel to an otherwise fantastic community. People should just play the game and have fun!

[BurningBridges]

If I see a developer do something of that sort I think that they secretly hate their customers, otherwise they wouldn't try to shut them out.

Do you mean they secretly hate prospective customers? Its no different to Ferrari saying no you cannot participate in our track days because you dont have a Ferrari.
Or an Audi booth giving away free champagne and strawberries but only if you drive an Audi (true story).
I see giving access as a carrot, you see denying access as a stick.

Quod licet jovi non licet bovi? I always have to laugh when I read such analogies. It's true Ferrari need not give a sh** what people think. They have more interested buyers currently waiting than cars Lol. But do you think Jugo or Dacia lock out interested people? If you want people to stand in queues to get access, ask yourself first if you are in a position like Ferrari. And yes, as to the original suggestion, I think companies like Paradox for example have extremely little regard for their customers. It's a really bad idea to try to learn from them if you are an upcoming startup.

[WizzyThaMan]

I have no problem with it either. I just won't use it, and I know a lot of people won't.

Also he and the poster before suggested locking the Automation forums to only people who go through registration. That will only pi** more people off, and they are more likely to look for unrestricted access.

It would be great if you actually read my post better. First of all, Daffy said that we are not part of the development team. It's a fan created website. We have no means of 'privatising' the game like you said just for a premium set of users. As a matter of fact, there has been a discussion about that matter for giving people that supported the game a long time before Steam some sort of private forum area. I was one of the people highly rejecting the idea since I think the community of Automation is a nice and warm place where people can meet and talk about the game, but also about car related topics in general.

As for the website, one of the other reasons we want you to validate, is that people can't make numerous accounts and manipulate the voting/ranking for example. And, as said, we think if you like the game, you should support the developers and buy it.

Pleb referred to also blocking the demo users. Yes, that is true. They can still visit the website however, and a demo version doesn't offer you the complete game either, unless you have one of those time based demo's where you an play the complete game for max 1 hour and then MUST buy it.
We think it is normal to let people check the site and what others made. The only thing we block them from is creating a company and sharing their designs and engines. For downloads, readings news and reviews and getting access to guides tips and tricks, will all be freely accesible.

[BurningBridges]

It would be great if you actually read my post better.

Are you for or against locking forums to unregistered users?? Because one can't be both at the same time.

That was what triggered me, that in response to the cracked version some people suggested to lock the forums now.

I also had a look at your website and while I like the idea somewhat, I dont see how you want to survive if you don't let in everybody. This community isnt exactly huge, and if you dont accept everyone you will have to make do with a few dozens of users.

[WizzyThaMan]

....As a matter of fact, there has been a discussion about that matter for giving people that supported the game a long time before Steam some sort of private forum area. I was one of the people highly rejecting the idea since I think the community of Automation is a nice and warm place where people can meet and talk about the game, but also about car related topics in general.

THat should explain enough, doesn't it?
Let people join the forums if they wish, pirated or not. Just restrict them from Steam Workshop access and tech support. The latter for when the game is finished, because pirated players can also detect issues with the game and bugs.

[HellBoyBG]

HERE IS A GOOD NEWS. THE GAME GOT COVERAGE ON carthrottle.com AND IT'S ATTRACTING A LOT OF ATTENTION
http://www.carthrottle.com/post/automat ... m-scratch/

[Killrob]

Ahh, the article is out nice! We were in contact with Kelsey for a good two weeks now.
Cheers!

[HellBoyBG]

I'm answering almost every post Keep up the good work guys

[SeriousSimon]

Hoooo there, hold your horses.

The discussion about piracy is not a new one and it has affected not only triple AAA titles by big publishers.
As a few mentioned, I don't see any reason for any measurements for or against it at all. Perhaps underline that there is a Demo for the game which can bring a lot of tun too. Look at the comments below the carthrottle article, so many are stating that they lack money to buy Automation.
I know for a fact that many eastern european/russian guys are just as much of a petrolhead as can be, but their exchange rates are just down in the toilet a the moment.
You'd also be surprised how many just pirate games to get a first impression and then buy the game, aware that supporting developers (especially independent ones) is crucial.

[HellBoyBG]

Hoooo there, hold your horses.

The discussion about piracy is not a new one and it has affected not only triple AAA titles by big publishers.
As a few mentioned, I don't see any reason for any measurements for or against it at all. Perhaps underline that there is a Demo for the game which can bring a lot of tun too. Look at the comments below the carthrottle article, so many are stating that they lack money to buy Automation.
I know for a fact that many eastern european/russian guys are just as much of a petrolhead as can be, but their exchange rates are just down in the toilet a the moment.
You'd also be surprised how many just pirate games to get a first impression and then buy the game, aware that supporting developers (especially independent ones) is crucial.

+1 for the truth. I live in Bulgaria. Here 2 Leva (BGN) = 1 EUR. When i bought the game i spend around 50-60 BGN, which are my allowance for 3 weeks (so you have a good perspective) or a pair for good jeans.