Friday the 13th: The game, released early for streamers today–causing some mistrust in Developer Gun Media and Illfonic. Some backers are voicing their opinions strongly on the game’s Reddit page. Lead developer for Friday the 13th did have this to say about the early release for streamers and content creators.
Content creators and streamers create a direct avenue to new audiences. New audiences lead to potential new sales. New sales mean both full servers AND revenue to keep the servers going and new content (DLC) in the pipeline. I know this might be hard to see, but it’s the truth. To developers and publishers; content creators and streamers are the new “Press”. And the Press has gotten early access to games since the dawn of the video game industry. You could have a great game, but if no one knows about it, it doesn’t last long. Servers close…content dries up…games die. Especially for small teams like ours. We don’t have $300M in the bank to rely on if the game tanks. We can’t really brush that off and say “welp, let’s go make something else.”
I know some of you are pissed at this. I can understand why you would be. You backed the game. You believed in the project and supported it since the start. And we did our damnest to use that money in smart ways to create the best F13 experience we could. I’m sorry if you’re upset about this, but I’m doing what I think is best for the future of this title. It’s not about showing favoritism to content creators/streamers. On the contrary; I’m trying use as many tools as I possibly can to keep you guys, the fans, happy. I want full lobbies and I want to make cool ass DLC that I’m pretty sure everyone will love.
Some of you will still be upset, and I understand. All I can do is offer this explanation and my apologies. If you want to yell at me or call me a dick or shady, etc. That’s fine. I’m here, listening.
-W
Wes does make a very good point about content creators and streamers making up a majority of the press, and being a small developer; with only the money you’ve raised and no investors; makes it harder to spread the word, and advertising difficult. You have to be creative, on how you sell the product and who spreads the word about the game, but another question to ask is: Do the backers have a right to be angry? Some backers feel that it’s absurd that streamers, who have no interest in the game, should be able to play when they received it for free.
Next, they give streamers exclusive access to the game early, and the ability to keep their progress. Instead of giving it to their backers, all of us small timers who are most of their playerbase, who would spread tons of footage, they give it to some pompous screaming idiots because IT’S FREE ADVERTISING GUYS! I have 3k subs myself, which is small, but I will most surely warn everyone about how awful Gun has been to their actual supporters.-Reddit User
While backers of Friday the 13th have every reason to be upset, some actually do understand.
yes they’re overreacting big time, i’m an early backer, bought the DLC Savini Skin and Counselor Clothes and I’m enjoying watching Twitch and waiting for my turn on Friday- Reddit User
Whether you’re a backer or streamer, players have the right to enjoy the game. Somethings might be unfair, and it’s a natural order of life. Even in journalism, things don’t always go the way you expect them too, but regardless of how you feel the game is medium for fun, and we should never forget that. When the game release on Friday, we will all be able to kill each other have the time of our lives, running from whoever is playing Jason and trying to escape from certain death.
Friday the 13th: The Game releases on May 26th for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.
You can Pre-Order your PC copy here.
