So today, I released HELL ON REV-X, a Mothership module I collaborated with HODAG on. Here’s the pitch:

The Revelation X, a derelict city-sized generation ship, is adrift. Something apocalyptic is amiss. A space cult! An extradimensional god! A resurrected alien civilisation! A malevolent AI! Welcome to HELL ON REV-X, a depthcrawl for Mothership RPG, by HODAG and me! Out now!

I did something unusual with this release. Instead of giving away free community copies, I charged for them. The minimum I could without accruing a cost after store and paypal cuts. But it’s not free. I still won’t make money from them, but they’re not free. With the proviso that if you can’t afford a community copy, I’ll just give you one of you ask me.

Why am I trialling this? Well, because I find it really hard to believe all 90 claimed community copies of my last release, Hiss, are actually getting played. I would love to believe they are or will be, but I doubt it. They’re just sitting in peoples libraries preventing 90 other marginalised person from actually playing it. Assuming good faith on behalf of those 90 claimants.

But either paying a little, or asking me directly means a buyer is really interested in the module. So my hypothesis is this: I won’t give away as many community copies with a fee, but those that do charge or reach out to me will run the module.

If I’m right, I’m excited to see people playing this more. If I’m wrong, I’ll go back to the way I’ve always done it.

Update! My original arrangement broke itch.io’s systems, so I’ve changed it to having to choose between a discount copy and a full priced copy. Let’s see how successful this, less ideal version is!

30th September, 2023

Idle Cartulary