There should still be a demo here (the game was updated after that):

www.bestanimegames.com/games/PlanetStronghold-1.5.8.exe

You can just email me and I'll send you a new download link (or Steam key) :)
https://www.winterwolves.com/info.php

Ah OK, your system seems good then!

Why not use existing rating system like the IARC?

https://www.globalratings.com/for-developers.aspx

developers like me who have their game on Google Play could just re-use the rating they already have (it's required on Google Play) so it would be instant.

*** SPOILER! ***

During the scene where you become a vampire, ask Zachary and Valery to go with them, triggering an early "game over".

Ah yes I'll delete the other two. This was made with a very old/custom version of Ren'Py and the only one working is the Windows one.

Ah OK sorry if I misunderstood :) As I posted in my forums in this specific game I think allowing full customization to the character might have been the cause, since for a writer (even if I didn't write most of the story) is much easier to write if you have a specific character with past history than trying to write a story that fits both an human, elf, dwarf, etc. Under this aspect I think it's honestly too hard to have a game with a gameplay like open world + full character customization and also write a very compelling story (since I'm limited by the gameplay/system). I feel only if I'll make again VNs for example like Bionic Heart I can concentrate fully on the story without being constricted by gameplay. Thanks

Well, I'm sorry that you didn't like the game :(

I'll try to answer quickly to some points:

- "stop caring about the art". You might not believe it and you're free to not believe it but I put a LOT of effort on this game. So if you think I just made it quickly without passion you're wrong since I even wrote myself 1/3 of the game (with a proofreader help of course). Probably this is worse for you since if a game I put so much passion is so mediocre (in your opinion) then I'm doomed lol

- good storytelling or good sales: who said are independent? since I'm on the "other side" of the fence and I know exactly how much each game made I can tell you that you simply CAN'T have good sales with bad storytelling. An exception could be SOTW where there was so much RPG gameplay that some people might have bought it for that, rather than the story.

- you mention you follow me from Heileen times, and I thank you for that :) however I am wondering... you say that I am always declining, I can't believe you think that Heileen series had better writing than this game, right?

- Zachary and Valery are liars. THEY say they're centuries old ;) Remember how they're lying to the main character of Cursed Land about why they're helping the whole time? That is just one of their lies, not a plot hole.

As I said I'm sorry that you didn't like it - my goal is to make stories that people like (maybe even love but probably that's asking too much). However you can imagine that as author, I need to view the whole picture. I had a lot of people tell me all different things: SOTW is much better than Loren, Loren is much better than SOTW. Cursed Lands is my best game, more than Loren. SOTW is better than Cursed Lands. Insert any other combo here :P

So I have to accept that I can't make a game that everyone will like and for sure depending on people's tastes, some will like certain games and others will like other games. But I acknowledge when I didn't do a good job, when for some games I never got so many positive comments or when sales weren't that great (QoT or Amber for example). If you criticized those two games I would have to agree sadly. But this one? It's got a lot of praise/positive reviews, and it's doing better than all the games released in last 6-7 years. Especially in a indieapocalypse climate like this one, it doesn't happen randomly, believe me :) Thanks

I can understand but since my latest two games were always in the top 10 sellers, I would expect to get some priority considering the amount owed...

I've a payment on hold since 25 days and I get no answer from support. This is getting a bit worrying (also considering I have 4 more payments pending!!!)

I've sent an email to support but no reply yet. The oldest payment is in review since 23 days, and since I have 4 more pending, it's getting a bit worrying as you can imagine... before I had to wait maximum 7 days. Hoping to get some news soon. Thanks

I have a payout in review since 20 days, another since 12 days. Is it normal ? Before I don't remember having to wait so long.

Thanks will fix it on next update! :)

Ah lol, this was never reported during beta. Thanks, will of course fix this on next update :)

Yes, here on itch.io there's the version with both censored/uncensored content :)

Please check this thread in my forums (usually after trying those things, it works):

https://www.winterwolves.net/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=4113

That could be the reason, yes. I thought it would work to be honest, but the demo might be slightly outdated vs the full version (which is always the most updated version).

Yes, but even the censored part is nothing omitted, only the romance CG instead of being full naked, the characters are still dressed. That's the only difference and maybe a few lines of texts describing the scene (I don't remember exactly now).

Buying here you also get a free Steam key, so you get both versions in any case :)

Got it, thanks will take a look!

Ah another thing, the bug is in the full game or demo? the demo version is older so it might still have that bug, I need to update it. Thanks

Can you send me the save before it shows up? You can find the savegames in a folder called saves in the install directory. Thanks!

More detailed instructions on how to send a save here: https://www.winterwolves.net/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=2971

Yes if you have a mouse with mousewheel (third button) clicking it hides the text box, or simply press H key :)

I think also using itch.io client would work, but glad you found a way! :)

That's strange since demo and full are basically the same code. However Mac has many problems recently, check this thread in my forums:

https://www.winterwolves.net/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=4113

OK got it, thanks :)

A specific example:

- I do maybe a beta/alpha/pre-order for a game and set the full download for $10

- people buy that for $10

- after X months I raise price from $10 to $15 (as often some developers do) as the game gets near completion

Question: people who paid $10 will still get access to that item? or they need to pay the difference ($5)? or they need to pay again $15? It's not clear to me how this works :) thanks

Check this guide in my forums: https://www.winterwolves.net/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=4113

Email sent!

Yes just email me and I'll give you a working link :)

I think if you use itch.io client it would be easier (if I understand correctly what you do).

If you already purchased it before, the demo here on itch.io works like it was before. Otherwise you can contact me by email and I can send you a link or even a Steam key if you prefer.

Yes, maybe I'll add a pop-up help in the final game. But in practice you have PLENTY of time to do anything, unless the quest explicitly says "you must do this before day XYZ" (there are a few like that).

Not a bug, every time you talk with a character there's a timer that reset. The option to explore the tomb will reappear for sure in the next few game days. I made this to avoid plot conflicts (talking, exploring, doing 500 things the same day lol).

You choose at the beginning of the game who you want to play as.

There was one but I temporarily took it offline since it was hard to mantain two versions (a bug in demo carried over in the full version). Once the full version is more stable I'll make a new one (probably in a week)!

Yes the game is in beta but the full content is there. As for the style, I decided to add 2 "bonus pin-up CG" using another artist (with a style similar enough). Sadly the original artist is not available anymore, but I wanted to add more art to the game so I decided to do it this way :)

Is there a warning when the Steam keys of a product are getting low? like I uploaded 200, and there are only 20-15 left (in practice to make sure people don't remain without them)? Or I need to check it manually? If there isn't such a system in place I think would be a good idea (maybe just display a warning/message in the control panel itself).

Please email me at info@winterwolves.com and I'll give you a new link :)

At the end of last year, I was about to give up selling my games "directly" and just use Steam because of the codesign madness.

For those unfamiliar with it, I wrote about it a while ago in my blog: https://www.winterwolves.net/blog/2017/10/status-update-codesign-and-other-ameni...

I also live in a place without a reliable connection (this Winter I was often stuck with a 16kb/s upload connection for weeks!). So the idea of codesigning Win/Mac installers and uploading them EVERY TIME during a beta was a nightmare.

I am doing a beta of my newest RPG: https://winter-wolves.itch.io/cursed-lands

And so far thanks to itch.io backend was a dream. I did over 50 build / updates, and for most of them uploading only 7-8mb of patches, even with my terrible "winter connection" it was really quick :)

Thumbs up to itch.io and everyone involved with it!

That's not the last scene with him, it should go on later. But only if you have MAX relationship with him, otherwise won't go on. And of course playing as male protagonist only since he is the yaoi/gay romance.