We're working with GOG to give you the difference off the new copy if you bought the old one, but outright free? Do you not want Michalski to make any more games after this??? :)
I do understand why people might expect this, but must re-iterate this is not a "paint over" of the 2009 edition, it's a brand new game, from scratch, that is bigger + better than the original and in many ways different to it. The paths and conclusions will be something else. Playing the original Downfall will effectively have no effect over playing the remake, you won't know how to complete it, etc ;)
Quite how Michalski is making it the same yet so different is beyond me, but he is confident it is working well and in his words "it's even better than The Cat Lady". We want to be fair to those who have bought the old version but at the same time we don't feel we're ripping anyone off when we say people will not get the 2015 version free. By the sound of it the only things from Downfall 2009 transferring over into the remake are the names & backgrounds of the characters.
Rem has handed in his work notice so he can start work on it full-time very very soon. We have to be realistic here, 2009 downfall and the cat lady happened whilst he had a secure job. But now - with the intent to be able to make games more often and ultimately better - that kind of commitment (at this stage) means he/we can't afford to go around giving new games out for free. He is certainly grateful for everyone who bought Downfall 2009, but let's be clear - reality still bites - it was no life changer. It paid his way for a few months and that's about that, he then had to find the time and dedication to work on TCL which took a good 3 years. Those who have bought it since Screen 7 started publishing it (which is when it came to GOG) we are also grateful for! But if it honestly generated any money, or still could - it wouldn't now be freeware.
In fact, the only real money made on Downfall 2009 was the Akella Russian version. That's why we asked them to handle The Cat Lady, believing it would be a similar, positive experience, but it wasn't this time round. When I ask him where else made him money from Downfall he cannot answer, he doesn't know/remember. The Cat Lady was a significant improvement in the sense that it has led to the in-production Downfall remake and Lorelai and in theory a shorter time-span between each game. That couldn't have happened without GOG sales amongst others! It's hard to say that Downfall 2009 funded The Cat Lady, I think if you asked Rem he would say "No, it didn't." So a fee for his games has a positive effect...and as we see it...they're a lot cheaper than a trip to the cinema ;)
Sorry if you don't agree. But when you say "discount" you are absolutely right - we want all previous owners to get that at the very least.
regards!
Post edited December 09, 2014 by m0ds
