Bloodstained aims for a Staggered Content Release!

I feel you are seriously overthinking this. Since they have a publisher already lined-up, the retail release will come out around the same time as the digital release. It's not going to be delayed 12+ months. The primary differences between the instore and kickstarter versions of the physical version will likely be price (I expect it to be more expensive to buy the game in-store than through the minimum required on the kickstarter when you subtract the value of any KS bonuses), packaging and bonus content (like the extra weapons + boss exclusive to the kickstarter version). Physical versions of games not including all content ever produced (as more content gets added over time) is beyond normal at this point - the Shovel Knight model is very popular. Pretty much every other alternative is worse for the vast majority of consumers or worse for the dev team.

So, with this, we will just have to see what modes that will be coming out then
I do hope ALL of singleplayer aspect of the game will be released on launch day, since multiplayer doesn't really mean much for IGAvania games

Thanks, Mana. It is good to have you back with us. My opinion is that it is a wise decision to release the main game first and additional content later. Even though I backed the physical version, I don't care too much what is on the disc and what is not. I am just happy this game is being made and I hope to be alive and healthy to enjoy it.

I am down for this. It allows them to hit a target closer to their implied release date and doesn't hold the game back for an eternity, like the disaster we've seen with Mighty No. 9.

Two threads?  Could you link the other one here?

Mana,  I've been giving this topic a lot of thought.  

I love digital distribution and I'm OK with a staggered release, but this news could really upset purists who expect the full game on physical media.  It makes perfect sense for the mass market, but I think the Backer Editions deserve special consideration.  If qualified backers are willing to wait on a physical copy with all the extra content, they should have the option to do so IMO.  The sooner Igarashi can make an official statement to clarify these matters, the better for everyone concerned.

  Cheers. 

I slacker backed before the rumors of staggered content release (whatever this turns out to be), but after the stretch goals became a reality. If you'd look upon this harshly, I payed for a physical copy of the game with everything included and nothing staggered. If I could have it my way, I'd like everything to be included from start... and I'm totally fine with this even if it take years for the game to be released.

However... I realize that this is not the way the world and gaming industry works today. I really want this game to be a success... and if it takes staggered content for this game to reach the market standards of today and be super profitable (or whatever)... so be it.

I guess it's a luxury to do art with no monetary strings attached and no noisy fanbase to please.

Figuring out who wants to wait for a full version would be as easy as a single question in the survey. They already need to work out which platform people want the game for and that isn't hard.
I'd say everybody who backed the digital+physical tier would want to wait for the full physical version.

This is an interesting discussion for sure. Game releases just don't work how they used to. Practically every physical game release is incomplete now. Even if all of the game's assets and structures are indeed on the disk, it's rare to find a game without a day-one patch. And often those initial patches can be several gigs in size. However even in the cases where the day-one patch is more modestly sized, the update likely fixes several bugs that the developer has been working to correct between the the time the game "went gold" and the release date. Balance changes are even more of a significant modification that could change the fundamental experience from the ground up, all by changing a few variables.

My point is, changes to a game's code base are just as significant as additional modes, skins, maps, etc. Therefor the only way to purchase a disk-based game that is "complete" is to buy something akin to a "Game of the Year Edition." And honestly, those usually have patches too.

All of this may be a moot point however. I could easily be ill-informed, but has there been confirmation that physical copies of the game would ship at the same time as digital versions? Especially with a staggered-release model, it seems like physical copies would come later when the additional content is complete. Backers who ordered those versions would likely get Steam keys or or codes for access to content digitally as it rolls out, then receive the disk copy later on. That seems like a logical way to satisfy all backers regardless of preferred platform.

While several companies have certainly abused the practice of releasing DLC and less-than-complete products, the staggered model of release is a fantastic way to both extend a game's lifespan AND get the game into user's hands sooner. It's certainly different than console releases used to be. I'm no spring duck or whatever the expression is either. I too remember the "good old days." But I also remember those games often being very short experiences that were prolonged thanks to cheap difficulty tactics. I'm excited about playing Bloodstained over the course of several months rather than devouring the entire experience in a week and then hoping for a sequel in a few years. If we're lucky. That's just me though. People wanting the game in one big content release is very understandable. Let's wait for more info before we get too ahead of ourselves though.