Hello everyone! :)
I’m a long-time user of C2 and I’m on the verge of switching to C3 for my ongoing and future projects. However, I have several critical questions about the License system of C3 that need clarifying before I make the jump in good conscience. I hope you can help me understand.
Sorry if these points are cleared somewhere else on the Scirra website, either I haven’t found where or I’ve misunderstood something.
Personal situation:
I’m a French individual and I plan to release a construct game on Steam soon.
To prepare for this I’ve declared myself an “auto-entrepreneur” or “individual-entrepreneur”. Right now, I’m declaring a revenue of 0€ / month, but this way I’ll be ready when my game releases.
I suppose I’ll have to start with the Business Startup License instead of the personal license. I don’t see too much of a problem with that, since an extra 50€ is not that big a difference.
I have questions about what comes after that.
First Question: Startup License revenue cap
I read two different things about the Startup License.
- On the product page it says: “Total lifetime company revenue is less than $50,000 USD […]”
- On the Terms of Use if says: “Only business where annual revenue is or is forecast/expected to be less than $50,000 USD […] are permitted to purchase the discounted Startup Business license.”
To me Lifetime is different than Annual / Yearly, but I’m probably translating this wrong?
Let’s say I earn $25,000 in 2020 and $25,000 in 2021, am I still allowed to use the Startup License or do I have to switch to the full price Business one because I have accrued $50,000+ during my business’ whole life?
Second Question: upgrade timing
Let’s say I purchase the Startup License and use it to release my first game. Amazing: I end up making more than expected, say $60,000 in 2020.
Do I have to switch to the Business license as soon as the 50,000 cap is broken, even if the Startup license is not really over? Or am I only compelled to upgrade when I renew my subscription?
Third Question: downgrade timing
Similar question as previously but in the other direction.
Let’s say for the sake of example:
- In 2020 I make $60,000 with my first game and upgrade to Business License (although it depends of previous question)
- I plan to release another game in 2022
- This means 2021 is a quiet year and I plan to make much less money during this period. Let’s say $0 even.
Can I downgrade from Business License to startup license to account for this slower year?
If yes, when do I do it?
- At the end of 2020 when I can show revenues have almost halted and I don’t plan to release another game in 2021?
- At the end of 2021 when I can prove I have not received any money this year?
Last Question: Halting development
A last very important question to me: what happens if/when I decide to stop developing new games, but I still want to let my games on Steam, either because they still bring a little revenue, or for my portfolio’s sake?
My business would have zero use of Construct 3 at this point, would need zero seat. Yet do I need to purchase a yearly license for as long as my games are online and earning money (even if it’s just pennies) thus bringing the need to “take down” my games when they are not profitable enough?
This would feel weird to pay a yearly license ad vitam eternam at a deficit just to have my games stay online, but I want to be sure.
That was quite the block of text, sorry for that. I’m that close to becoming a C3 customer, but obviously I’m more cautious now that the system is subscription based instead of a one-shot purchase ^^
Thanks A LOT for your answers
And a happy new year to y’all! <3