Inkle narrative director Jon Ingold stated that pricing the recently released game TR-49 at $7 was intended to encourage impulse purchases rather than players waiting for sales.
Ingold indicated that the current market saturation and algorithmic nature make it reasonable to explore new pricing strategies to stand out. TR-49 launched on January 21 and achieved Inkle's best launch in 14 years, selling double what the previous title, Expelled, did in the same timeframe. The game was developed in nine months as an experiment to learn Godot.
Ingold explained that the pricing was an experiment to create a game with little incentive for wishlisting or waiting for a sale, aiming for an immediate player engagement. He acknowledged that the financial results of this experiment are less clear, despite strong initial sales.
Inkle can undertake such experiments due to the game's quick development, low studio overheads, and a substantial back catalog. The strategy aims for TR-49 to potentially encourage players to purchase other, higher-priced Inkle games. While the financial return on investment compared to Expelled remains to be fully determined, Ingold emphasized the importance of the reputational return for the studio.
Ingold described TR-49 as a "compact game," highlighting benefits such as reduced pressure to build complex systems, allowing focus on single features, thorough testing, and polishing. This approach minimizes emotional or financial costs if the game does not resonate with players. Inkle is not exclusively committed to this strategy, intending to be guided by creative interests.