TheHunter retail keys don't exist anymore?

[Graidlyz]

Isn't there supposed to a new one released each year?

[JimboCrow]

They have discontinued the retail versions.

[Graidlyz]

Why though?

[caledonianblues]

There's not supposed to be one each year, per se. They used to do it, but I think there are two valid reasons why they probably stopped:

• some retail sites were selling them for ridiculously low prices, which most likely meant little to no profit for Expansive Worlds (maybe even losses in some cases)
• a retail edition of the game is a commitment on a timescale with specific content, and that almost spelled disaster for this game once before

They were a good deal for the consumer on the face of it. They were bad for the game however, financially and in terms of promising to have X, Y and Z ready for release on a specific date. I sincerely hope they decided to can the idea. This game relies on membership fees, and being able to buy a 12 month subscription for a few Euros or a few bucks is just not going to sustain the development of the game.

[Graidlyz]

There's not supposed to be one each year, per se. They used to do it, but I think there are two valid reasons why they probably stopped:

• some retail sites were selling them for ridiculously low prices, which most likely meant little to no profit for Expansive Worlds (maybe even losses in some cases)
• a retail edition of the game is a commitment on a timescale with specific content, and that almost spelled disaster for this game once before

They were a good deal for the consumer on the face of it. They were bad for the game however, financially and in terms of promising to have X, Y and Z ready for release on a specific date. I sincerely hope they decided to can the idea. This game relies on membership fees, and being able to buy a 12 month subscription for a few Euros or a few bucks is just not going to sustain the development of the game.

Is this the same reason why they removed Pioneer membership

[caledonianblues]

Is this the same reason why they removed Pioneer membership

The pioneer membership was offered by the previous owners of the game, Emote. I believe they decided to offer that membership option because times were hard and they needed a cash injection. Expansive Worlds honoured that membership but have never offered anything similar. But the Pioneer membership was not a few bucks, so it's not really comparable.

[Graidlyz]

The pioneer membership was offered by the previous owners of the game, Emote. I believe they decided to offer that membership option because times were hard and they needed a cash injection. Expansive Worlds honoured that membership but have never offered anything similar. But the Pioneer membership was not a few bucks, so it's not really comparable.

I would definitely buy it for 200$
Stay 10 years on the game and it basically becomes a few bucks.

[DHRifleman]

Is this the same reason why they removed Pioneer membership

The pioneer membership was offered by the previous owners of the game, Emote. I believe they decided to offer that membership option because times were hard and they needed a cash injection. Expansive Worlds honoured that membership but have never offered anything similar. But the Pioneer membership was not a few bucks, so it's not really comparable.

Actually the pioneer membership was not honored as it was sold. Lifetime membership remained but the equivalent amount of em$ for the $200 were given in lieu of everything ever created included.
The pioneer was a money grab for a company going down.
The retail was intended to get the items on the shelves of local stores, but ended up just being another internet sale option where EW made next to nothing on them. It was an advertising tool that didn't really make sense one the game went to steam.

[supercelldrw]

Uhh Oh few of us just bought remainder of the retail versions

[JimboCrow]

Uhh Oh few of us just bought remainder of the retail versions

How much did you get them for and which year were they from?