Press Release: “Experimental indie game pays off financial backing in just five and a half hours, selling more than 16,000 units on day one”
“Experimental indie game Dear Esther recouped its financial backing from Indie Fund in just five and a half hours, soaring to the top of Steam’s sales charts in the process.
thechineseroom and Robert Briscoe’s first-person walk-’em-up released yesterday to critical acclaim, picking up glowing reviews from the likes of Edge, IGN, Eurogamer and PC Gamer.
Less than 24 hours after its release, Dear Esther has already sold over 16,000 units on Steam.”
This is a copy of a press release we’ve just issued - Yes, that’s over 16,000 units. Which is amazing. Thanks to everyone who bought the game! We’re running about like crazy people right now, aware that there’s a lot of questions coming in from fans. Like – is a Steam forum coming (YES! – Watch this space); will the soundtrack be available on Flac (PROBABLY) and are translations coming (YES – as fast as we can do it). We’ll keep updating as the dust settles.
That’s beautiful Q___Q.
You couldn’t deserve it more. I’ve been telling every gamer I know to buy it.
Awesome
well done folks!
Este jogo é magnífico, uma obra de arte, muito misterioso e intrigante.
É algo que realmente vale a pena comprar, peço que dêem uma chance, não iram se arrepender.
This game is magnificent, a work of art, very mysterious and intriguing.
It’s something really worth buying, I would ask you to give a chance, will not regret.
OBS:Por favor coloque o jogo em português (Brasil) ou até mesmo um português (Portugal).
Please put the game in Portuguese (Brazil) or even a Portuguese (Portugal).
Both versions of Portuguese are on their way!
Obrigado! Você é muito atencioso, excelente jogo.
Thank you! You are very attentive, excellent game.
Excellent, even though the game is short as all hell, it really wasn’t fair – ’cause I felt like I could be immersed just for a little while longer.
Linux version on the table as well? Yeah, that would be very logical if you do it.
Wd.
You could try to replay it. I’d be suprised to see how things will be different (literally) in the second,third and so on playtrough.
please, please, plase, make it available on GOG.com or in the new Humble indie Bundle (i don’y buy anything on steam)
i’ll buy it in the hour
thanx ….
It is not just a game … is an experience. Pure atmosphere, palpable sadness, beautiful landscapes.
I look forward to an Italian translation to return to that island.
I want to congratulate everyone. Fantastic.
Italian translation is on it’s way!
If you’re interested in a Polish translation or subtitles I could help out. Congratulations on your success so far!
I *think* we have Polish on the way – if not, I’ll drop you a line, cheers, dan
So I So I suppose a German translation is on its way as well? … or is there any chance you guys would still hire a freelance translator/voice-over artist?
I have been following this project since I read about it in gameinformer. Really happy to be able to buy a copy now, thanks.
Spanish translation = instant buy.
great job man!
It’s on is way, just needs a little more testing. Wait for it!
It is a pure Ambient. Diving deeper and deeper. Great job! Thanks a lot. What about Russian version?
P.S. From Siberia with love :*
Привет! Подскажите пожалуйста, будет ли русская версия? У Вас есть такая информация? Спасибо!
I left this reply on thechineseroom site as well:
I just bought and played this game on Steam today. My $10 was well worth it, I kind of wish it cost more in hindsight. This experience, as best I can label it had such an enthralling story, brilliant and charming yet haunting narration, an environment that would give Myst and Riven a run for their money, all with amazing visuals and a haunting and somber soundtrack; I could not get enough. I have recommended this to several friends and will be singing your praises in any way I can. I wish you guys all the best. I look forward to seeing what you produce in the future. Please keep doing what you are doing, this made gaming worthwhile again.
I hope to see a release of the soundtrack sometime in the near future. (Edit: just noticed the post about it on here and bought it on Amazon straight away. Tell Jessica, the composer, it’s absolutely wonderful, am eager for more of her work.) I loved the narrator so much that I’d even suggest a side story to continue Dear Esther, if not a sequel or backstory.
All my best,
Sean
Awesome news, you deserve it
Awesome! Does this mean there could be a MAC port in the works soon? Please!? I know it’s expensive and there has to be a market, but the heading of this article is looking pretty like that to me… Also have you considered porting it to a console as well/instead? It might do well on PSN..?
Congratulations! Con-gra-tulations!!
oh please bring out a german syncro! :U
That’s great stuff
congratulations! it’s amazing that it’s even on day one!
Hey, if you guys still need a French translation (that would only be a translation, not the voice-over), I could help out – my website is http://waterfalltranslations.com.
I need to eat too, but I’d give you a most affordable deal, at about half the average price.
more games like this pls, and translated to spanish
Привет! Читаю комментарии, они довольно хорошие, хотелось узнать, будет ли русская версия игры? Чтобы понять весь смысл сюжета, спасибо!!!
Фанатский перевод тут: http://notabenoid.com/book/26354/
Wonderful work. I just finished it and am on the verge of tears – haven’t felt this moved by a game since the original Myst.
Cheers to your entire team – the way that the environment design, music, sound, and writing all work seamlessly is the stuff of dreams.
Hey guys, Dear Esther was an AMAZING experience. This is no longer a video game. This is art. This is the future of the video entertainment industry. Away from simple, repetitive gameplay mechanics towards a deep and versatile medium capable of conveying the deepest of emotions.
I have to salute you for all the effort and time you’ve put into creating this groundbreaking masterpiece. The commecial success you had with this piece is so well deserved. I myself bought 3 copies for me and some of my closest friends that I wanted to show this to. If you bring out more languages and translate the game (VO is important to not distract from the visuals in my opinion) I’ll gladly buy even more to let everybody around the globe know.
Thanks again for Dear Esther!
I just completed the game, and I had to say something.
What an amazing job, I am absolutely stunned by the quality you have achieved here. I work in the VFX industry, so I have good idea of the ammount of work required to create something like this. I can’t believe the quality you achieved here.
Congratulations.
PS: I tried the game with 3dVision and it looks gorgeus. There is some issues with the skybox and sometimes the water reflections get screwed up, but is great to see all that amazing detail in stereo.
Thanks for this game!
That was unforgettable travel!
..
sorry for my English..;)
Is there a Danish translation on the way? If not, I wouldn’t mind helping out.
You guys rock…can’t say it enough how much i love this game and it’s OST !
Can i get a signed version of this masterpiece please ?
High five,
Ray
I’ve seen this picture http://goo.gl/Nc6Av. I don’t know if it’s true, but you don’t translate the title please.. Cara Esther sucks
however thanks for this great game
It is surely an amazing game and expiriance. But for 7€ it might be a little bit longer or maybe soundtrack might be with it.
Anyway it was a good game and I don’t regred I’ve bought it.
Hello, i finished playing the game, i must say that the game is really beautiful, thanks for the random sound effects on the landscape they are very relaxing, long time i dont played a game like this since “flower” for the ps3, i expect a prequel for this game, i want to know about esther before this game, thAnks.
- Isaias
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[...] Fund-supported diversion expelled was Dear Esther, that recouped a IF subsidy income within usually five and a half hours. Before that was Q.U.B.E., that lonesome a money in four days. Clearly, a Indie Fund has an eye for [...]
[...] en un principio no era muy extenso; pero por suerte la comunidad supo valorarlo como se merece y Dear Esther se hizo rentable en menos de 6 horas desde su lanzamiento, con más de 16.000 copias vendidas en su primer día de vida -y medio año más tarde, mientras [...]
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[...] Indie Fund-supported game released was Dear Esther, which recouped the IF backing money within only five and a half hours. Before that was Q.U.B.E., which covered the cash in four days. Clearly, the Indie Fund has an eye [...]