The first chapter of Camouflaj's Kickstarted title Republique has gone live but the developer has encountered problems attempting to provide codes to the game's backers.
In an update on the game's Kickstarter page Camouflaj pinned their difficulties on Apple's policy of preventing mass-code giveaways. The problem is particularly affecting non-U.S. backers of Republique as the App Store does not permit gifts to be sent to people in other regions.
"Following the last update and sending out our official Kickstarter surveys to most of you, many of you raised concerns that gifting apps on the App Store can’t be completed internationally, meaning that the U.S. Camouflaj iTunes account cannot gift République to anyone outside of the U.S. Unfortunately, this is true."
As a result, Camouflaj has sent surveys to iOS backers effectively asking them to forego their code and receive a refund once they buy the game.
"To simplify everything, we will need all iOS backers to take one new Surveymonkey designed solely for iOS fulfillment. We’ll then use your results, easily merge them once with our master list of all you backers, and continue gifting and refunding the s**** out of you guys."
Republique costs $5 USD.
Camouflaj asks that international backers "trust Camouflaj will refund you $5 and go ahead with purchasing the game through normal means. Rest assured, you are still eligible for the season pass in the new year!" saying this process will "dramatically increase the speeds and simplicity in the way we can get you all a copy of République on iOS".
Given the high profile nature of the game and the lofty expectations with which it has been greeted this hardly seems like sufficient compensation for those impacted.
The update notes that the game's PC backers have not, and probably will not, receive the survey but offers no option for iOS users affected to change platforms which would surely be a viable solution at least for some players.
It's also worthy of note that backers are being severly undermined here given their vital investment in getting the game's development going. As it stands anyone can now purchase Republique on iOS devices even as these backers are left waiting for their codes.
