Vintage Story Devs Accuse itch.io of Three-Month Payment Delay

A New Controversy on itch.io

Indie game platforms have always been a hub for creative expression and innovation. However, one of the most popular platforms, itch.io, is currently facing a new controversy that has caught the attention of many within the gaming community. This issue, however, is not related to the content of the games themselves, but rather a dispute between a developer and the platform over payments.

The game in question is Vintage Story, developed by Tyron. Described as an "uncompromising wilderness survival sandbox game inspired by eldritch horror themes," it features a cube-like voxel design similar to Minecraft. Yet, Vintage Story aims for a more realistic look, accurate simulation, and darker themes. The game's unique approach has attracted a dedicated fanbase, making the recent developments all the more concerning.

On the Vintage Story page on itch.io, a clear message appears at the top of the screen: “PURCHASING DISABLED.” Below this, there is a brief explanation stating, “Purchase of accounts through itch.io is disabled until further notice. The itch corp has not paid us for over 3 months.” Despite this, the page still looks normal with gameplay videos, screenshots, and a general description of the game.

At the time of writing, itch.io has not responded to these accusations. The team behind Vintage Story has shared updates on social media, including posts in the game’s Discord server, which were later shared on Reddit. According to these updates, the developers claim that itch.io has not paid them for over three months despite multiple requests. They also stated that they will continue selling the game on their website and the Humble Store without interruption.

This situation has led some users to question why there isn’t a direct payment option for creators on itch.io. According to the platform's website, there are two primary payment methods: Direct and Collected. With the “Collected” method, payments go directly to itch.io, and developers are responsible for claiming their earnings by requesting a payout. It seems that Vintage Story uses this method and has not received their payout in the last three months, despite sending multiple requests.

Some users have suggested that Vintage Story should consider releasing the game on Steam, a move the developers have avoided so far. According to the game’s FAQ page, Tyron lists six reasons for not being on Steam yet, but also admits that it would be wise to release it on Steam eventually. The developer acknowledges Steam’s ability to reach a large audience and offers country-specific pricing. While Vintage Story has been doing well on other digital storefronts, this current issue with itch.io might push the developers to reconsider their stance.

A scenic landscape from Vintage Story, developed by Anego Studios.

Finally, one level-headed commenter on Reddit pointed out that while the situation is unusual, there aren't enough details to hold anyone entirely accountable just yet. There could be issues with how the payment is processed, especially if it goes through a processor like PayPal, which could lead to delays or failures. However, it would be odd if itch.io hadn't provided any explanation over those three months. For now, the community will have to wait for further updates and clarification on this ongoing issue.