Pricing & Categories
Work in Progress
This documentation is still being expanded and refined. Features, screenshots, and descriptions may change until Talescape's public release. If something is unclear or you need help, please ask on the official Talescape Discord. We're happy to clarify or update pages as needed.
When preparing a release, you’ll need to choose how your story will appear to Dreamers - both in terms of release type and pricing. These options define how your story is distributed, discovered, and purchased on the Talescape marketplace.
1. Release Type
Each release is published as either Early Access or Full Release.
Early Access
Used when your story is still in development. It allows you to gather feedback from Dreamers and improve your work over time. Early Access stories can receive updates and ratings, but are clearly marked as “in progress.”
Recommended for:
- Prototypes or beta versions
- Ongoing serials or episodic stories
- Public testing and balancing
Full Release
Used when your story is complete and ready for the public.
Full releases appear in the main marketplace listings and are eligible for contests and front-page highlights.
Recommended for:
- Completed works
- Contest entries
- Stories you intend to sell or promote long-term
You can convert an Early Access story into a Full Release once it’s finished, but not the other way around.
2. Pricing
Talescape uses fixed price tiers to maintain fairness and consistency across the marketplace. Choose the tier that best represents your story’s length and scope. Prices are displayed in euros (€); equivalent amounts are shown automatically in other currencies.
| Tier | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Free | €0.00 | For demos, prototypes, or stories you want to share freely. |
| Micro | €0.49 | For very short works such as one-shots, experiments, or short interactive pieces. |
| Small | €1.99 | For short to mid-length stories, typically playable in a single evening. |
| Medium | €4.99 | For longer stories with multiple chapters or branching paths. |
| Large | €9.99 | For major works approaching game-length in scope and playtime. |
| Premium | €19.99 | For full-length projects with extensive branching or novel-scale content. |
Once a release is published, its price cannot be changed. To adjust the price, create a new release version.
3. Free Chapter Demos
If your story contains multiple chapters, you can mark the first chapter as a free demo. This lets Dreamers experience the beginning of your story without purchase, helping attract new readers while keeping the rest of the story behind the paywall.
Demo chapters:
- Must be self-contained and functional on their own.
- Cannot include premium or contest-exclusive assets.
- Are automatically unlocked for all players.
This option is available only for paid stories with at least two chapters.
4. Category
The Dream Type you selected during story creation (Daydream, Nightmare, Vision, or Echo) defines your marketplace category. This determines where your story appears in search results and category listings. You can update your Dream Type in Story Settings before publishing a new release.
5. Recommendations
When deciding your price:
- Match it to your story’s scope and depth, not genre.
- Consider offering a free first chapter to reach more players.
- Make sure your thumbnail, tags, and description reflect your story’s actual scale and tone.
After setting your release type and pricing, continue with the Release Workflow to finalize publication.