I'm disappointed that he hasn't posted this here, but Przemek posted this on the Metagrid and ArtsUnmuted Facebook pages earlier this week.
Dear Metagrid users!
We've been recently unusually quiet - we were doing our best to move Metagrid forward and release version 2, which was scheduled till the end of summer.
First, I'd like to give you some context and perspective. Metagrid is the product of passion - it is the realisation of my dream for a powerful, app-agnostic and user friendly iOS controller application. Even though it is used by more and more users, it remains an indie low-price app with the sales profits not sufficient enough to support a small full-time agile development team. Therefore, it has been developed by my friend and me as a side project to our regular corporate gigs - we've been doing our best to provide top level support and bugfixes as well as to implement new functionalities. And based on the user feedback, it seems that we have succeeded to create a unique product that, despite its current shortcomings and virtually no advertisement budget, has found its home in the creative environment of composers, musicians and film editors. But we have our limitations - mainly financial and time related. Taking into consideration the number of improvements and new functions we have added to Metagrid, it seems that to some extent our enthusiasm and passion compensated for those limitations. However, it was not enough to enable us to release Metagrid v2 in the projected timeframe. There appeared some technological obstacles (current database structure and app architecture) that have made adding the new modules and concepts much more difficult that previously expected. After realising it, we started looking for external financing that would enable us to hire additional developers and testers - we were talking with several financing sources - including venture capital - but we haven't succeeded in finding financing that would enable stable, long-term development in a stress-free creative environment. So here we are - proud of Metagrid as it is but somehow disappointed and sorry we haven't been so far able to realise our vision and implement fantastic features you as users have requested. The search for external financing has drained lot of our energy and significantly slowed the development down. In the meantime, we have decided to turn our gesture controller module into a dedicated iPhone app that would be a perfect companion for Metagrid. We hope it will provide some resources that will be used for Metagrid development. To be honest, we have also been considering a subscription model - which seems to be the only viable long-term solution for small independent development teams. On one hand, Metagrid helps professionals save their precious time so a monthly fee should be a viable and fair option, but on the other hand I am not sure Metagrid in its current state is ready for this step. Anyway, we are not going to give up and one way or another we will do our best to release Metagrid v2 - but this time (lesson learnt), we will not state any deadlines or ETAs. Once more, thank you for your great feedback, support, encouragement and positive energy - it really motivates us to keep the development going.
Przemek, the designer and developer of Metagrid
PS. If you happen to have any helpful hints how to help Metagrid grow, don't hesitate to email us - any comments, ideas and word of encouragement will be much appreciated
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