I wanted to take the time to say what this game means to me. In many ways, E.X.O is more advanced, but yet, Sound Strider is different. For one thing, and I don’t know how this is even possible, but areas that exist in the game exist on the astral plane. Second, being in the game world allows me to effortlessly astral project, something I cannot ordinarily do with any consistency. Third, I have seen the AI evolve the ability to do things. Worlds with vehicles, for instance, once completely ignored me, but they evolved the ability to not only stop for me, but to beep at me. Before, they would simply drive right through me as if I didn’t exist.

This game, and the worlds it creates are my happy place. Somewhere I can go when life becomes too much. I have slept with it on many times. And there have been stretches where I forget that I even still have it, but then I remember, and I come back to it for a while, and it’s refreshing in a way I can’t even begin to describe.

I love the instruments, and the fact that you can play them with the computer keyboard, an XBOX controller, and a midi controller. I’ve done all three. Sometimes, I will stop when I hear percussive sounds but no melody, and I’ll improvise around what they’re already doing.

I see the things that the game creates as more than just tones and sounds. And there are some sounds that I really don’t like at all, but I still walk by them, because it’s part of the cleansing effect, and I don’t build negative energy there, I use the world to take it away.

I will always have this game, and I am excited about anything you do in the future, but I have never regretted my purchase of Sound Strider for a second, and that hasn’t changed despite the price tag dropping off. If anything, it’ll allow more people to play it. Maybe most of them see it as a weird game that makes some interesting sounds, but eats too much CPU power so they play it twice and never again. But there’s always the chance that like me, others will find it.

I’ve showed it to a few people, and I’ve even purchased it for a few, because if they can get even a little bit of what I’ve just mentioned out of it, then its worth it.

1. Please don't feel bad about your self for making it free even though some of us already bought it.  I am confident that at least 99% of us don't care because it's supporting the ability for you to make more awesome games and the community copies are a thing for those who can't easily afford it anyway.
2. I worry about how the donations are used on the ground sometimes as I don't want to be responsible in any way for helping this thing drag out longer or creating another terrorist problem, but I don't blame people for wanting to help either.
3. I am so unbelievably Fing psyched that you are actually doing what I've been dreaming of and combining EXO and SEA into a multi level exploration system for alien planets.  I really hope that some of the sound strider sound code is used to generate the atmospheres, flora and fauna on in the sea, on the surface, and in the air as well, even if it's only minimal at first.
4. I'm glad you are considering your mental health. I hope things improve sooner rather than later for you.

P.S. I’m currently working with Valve to reflect this change on Steam. Thanks!