There seems to be confusion and misinformation about why some of our UI utilities, such as Thick Scroll, go free. In fact, there is some conspiracy talk, so let's fill in the blank space.
Microsoft sets a minimum price of $4.99 USD for all Marketplace submissions, so our initial pricing is designed to ensure fairness for our Xbox and PC users alike. The only place Xbox can get our products is Marketplace, and I refuse to charge some customers for a standalone product while others get it free, so a fair price will always be identified.
Although smaller utilities might seem simple, they require noteworthy effort and resources. Charging for them also helps us maintain quality and ongoing support and fuels future innovations. Just as a side of fries enhances a gourmet burger, our smaller utilities enhance the user experience.
Sometimes, before releasing utilities like Thick Scroll, we engage in a collaborative process with Microsoft to make them free. This effort, while lengthy and without guarantees, shows our commitment to bringing value to our users. Our last attempt was successful, and thanks to its benefits, Thick Scroll was ultimately selected as a FREE download for the Marketplace. It's important to note that per standing agreements or terms, we often cannot discuss special arrangements. However, the moment that occurred, I personally refunded ALL customers for their purchase and sent a thank-you note to each of them for supporting //42.
So there you go, some behind-the-scenes facts. No "roasting" existed that made us "change our minds" or social media comment that led to a revolution or backtrack. It's all just us trying to deliver fair pricing for all our customers across all platforms while we work behind the scenes to get you a free utility when applicable; note that no one else has been able to deliver FREE standalone products via Marketplace; only//42. So let's celebrate, not speculate!
Here's a fun fact: Thick Scroll & Simstaller are among our most downloaded and highly rated products. So, for anyone thinking, 'Who needs this?'—consider that little bonus data point.
Our commitment to quality and innovation extends to all our utilities and categories. We're dedicated to providing the best user experience in everything we touch, and every helpful UI mod we build improves someone's experience. Our goal is to inspire others to do the same so that hopefully one day, we truly WON'T need them. Until then, business as usual!
PS: You may be wondering about Marketplace Stars...well, the cat is now out of the bag. It has also been selected by Microsoft as a FREE tool for all, so we've refunded all customers, and adjusted our pricing accordingly everywhere else. ❤️
