I mean, many open source projects offer paid subscriptions for hosting their service for you, in the world of hosted applications. So I mean, there are ways to monetize free software, indirectly.
Witcher IV is free but you want more than 30fps? For just $5/mo and you can play at a stunning 60fps! Want unlocked framerate? That’s $15/mo. 4k textures? $5/mo please. Want more than one saved game? Upgrade to three whole saved games for $10/mo!
I mean, many open source projects offer paid subscriptions for hosting their service for you, in the world of hosted applications. So I mean, there are ways to monetize free software, indirectly.
Witcher IV is free but you want more than 30fps? For just $5/mo and you can play at a stunning 60fps! Want unlocked framerate? That’s $15/mo. 4k textures? $5/mo please. Want more than one saved game? Upgrade to three whole saved games for $10/mo!
This is essentially what you are asking for.
I feel like people would buy a game if the alternative was just that you have to compile it yourself and not have Steam achievements
They do. Mindustry, Residual, and Asperite come to mind.
What part of free did you miss from their comment? Those are only open source games, not FOSS like they specified.