GameBanshee Forums

[sorry about the long post - ]

Carbonyl has some very good points in his post above. I personally would really hate to see the site go to a "subscribers only" basis, but if there were some sort of perks for the people who send $$, more people would probably lend their support.

I think it's great that younger people get to be on the site and use the BBS, and a subscription would be hard for them to pay (although, seriously we're talking about a dollar or two here - I know kids have a couple bucks. Obviously everyone on this site has a computer, a phone line, and $30 games, so...... Young people just don't have a checking account or credit cards, so it is hard for them to get that dollar or two to Buck - I have no idea what the solution to that is.)

Public Television is one analogy I can think of. They get money from the govt., but they also get support from private corporations - In GameBanshee's case, though, the corporations are the game industry, and are apparently a little tight on cash themselves. Anyone can watch public television, but they make a point of making you feel guilty by have interminable pledge drives, and they give away some stuff if you pledge, like books, videos, t-shirts and tote-bags. i don't really know that much about the specifics at GameBanshee (I just know I love the site), but I know that if I could get a logo t-shirt for a $40 pledge, i would make that pledge. Also mugs, sweatshirts, etc. Merchandise. I would REALLY like a GameBanshee logo skate deck, but that probably won't happen.

One possibility would be to get some merchandise from the companies that produce the games covered on the site. As i see it, they are getting a lot of (essentially) free publicity and tech support on this site, they should really kick down some money, or at least some free games, shirts and mugs (besides whatever buck and them get). This merchandise could be given to subscribers or raffled off to them - another perk of membership.

Another idea is that supporting members could have some kind of designation that shows that they have given by their name, signature, or in their profile on the BBS - then they could show their support that way. Of course, you can always change your signature to read "support GameBanshee" with a link to the donations page.

In the meantime, it sounds like pop-up ads are the way to go, and donations from the faithful. I don't know about all of you out there, but I know I cringe every time I hear "Buck has to pay for this out of his pocket". In this post I'm sorry if I sound like a cold capitalist, but the fact is that the govt. is NOT going to step in with funding, so if this site folds it is ALL OF OUR FAULTS!

[ 09-06-2001: Message edited by: THE JAKER ]

Buck,

I think you will find this [url="http://www.gamersdepot.com/ed/gaming_cynic/wk5_dotcom/001.htm"]http://www.gamersdepot.com/ed/gaming_cynic/wk5_dotcom/001.htm[/url] very interesting. It's a rant/solution from a guy who runs a wonderful site about the problems you are currently confronted with.

Posted by Buck -

What I feel would be one of the best ways to implement a paying scheme would be to offer a subscription that allowed you to view GameBanshee without any advertisements. No banners, no popups, just content. That way, people who don't want to pay, or can't, can still view the content. Who knows, maybe someday.

The only problem here is only being able to view...

I have entered MANY sites that only require a mere registration to be able post. Most times I cannot be bothered and back out. I think you would lose a good many members this way, as most will agree the fun on this site is not just getting answers for your own questions - but being to help (and get into discussion with) others.

It will become an elitist reference site, in my humble opinion The fun is in taking part - and as Aegis pointed out - some people would have difficulty paying. Alternatives like pop-ups should be mandatory for those who do not donate - perhaps...

A paying member priviledge - an option for no popups

Posted by Carbonyl -

Have one forum called "members only" or something charge $2.50 and see how it goes. All you will need is 250 members for your new software and this $600 will be dynamic comming in every month..

I think this may not be a bad idea. Maybe not necessarily their own forum - as I said they could be considered elitist - but certain priviledges...though I am not sure about limiting discretions such as awarding more posts to paying members...better to incentivise than penalise...

Posted by Carbonyl -

BTW-Donations are a terrible idea as I am sure you already know. Because of the nature of the "anonymous" internet and human nature.

Unfortunately this is true. Many people do want recognition for monies donated. Re-naming it 'subsription' and offering some little extras may help.

For instance, Gamespy still issue the freeware to enable us all to play BG series on-line. They now have an optional subscription that allows members additional discretions (haven't checked them out though). This gives them an income.

I am not very up on banner advertising and popups, but is there any way a member can attain points depending on how often they click popups that would earn them member priviledges?

Just my thoughts...

A lot of great ideas have been stated. If you could just one forum...or like you stated here...

Originally posted by Buck Satan:
<STRONG>What I feel would be one of the best ways to implement a paying scheme would be to offer a subscription that allowed you to view GameBanshee without any advertisements. No banners, no popups, just content. That way, people who don't want to pay, or can't, can still view the content. Who knows, maybe someday.</STRONG>

I would be glad to subscribe. Let the pop-ups reign, just as long as there is a way to get around them....without costing the site money. I admit I use a pop-up killer, but if the option was given to pay not to have them...I would do the right thing and pay.

Someone posted $2.50 a month....given the option of paying once a year it would only be $30.00 ..one game.

As for the ones without a credit card...if the site gets in the clear..maybe Buck can get a post office box and accept money orders.

Originally posted by Weasel:
<STRONG> I would be glad to subscribe. Let the pop-ups reign, just as long as there is a way to get around them....without costing the site money.</STRONG>

The way I feel about it as well. I hold the belief that Internet should be free, but would not want Buck to shell out just so that I can surf away. I think it's very reasonable to offer a choice between generating site income through either suffering pop-ups or donating directly.

However...

Originally posted by Weasel:
<STRONG>As for the ones without a credit card...if the site gets in the clear..maybe Buck can get a post office box and accept money orders.</STRONG>

I'm one of those, and prefer to stay credit card-less for as long as I can hold out. I hate having to deal with all the paperwork it would generate... If there was another way to donate, I'd run off and do it.

[edit]

Oh, and I stumbled on this thread more or less accidentally (since I jump straight to the forums). Perhaps it's an idea to add a reference to it in some of the forums...

[ 09-06-2001: Message edited by: Xyx ]

Originally posted by Weasel:
<STRONG>

As for the ones without a credit card...if the site gets in the clear..maybe Buck can get a post office box and accept money orders.</STRONG>

Thats a great idea. That would make it so much more simpilar for younger people without credit cards and accounts and such.

I do not mind popup ads. You can have one come up for me every 3 hours. I don't care as long as gamebanshee's around and its free.

While not a big pop-up fan myself, I could easily live with it. I shoud also point out that as Equis said, their is an little advantage to being an editor. However what Equis did not say was that from many people's point of view, having a failed site on ones resume hurts a heck of a lot too.
On the issue of editor compensation, yeah it would be nice. I should, however, point out that most of us joined up not out of a want of money but of a love of gaming. We also get some other benefits. First, as members of a well known gaming site in the RPG world, we get some bonuses in aplications for beta testing and that sort of thing, eg Empire Earth University. Second, at least Buck, and someday some of us too, may get network preview coppies ala Gamespy, etc. We also get personal emails from the likes of people such as Marcus Beer, the head of PR for Ubi Soft, and when you get a letter anouncing that a new game is being issued, well, it gives me a loving feeling in my heart. The last benefit is actually even more subtle than the benefit stated by Equis. The gaming industry is a notoriously dificult for one to get into, the background of working inside the industry helps a lot.
But, yeah, keep this site alive, man!

Nicely said Dastal, and your right. We as Editors/Moderators (Just generalization here) are proud to even be a part of the GameBanshee staff. We really don't need extra gimmicks to keep us on board, we have all we need. Also, if it helps Buck in the long run, giving him more free time to keep this site we all love up and runing, then we'll do all that much more.

I don't mind having more pop-ups if it helps Buck pay for maintaining the site. I don't have a credit card or job and am more or less broke, so if putting up with the minor inconvenience of more pop-ups is all I can do to help (until I find work, at least) then I have no problems with doing so. Like Thorin, I can live with pop-ups every three hours or so if it keeps GB alive.

buck, pop ups arnt the answer, they are easily disabled in opera and IE 6 w/o and other programs. some people will just tire of them and then block the sites that the ads are coming from.

anyway. could you email me. if you could tell me what kind of bandwidth you guys use a month, an average page view numer or two and any other server stats you might have, I might be able to help you with some low cost, if any cost, hosting.

i will be out of town this week as i will be attending E3, but i will get back to you asap.