Check out my Patreon! (...and let's talk about money)

This has been a topic I've been wanting to broach on this site for a while now... Monetization.

We are all volunteer artists. Most of us are still in school, and some of us will become tired of Line Rider before we ever are out in the real world trying to support ourselves. But I find myself in the position of being one of the first people on the site to graduate from school and start trying to support myself, while still wanting to create Line Rider tracks. I think most of us that are still around will soon be in the same boat I am, so this is something we should start talking about.

My Patreon
I've decided to start a Patreon for the Line Rider work I create and facilitate. I've tried to make it modest and I've tried to keep it reasonable.

https://www.patreon.com/rabidsquirrel

If you like the tracks I create and want to support me, this is the best way you can do that.

I want to clear up a few potential misunderstandings.

• I am not trying to demand anything of anyone - I'm just opening up this as a voluntary opportunity.
  
• I will not be giving any potential patrons special treatment or attention as an administrator on the forums here.
  
• I am not trying to say I am better or more deserving of money than other creators on this site. In fact, I highly encourage you to create your own Patreon accounts. Or Kickstarter, IndieGogo, GoFundMe, PayPal, etc. (If the site gets swallowed by people asking for donations, we will deal with those issues as they arise)
  

Donations to WRTL
If you want to give to a specific cause that is NOT the tracks I personally create or facilitate, I've also set up a PayPal Donate button on the WRTL Twitch page. I'm not yet sure if I should put it on the forums themselves, and if so, how I should put it here or where exactly I should put it, but for now you can go there to donate.

You can donate any amount you wish and tell me what you would like me to do with the money in the text box there. Some ideas:

• Donate to a particular trackmaker that you love
  
• Donate to a developer who has made or is making a version of Line Rider you love
  
• Donate to a staff member who you think is doing a great job, or the staff team in general
  
• Donate to someone who is providing a service such as recording/editing/graphics/etc
  
• Put your money toward a specific cause, like hiring someone to make a new website for us, or anything else you can think of
  

I will be as transparent as possible with these donations and how they are getting where they are supposed to go.

Please discuss and let me know your thoughts on this whole dealio.

I like the idea...pretty much every game featured on twitch has a huge money flow by donations...if we get lr more known or recognized this could work!

I'm in support of this and will help with anything related to this!

thanks for becoming a patron OTDE

Just as I thought I couldn't lose any more respect for you, you do something like this.. I really should stop coming to this site

Lankher wrote:Just as I thought I couldn't lose any more respect for you, you do something like this.. I really should stop coming to this site

I should probably say why I donated.

Rabid does lots of things in Line Rider that I like. If I have spare cash, and I can help him make those things faster, and if I can become a more active part of those things, then it's totally worth it for me. I don't see why that's such a big deal, especially since there's no pressure on anyone.

I do agree with the second part of your statement, though-- you don't seem to enjoy it here at all, though there are some aspects of discussion that you do seem to relish. Hopefully you find some corner of the internet that makes you happier. I wish you all the best.

Had a ton of fun this week creating video previews for my two patrons (Sheldon & OTDE)

This has done wonders for my motivation. I'm super pumped to work on all the projects now. Wooooooooooooo!

rabid squirrel wrote:But I find myself in the position of being one of the first people on the site to graduate from school and start trying to support myself, while still wanting to create Line Rider tracks. I think most of us that are still around will soon be in the same boat I am, so this is something we should start talking about.

I've been having to support myself for 4 years now while also going to school so suck it.

TheRevTastic wrote:I've been having to support myself for 4 years now while also going to school so suck it.

I mean, no offense, but last I checked you had a really, really fast computer, a really, really fast internet connection, and a bunch of the latest games. I don't know what your exact financial situation is, but I'm a freelancing theater artist so I have a pretty low income (and a computer from 2010 that I don't know when I will next be able to replace, and an internet connection that currently makes it impossible for me to stream because it's so crappy)

Again, I'm not asking anything of you. You are totally free to not donate and I will not treat you with any less respect. (Though I probably will judge you a little if you tell me to "suck it")

rabid squirrel wrote:

TheRevTastic wrote:I've been having to support myself for 4 years now while also going to school so suck it.

I mean, no offense, but last I checked you had a really, really fast computer, a really, really fast internet connection, and a bunch of the latest games. I don't know what your exact financial situation is, but I'm a freelancing theater artist so I have a pretty low income (and a computer from 2010 that I don't know when I will next be able to replace, and an internet connection that currently makes it impossible for me to stream because it's so crappy)

Again, I'm not asking anything of you. You are totally free to not donate and I will not treat you with any less respect. (Though I probably will judge you a little if you tell me to "suck it")

If I had the money to donate I actually would. I work 50+ hours a week and go to school for another 9-12 hours a week. All of my money goes to rent and other bills and groceries. I usually have to put back money for games months and months in advanced which I rarely play cause I like to sleep when I'm not at work or school lol. Also you can judge all you want that's what I'm here for the community judgement taker.

But have you seen the homeless guy with the golden voice?

efrazable wrote:But have you seen the homeless guy with the golden voice?

I want that guys voice

rabid squirrel wrote:Had a ton of fun this week creating video previews for my two patrons (Sheldon & OTDE)

This has done wonders for my motivation. I'm super pumped to work on all the projects now. Wooooooooooooo!

Whatever people think, I think it's a great initiative, especially if it will motivate you more. Who knows, if you take something seriously in this way it could turn into something seriously amazing!

Best of luck with this! Cheers