5 replies to this topic

[Catfish]

It’s time once again to discuss the topic of donations and what it takes to keep the Moon turning. As most of you know Moon is financed entirely by donations. That means that without the donors who contribute financially, MG would cease to exist in short order. We value and respect everyone that contributes and we do our best to thank and recognize them. One reason that we value them so much is because it seems that we never have enough of them.

The cost to run Moon annually is close to $20,000. That’s about $1675 every month, whether the donations come in or not. Unfortunately our host doesn’t care if the donations came in or not, the bills have to be paid or the server is turned off. That means that when a server can’t support itself, it has to go. This has happened recently with the Steam box; fortunately we were able to find a solution to keep Counter-Strike and Day of Defeat going for now. Other servers may not be so lucky as we take a hard look at the balance sheet and make those difficult decisions on whether a server will have to be cut. The general fund is looking rather pekid as of late and that means we can’t keep boxes that cost more than donors are willing to pay.

If there is a server you love to play on and you want to keep it going then consider contributing to the monthly hosting bill. By donating to a server you are, in a sense, voting with your dollars to keep that server online. These are the only votes that matter at the end of the day. No matter how full a server is or how high the global ranking, if there are no donors then it will be cut. We simply cannot afford the drain on our resources.

Remember that we aren’t trying to turn a profit, just break even. We’ve got some sweet new forum sigs to recognize our donors this year, and there are reserved slots on 2142 for those who donate $20 or more. Although we hope the donors appreciate the perks we can offer them, the bottom line is that donations are born of their generosity and the desire to keep a favorite server online. To keep your server online, consider joining them.

Thanks for reading and giving this some thought. That is all.

[Enforcer]

Donations...is NOT a dirty word...

Guys, the fact is, as Catfish said, without monetary help from our members, we will not be able to offer the games we have become accustomed to play here at Moongamers. Right now there is discussion in another area of the forums, regarding the status the East coast 2142 servers. Did we abandon them? The short answer is no, we did not make a concious decision to let them die, however, the fact remains they are not populating to our standards, nor are they bringing in the necessary financial support needed to keep them going, regardless of the population.

As much as I would like to offer a little bit for everyone, the fact is, we simply cannot. We have tried to offer some things which did not pan out: Day of Defeat, Crysis, Gungame, Quake Wars, Team Fortress 2 to name a few. Call of Duty seems to be holding its own and last month we received $175 in contributions towards that server. Not too bad for a new game. I am happy to see it, as I think CoD4 is a cool game that has a good offering for many to play something other than EA's Battlefield genre.

Moongamers, however, has hit a crossroads. In times past, we would offer a new game with NO support from our community monetarily. We could give it some time, often three months with no contributions at all coming in, to see if it was going to take. Sometimes they did (Special Forces, Karkand, Oman) and as I mentioned, sometimes they didn't. Because of lack of action on our part, in prolonging the decision to cut two of the 2142 boxes, we no longer have the capital reserve to do this. Which means in the future, we are going to need one of two things in order to continue to offer new games as they come out:

1. A group of people that will fund the server for three months, guarenteed, no matter what the population and we'll give it some time to develop.

or

2. We need to create another cushion of monies.

At one time, Moongamers had about a three month slush fund. Which means we could have received nothing, and been fine for three months of gaming. With the expansion in the last two years, and I think the effort to please everyone with a new game they wanted to try, we have exhausted that fund.

What do I want. Well, the short answer is, some more monies to fund what you all want us to try. To keep Moongamers going like it has for the last four years. To continue to build on our gaming platform with new and exciting games that are not yet out. But to do that, our coffers need your help.

Now, while I would accept one person, who might have just hit the lottery, or won at Vegas to supply us the thousands of dollars needed, that actually is not my first choice. What I would like to see is this: For every active member of Moongamers, who actually plays here more than elsewhere, and is involved with us on a regular basis, send us some of what you got. We don't ask for much, a ten dollar or twenty dollar contribution towards the Moongamers Treasury is all we would ask from anyone. If you have more, send more. If not, well, it is the way it is, and pending the results of the months, we'll be forced to make a decision on a month to month basis. I would hate to lose any of boxes, and in turn, that player base, but, as much sentiment as I have, it does not pay the rent.

On a final note, and I don't even know if most of the members can post here, but, do not post an "I would if I could" post. I will delete them. You know YOUR situation. We do not. If you honestly can't help financially, then DON'T. But, I would wager there are plenty who can and will, if someone would ask. So...

I am asking on behalf of Core.

[JJ]

In the end its about money. MG is fueled by the monies of its members and when the tit runs dry then the Moon will no longer turn. If you have any doubt about that the next time you see Foze in T/S ask him about the business end of MG and what is involved with paying Wolf and all the other associated bills. Most of you log on and play and never even think about how this machine is fed. The days of Core dipping into their personal pockets I would assume and hope is over and its time that the collective body of MG started to send cash and stop talking about how much they love this place because its nauseating. If you love it so much then financially put up or stop with the " I love MG crap." Its bleeding and needs an infusion of plasma not crapola. I have been accused of speaking my mind and not thinking about the ramifications of my words. This is one time to tell you the truth I honestly don't give a shit. I gave almost $2000.00 to keep the servers running and was always thanked and felt good I could contribute. I continued even after I was unemployed for 7 months. So the next time a thread/conversation pops up and it turns to servers closing or money or the monthly donations list ask yourself "How much do I really love MG." I have seen so many I wish I could, I can't, or when I get a job. Thats all bullshit. You have gas money, movie money, take your girl to a dinner money. Go to the market or bank and get a money order. It costs a buck. Send $5.00 once a month. If you have 100 people do that its $500.00 on top of the sponsors of $20.00 or more a month. It all adds up, every cent. I have made this post before and have had mixed reactions. My days at Moon are over but I would like to see good things happen here. There are some good people and they work hard to make this show happen for you. So the next time you or someone starts bitching then ask what have I truly done to help keep the Moon alive..."Oh shit heres ten bucks I found in the back of my pants pocket." What now?

[Comet]

It wasn't all that long ago donations was a dirty word, in fact having the community help pay the expenses was considered taboo. Oddly enough the individual who was so opposed to a community effort now accepts donations at a different community. Not such a bad idea after all. While running a box or two meant a few could in fact pay the bills that became increasingly more difficult as our growth evolved.

Core does in fact still pay into this community, most everyone contributes monthly if not in a lump some from time to time or by graciously offering an item to be raffled. If some generous members have paid into the thousands you can imagine what some of us have paid. We do so because we understand what it takes to run a community of this magnitude. That understanding was the message we campaigned a few years back. It was our vision to have this community as a whole fully understand what is required to maintain our being. While some get it, others could care a less, they rely on playing on someone else's dime.

For those who prescribe to the later we ask that you consider what you have read from the Lawyer, Big Cheese, and Mr. Nothing...all three have excellent points to make on this very important issue. I'm not asking anyone to do something they don't want to do or cannot do. I ask those who frequent here to take a moment and consider all that has to be accomplished in order for you to have your slice of fun. I don't know about you but I'm humbled by those who offer their time and money in an effort to help maintain MoonGamers, it blows my mind. I wish all of you could see things from my perspective but for a moment...the message would be clear.

I think it's obvious why we are posting, we need help folks. If that doesn't come to fruition you can and will see major change here, we have no choice...you do however.

Thank you,

~Comet

[general ramsey]

you guys have persuaded me to pick up my loose cash I wasn't planing on spending... especially Mr. Null, thank you Core for keeping moon alive.
my mom really doesn't want me touching my money on my Dads birthday, so i'll donate whatever i can find on sunday. (friday-saturday, i'm pretty much not going to touch my computer.)

[Enforcer]

**bump**