3 replies to this topic

[Lin]

The recession has hit everyone, including MoonGamers. When members cut costs to meet their monthly responsibilities, things like their gaming costs will be some of the first to go, and we have lost donations in the last couple of years. Fortunately, we had a decent "reserve" of funding built up for hard times. Unfortunately, that reserve is now all but gone.

Keeping a community like MoonGamers alive does not have to cost a lot from any one particular member. We have had several benefactors for the last couple of years...people who donate but very rarely play. If we hadn't, you would have seen services close sooner than now. All we ask is that you bypass a hamburger, a pack of cigs, or (gasp!) maybe even a couple of beers, and send that small amount our way to help keep us alive and kicking for your pleasure.

What is our current status? Read 'em and weep. Here are some hints:
1. Red = not good.
2. Look for your server and see if you're meeting goals.
3. Look for trends...are the donations for your server going up, going down, or non-existent?
4. Which server(s) do you think will close?
5. Go donate...whether your server is doing well or not.


A little more information on the boxes you see above:
1. BF1942 box runs: BF1942, DC-CQ, mod testing for BFMods, and is backup for TeamSpeak3
2. DOD box runs: DOD x 2, BF1942 Mods server, BF1942 IS82, TeamSpeak3
3. Ranked box runs: BC2 x 2, BF3 x 3
4. File Server runs: Procon for all ranked servers, website backup, maps for DOD (we currently consider this to be an "essential services" box, as running Procon on any other box will choke the game servers. We also need the website backup, as that box is aging and could die at any time. )

We have 30 days before we need to cut services on at least one, possibly more, boxes. Please help to keep your server alive...donate something every month. Better yet, start a subscription for an automatic donation each month so you don't have to think about it every month. Click here to start an automatically recurring monthly subscription. Donations do not need to be big...just $5 or $10 from enough members will take care of the costs. If you can afford more, God bless you for it!

I will update this snapshot every month, and will create a page so you can see it. The update will occur when you see the Donation Tracker reset for the month. We will do our best to keep you current on our financial condition.

At this time, the DOD box and the Ranked Servers box are in jeopardy. If they are still not meeting goals in 30 days, we will have to close one or both of those boxes.

[Lin]

I am already getting questions on this...thank you, it shows you care!

1. Why do we lease boxes instead of slots? Slots are cheaper!
Yes, slots are cheaper. Those servers are also laggier as they share with many, many other servers. I listed in my post above what currently runs on our boxes; you can see that we do not overload them with servers. We are able to stay on top of care and maintenance, and we have more freedom with the servers and mods that we run (with the exception of Ranked servers, as we do not have full box access to that box).

We stay with our current service provider (WolfServers / Art of War Central) because of the level of service they have provided over the years. We have established a good working relationship with them and we feel this helps us to bring the best games possible to our members.

Another consideration is that, for some of the older games (i.e. BF1942), we would lose our IP if we move to another service provider or location, and that would essentially kill the server. We know, as we have moved IPs before in the past and it took a couple of years to recover...and that was when the game was still new enough to be running full servers 24/7.

2. Why don't you buy servers and co-locate? Wouldn't that be cheaper?
We have asked a couple of our members to look into this possibility. However...we would still need to keep BF1942 in place because of the IP issue.


Keep the questions coming!

[Comet]

Excellent post Lin, thank you for taking the time to crunch numbers and field some good questions. Perhaps a better understanding of why we do things the way we do has come to light. Those who contribute their time running MoonGamers have a firm grasp on how to do so, their experience speaks volumes.

Operational costs have been reduced to an all time low in an effort to minimize monthly community donations. Falling short of letting our reputation (quality of service) fall to the way side we need the community as a whole to contribute monetarily, and do so on a monthly basis. It's that black and white.

Fact is, the majority of the community feel it's alright to play on someone else's dime. While we've had success paying the bills over the years it's due mostly because of a select few. The cliche few pay for the many seems common place. That needs to change...now. If not servers will be shut down, that's not an idle threat, rather that's what we're left with. Regular contributors have left and or don't contribute anymore, they are fed up with freeloaders. Others have moved on knowing their time here is very limited and have stopped contributing. It is these losses and the lack of community funding as a whole that we find ourselves where we are today.

I'm one of the monthly contributors, I've done so for over 8 years. I don't contribute because I feel the need to do so, or because of a label I have here. I do so because I recognize and appreciate what this community does for me. I park my ass in front of my box and play with my friends, young and old. I give way to the rigors life throws my way to have some fun. I have comfort in knowing my online backyard is being run by genuine people, people who care enough to offer their free time in an effort to afford me a pleasurable gaming experience.

That's well worth a monthly donation in my books, I wish more felt the same...

[thee_oddball]

May I suggest you guys do a mass mailing to all registered members to help the drive the point home, I will not be playing much BF3 any more but have enjoyed you company and servers in the past so I will make a donation this month and from this point on if I intend to play on any of you servers