Dan E. Kool
Walking Trash Can Robot
Now With Extra Pulp!
Posts: 3,325
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Post by Dan E. Kool on Jan 16, 2016 13:59:39 GMT
"Exclusive podcasts" is a poor incentive when the podcasts are linked through email/patreon notices. The few times I do play a podcast, it's done through my 3DS Youtube subscription feed. Also, as glad as I am that people can and do support CGR on Patreon, I do not like how every video has begun to revolve around the patrons. Suddenly, if you're a nonbacker, you're not significant to CGR. I dislike this sort of line-drawing especially considering as to how much I contributed to CGR via Kickstarter and their store merch. I've seen Patreon compromise the integrity of Youtube channels and while Mark upkeeps his energy and wildness, I hope that he does not let crowdfunding get in the way of his content creation, otherwise, I'd have preferred to see the channel continue as a hobby. I disagree. I think it's a great incentive. The podcast will be the main motivator for me to back the Patreon, now that it's basically reached the "Full time" level. At the minimum pledge of $2, it's only $24 a year. That's plenty fair. Though I will say that I think videos should be ad-free for those who pledge (if that's possible) beyond the first 2 months. I'd be more concerned if Mark wasn't mentioning the supporters in every video. To all those who've already pledged, thanks! It's because of you that I get to keep watching CGR!
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Post by bawesomeburf on Jan 17, 2016 3:46:21 GMT
"Exclusive podcasts" is a poor incentive when the podcasts are linked through email/patreon notices. The few times I do play a podcast, it's done through my 3DS Youtube subscription feed. Also, as glad as I am that people can and do support CGR on Patreon, I do not like how every video has begun to revolve around the patrons. Suddenly, if you're a nonbacker, you're not significant to CGR. I dislike this sort of line-drawing especially considering as to how much I contributed to CGR via Kickstarter and their store merch. I've seen Patreon compromise the integrity of Youtube channels and while Mark upkeeps his energy and wildness, I hope that he does not let crowdfunding get in the way of his content creation, otherwise, I'd have preferred to see the channel continue as a hobby. I have also seen some other channels have their integrity compromised by Patreon. A lot seem to just throw out any kind of "bonus" content just for the sake of pleasing the Patrons, and it kinda sucks. I don't think this will happen with Mark, as it seems like he is just doing what he always has. Exclusive content isn't something really necessary for me personally, as I was just happy to support CGR so he can continue to make awesome videos.
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Post by teddykongcountry on Jan 17, 2016 4:18:28 GMT
It is early yet to say anything for certain just as Imperial Khador suggested. Plus, I have a full understanding Inecom and the ISA have upkeep costs that are no longer sufficiently covered by the Youtube ad revenue model or the low viewer turnout in spite of the high subscription count. Heck, Mark might be one of the only two people I'd guiltlessly throw money at the screen for the other being you bawesomeburf. I suppose being put in a position where frugal spending is a must makes me view the whole "monthly investment" aspect from a different light and thus go on drunken posting sprees which of course is a favored pastime.
In any case, I'm not discontent with Mark for the decision and I'm happy CGR lives, I just want to see what direction it and the sustainability of my own future take before committing to anything. Besides, it's fun to speculate on the matter rather than step blindly.
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leaon79s
Ace Bomber
Dishonorable Miscreant
Posts: 721
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Post by leaon79s on Jan 17, 2016 4:50:26 GMT
10 Minutes to go and just 1 more new backer to the secret review. Can he make it??... Quickly tell all yer friends and their mom...! But whatever, it's back to normal operations - which is good for followers, and a great relief to fans. But I really don't see much incentive pushing beyond the 10K mark - That's already a 6 figure annual income. Another monthly 5K for one trip to Truxton ??... That's raising it to nearly 200K a year for a one-off trip... With all that extra the show is getting, you would think just a liitle could be used to salvage the site after all that has been contributed into it. I personally, would be much more inclined to step up my contribution if it meant even the possibility of the site's revival (as it was please).
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Dan E. Kool
Walking Trash Can Robot
Now With Extra Pulp!
Posts: 3,325
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Post by Dan E. Kool on Jan 17, 2016 10:47:51 GMT
It's not really a 6 figure income, though. A 6 figure income is if you're paid $100,000+ a year. Mark has business costs to take care of before he gets to keep what's left. It's probably a decent salary for a really cool job.
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Balder
Supreme Overlord
Trying to cut down the amount of movies I watch
Posts: 6,821
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Post by Balder on Jan 17, 2016 11:13:24 GMT
I don't see how we can go back to the old forum by now. Most people have invested themselves into this site, and in a lot of ways this one is far better. The only thing that sucks is that the Space Vault Pages aren't here. We actually have an admin who works on the site and listens to his users. Which also was the case on the previous site for a while.
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leaon79s
Ace Bomber
Dishonorable Miscreant
Posts: 721
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Post by leaon79s on Jan 17, 2016 13:32:39 GMT
I don't see how we can go back to the old forum by now. Most people have invested themselves into this site, and in a lot of ways this one is far better. The only thing that sucks is that the Space Vault Pages aren't here. We actually have an admin who works on the site and listens to his users. Which also was the case on the previous site for a while. Yes, I see how you would like that post won't you Stratogustav... It's not really a 6 figure income, though. A 6 figure income is if you're paid $100,000+ a year. Mark has business costs to take care of before he gets to keep what's left. It's probably a decent salary for a really cool job. Yeah, there may be initial relocation and technical costs (cameras, equipment etc.) to take care of first. But once those are sorted it will be a six figure income - so long as the Patreon numbers hold. He already has a steady stream of material to work with from donations to the show, and after that it's just a matter of filming videos 3-6 times a week plus podcast - A one man show with little maintenance cost beyond what... rent + electricity? - to keep the patrons happy. Then on top of it the extra he will be getting from ads again after the first 2 months... That's a really sweet life... Playing games, drinking beer, then filming and editing himself... MDs struggle to get that high with their fancy degree, which was NOT inexpensive to begin with... But whatever... Good for him, good for us I suppose. What I feel slightly spurned and bitter about is the apparent reluctance to fight for the site - after all that was put into it. With the growing backing, just keeping it up should at least be possible if not pose little problem, and yet here we are... (Yes yes, your forum is beautiful Stratogustav, you know what I mean i.e the situation...)
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scipioafricanus
Swamp Ranger
Sega Does What Nintendon't... except the 32X
Posts: 3,567
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Post by scipioafricanus on Jan 17, 2016 15:28:48 GMT
For business costs: Does he own the building were the offices/space arcade are (taxes, utilities, etc) or rent (more or less the same cost as owning)? That is a pretty large chunk of change right there of 100K. My disappointment is for all that history on the website. All the games listed for each system... I looked through it and remembered games I own/played from years ago. The loss of that easy to search encyclopedia of video games is quite sad, but also a loss of historical documentation of game media (not to be melodramatic about it).
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Post by Imperial Khador on Jan 17, 2016 16:01:35 GMT
I'll miss the website too, but I think a large part of maintaining that was Brandon's job, and I doubt the Patreon is going to cover another full time employee. We'll probably see a much more simple site pointing people to the Patreon, the Youtube channel and possibly here. I think Mark said that the site was archived, so maybe some day in the future. It gives me pause to think how much CGR cost to run as a business at the channel's height, and how much revenue they must have been generating when the ad model actually worked. I mean the current Intergalactic Space Arcade set is in a warehouse, though I assume a large part of that was to store the CGR merchandise, in addition to the set and office space. Factor in costs of the 3 employees we saw regularly aside from Mark(Derek, TJ and Brandon), along with anyone who might have been working behind the scenes in shipping, etc, and the various part timers/contractors who worked on the Undertow and Overboard shows over the years, and that really starts to add up. Interesting to think that even with the Patreon funding Mark at full time with a smaller office space, he's scaling back a lot from the business at its height. I doubt that it would ever crowdfund to the point where we'd see it return to its former state. That said, I wouldn't mind if Mark did a Kickstarter in the future just to cover the costs for another run of CGR glassware. I'm really kicking myself for not getting some before they sold out. Edit: Found a neat article from 2014 about CGR. Looks like at that time, they had 8 employees, not just the few 4 we'd usually see on screen. triblive.com/neighborhoods/yourallekiskivalley/yourallekiskivalleymore/5716981-74/bussler-game-games#axzz3xZzyGawg
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Dan E. Kool
Walking Trash Can Robot
Now With Extra Pulp!
Posts: 3,325
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Post by Dan E. Kool on Jan 18, 2016 8:26:00 GMT
^ Yeah, I was just about to say, it used to be 8 employees there. Pretty crazy, when you think about it.
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Post by teddykongcountry on Jan 18, 2016 8:36:23 GMT
and to think I always wondered exactly who CGR Julie was. Great find Khador! I'll finish the article up in the morning.
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leaon79s
Ace Bomber
Dishonorable Miscreant
Posts: 721
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Post by leaon79s on Feb 3, 2016 9:29:39 GMT
Now that the first month of Patreon backing has been charged off our bank accounts... Anyone else notice how despite the number of patrons going up, the amount pledged never seems to go beyond 11K, and in fact drops almost as soon as it nears it? (Actually, notice also the number of backers dropping from 1400+ to the 1300s again...)
- It seems I'm not the only one who thinks that a monthly 15K for just one trip to Truxton is a bit asking... with a significant number of patrons figuring that just keeping it at 10K for normal operations should be (more than?) enough... and withdrawing just as much as will keep the full weekly video productions afloat... Judging by Karnage's slightly somber tone in the last update ('expecting some ups & downs...'), he's noticing it too...
But, if the incentive were to change however... i.e By bringing back the site (+ shop), maybe even Magnum Skywolf... Then maybe... Just maybe there would be a cause to push it up again for...
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Pimpjira
Guardian Force Shooter
Posts: 1,102
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Post by Pimpjira on Feb 3, 2016 10:04:24 GMT
Yeah I can see some people backed out. But the first month is behind us now and we're still at over $10k so still a great start. I do think Mark needs to think of another goal to try and push more people to back for more to be coming in and not dropping out. He seems pretty intent on not running the website again though, so I don't think there is a chance of that atleast not in the near future.
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scipioafricanus
Swamp Ranger
Sega Does What Nintendon't... except the 32X
Posts: 3,567
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Post by scipioafricanus on Feb 3, 2016 11:55:03 GMT
He is right when he says it needs to keep growing. Being stagnant is not going to work. Look at the entertainment you get for just 10 bucks a month; that is cheaper than a movie in most places and certainly more satisfying than most of the garbage out there.
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cobretti
Vanguard Ranger
Strong Arm Of The Law
Posts: 1,731
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Post by cobretti on Feb 3, 2016 13:06:18 GMT
Now that the first month of Patreon backing has been charged off our bank accounts... Anyone else notice how despite the number of patrons going up, the amount pledged never seems to go beyond 11K, and in fact drops almost as soon as it nears it? (Actually, notice also the number of backers dropping from 1400+ to the 1300s again...) - It seems I'm not the only one who thinks that a monthly 15K for just one trip to Truxton is a bit asking... with a significant number of patrons figuring that just keeping it at 10K for normal operations should be (more than?) enough... and withdrawing just as much as will keep the full weekly video productions afloat... Judging by Karnage's slightly somber tone in the last update ('expecting some ups & downs...'), he's noticing it too... But, if the incentive were to change however... i.e By bringing back the site ( + shop), maybe even Magnum Skywolf... Then maybe... Just maybe there would be a cause to push it up again for... I could do a day trip to Truxton for way less than 15k. Hell, just give me some gas money, dinner, and a night at a motel and I'll play Truxton in Truxton for you.
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