Benefits for Donation/Payment (SA:MP Discussion)

[Kirgiz]

Now this f**king bullshit is pissing me off. Do you have any f**king idea of what the hell we're doing for the players? All we're getting nowadays is 'the managers are shit and should be removed' but the irony in all this is that no one is giving us any kind of constructive feedback on how we can improve which means i honestly dont give a f**k about what you think about us.

Think about what you're saying as next time you want help from a manager, you might not get it.

If he says so, then people think so. To begin with, you're doing your job voluntarily, all you're getting back from it is satisfaction that you did something good. If you can't cope with the fact that some people plain out don't care about your job, why are you still there?

On the other hand, if you say it yourselves "All we're getting nowadays is <...>", didn't you try to insight that there might indeed be a problem?

Do you research friend, there haven't been 27 changes to the United States Constitution there have been amendments to the current Constitution which are simply addons to pre-existing Constitution clauses not full on changes..and there have been hundreds of amendments not 27..

The fact that the US constitution indeed was little changed exists. And it is a really great accomplishment, I'll give them that.


To put topic straight, this entire idea is hideous. How about server owners institute Admin privilege for money, eh? Just how they do on CSS servers.

Now think for a second what will happen.

Or think for a second what will happen if people would pool money into stuff. One way or another, these changes will turn out drastic and will affect entire server, and ruin the economy YET AGAIN....

[Leon.]

I'm surprised this topic wasn't locked after half of the first page filled, considering that it's never ever going to be done and is useless to discuss it when it's only going to do nothing but further divide people through ideologies.

[ClazzyJogel]

I'm surprised this topic wasn't locked after half of the first page filled, considering that it's never ever going to be done and is useless to discuss it when it's only going to do nothing but further divide people through ideologies.

That doesent need to be a negative thing, it lets people share their opinions and in this case, it looks like my ideology was wrong.

[Pingster]

Because discussions are boss. And if it's either discuss this on forums or in-game, I'm sure it's preferred we discuss it here, though I do agree, this discussion doesn't really have any chance of going anywhere.

That said, here's the best benefit for donations ever: More smileys for the forums. No visible rank, no big flashy DONATOR tag, nothing, just access to more smileys.

[Leon.]

it looks like my ideology was wrong.

No nonononononono, NO. Don't ever let me see you say anything like that again. Your ideology was not wrong - it simply contradicted the general ideology of Argonath. Opinions are always a matter of agreeing, disagreeing, or neither, not a matter of being right or wrong.

Having your own ideologies and opinions empowers you and makes you an individual, rather than a sheep. You are free to fight/argue for what you believe as ardently as you please, so long as it does not infringe upon anyone else's beliefs and does not break any rules.

[Gird3r]

Pay 2 Win is frowned upon among gamers for a reason.

It's the lazy man's way to go from the bottom to the top, so yes this will ruin the "Argonath Experience".

Besides, offering benefits for donations is a thin line to walk upon, a thin line that I can guarantee almost everyone who does it eventually starts getting greedy and offers far to much.
If you want to see an example of this, just look at 90% of all the Minecraft Servers out there.

Not abusing such a option is very hard due to the temptation of making big bucks.

Besides, you are confusing Donation with Payment, you donate because you want to support a cause, plan or group. Not to purchase stuff from them.
Also, let me remind you that Donating to receive goods (in any form, that also includes digital stuff) is against Paypal's Terms of Use, which would warrant a freeze of Argonath's donation account, and eventually termination of said account. (Not that they check this often, but if they do find a case they will act on it).

Also, Paypal is known to steal money from accounts they freeze and/or terminate (and they can do so legally thanks to their terms of use), which would incur a loss of the funds that has been donated.

Your intentions are well placed, but it will only lead to ruin, you need to look further beyond just "money" and look at what would happen to all the other factors.

As an example, lotteries in RS4 heavily ruined the economy there, what do you think would happen if suddenly 60 million Argo dollars was introduced from thin air because of donations, Even when the economy is currently stable?

Consider these factors:

The Economy.
The Balance between players.
The Equality.
The Risks.

[Leon.]

Cheers for the concise and objective post, Gird3r.

[Frank_Hawk]

There are some interesting opinions on this topic.

The community/owners might want to consider introducing an incentive scheme which rewards players for their contribution to the community. This should be restricted in the form that the benefiting player would have no advantage over non-contributory players. The non-contributory player should also be able to reap the same benefit as the contributing player through an alternative incentive scheme.

These type of suggestions would not contravene the Argonath vision.

[Kapil]

I'll do the favors of ending this

Gandalf won't accept this idea in any way, he wont take money. He will take donations, but there are nothing to receive in return.

If it is added, the player count of the community will drop severely and the reputation of the community will be decreased significantly, regardless if its for a good reason or not, people will believe what they want to believe.

[Devin]

And what would you suggest to be a viable incentive which will not be unfair to the rest but still provide a legitimate reason to offer a form of donation?
Why would someone offer a donation for some incentive if they can acquire the same thing without a monetary donation.

[Frank_Hawk]

And what would you suggest to be a viable incentive which will not be unfair to the rest but still provide a legitimate reason to offer a form of donation?
Why would someone offer a donation for some incentive if they can acquire the same thing without a monetary donation.

For example, on donating/contributing the said player would fall under a tier of Argonath donation membership. The player’s membership status would be reflected by a pre-fixed in-game colour. Reflecting this and in view of the Argonath vision which dictates no prejudice among players – non-contributory players should also be allowed to gain the same status without having to satisfy the same conditions of contributory players. In this case, I suggest that they satisfy the criteria of membership through in-game time spent online (considering AFK is abolished).

The two suggestions are also good measures to encourage contributing to the community and also to incentivise players in spending more time in-game especially with the upcoming transition to RS5.

[ClazzyJogel]

For example, on donating/contributing the said player would fall under a tier of Argonath donation membership. The player’s membership status would be reflected by a pre-fixed in-game colour. Reflecting this and in view of the Argonath vision which dictates no prejudice among players – non-contributory players should also be allowed to gain the same status without having to satisfy the same conditions of contributory players. In this case, I suggest that they satisfy the criteria of membership through in-game time spent online (considering AFK is abolished).

The two suggestions are also good measures to encourage contributing to the community and also to incentivise players in spending more time in-game especially with the upcoming transition to RS5.

In other words, establish VIP status?

[Leon.]

More like "yo dawg, I donated" status.

[MikeSangelo]

I can see it now, "VIP" status being crowned upon those fortunate enough to have money to donate to a video game, where others do not have the means to. This would only lead to the "I'm a VIP and you're not" type situation during arguments. Just to add icing to the already melting ice cream cake:

Argonath does not offer privileges against payment. The equal status prohibits any possibility of payment for extra possibilities, rights or money in game.

This really will never happen, it's against the vision, and that vision ain't changing any time soon.

[Matt Murdock]

No thanks. Just lock and load the topic.

You want to pay to get stuff, but a majority of Argonath players are minors, who can't play. Heck at least 40% of players haven't even paid for the GTA game they enjoy so much.. and you want them to steal(they'd, I know I would if I had to, Argonath is too damn addictive, way too much at times) irl just cause they want to buy a house IG or their 19 year old friend has a mansion and 5 cars just cause he donated?