Synthlight N' Crew, Please Review. New Subsciber Option!

**Phynx** · 08-7-2008, 06:01 AM

Mr. Nothing and I were talking about it in another thread but I wanted to suggest this idea via its own thread. Seeing as the current downslide of income for FFR has taken its toll, we propose making an "ELITE" form of subscriber, one notch above the normal subscriber. Also, one feature we mentioned was having special tokens available only to these ELITE subscribers. I'm not positive if this has been mentioned before but I feel it is something to be reviewed in further depth. Making the rates for ELITE subscriptions as such:

1 Month: $5.00
6 Month: $28.00
1 Year: $45.00

Or something along those lines. These are rates I would EASILY pay off for a greater support to the site. Keeping the community alive here is of great importance to me so I would be willing to pay even more if it came to that.

rzr · 08-7-2008, 06:04 AM

I don't like it. Tokens should be available to anyone and everyone, that shouldn't change. And the subscription levels should, in my opinion, stay the same. Donations to the site are always welcomed and encouraged, so there's no need to bump anything up.

Those are just my thoughts.

Syhto · 08-7-2008, 06:05 AM

I suggested something like this once and everyone pissed on me. But now that FFR seems to be having more issues than before when it came to finding money for upkeep, I don't really see any problems with it.

I probably wouldn't do this though.

Edit: there are already tokens not available to everyone for free, lol.
Admins themselves said since tokens do not count for much regarding ranks, they're only something special and not important.

**Coolboyrulez0** · 08-7-2008, 06:05 AM

Would you get to keep the tokens after your 1337 subscription runs out or would they take them... that's the question.

**Phynx** · 08-7-2008, 06:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rzr

I don't like it. Tokens should be available to anyone and everyone, that shouldn't change. And the subscription levels should, in my opinion, stay the same. Donations to the site are always welcomed and encouraged, so there's no need to bump anything up.

Those are just my thoughts.

Yeah, but we just felt that having tokens for ELITE subscribers are a great way to get a lot more people to buy into the subscription, thus bringing in a greater revenue for FFR.

**Phynx** · 08-7-2008, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coolboyrulez0

Would you get to keep the tokens after your 1337 subscription runs out or would they take them... that's the question.

Why, you'd keep them of course. You just wouldn't be able to get the newer tokens until you re-subscribed.

EDIT - GAH! This is like my 3rd or 4th double post of the night... WTF's wrong with me?!?! Feckin' tired as balls... WHICH CAN'T EVEN BE TIRED WTF!

**foilman8805** · 08-7-2008, 06:09 AM

Damn, Phynx. There are some serious ramifications to come from this, I hope you know.

The idea has been bandied about in the past; however, I am quite sure (and hopefully not being presumptive here) that specific songs and features will not be available based on how much you pay to the site. This is what I have gathered from the administration through observation, though when times are tough, some opinions may change. (Though I hope not.)

Even if that isn't the case, it is my personal opinion, and I would seriously take a step back to see if I want to continue supporting a free website that is going to make me pay to have access to songs and features.

With that said, I understand the need for income on FFR to keep the site healthy and accessible for us all. Perhaps this thread can become an open discussion on ideas to provide said income, but limiting content is a huge mistake in my opinion. It would alienate some already subscribers, and would definitely make regular users think twice about subscribing - in the long run, I actually think that this kind of idea could hurt FFR since our 'subscriptions' are more along the lines of 'donations with a small plus side'.

**Phynx** · 08-7-2008, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by foilman8805

Damn, Phynx. There are some serious ramifications to come from this, I hope you know.

The idea has been bandied about in the past; however, I am quite sure (and hopefully not being presumptive here) that specific songs and features will not be available based on how much you pay to the site.

Even if that isn't the case, it is my opinion, and I would seriously take a step back to see if I want to continue supporting a free website that is going to make me pay to have access to songs and features.

With that said, I understand the need for income on FFR to keep the site healthy and accessible for us all. Perhaps this thread can become an open discussion on ideas to provide said income, but limiting content is a huge mistake in my opinion. It would alienate some already subscribers, and would definitely make regular users think twice about subscribing - in the long run, I actually think that this kind of idea could hurt FFR since our 'subscriptions' are more along the lines of 'donations with a plus side'.

Look at several types of donations in the world today. There are places where if you donate, you get something in return. What if FFR did that with the tokens? It's not really depriving the community of the tokens, they have access to them at all times as long as they subscribe, if they don't want to subscribe to have them then let them be. Also, no one who has full internet access and is a regular to the site is poor enough to not afford a subscription like this, or at least I highly doubt this. I'm probably wrong though.

Syhto · 08-7-2008, 06:17 AM

I know for a fact that when I was a kid, my parents would have never let me pay money for some song(s) that has arrows going across the screen in time with it, on the internet.

**Phynx** · 08-7-2008, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Syhto

I know for a fact that when I was a kid, my parents would have never let me pay money for some song(s) that has arrows going across the screen in time with it, on the internet.

HAHAHA! So then why do they let them pay for other features, such said features as normal subscribers have? Eh, got ya there.

rzr · 08-7-2008, 06:18 AM

Donations are meant as a selfless act. You shouldn't get anything in return, otherwise it's not a donation and is borderline bribary.

Also, I don't think a token is needed to how we're subscribers. Maybe if we had ONE token that stayed forever to show we were at one point a subby. But there's plenty of other benefits to being a subscriber.

**foilman8805** · 08-7-2008, 06:19 AM

I just hope that this kind of idea, if implemented, isn't the kind of thing that will divide the precious community that we so love, Phynx.

Having the title 'Elite FFR Supporter' already implies some innate rank on the website - having another level to me seems like it could place everyone in a hierarchy, and that shouldn't be what this site comes to.

Perhaps those who decide to donate that extra amount each month should get some small consolation - i.e. an alternative title, but like I said, giving them access to things that other subscribers and normal users can't get to isn't fair.

**Phynx** · 08-7-2008, 06:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rzr

Donations are meant as a selfless act. You shouldn't get anything in return, otherwise it's not a donation and is borderline bribary.

Also, I don't think a token is needed to how we're subscribers. Maybe if we had ONE token that stayed forever to show we were at one point a subby. But there's plenty of other benefits to being a subscriber.

Well I'm just using tokens as an idea. I'm sure there are MANY more ways an ELITE form of subscriber could gain features.

@foilman - Nah, something like this wouldn't happen. Haha, look at the new token... pay to play. It's ALMOST the same concept as an arcade... cept this is on a website. Hierarchy is what it already seems: guest<member<subscriber<mod<supermod<admin. Sure things change for reasons at the Mod+ levels but what possible anarchous problems could rise from placing an ELITE subscriber< to this equation?

**foilman8805** · 08-7-2008, 06:25 AM

I personally am not a fan of the 'pay to play' concept. It may be logical like Tass said, and it may generate revenue like Synth wants, but from what I know, this website has always stood by the 'free' aspect. It seems like Synthlight has always been proud of the fact that he could keep this enjoyable website free, and I applaud him for it.

I know I'm pretty much a nobody in terms of reputation on this site, and my opinion truly counts for very little, but I am very against the 'pay to play' strategy. It would place some users at a social advantage if you will.

rzr · 08-7-2008, 06:32 AM

Who said anything about paying to play? That goes against the site itself.

[TeRa] · 08-7-2008, 06:35 AM

I'm for saving money for the longer amount of time you subscribe, as of now buying 1 months over and over is the only thing that makes sense, why would you buy a year for the same price of 12 1 months, and then what if you quit after 5 months and never come back to the site, you would have saved money with just buying 1 months.

Edit: nvm, you save money as of now if you subscribe for a year, but not for 6 months.

rzr · 08-7-2008, 06:36 AM

Or if you get banned or something, it's only a one month loss, as opposed to a year.

Magewout · 08-7-2008, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rzr

Who said anything about paying to play? That goes against the site itself.

You have to pay to get the newest token, therefore that token is 'pay to play'

Then again, you also get an entire album of FGJ music

**foilman8805** · 08-7-2008, 06:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rzr

Who said anything about paying to play? That goes against the site itself.

I don't think you're getting this.

The new token that was released is only available through purchase. You have to pay money for it, and this is the implication for a more 'elite' subscriber. They pay more money to get more songs and content that other people cannot access if they don't pay.

It kind of stifles the trickle down effect that this site now uses, in that, features and songs are trickled down from subbies to the public for all access use eventually. With this extra subscriber, this does not happen, and general users are getting a limited experience as a result. Hell, even regular subscribers would be getting a limited experience and they actually pay already!

**Sprite-** · 08-7-2008, 06:40 AM

I don't think different levels of subscribers is a fair thing at all. It's been reasoned before.

Also, just to clarify on this token thing; If synth was to release a store just to buy albums, no one would complain. But now that he's giving something extra for it, you're all complaining. Think about that. You guys are complaining that he's giving away more stuff. You're paying for the album, not the token - essentially. The token is just something extra. And it doesn't hurt your ranks in any way if you don't have it.

08-7-2008, 06:01 AM	#1
Phynx I'm Forever Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Twin Falls, Idaho Age: 36 Posts: 3,003	Synthlight N' Crew, Please Review. New Subsciber Option! Mr. Nothing and I were talking about it in another thread but I wanted to suggest this idea via its own thread. Seeing as the current downslide of income for FFR has taken its toll, we propose making an "ELITE" form of subscriber, one notch above the normal subscriber. Also, one feature we mentioned was having special tokens available only to these ELITE subscribers. I'm not positive if this has been mentioned before but I feel it is something to be reviewed in further depth. Making the rates for ELITE subscriptions as such: 1 Month: $5.00 6 Month: $28.00 1 Year: $45.00 Or something along those lines. These are rates I would EASILY pay off for a greater support to the site. Keeping the community alive here is of great importance to me so I would be willing to pay even more if it came to that. __________________ Guardin' of the Scared Shrine

08-7-2008, 06:05 AM	#4
Coolboyrulez0 VICES Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Germany Age: 32 Posts: 10,042	Re: Synthlight N' Crew, Please Review. New Subsciber Option! Would you get to keep the tokens after your 1337 subscription runs out or would they take them... that's the question. __________________ https://soundcloud.com/cbrbreakcore https://cbrrecords.bandcamp.com/

08-7-2008, 06:09 AM	#7
foilman8805 smoke wheat hail satin Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: LA baby Age: 37 Posts: 5,704	Re: Synthlight N' Crew, Please Review. New Subsciber Option! Damn, Phynx. There are some serious ramifications to come from this, I hope you know. The idea has been bandied about in the past; however, I am quite sure (and hopefully not being presumptive here) that specific songs and features will not be available based on how much you pay to the site. This is what I have gathered from the administration through observation, though when times are tough, some opinions may change. (Though I hope not.) Even if that isn't the case, it is my personal opinion, and I would seriously take a step back to see if I want to continue supporting a free website that is going to make me pay to have access to songs and features. With that said, I understand the need for income on FFR to keep the site healthy and accessible for us all. Perhaps this thread can become an open discussion on ideas to provide said income, but limiting content is a huge mistake in my opinion. It would alienate some already subscribers, and would definitely make regular users think twice about subscribing - in the long run, I actually think that this kind of idea could hurt FFR since our 'subscriptions' are more along the lines of 'donations with a small plus side'. Last edited by foilman8805; 08-7-2008 at 06:13 AM..

08-7-2008, 06:19 AM	#12
foilman8805 smoke wheat hail satin Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: LA baby Age: 37 Posts: 5,704	Re: Synthlight N' Crew, Please Review. New Subsciber Option! I just hope that this kind of idea, if implemented, isn't the kind of thing that will divide the precious community that we so love, Phynx. Having the title 'Elite FFR Supporter' already implies some innate rank on the website - having another level to me seems like it could place everyone in a hierarchy, and that shouldn't be what this site comes to. Perhaps those who decide to donate that extra amount each month should get some small consolation - i.e. an alternative title, but like I said, giving them access to things that other subscribers and normal users can't get to isn't fair. Last edited by foilman8805; 08-7-2008 at 06:22 AM..

08-7-2008, 06:25 AM	#14
foilman8805 smoke wheat hail satin Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: LA baby Age: 37 Posts: 5,704	Re: Synthlight N' Crew, Please Review. New Subsciber Option! I personally am not a fan of the 'pay to play' concept. It may be logical like Tass said, and it may generate revenue like Synth wants, but from what I know, this website has always stood by the 'free' aspect. It seems like Synthlight has always been proud of the fact that he could keep this enjoyable website free, and I applaud him for it. I know I'm pretty much a nobody in terms of reputation on this site, and my opinion truly counts for very little, but I am very against the 'pay to play' strategy. It would place some users at a social advantage if you will.

08-7-2008, 06:35 AM	#16
[TeRa] FFR Player Join Date: May 2007 Age: 35 Posts: 9,922	Re: Synthlight N' Crew, Please Review. New Subsciber Option! I'm for saving money for the longer amount of time you subscribe, as of now buying 1 months over and over is the only thing that makes sense, why would you buy a year for the same price of 12 1 months, and then what if you quit after 5 months and never come back to the site, you would have saved money with just buying 1 months. Edit: nvm, you save money as of now if you subscribe for a year, but not for 6 months.

08-7-2008, 06:40 AM	#20
Sprite- HAVE ME WITH VODKA Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Long Island, New York Age: 37 Posts: 7,316	Re: Synthlight N' Crew, Please Review. New Subsciber Option! I don't think different levels of subscribers is a fair thing at all. It's been reasoned before. Also, just to clarify on this token thing; If synth was to release a store just to buy albums, no one would complain. But now that he's giving something extra for it, you're all complaining. Think about that. You guys are complaining that he's giving away more stuff. You're paying for the album, not the token - essentially. The token is just something extra. And it doesn't hurt your ranks in any way if you don't have it.

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