A while ago I decided to cancel the old plans to have a 2-tiered structure, free account and premium. I don't want to charge money for extra features, and my feelings remain the same.

However there's been some persistent feedback that some people would be happy to contribute a modest fee for services. In some cases people want to contribute, in other people don't wish to see adverts (they feel strongly against adverts or adverts interfere with gameplay due to their system setup).

I was also thinking I could completely remove the top part of the game window (with logo and advert) for such users gaining significant space. (Please note that the loss of table area on the current version is currently being discussed and resolved outside this thread - this does not affect it!)

Note I have no plans to change the current service or that a user will get any additional features.

I'm just after some feedback for now.

Nick

Edited at 18:22 Thu 14/08/08 (BST)

i would love it too have no adverts (less lag). and even a small contribution to not have the adverts would be great. Some of the suggestions people have made about adding in a premium section i dont agree with.. plus with quite a lot of users under the age of 16 (still at school) dont necessary earn money or own debit cards to make payments.

I have seen on some sites. mainly forums they have a donation option with a traget amount each month. and each user that has donated is given a special thanks mention.

I would happily make the contribution for this purpose, and for the fact that a free service has been running for so long.

It also gives a good incentive to make a contribution... in that you are getting rid of adverts, and even gaining table space.

I have never had any problems with adverts, other than sometimes the animation gets the better of me, and I end up watching that instead of the game!

I see no harm in having it as an option, Nick.

Edit: Get the funky merchandise up and running!

Edited at 18:44 Thu 14/08/08 (BST)

Adverts do not in the least bit bother me. One fo the best things about the site is that it is free. I probably would pay for it, if only premium was on offer, but if there is still a standard version i'd stick with that.

I agree with the comments above, i wouldn't mind donating a bit of cash. But as redrebellion said, it could be a problem for young kids still at school.

If the space removed at the top gave us the space back we had lost due to the update i wouldnt mind, and i wouldnt mind paying a small fee


How would you work the fee etc nick


i would rather pay if we knew we had certain updates on the way for the future etc...

http://www.funkysnooker.com/viewTopic.do?topicid=3981
http://www.funkysnooker.com/viewTopic.do?topicid=3534&page=1

Both of those topics give information about whether people will pay for Funkysnooker. The second one in particular has three pages with people saying they would leave Funkysnooker if they had to pay for it.

Of course, you are suggesting having the option there but not forcing people to use it. However, some people don't have the option of being able to freely pay for things they want, the majority of these under-16 and living at home.

What would the effects be on free users if this premium service was introduced?

EDIT: Sorry, I see some of these points have already been raised. I was typing my post and had to go for dinner, when I came back I forgot to check if anybody had posted

Edited at 18:49 Thu 14/08/08 (BST)

"I don't want to charge money for extra features, and my feelings remain the same."

"I have no plans to change the current service or that a user will get any additional features."

iamtheworst - the way I intercept nick's post, is that users will gain no extra service for contributing, other than loss of adverts, and no logo at the top, making the table slightly larger, in the same way as a larger monitor would.

Edited at 18:53 Thu 14/08/08 (BST)

This option would be for users who (1) want to contribute or (2) don't want adverts (unfortunately adverts are the only site income - if we don't show adverts we lose money).

As said above free service would not be affected and premium users would get no additional features.

So you can guarantee that there will be no extra adverts for free users, and that the advert guidelines won't be changed in any way at all?

I like the sound of a premium idea. I certainly don't see a problem with just having it so people can choose to use it or not. I just want to be sure that there will no extra lag issues for free users, adverts similar to the O2 one mentioned in the first topic posted above.

Also, as asked above, how would payments be made? I imagine it would be a monthly fee?

Edited at 19:26 Thu 14/08/08 (BST)

Adverts wouldn't change - I'm certainly not intending to change the site in any way to try and force people into using premium.

I would think 3-month or 6-month as a time period, payment through paypal and/or another money broker.

can we not have a 1month trial payment option? just to see how it goes first... any ideas on the fee?

As i don't suffer from lag or adverts it would be pointless me paying, but say the people who did pay got a bit extra, such as advert removal, more felt choices, monthly ranked tournaments etc...

Something along them lines, that would definitely get me to pay.

Edited at 19:43 Thu 14/08/08 (BST)

What would be a rough figure, if all adverts were removed for Premium users?

Also, how do you plan on informing members who perhaps don't read the forum, but feel they would like to make a donation towards Funky games? Perhaps an email to all members before the service is introduced, with the option of opting in for Premium on the home page?

Would there be an option to sign up for Premium as soon as new users create an account, perhaps a question asking them if they would like a Free service or a Premium service?

Edited at 19:46 Thu 14/08/08 (BST)

I think it could be a good idea as long as a choice is available given the above comments on age/ability to pay etc. I have always said that I would pay to get rid of adverts, however I have to say without having an idea of the cost it would be hard to give a definitive answer

Adding extra features for Premium users, aside from advert removal, is unfair on those members who, for whatever reason, can't have a premium account.

You have to remember that many users are under 16, therefore would have to rely on their parents paying the fee. In many cases, their parents won't pay, and if like you say, new felts were introduced for Premium users, it would be unfair on members who can't pay, not by choice, but because they simply can't.

I personally cant see any real issues with either suggestions Nick

Can be used by players that experience issues with adverts and want to assist in the development of funkysnooker. Can also boost loyalty (for the want of a better word) as donators know they help the site run with their funds.

Depending on numbers Nick you'll have to make sure that the premium fee covers at least a couple of years of an members ad contribution.

On other sites, peoplw who have donated get a little animation or visual to show that they have donated (or in this case, a premium member). This could be considered, not saying its a good or bad idea, just could be considered.

what would happen if you were paying for premium then got banned, or deactivated your account??

I imagine that would person would be charged for the 3 months following their ban or deactivation, at which point their premium account would be cancelled.


Nick, do you plan on charging people the Premium account simply for their username, or for their IP address?

An example of what I mean is: If the fee is £5 for three months, and there are two accounts on one IP address, does that mean that if one of those accounts signed up for Premium, would they pay £5 for their account, or £10, £5 for each of the username's on that IP address?

Any fee would have to apply to accounts. Users should have no more than one account and if the user got banned or decided to deactivate just after donating, then that is their own decision.

I think the introduction of a system to allow people to donate in exchange for having no ads, or any other cosmetic change (the old "golden cue idea" is a very good proposal.

Some sites i use offer a donation based system which give you access to services for a time based on donation amount. This lets you make a small donation first to see if you like it, and offers a discount for users wanting to make larger donations.

Just a little request to people to please read Nicks initial post before replying. The core game will always be free.