Community Resource Funding
by Mark Berry · in General Discussion · 03/07/2005 (3:32 am) · 11 replies
There seem to be a lot of people asking for various resources to be made, fixed etc.
Some of us may be struggling with the math (I know I am) or the coding, spare time etc so we dont just do them ourselves.
What about setting up a 'feature' or resource request system, where we can donate money into a pot for someone to take on the resource creation. In other words, if ten or so people put in $25 each (or whatever) for xyz the person who completes the resource gets the pot.
Would GarageGames be willing to run this? What do you think of this?
I think it would provide a good way to persuade some of the talented people out there to do requests, and be a great way of thanking them too, not to mention being an affordable way to get some things done.
Obviously it wouldnt be the answer to everyones development needs, and would only suit smaller mods, it wouldnt work for things like the proposed AI pack.
It has its drawbacks too, some may find funding a resource only for it to be made freely available unpalateable. Others may want xyz, only to find themselves the only one, and no one wanting to do it for $5.
Comments?
Some of us may be struggling with the math (I know I am) or the coding, spare time etc so we dont just do them ourselves.
What about setting up a 'feature' or resource request system, where we can donate money into a pot for someone to take on the resource creation. In other words, if ten or so people put in $25 each (or whatever) for xyz the person who completes the resource gets the pot.
Would GarageGames be willing to run this? What do you think of this?
I think it would provide a good way to persuade some of the talented people out there to do requests, and be a great way of thanking them too, not to mention being an affordable way to get some things done.
Obviously it wouldnt be the answer to everyones development needs, and would only suit smaller mods, it wouldnt work for things like the proposed AI pack.
It has its drawbacks too, some may find funding a resource only for it to be made freely available unpalateable. Others may want xyz, only to find themselves the only one, and no one wanting to do it for $5.
Comments?
#2
Seconded.
03/07/2005 (9:14 am)
Quote:I still like the old way, because it's free :). GG, in my opinion, has always been about the community support. I don't think we should be having to buy our way to get this, you can make a content/code pack if you wanted to make money.
Seconded.
#3
03/07/2005 (9:36 am)
No one would make free resources then, as the others have hinted. 
#4
GG's community is one of the most active and generous i've seen;
it definitely ain't broken.
03/07/2005 (9:50 am)
Thirded.GG's community is one of the most active and generous i've seen;
it definitely ain't broken.
#5
03/07/2005 (10:13 am)
Yes. If I made any significant engine changes, I would be willing to give them back to the community free. Why? Because I got so much free help from resources, etc. It's an interesting dynamic. :)
#6
Having had my income curtailed somewhat recently, I was wondering about alternate methods to get some stuff done (I'll just have to get my head down and learn the math I 'spose), hence the post.
03/07/2005 (7:33 pm)
I suppose it would stop people from 'wanting' to release free resources. Having had my income curtailed somewhat recently, I was wondering about alternate methods to get some stuff done (I'll just have to get my head down and learn the math I 'spose), hence the post.
#7
I'm leaving out lots of details here. That's because I'm not terribly skilled in terms of business, and I don't know all of the factors involved in such a setup. I'm only offering the idea.
03/07/2005 (8:21 pm)
I think there could be some value in paid-for resources. There are some people who want to see resources materialize more quickly. Here's another approach to the idea. If a list of requested resources was created, people could view descriptions of the resources, and if it was something they liked, they could pledge for it. That means, they pledge $10 or something which is only paid on completion of the resource. So a savvy developer looks through the listings and sees what has a total pledge that they are willing to work for and sign up for it. They don't receive any of the pledge money until they finish the resource. When somebody pledges for something, they are essentially bound to pay if the resource is completed in a timely manner. I'm leaving out lots of details here. That's because I'm not terribly skilled in terms of business, and I don't know all of the factors involved in such a setup. I'm only offering the idea.
#8
03/07/2005 (10:19 pm)
That sounds interesting. 
#9
03/07/2005 (11:15 pm)
Not a bad idea... seems would still keep the idea and feel of "free" resources like there is presently, just would allow those who really want a resource to motivate someone who is able to do it while the person who is dedicating the time and effort to get a little reward...
#10
03/08/2005 (5:04 am)
This all sounds quite like the Ubuntu bounties system. Their system seems to work well for them, and the bounties are all for things that are released for free. Might give you some ideas.
#11
03/11/2005 (8:10 am)
J, that was precisely what I was suggesting, although you put it somewhat more clearly than I.
Torque 3D Owner Frogger
I still like the old way, because it's free :). GG, in my opinion, has always been about the community support. I don't think we should be having to buy our way to get this, you can make a content/code pack if you wanted to make money.
Or maybe it's because I'm cheap and would never do this :P