Revamp of donation scheme

[Delphy]

Hi All,

As you know, MTS2 is a free site, and survives on donations and subscriptions from member and some ad revenue. We've been running this way for 2 and and a half years now, and I feel it's time to give something back to those that contribute through subscriptions.

We've revamped the subscriptions (http://www.modthesims2.com/subscriptions.php) to reduce it down to 3. These are:

MTS2 Supporter - $5 a month. Increased PM inbox to 125 messages.
MTS2 Fan Club - $10 a month. Increased avatar size to 100x100 with a 65k filesize. Increased PM inbox to 150 messages.
MTS2 Addict - $15 a month. Increased avatar size to 110x110 with a 65k filesize. Increased PM inbox to 200 messages. One time custom title of your choice.

All subscribers get the following:
- Ads free option
- Simolean icon (colour based on level)
- Subscriber only fileserver (see below)

Coming soon, all subscribers will also get access to a secondary fileserver, which will provide faster downloads for them during peak hours.

Please note that if you cancel your subscription you revert back to a normal member and lose any bonuses, and access to the extra fileserver.

I'd also like to point out that just becuase we have subscribers doesn't mean we'll restrict content to subscribers only - we have never done that and never will. All content on MTS2 is free, and it's only through the kind and generous donations of the supporters that we stay open, so this is for you all - thank you!

Regards
Delphy and the MTS2 Staff

[poundingheart]

woohooo
Well done Delphy and the MTS2 Staff. Without this site I would be lost.
P.S. Delphy, I thought you mite be on holidays as there hadnt been any new site news lateley. lol

Love to you all.

[patul]

Why not... I dont suscribe to have something more than the other members but to help an awesome site to continue to live and because i can do it.
But thank you Delphy and all the MTS2 staff :)

[Inge Jones]

Heh, the special file server will be nice. I would have subscribed specially for that perk, if I hadn't already done so :D

[jerrand]

Thanks, for the little perks but I also subscribe because I believe this is the best sims 2 site out there. I might actually try to make a few things myself (scary thought for this computer dumb 45 year old) :)

[poplers]

Thanks, that sounds very cool, great idea, hey, i might just start subscribing!

[Euromutt]

Wonderful news Delphy! I suscribed to support the fabulous work you guys do. The downloads are amazing, and your tutorials and game help are lifesavers!

Thank you for the extra perks! :D

[cokenasmile]

"one time custom title" hmmm. That alone is worth the top level... Thanks so much for all you do to keep this site up and running, you and all the staff here. Excellent incentives for donations, too. :)

[mac]

Over the months, and now years, I have paid much more in monthly payments to MTS2 than I have spent on the Sims2 games.

It is worth every nickel, dime, simolean. Without this site, the Sims would have soon been languishing in my shelf. Bravo! Keep up the good work!

[pacotacoplayer]

Thanks, Delphy! That custom title thing makes me really want to be a 15 dollar supporter. Sadly, I am only 13 and can't manage to support the site, but I think I may get around there somehow :) You deserve every penny of donation money given to the site! Where would the Sims 2 be without MTS2? Where would Maxis be?

[djsclaus]

Wow Delphy, this is a great idea! Unfortunately i wont be able to help since I am underage, but I really hope you get some more supporters :)

[PixieDust_fairy]

Sounds great, I'll think about it.

[dogman]

I wish i can support MST2 but i'm only 12 and don't hace a Credit Card

[Howabominable]

Good idea, when I read the first part I assumed that they would be getting special items and was a little mad, but I think this system is much better :). It's a great way to reward people for supporting MTS2 without restricting everyone else.

[wildbill411]

Thanks Delphy! I would support this site with or without the perks, because I believe it to be the absolute best Sims 2 site on the planet. However, it's nice to be recognized.

[XTS]

If I were to change from a 5.00 donator to a 10.00 donator, how would I go about doing that without turning into a 15.00 donator? Just add another 5.00 donator option or is there a way to remove the 5.00 donator option and just add a 10.00 donation option?

Thanks :)

Have a great week!

"Xts"

[djsclaus]

If I were to change from a 5.00 donator to a 10.00 donator, how would I go about doing that without turning into a 15.00 donator? Just add another 5.00 donator option or is there a way to remove the 5.00 donator option and just add a 10.00 donation option?
Couldn't you just cancel your 5.00 subscription and sign up for the 10.00?

[MsPiaGlass]

I cant pay per month but i would like to make a donation.

[chicvibe]

Love the site - I have donated in the past but I think a subscription makes a lot more sense.
;)

[XTS]

Couldn't you just cancel your 5.00 subscription and sign up for the 10.00?

Certainly, if it offers that. I've actually never checked into cancelling it so I wouldn't even know how to begin. Also, I believe that you must cancel when you are ready to upgrade, but making sure the date it falls on is a date you'll have funds available, which is why I'd rather not accidentally cancel it just yet. I'd like to only risk cancelling when I know I can resubscribe :)

I hope it's not a problem I'd prefer to ask in advance on the topic.

Thanks for the idea. :) Sounds feasible to me so long as it doesn't interrupt any current support payments.

Thank you again!

"Xts"

[patul]

The best would be a "change subscription to..." choice, I dont know if it is possible.

[Inge Jones]

I wish i can support MST2 but i'm only 12 and don't hace a Credit Card

Um... you might wish you hadn't said that. Or has the age restriction been relaxed now?

[XTS]

The best would be a "change subscription to..." choice, I dont know if it is possible.


I'd like to try that but I don't think that is one of the options.

I'm looking again to see if I can figure it out.

Looks like I'd have to add yet another 5.00 a month or cancel and do a 10.00 a month subscription. I think that's my only alternatives so I think I might have to wait.

I don't see an option to change.

Great idea though, thank you!

"xts"

EDIT: Please note I am an addict of MTS2, I just can't afford the title! lol

[Delphy]

Inge, look underneath his name.... :)

[redlolly]

I cant pay per month but i would like to make a donation.

i cant pay per month either as i have no credit card and no paypal, but i would like to support occasionally, any suggestions on how?

[XTS]

I want to apologize, I forgot my manners amidst my curiosity.

THANK YOU to Delphy, the crew and to all the modders! :D

*And a special thanks to everyone involved in making the site safe for epileptics. :)

Happy Moddin'!

"Xts"

[CJDJ]

i cant pay per month either as i have no credit card and no paypal, but i would like to support occasionally, any suggestions on how?

If you have a chequing Bank account you can tie your PayPal into it.

Great new Delphy... I don't post much on here, just leech, I'll definately be donating soon. :)

[eveshirley]

i cant pay per month either as i have no credit card and no paypal, but i would like to support occasionally, any suggestions on how?

I have the same problem and i want to help i don't know if it's an option to send you money trough money gram or something like that :bunny:

[fortyfeet]

I really would love to donate, but honestly I think I prefer to donate when I get items for my game. I love that mts2 is 100% free, but it would be cool to have super donation packs or something.

[tiggerypum]

Wow, we're practically neighbors, fortyfeet.

You know, if we did that, then everything wouldn't be 100% free.
Why not pick your favorite 50 downloads from the site and just consider it a donation pack and donate anyway. You can do a one time donation, just as if it was a pack. And your donation would help keep the free stuff flowing.

I chose to donate long ago because I love this site, the stuff I've learned here, and the really cool stuff we can get for the game. I also truly appreciate that everything is available for everyone - and I wanted to help keep it going.

[lulu]

I think that is a very nice and wonderful thing to give the supporters. But like many people I don't need the perks. I support because I believe in MTS2 LoL. I would be lost without this site.

[m327]

I subscribe because this is the best Sims1&2 site EVAH!! since the beginning of my 2nd (Sims) life! Top artists, downloads, mods, support, people, (esp. the funny posts)... all of which I don't hesitate to remind anyone on the official or other Sims sites. But those perks are great! Thank You, again & again & again!

[Baskar]

1 - No credit Card
2 - no Pay Pal Account
3 - I doubt you want rolls of pennies sent your way.
4 - Aren't budget's lovely?
5 - Money I don't have, but food I do. (Bird farmer)

As for ads, eh..I don't see ads on sites. They're alllllll blocked.

[General Oohoh]

I've always wanted to donate to the site and now I want to even more. But unfortuanatly I have no paypal or credit card. And my parents aren't the "let's give a credit card to a teenager!" type. So maybe when I get a job in a year or so I can donate. But for now I'll just have to give moral support I suppose! :D

[MissOliverWood]

I waited until this year to donate for the first time - no money, and no payal. But now I have it, and I think it's fantastic. Just donate when you can. And I always recomend MTS2 anywhere I am - the best sims site and best of all, they don't charge you crazy fees to download some horrible looking hair.
Just my opinion =)
Thank you to everyone for all effort!

*wait*
Even though I'm not a subscriber, but have donated a couple of times in the past, I don't get a Supporter icon or anything like that? I don't think I like that.....

[pfish]

Even though I'm not a subscriber, but have donated a couple of times in the past, I don't get a Supporter icon or anything like that? I don't think I like that.....

You have to donate $5.00 or more every month to earn this supporter icon. :)

[tiggerypum]

More specifically, supporters sign up to donate monthly (paypal has a way to do subscriptions) Trying to track 1 time donations and then taking the icons on and off would be complicated and probably error prone. I was going to donate individual donations, but decided to subscribe monthly when the http://static2.modthesims2.com/images/simolean3.gif icons were first announced on site.

[glowworm637]

Hey I love your site and really would like to donate to help keep it open but I'm not able to send money through the internet and don't really have a lot of money to send. I think it is good that your site remains free for all and that you have lowered the amount so people who were not able to do so before can now donate. Maybe one day I too will even be able to help you out.

:gjob:

[QueenScorpio]

No excuses just....Thanks ya'll for a great site :D
I'm on my last month as a Sub...but some time later I'll be back :up:

[catnahat9]

I have loved this site ever since I stumbled across it in July 2005. Since I can only afford to be a MTS2 Supporter ($5. a month) I was wondering... May I simply have the one time custom title in lieu of the increased size of my inbox? I would rather see the cost of the possible extra bandwidth used to accomodate the moderators for their dedication and tireless work they do to help make the site as great as it is.

[rtexasgirl]

Yipee! That's great news

[Delphy]

catnahat, sorry but custom titles are reserved for people on the highest subscription only :)

[cultjam]

Thanks for the perk delphy

It doesnt matter to me if you add any perks. Ive been a donator for awhile now. Ive learned alot from this site and downloaded alot as well. It has been worth every penny I have donated.

[catnahat9]

catnahat, sorry but custom titles are reserved for people on the highest subscription only :)

That's totally cool. I'll get to upgrade eventually. In the mean time, i'm proud to give what I can. My wife loves the site too, so I will try to shmooze her into letting me give a little more. The only thing is, She reminds me that donating more money won't put food on the table for our kids. I said " Sure I can! there are lots of custom foods to download, in fact, there are tables a plenty as well" Her responce; " Try downloading a nice custom couch to sleep on then"... I downloaded 6 of them
:jest:

[discordkitty]

Hahaha, I like your wife already ;)

[ShivaOritiner]

That's a good idea.

If someone wants to kick in a few bucks they get some member perks and primo speed at peak times. That makes sense.

I'm glad that you've decided to make the subcriptions work well with the theme that MTS2 has all free content.

Kudos

[flyingpigeon]

A bigger pm box does sound nice... I don't have much to put in my usertitle (pigeonator?) though. I'll have to think about it. Great idea.

[zentaraxia]

I'm not bothered about extra PM box either nor a custom title - that isn't what I donate for although it's nice that you appreciate us delphy ;) just as we appreciate what everyone here does.
The fact that our donations help keep the site free is thanks enough

[sarah9cat]

I seriously would subscribe, but I'm underage and I don't have a credit card etc. I'm sorry.

[NessyOriginal]

Every month renove alone truth? I'm new making this here :(

See you :)

[jason7871]

thanks delphy i sooo love this place it rocks!!!!

[cookiesnflowers]

My monthly donation is because this site is so great. It is the least I can do, while I can afford it, to help keep things going.

[Delphy]

Thanks to everybody who donates and to those who have signed up recently - it's very much appreciated! :)

[Francien]

:) I think the idea is nice that you want to do something for subscribers. For me it makes no difference, like all the other people I give what I can afford and more because when you see all those wonderful downloads you are sharing all free, well I would shame myself if I didn't pay a little back. I only hope it will not cost you more money now ?Coming soon, all subscribers will also get access to a secondary fileserver, which will provide faster downloads for them during peak hours. :lol: and that you get a lot of subscribbers :)

[Micaylah]

I really like the way you came up with a solution that didnt involve making content available for some and not for others. This is a good compromise. Because some of us out there just cant aford it, but still are just as loyal :!:

Thanks to everyone for everything, its much appreciated.

Caylee

:Pint:

[Corylea]

Thanks Delphy! I would support this site with or without the perks, because I believe it to be the absolute best Sims 2 site on the planet. However, it's nice to be recognized.

What he said!

[punkrockgoth1988]

It seems that after I make my move, that my spending money will be limited, but at least I will be in control of it. Perhaps I'll be able to give support.

[tabbysgranhag]

Checking in to MTS2 after a long hiatus --- so do I have to decrease my donation to get the top of the line perks ---?? Since I do not have an avatar - don't know how to make one - I am still living in the dark ages -- I guess none of it really applies to me , except the fact that whether or not I am play the game (right now just cleaning out files and waiting for Pets) I support this site. Nuff said.

[cocopop1233]

I love to donate but I just can't at the moment. Firstly cause I dont have enough to donate. Ive put all my money away. I checked vBulletin and the sites cost alot, the donations probley help alot.

[khakidoo]

Hi, I finally made a donation, I did the one time thing because I had to use someone else's credit card... I've never used paypal or purchased anything or donated to anything online before so I'm sorry if my questions are stupid - I got the paypal e-mail receipt, and then in semi-hidden text on that receipt is all this "fine-print" about if they fail to actually send the money you have such and such recourse... So how do I know that MTS2 actually received my donation - that paypal actually sent it along to you...?

[Delphy]

khakidoo, if the money has come off your account and you get the email receipt, then you know it's gotten to us. :) Thanks for donating!