Funded by Gamers For Gamers

[spirestar]

Regarding getting this project fully-funded, I have been thinking about some creative ways that the players can invest into the project and expect a return on their investment.

One such proposal is called a Frontier 1859 Membership.

How it works

We need to fill X number of membership slots to obtain first round funding, and N number of slots to secure second round funding (or all the way to Beta). For example, if 480,000 people each purchased a $25.00 membership, that would get the project all the way to Beta testing.

Membership Tier

Boomtown Member          $25.00 (includes 3 raffle tickets)
Concord Coach Member    $10.00  (includes 2 raffle tickets)
Trail Buster Member           $5.00   (includes 1 raffle ticket)

What you get in return

Each membership purchase reflects the same amount of discount price off of the game, plus other incentives (to be announced), such as,
     -in-game Homestead Certificate,
     -special hobby-kits,such as a structure or tool,
     -a "bonus item" such as a Horse, Wagon, Weapon, Significant Other NPC,
      -in-game Auction House Credit (which would would be as good as cash).

The Raffle Tickets will award cash and other prizes.

Accountability

Once a certain and publically announced quota is met - staffing will begin to ramp up immediately, and progress will be reported publically once a month with screenshots.

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This is only one idea I'm currently thinking about. Let's hear what you think...

[Kallic Redbush]

I think it's a good idea, it would at least help a little bit. $25 is 1 night of pizza hut. We could all contribute a little bit if we just ate mac and cheese for one night, LoL. That's how I see it anyway =P

[GamerGodCash]

I'm on a tight budget but I would love to help. :)

[Scamp]

sounds like a great idea to me! We all know this game is going to be a go eventually, obvious not just a scam to get donations.  You all have been around too long to remotely think that.  I would for sure donate my 25 bucks.  The incentives sound good too, and I am sure you all will come up with other great ones.  It gets me all giddy just thinking this just could be our kick start we needed.  

[chabuhi]

You'll get $25 from me!

[MaddogRon]

$25 bucks N\P !!!
I've wanted to see this get off the ground for a long time.
I have friends and family that would love to see it online too.
I'll pass the word !!!!  :)

[Etaren]

I'd donate 25 bucks more than once, all to get this going. :) I'll also pass the word to my interested friends!

[gr8scots]

I have np donating $25 to help get this started. This is truly a unique offering to the world of mmo's. I only hope I can win the lottery and invest more! Keep up the great work!

[spirestar]

I only hope I can win the lottery and invest more! Keep up the great work!

On that note...maybe the unknown lottery winner in Lincoln Nebraska is part of this community!? He/she would not even notice the cost of an investment to develop this game with the amount of money they won. -

$365 million lottery winner

"LINCOLN, Neb., Feb. 20, 2005 — Here's a statistic for the people of Lincoln as they await news of the $365 million lottery winner: Seventy percent of those who become suddenly wealthy squander it within a few short years, according to the National Endowment for Financial Education..."

read Article

[Jaysan]

25 bucks?  @ 1.74 to the uk pound no probs,... its a pizza and some beer or one night out less in a month, would still be intersted in what the raffle tickets provide and the frequency of any draws they may be included in

more importantly how do we talk a rich Nebraskan into loosing 35mill?  :)

as for squandering  yep same in england many lotto winners 4million uk+ types  are poor again in about 5 years of spending their happiness... and the lotto commission provides them with a financial advisor for free if they want!

[Bill Spence]

Where do I sign up.. I will give $100 to get this project started

[Bill Spence]

I had mentioned something like this before.. I am alll in and I know 15 others that would do $25

[Texas_Vixen]

I'm all for a $25 buy-in, sign me up today! However, why not use a model like Project Entropia does?  The cash that people give is converted to real money in Project Entropia at a conversion rate of $0.10 US = $1.00 in the game.  Maybe offer a special where people who contribute BEFORE the game release at the $25 rate get to start off with $.50 on the dollar in the game, people who contribute at the $10 rate get to start of with $.30 on the dollar, and people who contribute any amount less than that $.15 on the dollar.  That encourages people to continue to contribute funds while it's in development.

I think a model like the one Project Entropia is using would be very viable for this particular project.  It also decreases the amount of twinking that goes on because the cash in that game has a real value - you can withdraw against your account.  The game is completely free to play, but if you want to get any of the good stuff without spending countless tedious hours working in the game then you virtually have to buy credits.  They sell real estate to the players - in fact one area they just sold brought them $1,000,000 US I believe! I know you guys were interested in developing a real economy, and PE's economy is pretty realistic.  

Ohhh..that reminds me ....you could PRE-SELL real estate in the game.

[spirestar]

..that reminds me ....you could PRE-SELL real estate in the game.

Each membership purchase reflects the same amount of discount price off of the game, plus other incentives (to be announced), such as,

- in-game Homestead Certificate, (real-estate - but with occupy laws of the time)
- special hobby-kits,such as a structure or tool,
- a "bonus item" such as a Horse, Wagon, Weapon, Significant Other NPC,
- In-game Auction House Credit (as good as real cash).

-

[Cygnet Bloke]

Just by chance a friend mentioned to me that they had received a communication on this vote.  Two other friends and I did not receive the message.  I think there may be a glitch and that you may be omitting a long list of potential support if only a portion of the forum data-base/membership is recieving this communication.  BTW I voted for the Boomtown membership - I am ready to make my way west and grab a homestead :)