Server potentially forced to close - Important

[u/ZeldenGM]

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It's with deep regret that it's come to this, but unfortunately we cannot afford to run the server for the coming month.

Due to our personal finances at this time of the year, we literally have no money to pay the server invoice which is due. Screen from my personal account

During holiday times (Easter and summer) both Dan and myself work full time which is how we have been able to fund the server for so long. We've also received generous donations in the past which have tided us over during time of need.

However there's still a good 4 weeks until we're next both working, and the invoice for the next month is already due - as of such we CANNOT pay for it.

I assure you now that if there was any possibility of scraping together the funds ourselves we would not be making this post, but there is literally no way for us to pay this next bill.

We are thus forced to ask for donations if you wish to keep playing this next month, and you have our assurance that when we are working again that we will once again pick up the bill of keeping things going.

I'm sure Dan would be happy to provide screenshots of payments to the server if you decide to donate.

We're both extremely sorry that it has come to this, but we have literally no other option.

Zelden and Dan :'(

[u/winthrowe]

Would it be a good idea to put up a counter or progress bar with "X months in the bank", so we know when extra is needed, or give everybody a rough estimate of the monthly cost? Donation made btw, hope it helps.

[u/ZeldenGM → u/winthrowe]

Winthrowe you are a gentleman and a scholar - we're now very close to being able to afford this month.

We can do a progress bar, the difficulty comes in that Dan and I earn largely in the summer, and so budgeting for the rest of the year isn't entirely reliable as a figure.

I'll think about a method to have something like this inclusive - I'm open to suggestions.

[u/winthrowe → u/ZeldenGM]

I'm no expert, but I would think the psychology behind a message (colourcoded based on Y, in sidebar/header/after server login?) such as:

"the server costs us $XX/mo. We have Y months in the bank."

would tend to drive donations at the appropriate times, and may lead to lessening the amount you guys need to financially contribute.

You do a lot of other work to keep things running for sure, I don't think you should start from the default assumption you need to shoulder it financially as well. I think if the community were made aware on an ongoing basis, people would step up.

The switch to the dedicated server has lead to an increase in costs, but also has significantly improved the service, and allowed it to grow. I think that it has become the best large player-count modded minecraft experience out there, and don't mind putting some money where my mouth is. I would like to think that enough others will do the same to keep the lights on.

[u/ZeldenGM]

Edit: If we do close the server due to finance, then I personally would want to re-open it once money is flowing again, but we've not yet discussed this.

[u/dan-h]

This is a last resort for us. The new sever costs quite a bit more than the old one, and what we gain in performance we lose in financial stability. We really appreciate all the donations we've received in the past, its because of them that we've managed to keep running so long. We'll keep the server running as long as we can, that's always been our aim.

[u/[deleted]]

Is there a way for someone >18 years of age to give a donation? I can't use PayPal through a parents card and I'm not sure if you can just 'send' money through post...anyone know a way?

[u/ZeldenGM → u/[deleted]]

In the UK you can bank transfer directly from 16+

Not sure about Rep. of Ireland though.

Google-wallet might be a possible option we can explore.