Come 2021... (Patreon)

So it has almost been a week since the tier proposal went up (thank you very much to everyone who participated in the poll) and I feel I should explain the reasoning behind my thinking.

TL; DC (too long, don’t care):  This Patreon needs to change in order to better balance what I can realistically produce, whilst also ensuring you Patrons continue getting value for money.  I also need to better organise this content being distributed because there’s way too much of it to be comfortably navigated on this site.

I’ll detail what I propose to do, going forward.  Key word: propose – nothing is set in stone just yet.

Why the New Tier System?

I asked myself this regarding the current Tier system: “Why are my Patrons paying more for content that will eventually appear publicly for free anyway?”

With the order switched around, it makes more sense for Flora-Fauna-Fen SURVIVE and Infurlation Redux to be the “tip-jar” projects (for wont of a better word), and the higher tiers to be the Patreon exclusive content.

Given the popularity of Poking Around, I know this won’t be a popular decision.  But as time has gone on, my comics have increasingly become more and more complex to produce.  This is especially true of Poking Around, which has long since evolved from its humble beginnings as an “I don’t like the Pocket Monsters franchise anymore” reactionary comic.

This leads me neatly as to why I propose to combine some Tier rewards.

I feel that combined Tiers will be a fairer system.  If I fail to produce a certain piece of content, then at least you’re bound to get something else, rather than nothing at all.  I’ve let down my higher-/ highest-tier subscribers too many times in the past with patchy output.

As it is, I’m thinking about dropping Bear With (or put it on hiatus) because four ongoing comics all at the same time is too much for me to handle. I also realise I’m not very good at writing that sort of comic.  At least with the combined Tier system, there will still be something of value…

Those Bland Tiers Names Though…

They are placeholders until I think of something more characteristically me.  Nothing has sprung to mind yet – I just happened to be watching someone’s review of Crash 4 at the time, and they weren’t happy about the Relics’ requirements.

What About the Old Content?

I’m thinking about using a Cloud-based service to collate and organise my past works so it’s far easier to get to what you want.  Having pledged to several Content Creators myself, I now understand the pain of trying to get to a specific something from one Content Creator.   I’m also concerned about being caught on the “can’t do that” radar, and content leaks.

At the time of writing this, I haven’t put any plans in motion, this is all hypothetical.  But I may do what one Creator does and message out the appropriate information instead, like a link or something.

What happens now?

In terms of December content, nothing, I’m afraid.  I’ve still two commissions left to do, both of which are big rather complex ones.  The good news is that I paused the billing cycle again, so anything that I produce that goes up this month is technically for free (to those who’ve already pledged and aren’t going to change tiers).  So please do enjoy what manifests.  As it is, I’ve scrubbed out my to-do list except for the two remaining pin-ups.

After Christmas and the New Year proper, I’ll decide what to do going forward.  My goal is to ensure I’m not working myself to the point of having a temper tantrum about it again, but also provide you Patrons value for money.  So if stuff starts changing, it won't be until February-time.  Probably. 

That is all.  Leave any thoughts and comments in the usual fashion; feedback much appreciated.

Stay safe, stay sane and thank you again.  I’ve attached a textless version of the image as a bonus for putting up with my blathering.