Update Regarding Patreon Billing Annoucement (Patreon)

Hey everyone! Well, today started with an eventful morning. I received some news from Patreon regarding their future billing plans, which are not great for us "per creation creators," and then we had an earthquake (don't worry, we are okay!), but wow, what a start!

Before I get into the meat of it, here's a summary so you won't have to read my ramblings.

• Patreon is doing away with the "per creation" model in Nov 2025

• Due to Apple's rules regarding apps on the iOS store, they don't support a per-creation billing model with subscriptions through the app on Apple devices and, as such, have told Patreon they will pull their app if they still allow "per creation" billing.

• I have always intended to use a per-creation model because I enjoyed the flexibility it gave you all in how much you wanted to support my craft. Unfortunately, this will no longer be an option as of next year.

• There will not be any immediate changes to billing this year. I will start working with you, the community of DM Andy Maps, to create a tier monthly billing that feels fair and affordable starting in Q1 / Q2 of 2025.

• I will monitor the industry to see what the standards are for us map makers to ensure I can keep the lights on and a roof over my head, as well as continue to create maps that everyone can feel they can afford to support.

• For any subscriptions done through the iOS app store, Patreon is passing the 30% Apple fee to you, the customer. This means if you sign up for a monthly subscription via the app, you will pay 30% more, so I'm warning you all not to do this! If you sign up on the Patreon web or an Android device, you will not be tacked on that extra 30% Apple fee.

Okay, with that said, let's get into my thoughts on the matter.

When I started this page four years ago, I had a choice between subscription and "per creation." I chose per creation because I liked that it allowed you to select how many creations you wanted to support and still give you access to everything. I thought this was the best fit and, at the time, was getting sick of subscription models anyway (from a consumer perspective). I had no intentions of switching my billing model because, honestly, there are just too many subscriptions, and the last thing I want to do is give you all subscription fatigue. Additionally, I wanted to keep things simple so that I could release posts under one tier instead of dividing my maps into multiple tiers, each with its own rewards. Let's face it: I'd rather make maps than spend additional time writing 4 tiered posts per map release!

This morning, Patreon sent out an email to all of us creators, basically stating that Apple is not going to allow a "per creation" model as acceptable billing on all sign-ups via an iOS device and, as such, will not allow the app to be on the iOS store in Nov 2025. Due to this, Patreon will discontinue the per-creation billing at that time and force all of its creators to be on a monthly billing plan. This means that instead of paying $3 per map (up to your creation max) for the previous month's maps on the 1st of each month, you will be billed once a month from when you sign up at a flat rate based on the tier you chose to support.

I think Patreon should pull the app from the Apple store and allow us to keep the billing as is. This will impact several large creators, including larger map makers in the community (Such as Tom Cartos and Cze & Peku!). However, Patreon does not seem inclined to lose its ability to keep its app on the Apple store and is allowing Apple to dictate its business model. I disagree with this, but I don't exactly have a say in the matter.

Even worse, Apple charges app developers a 30% transaction fee for each sale made for those users who choose to sign up via their iOS device. Patreon is passing this onto us, the creators, and giving us the choice of eating that fee or passing it to you, the customer. Both are really terrible things to put onto both us, the creators, and you, the customer. However, I will be opting out of absorbing the fee because I don't want to increase my prices to account for an extra 30% fee that Apple wants to take from us all. Instead, I will encourage everyone to sign up via the web or an Android device, not Apple, so you won't have to pay that extra (seriously, don't give Apple any more money; they don't need it). To reiterate, if you sign up for the monthly plan on the web, you will not have to pay this extra 30% charge. It's only for those who sign up for a subscription via the iOS subscription model (many iPhone users are probably familiar with in-app subs using their phones).

This will not impact anyone right now, and I don't plan on taking any action until at least Q1 or Q2 of next year. I want to monitor the industry, see if Patreon (or Apple) makes any changes to the plan, and also see how some of my fellow map makers transition if they choose to do so so I can consider the industry standards for billing.

Once I am at the point where it looks like I have no choice but to switch, I will be engaging you, the community, on working together to create a tiered subscription plan that is fair, affordable, and you feel you get the value of maps that you are looking for. I'm trying my best not to jack up the prices for everyone because my goal has always been community first. However, this is my core source of income at the moment, and, like you all, I have bills to pay and lights to keep on. Additionally, I use a good chunk of my earnings here to put back into the art community. I've been paying a human artist each month to create unique and personalized assets for me to help further bring my maps to life. I also have many software subscriptions that keep my map work going so I can continue to hone my craft. My goal will be to create a tiered plan that works for as many people as possible without tanking my business income as much as I can. It'll definitely be a fine balance, but I plan to be fully open and transparent with you all. This was the last thing I wanted to do, but at some point next year, I won't have much of a choice but to convert to subscription billing.

Additionally, I'll be looking at creating multiple ways to engage with my maps and support my craft, including Ko-Fi's subscription plan, their marketplace, and perhaps other platforms so you all have your choice of platform. Of course, I am a one-man army here, so I need to ensure I'm not spending most of my time doing admin work, which would detract from the core thing I want to do: make maps!  

So, if you support other per-creation creators, send them a nice message today because this news has been a rough day for us all. But know that I am determined to work with you all to create a price structure that is fair and honest! I would not even have a business if it was not for you all, and I want to do what is best for my community first and foremost. I owe so much to you all for your continued support, and I hope this news does not dishearten any of you.

So, in short, nothing will happen right now or even this year. But this is my way of giving you a creator's perspective on the changes that you probably have heard by now. My eternal thanks to you all, and I will continue to keep you all posted as changes are figured out and outlined.

With much love!

Cheers,

DM Andy