Paid Modding - Positive Brainstorming of Alternative Solutions

[TokkiMoon]

I'd like to use this thread similar to the one in the mod author's forum to brainstorm positive, constructive, alternative solutions for paid modding that keeps the community spirit that we have built intact.

 

I don't know if this solution has been mentioned yet, but one alternative solution to paid modding could be to tie a 30 second commercial ad to the endorsement button. Click *Endorse* and watch the commercial and 100% of the ad revenue generated from the endorse button on the mod author's page goes directly to the mod author's PayPal.

 

It could even include a drop-down choice of commercial type and duration, with a longer commercial view giving more revenue to the mod author.

 

Doesn't hit the pocketbook of the little guy, gives us a free way to send money to promote the artist, and gives companies an avenue to target their commercials to the gamer community.

 

If it works for services like Pandora and Hulu, I can see it working here as a small price to pay to make everyone a little bit happier.

 

What are your thoughts? Could this work? What other solutions can you think of that can keep this wonderful community together and still help support the mod artist?

[Meihyr]

I agree with your suggestion and FordPerfect's one. :thumbsup:

[FordPerfect]

Thank you. Please leave feedback in my thread as well, if you like the idea. :smile:

[ARViuff]

i already sugggested a alternative solution of sort in another thread

 

my idea were for modders to upload the newest version of their mods on steam and the latest outdated version on nexus

so steam will always be a few steps ahead of the free version.

 

i isn't a perfect solution but what is?

[PeggleFrank]

I'm assuming you're talking about the Workshop, because the Nexus doesn't have paid mods. Correct me if I'm wrong.

 

If I had to wait 30 seconds every time I endorsed a mod, I would never endorse a mod. Right now, I don't have to watch an ad for 30 seconds every time I endorse a mod, and I still don't bother endorsing mods (I'm a terrible person, I know). It's a very realistic alternative that isn't perfect and ideal like I'm sure everyone wants it to be, but to be honest, I would prefer having paid mods than an ad system for endorsements.

 

I wouldn't mind having one ad on every page of the Steam client, but that has some issues: one, adblock will probably never exist for the Steam client, meaning one ad per page would upset a lot more people than it would on a regular web page not accessed through the client; two, there's not really much to advertise, as Steam mainly relies on people buying games through the Steam service as a revenue stream, so it should be advertising games instead of the Steam service itself (which it already does and nobody really minds or dislikes it); and three, paid modding will eventually come back, even with ads on the steam client generating massive income; ads on the steam client will simply allow Steam to get bigger, and it will not prevent them from implementing paid mods in any way whatsoever; only postpone the implementation.

 

I think Chesko's original plan of releasing his mods and updates 1 month in advance for paid users was a good idea. He's not really around anymore, but I wouldn't mind if more modders started using that method. Implementing a system like that directly into the Workshop so that modders don't have to release their mods in multiple places would really help, I think.

 

Of course, I'm just rambling. The only solution that I feel really has any merit to it is the delayed updating system.

[VonBobberton]

I noticed this thread after I posted my other one. Sorry about the redundancy, I just got a little excited thinking about sharing this. Here goes!

 

Rather than a customer facing price system that subverts mods into low quality DLC, I propose that Bethesda and other developers directly reward modders that consistantly deliver added value to their IP through an opt-in program that rewards modders based on their number of subscribers. This opt-in program would have a threshold value for payouts of something like 10,000 subscribers before money could be earned. The payouts would be capped at something like 20% of net developer profits per month (not gross profits, mind you). The payout per subscriber per month would be determined by the total payout amount divided by the total number of mods over 10,000 subscribers times the pooled number of unique subscribers, while being capped at something like $0.01 per subscriber to prevent massive payouts to early creators while still sufficiently incentivizing them to be first. Restrictions would also be placed on mods that infringe on third party IP, so that they could not opt in to the program. Ideally, documentation would have to be submitted for approval to opt in. This model would go over much better with the community and the consumers, while recognizing and rewarding value creators without nickel and dime-ing the consumer to the point of frustration. Steam wouldn't need a direct cut from this as it would be part of their value proposal to potential developer customers since subscribers would need to be tracked through steam to verify purchases and they would already be profiting from their cut of the gross profits of the developer. This would also not stifle creative endeavors by the community outside of Steam while still incentivizing them to use the workshop platform.

This is what I see as both equitable and tenable for all parties involved. Feel free to make suggestions or share this idea where you think it may gain traction.