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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Dire Bare" data-source="post: 8203766" data-attributes="member: 18182">Ultimately, if you don't like the subscription model of Patreon, that's fine of course. Don't subscribe to any. But a lot of folks complaints about this model boil down to a few judgement errors, all IMO of course . . . .Judgement Error #1: Subscriptions result in micro-content pushed out too rapidly for quality control. When creatives produce a subscription service, there IS a lot of pressure to come up with something NEW and EXCITING on a regular basis. This potentially can exhaust an artist creatively. We've all seen YouTube videos from influencers striving to put new content in front of their fans that are just . . . . kind of empty. But how is this any different from Dragon Magazine back in the day, with that looming monthly deadline for the next issue? Quality, or the lack thereof, isn't inherent to this model, it's inherent in the creative process, regardless of how the content is being delivered. Hell, I've purchased more than a few hardcover RPG books that were rushed and/or of low quality. It certainly IS easier to deliver micro-content (like a magazine article) on a regular basis than a full-blown book, but 1) micro-content isn't bad content, 2) it can be later collected in a traditional book form, and 3) not all Patreon creators actually deal in micro-content. However, most RPGs are PERFECT for micro-content like character options, monsters/adversaries, and adventure "scenes" (encounters).Judgement Error #2: If a creator decides to start a subscription service, that means that they are giving up on making the kind of product that I want. This is marriage of fan entitlement (as a big fan, I know what's best for the thing, and I deserve a say in how it's being created) and the theory of limited good (there's only so much "good" out there, and if you waste it . . . . ). Crowdfunding options like Kickstarter and Patreon don't take away from our industry, as creators or fans . . . they only expand our options and the ability to get content out there. Making a living as an artist or creator is HARD, many talented artists haven't given it a go for that reason, and many who have eventually give up, and those who stick with it often sacrifice financial stability (raising a family, preparing for retirement). They deserve to explore every option that can shake up that reality, and crowdfunding is certainly doing that for many creators in a variety of fields. I find the armchair quarterbacking from entitled fans a bit tone deaf on this. And as a result of Patreon alone, we are getting SO MUCH MORE content from so many incredibly talented artists than ever before! It's overwhelming how much good visual art, music, narrative fiction, game design, and so much more is out there now! On the idea of limited good . . . . if the folks behind my favorite game are "wasting their time" making products that I don't like, then they are NOT making the products that I do like. They WOULD be making those products if it weren't for this fancy crowdfunding FAD. Sure, possibly, if Green Ronin wasn't going to start an M&M Patreon, maybe instead they would publish a new M&M hardcover. Sure. But . . . . 1) they can still do that, 2) publishing a more traditional book supplement doesn't equate to MORE or higher quality content, and 3) maybe, without the revenue from the Patreon, they would instead simply cancel the M&M line completely.There certainly are challenges in delivering content via subscription model . . . . but they are simply different challenges than the traditional model, not extra challenges that make the subscription model a foolish, faddish option. Will Green Ronin's M&M Patreon be successful? Only time will tell, but I have a lot of faith in Chris Pramas, Steve Kenson, Crystal Frasier, and the rest of the GR team.</blockquote>

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