Like I suggested, urban fantasy crowd, without the goth. Plenty of grown-ups read vampire and "vampire" books. And werewolf books.

Just a brainstorm, that's all. :)

And goths aren't that bad to throw in, too, maybe not a whole lot, but still a bit.

@ Assassin - maybe offering a special NPC item for helping the site? Like a medal? That way they could sell it for gold for helping the site or proudly keep it for themselves to wear?

When looking at the graph of how much is brought in via paypal and SMS, I was disheartened to see the low amount for July. But the month isn't over so that amount will probably be a little higher. I assume that one goal is to increase the number of users who can donate and will donate to the site, correct? A premium membership idea would not be a bad one as long as it isn't done to where those who purchase it become "elite" as someone claimed. Could it be done? I believe so. Just a matter of what special features you offer. Maybe a premium membership could be bought in one month, three months, or yearly periods. Some features could be that for each month that you are a premium member you are given 500 to 1000 (or any reasonable amount) of gold. Also, increase the amount of gold from maxing out games to 750 for them. Shot, maybe even up the 20 gold limit to 30 or 40 for them. Of course, I don't know how much extra work it would bring.

To be honest, I don't think of anime when I see the avatars on here so I wasn't drawn into the anime appeal of Mene. I got into Menewsha when I met some of the community.

Argh, I want to go donate right now! But I can't QQ Mene must survive!

I don't think anything should be picked MAJORLY, just more sort of things broguth in.

Danke.

I figure if we're here for the items etc, ive seen a lot of people who can do pixel art like we have here, and the various images about the site, why not open that up to artists who are willing too?

Those who use it, can also help create it. It allows the members an even further connection with and for the site by knowing that, even if they personally havent made the art/item, that one amongst them has.

i think the hard part is finding a base of users who are older (as in wield credit cards) and also still enjoy this kind of activity... hmmmmm...

that's pretty insightful, cica... and i think you are right! there are many who enjoy not just the "villain' part of it... but things like fairies, witches, etc.

I think it would get uninteresting for those who are not into it, too,, if Mene was made into vamp/werewolf site.

I am for Ads, mayeb some small membership additions, but nothing too major...

I think the members creating items thing was shot down a while ago. I can't remember exactly why though. They did hold a user made item contest that was fun though.

Very sad.
I actually stopped donating to GaiaOnline so I could donate more to Menewsha a couple months ago.
I hope things change around!

Exactly what i was thinking. I think those type of items should be 'account bound' somehow, so that they cant be sold, otherwise their non-monetary value in the community would be greatly decreased. If anyone can get their hands on those items they just dont hold the same sort of 'special' appeal.

I believe quality control is one reason and that it would create more work for the pixelist.

Gaia must make money due to ads though. I don't mean ads FOR gaia. But hosting ads for other sites. Could we make more revenue? It should lessen the burden, right? I don't know the intricacies of such stuff, but an idea.
Note, I did not read the past 9 pages.... Just logged on.

I understand all these costs though, and unfortunately this is the cost of an amazing site. But if it helps keep Mene alive, I seriously wouldn't complain about ads on the sides of the site that don't interfere with the middle. I have a ton of empty blue space on the screen to the right and left.

@ assassin - Kind of like a "I supported mene" badge? True... but there would need to be ways other than art ad coding... since personally I want to help the site... but I can't draw and I can't code...

That wouldn't be too bad, Sparkley. C:

Other than special memberships, there is nothing else that I can think of at this time for boosting revenue from within the site. Which means, there is only one thing we can do right now.

Cut expenses

What does that mean? Means less new items per month, less new flash games, etc. But if there is a deficit, and you run a company, you do what you can to fix that deficit. It means that it might be harder to keep veteran people, but unless we get a lot of new blood in here and soon, there isn't much we can do, D:

Yes, when i first joined up it was Halloween and they had a user designed item contest. I think i got a placing in that actually.

I realise that having the users create the items and site graphics does create reliability problems, especially when things are not delivered on time or to standard etc. Im sure that processes could be worked out as far as that goes though.

I think some objections to that was the elitism that my occur? I dunno.
*shrugs*

But, we really don't need new games. They were pretty and shiny and fun, but I was content with tetris.
And I don't think that the new blood will be more willing to pay....