User created items are more hassle than they're worth. In terms of quality, needing pixelists to clean up the work, etc. I haven't seen any users that are on par with the pixelists/artists. If they were, they would be on the team right? Not trying to sound bitchy. In addition, that is some one else's bread and butter. Recently, there was an issue about CIs being late b/c of need for pixelists. I think wish was swamped. We need our pixelists/artists!

Sadrain~ Think of this. Cash shop or no Menewsha. Going to wander off before I become bitchy. >o>

I don't get the "I don't want the site to close down...but don't do this, that, and the other thing." Any option should be tossed around and evaluated at this point.

I don't think it would be TOO "elite", Assassin. if that could help any, it could be nice. I worry that the style of mene could get all messed up, though.

All the children of Gaia sites should join forces.

Emma, maybe I'm misunderstanding you here but I really don't understand how you can feel so strongly that YOU shouldn't have to pay for something you enjoy, but not realize that that mentality leaves the other party responsible for 100% of the bill.. That's not right, is it?

Are you okay with the site going under because the older people who run the site also have college to pay for, kids to feed, and lives of their own to fund, and are doing all of this in the very same economy that you complain about?

@ Assassin - That's interesting... artists contributing for an item an artist would value...

True it might spring "elitism"... but honestly... if menewsha had elitism I wouldn't be able to gleefully poke fun at jelly whenever I want and get away with it :lol:

I don't mind most other things, but cash shop... it would put off most users. D: Even more than me.

If you're worried about sites like Gaia, you have to keep in mind that Mene is not Gaia and cash shops are actually a good thing for a site because it does help pay for things that we might not have. I do not think Mene will be as out of control as Gaia. You have to think of the website as a business. Businesses need money to run there for you need to sell something. Items are something that every member can use.

Izu & my dear friends... I have MSN under my avatar.
xD;;
Just in case. And Facebook.

Anyways: Cash shop doesn't phase me on gaia. As long as we still get commons. Really.

... UGh, too fast. But seriously, My opinion is that Ads are ok, srsly, and possibly a cash shop, as long as the regular stuff keeps coming. And Random item thingies aren't that bad for me either.

GENERALLY, I like Nephilia's things.

That would be like deleting every different site it self, Kanna

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Well, then maybe not so many fast changing items in cash-shop then, but something more lasting? Yearly items, for example?

The main thing that turned me off of Gaia's cash shop is how much the focus shifted towards that. So many items were being released for it that it made my head spin. Every month almost it seems like there is a new RIG that you have to gamble with, among all of the evolving items and everything else.

Just make a few cash shop items, and keep spitting out commons, and I think everything would be fine, really.

Yearly items could be more expensive and stand trough the year. Maybe that could help any. There could be a set of them. maybe.

i'm not a huge fan of the 'cash shop' either... but think of it this way... people buy extra CI's to sell in their little shops for everyone else... is it really so different?

I understand. I, for one, do not want to see the artists or pixelists get overworked. But if you do user chosen, you could have a thread where you take maybe the top three choices that users give and then vote for it. The one (or maybe two if possible) could be made and sold for the same price as a CI or so for the month or two.

Well, if it doesn't turn out so that there is like, a huge set coming out every month, a cash shop could be bearable.
We could also do stuff like dA, have Tshirts, pins with NPCs and such in the cash shop, maybe. Maybe people would like that?

oh that's kind of a neat idea too, saddy... i mean, the npc's have like a cult following and fan clubs haha

User created items are not bringing in revenue. :) In fact, it's more work and focus on something that isn't important at this time. Revenue is numero uno right now.

Wow. *gets out a calculator*

If the expenses ARE $8,400 and say you scaled it down to 41,000 members (making a really loose assumption everyone has a mule)...just to break even those 41k members would each need to spend $5 in the cash shop to break even. :o

This is true, and i think that close communications with staff and artists to keep this as close to 'site expectations/standards' is going to be necessary to ensure that the 'image' of menewsha doesnt get 'lost' with all the different artists.

This would be part of the application process though, and also the need for the presentation of a portfolio of previous work? The staff would be able to use their descretion to pick the artist to create the particular piece they are after. Certain events, for example, could lend themselves to particular styles of art?

Yeah, Menewsha merchandise (that we can have irl) is a fun idea. xD The idea, itself, is fun, but it all depends on if Inso can make it happen.

@Demo
That idea has been brought up before, but it was demonstrated that right now, it wouldn't be profitable enough.

sad - I think your heart is in the right idea for menewshan merchandise, BUT if you're not willing to put $5 for CIs for whatever reason why would you shell out even more for such things? Not to mention it would be an expensive and risky endeavor as it might end up putting Inso further in the hole. :(

I was merely responding to a previous post. I just made the mistake of not quoting it and the thread moved so fast. The idea is still a fun one, though.

For a long time I thought that things like that would be a cute idea. I mean merch is cheap enough to make and you can make a profit off of it. I just hate how some members see things like that and think that it's "money hungry". I would so like my own Yumeh plushie!