Alternate Cashout ideas

[slowcheetah]

A FEW OF US PLAYERS WERE SITTING IN CHAT DISCUSSING WHAT COULD POSSIBLY BE DONE ABOUT IMPROVING NOT ONLY THE LEVEL OF EXCITEMENT IN THE GAME...BUT WOULD ALSO BE MONETARILY BENEFICIAL FOR THE GAME AS WELL.  ONE OF THE SUGGESTIONS WAS TO INSTEAD OF HAVING CASH OUTS...HAVE MONTHLY PRIZES.  WE FEEL THAT THIS WOULD ATTRACT MORE "SERIOUS" PLAYERS THEREFORE DETERRING THE PEOPLE THAT ARE LOOKING FOR A "QUICK BUCK" IT WOULD ALSO ENTICE THE COMPETITIVENESS IN US ALL TO COME OUT AND PLAY!  WHAT DO YOU THINK? :?:  :!:  :?:

EDIT: Changed title to a more descriptive one - Jason

[Spyderman]

Once folks see that on the homepage that they can make money so that will give them an idea to play the game and make a quick buck and then quit playing or keep on playing the game just for 1 purpose that is for the money.

There is folks that plays the game just for fun that enjoy the competition and meeting cool folks in the chat which its the best thing of them all.

I believe that they should stop with the cash out completely so the folks can enjoy the game and be part of a big family cause thats what we are is a family.

I really like your idea Gena about it and have monthly prizes instead of cashing out. I think they should have some kind of competitions for the folks that just plays the game for fun and also Rick or Jason or Krista can have another monthly settlement contest again and like what Ben & I mention about a weekly drawing again.

[funschine]

I Love Gena's Idea:) I think it would be a huge improvement. The game would also save a lot of money as well as still generating money from subs.  This will give more resources for improving the game. You could also advertise the game on facebook with the money saved and I am sure that will bring lots more subscriptions:)

[mef623]

My first thought to the suggestion was that I wasn't a big fan, since part of the fun of the game is being able to cash out and there are a number of people who have put cash into the game.  But the more I think about it, the more I think that the idea is workable under the right circumstances.  I hope the OP doesn't mind if I add a few suggestions:

1) Monthly prizes would be in a raffle form, where you used your MD to buy tickets.  The owners could adjust the number of prizes based on how much cash is available.  Since they have their butts on the line by running the game, the owners should get a profit before putting the rest of the cash into the prize pool.  Prizes could be meaningful but not outrageous, such as $25 per prize.

2) Subscribers get some sort of benefit along the lines of 1/2 price raffle tickets.  Hey, subscribers keep the game going.  They should get a benefit.  Subscriptions could continue to be bought with either cash or MD, say, something along the lines of 100K MD=1 month subscription.

This game is definitely on the way back up.  Let's keep it going!

Mike

[slowcheetah]

My first thought to the suggestion was that I wasn't a big fan, since part of the fun of the game is being able to cash out and there are a number of people who have put cash into the game.  But the more I think about it, the more I think that the idea is workable under the right circumstances.  I hope the OP doesn't mind if I add a few suggestions:

1) Monthly prizes would be in a raffle form, where you used your MD to buy tickets.  The owners could adjust the number of prizes based on how much cash is available.  Since they have their butts on the line by running the game, the owners should get a profit before putting the rest of the cash into the prize pool.  Prizes could be meaningful but not outrageous, such as $25 per prize.

2) Subscribers get some sort of benefit along the lines of 1/2 price raffle tickets.  Hey, subscribers keep the game going.  They should get a benefit.  Subscriptions could continue to be bought with either cash or MD, say, something along the lines of 100K MD=1 month subscription.

This game is definitely on the way back up.  Let's keep it going!

Mike

I don't mind the suggestions at all!!  And you have some good ones here!

[benh7777]

I think converting the cashout to a monthly drawing would work.
Like mef was saying, raffle form I think would work best. Could look something like this....

$250.00 for grand prize....(however many points needed to enter drawing)
15,000 moves.................(however many points needed to enter drawing)
Red star .........................(however many points needed to enter drawing)
25k, 10k, 5k, 1k cards......"                                                                  "
1 free competition............"                                                                  "
                                                             
If you have enough points to enter the top drawing, then obviously you have the chance to win the lesser prizes if not successful in the first.        

the prize list could be anything, 250 may be too high, maybe be more, I have no idea what the game brings in or could afford, but a cash prize for the #1 drawing would be more attractive, especially for newer players.

Also, the ability to buy points to enter a drawing would be fitting in addition to earning them or converting whatever from gameplay.

I think a subscription should stay as a purchase only, not able to be earned from gameplay.

to promote subscriptions maybe a sub gets so many free points to enter the monthly drawing.

[QueenSheba]

I think converting the cashout to a monthly drawing would work.
Like mef was saying, raffle form I think would work best. Could look something like this....

$250.00 for grand prize....(however many points needed to enter drawing)
15,000 moves.................(however many points needed to enter drawing)
Red star .........................(however many points needed to enter drawing)
25k, 10k, 5k, 1k cards......"                                                                  "
1 free competition............"                                                                  "
                                                             
If you have enough points to enter the top drawing, then obviously you have the chance to win the lesser prizes if not successful in the first.        

the prize list could be anything, 250 may be too high, maybe be more, I have no idea what the game brings in or could afford, but a cash prize for the #1 drawing would be more attractive, especially for newer players.

Also, the ability to buy points to enter a drawing would be fitting in addition to earning them or converting whatever from gameplay.

I think a subscription should stay as a purchase only, not able to be earned from gameplay.

to promote subscriptions maybe a sub gets so many free points to enter the monthly drawing.

IMO, I think changing the structure of "Payouts" to raffle drawings will have a negative effect on the game. It will make Exodus3000 just like all the other game sites where you collect your points and purchase tickets to enter raffles that you have no chance of winning. Many game sites that I have played at have disappeared after changing to a ticket prize structure.

I think a MD's for prizes would be a better way to go.
Eg:
1,000,000 MD's = an Exodus3000 mouse pad,
there are many cheap prizes that Exodus could acquire to offer as prizes for an MD exchange by the players.

Some of the gifts that could be offered are:
> Exodus3000 Stickers,
> Exodus3000 Pen,
> Exodus3000 Hat,
> Exodus3000 T-Shirt,
> USB Personal Fan,
> USB Game Pad,
> Exodus3000 Wrist Watch,
> Exodus3000 Clock,
 and on up to larger prizes, such as:
> LCD Monitor,
> MP3 Players,
> Wireless Keyboard and Mouse.
> Laptop Computer.
> $25 Visa Debit Cards.
> $50 Visa Debit Cards.
> $100 Visa Debit Cards.

These are just a few examples of prizes that could be offered for an MD exchange. Shipping and handling could also included in the MD value of the prize (gift).

[mef623]

I think converting the cashout to a monthly drawing would work.
Like mef was saying, raffle form I think would work best. Could look something like this....

$250.00 for grand prize....(however many points needed to enter drawing)
15,000 moves.................(however many points needed to enter drawing)
Red star .........................(however many points needed to enter drawing)
25k, 10k, 5k, 1k cards......"                                                                  "
1 free competition............"                                                                  "
                                                             
If you have enough points to enter the top drawing, then obviously you have the chance to win the lesser prizes if not successful in the first.        

the prize list could be anything, 250 may be too high, maybe be more, I have no idea what the game brings in or could afford, but a cash prize for the #1 drawing would be more attractive, especially for newer players.

Also, the ability to buy points to enter a drawing would be fitting in addition to earning them or converting whatever from gameplay.

I think a subscription should stay as a purchase only, not able to be earned from gameplay.

to promote subscriptions maybe a sub gets so many free points to enter the monthly drawing.

IMO, I think changing the structure of "Payouts" to raffle drawings will have a negative effect on the game. It will make Exodus3000 just like all the other game sites where you collect your points and purchase tickets to enter raffles that you have no chance of winning. Many game sites that I have played at have disappeared after changing to a ticket prize structure.

I think a MD's for prizes would be a better way to go.
Eg:
1,000,000 MD's = an Exodus3000 mouse pad,
there are many cheap prizes that Exodus could acquire to offer as prizes for an MD exchange by the players.

Some of the gifts that could be offered are:
> Exodus3000 Stickers,
> Exodus3000 Pen,
> Exodus3000 Hat,
> Exodus3000 T-Shirt,
> USB Personal Fan,
> USB Game Pad,
> Exodus3000 Wrist Watch,
> Exodus3000 Clock,
 and on up to larger prizes, such as:
> LCD Monitor,
> MP3 Players,
> Wireless Keyboard and Mouse.
> Laptop Computer.
> $25 Visa Debit Cards.
> $50 Visa Debit Cards.
> $100 Visa Debit Cards.

These are just a few examples of prizes that could be offered for an MD exchange. Shipping and handling could also included in the MD value of the prize (gift).

I understand exactly what you are saying and I had the same reaction you did.  But here's where the problem lies: This game is a lot of fun, but it has traditionally had a very hard time generating cash.  I've been playing pretty much since Day 1 and the problem has always been the same.  

Believe me, I LOVE your idea, but we will eventually run into the same problem we have now: Too many requests for prizes chasing too little cash.  That's why I'm beginning to like the raffle idea more and more: True, only a few people will win prizes and some will definitely desert the game, but the new owners will be able to guarantee that prizes will be paid, since they will only offer as many each month as they can afford.

Mike

[jtokarsbr]

Doesn't this raffle thing turn E3K into more of a gambling event than a game with a chance of earning some cash. With the raffle, its just chance. Whereas even if you are a player who simply enjoys the game, regardless of how skilled you are at the game, you are still subject to chance when it comes to getting any real moula. Again, i know that making money is not some of our main reasons for playing the game, but as it stand, YOU control how much you come out with.

[mef623]

Doesn't this raffle thing turn E3K into more of a gambling event than a game with a chance of earning some cash. With the raffle, its just chance. Whereas even if you are a player who simply enjoys the game, regardless of how skilled you are at the game, you are still subject to chance when it comes to getting any real moula. Again, i know that making money is not some of our main reasons for playing the game, but as it stand, YOU control how much you come out with.

But that's the problem: Many people have been waiting for more than a year to get paid out, because the previous owner set a cashout rate and then wasn't able to make enough money to cover it.  I promise you, the current owners would love to be able to promise a payout rate and then pay everyone, but this game doesn't earn enough money to pay out everyone all the money they are owed.  We either need to raise more money severely raise the amount required for cashout.

I've suggested an idea for raising money here,(<--click me) but we need lots more, in combination with cutbacks on the ability to cash out, in order to maintain the current system.

Mike

[jtokarsbr]

Rick has repeatedly stated that the cashout problem is being solved. Payouts are catching up with the back log.

[AvsAddict]

Rick has repeatedly stated that the cashout problem is being solved. Payouts are catching up with the back log.

This is true, if the game were caught up, everything would be fine, however, the backlog is the problem.  We are catching up, but slowly.

[mef623]

Rick has repeatedly stated that the cashout problem is being solved. Payouts are catching up with the back log.

That's perfect, but as Rick pointed out, it's going to take a while.

Believe me, I understand EXACTLY where you are coming from.  I'd love to keep the game the way it is.  But we have to be realistic about the earnings potential of the game.  The plus side is that all three of the owners have been around for a while and not only know how the game functions but also understand the frustration of the people who are waiting to be paid.  I have no doubt they have a lot of good ideas for the game.  

But they also understand the limitations of the game.  The current cashout level is 300,000 MD=$20.  I can get 300,000 MD in less than a month, and if I can do it, a lot of people can.  Which means either:

A) The game has to earn enough to pay several people a lot of money every month.  That would obviously be everyone's top choice, but it's also the most difficult, by a long shot.  I'll leave it up to Rick and Co.  to determine a realistic potential earnings level.

B) The payout rate has to change.  I would love to see a dynamic payout level, as other sites have, where the conversion amount changes based on the dollars available to cash out.

C) Some other method of "paying" players has to be found.  Many, including myself, have suggested a raffle.  I understand why this method isn't necessarily the most popular, but it looks to me as if it is the most pragmatic.

Mike

[jtokarsbr]

But they also understand the limitations of the game.  The current cashout level is 300,000 MD=$20.  I can get 300,000 MD in less than a month, and if I can do it, a lot of people can.

But:

Rick has repeatedly stated that the cashout problem is being solved. Payouts are catching up with the back log.

This is true, if the game were caught up, everything would be fine, however, the backlog is the problem.  We are catching up, but slowly.

[mef623]

But they also understand the limitations of the game.  The current cashout level is 300,000 MD=$20.  I can get 300,000 MD in less than a month, and if I can do it, a lot of people can.

But:

Rick has repeatedly stated that the cashout problem is being solved. Payouts are catching up with the back log.

This is true, if the game were caught up, everything would be fine, however, the backlog is the problem.  We are catching up, but slowly.

Don't get me wrong, like you, I am hoping that everything will get caught up and that they will be able to pay $20 per 300k MD without any of the changes that I suggested.  I'm just not sure what the earning potential of the game is over the long term.  I guess I'm nervous that it will be virtually impossible to sustain payouts at the rate they are available.

Mike