Publisher?s Club

[Virgil]

I'm just wondering, will it be possible to pay by mobile phone? I really want to actually contribute by buying this membership thingy, but I don't have access to a credit card or PayPal..

I think Amazon Payments does have some sort of a mobile phone option, but I'm not completely sure how all that works. It's not something I ever used.

In the article you mention that all premium users are automatically entered into all contests. From what i have seen in my year here, most contests are for USA/North America only. Does this mean you will be opening contests up to your friends across the pond?

We open them up as much as we can, when we have the option. Whenever it's a contest that involves a company giving us things to give away for them, their legal departments have the final say, and most of them tend to be in the US. It's a legal problem, not something that we want to do.

Unless more companies outside the US want to sponsor stuff through us it probably won't change much though. It will still affect things like beta keys and that sort of thing though, where we don't have to worry about it.

 

[mikecoulter]

I'd absolutely love to sign up for this. Makes me feel somewhat special, yet I'm unsure... Maybe soon.

 

[Jaqen Hghar]

Hmm. While having a custom title sounds sweet and all, I don't know if I can justify the cost. I mean... I don't post much here, and I don't watch that many of the videos that are posted. I am more of a lurker, who read the articles. Feels kind of wasteful to use money on a custom title when I am pretty sure not one person who reads this thread can remember me at all.

But hey, maybe I'll join this exclusive club someday. But for now, I guess I will have to stay outside the fence. Trying to peek in... *readies electric drill*

 

[Deadlock Radium]

I'm just wondering, will it be possible to pay by mobile phone? I really want to actually contribute by buying this membership thingy, but I don't have access to a credit card or PayPal..

I think Amazon Payments does have some sort of a mobile phone option, but I'm not completely sure how all that works. It's not something I ever used.

Hmm, well then, I need to check again, the Publisher's Club is something I want to join.
If I find a way to pay by phone, I'll probably give a little notice to how to do it for other non credit card owning members.

 

[sms_117b]

QUESTION : Is it open to people from EU?

From Jaredin's question, Australia as well?

Anywhere Amazon will take payments from. They like money, so I think they'll take them from nearly anywhere.

I wouldn't mind knowing a bit more about a few things:

The auto competetion entry, firstly being from the UK would I still be elegible as I'm not for most competitions the site runs and being automaticaly entered would me actually entering myself give me a second chance to win? I'm not hugely fussed, I'm just curious as it's a selling point.

Will video downloads be playable on BlackBerrys?

$20 a year does sound like a bargin, I'm very tempted, even just to support the site as I've grown to love it over the years I've been here and posting.

Sorry if you've already answered my questions but 6 pages of 35 posts a piece is a lot of stuff to go through to find out and it's late.....

 

[EMFCRACKSHOT]

In the article you mention that all premium users are automatically entered into all contests. From what i have seen in my year here, most contests are for USA/North America only. Does this mean you will be opening contests up to your friends across the pond?

We open them up as much as we can, when we have the option. Whenever it's a contest that involves a company giving us things to give away for them, their legal departments have the final say, and most of them tend to be in the US. It's a legal problem, not something that we want to do.

Unless more companies outside the US want to sponsor stuff through us it probably won't change much though. It will still affect things like beta keys and that sort of thing though, where we don't have to worry about it.

Thanks for clearing that up for me. I shall sign up tomorrow

 

[Sovvolf]

So, what will be in this Special publishers only section?. I mean, will it be just another off-topic section just for those who paid?... or is there any some thing special there for all us who pay.

 

[D_987]

I'm certainly not going to pay to use a website...however a few things irritate me about this service:

A custom title of your choice: We've only given out a handful of custom titles over the years, but you can claim a unique title of your own (within reason, of course). We'll even throw in a special badge for good measure.

This is the section that irritates me - really, you're now selling custom titles - making those titles earnt through winning contests or posting a lot completely pointless...I wouldn't pay just on principal...

Audience panel membership: Let our content team know which direction you think they should go by participating in opinion surveys and focus groups.

Wasn't there a user group created for this very purpose that was disbanded? Was it purposefully disbanded to make way for this paid membership group - if not, why was it disbanded if you're simply going to do the same thing?

 

[Zepren]

Is it open to like anyone from any country? Not "US-Only" or anything?

If it's available to me, count me as a member on friday once i get paid

 

[Russ Pitts]

I'm just saying, advertisers are less likely to work with sites with lower success rates and less ad views means less revenue from that source. If I wind up being right about the losses, I want Russ to buy me a puppy.

Dude, if you're right, you will probably have to buy ME a puppy.

That said, you're wrong. Sorry, man, but it's true.

Also, you're going to break your brain being so cynical. Lighten up. Go outside. Take a breath. Buy a Publisher's Club membership at The Escapist. Inhale. Exhale. Relax. Move on.

/fingergun

 

[MattAn24]

I'm certainly not going to pay to use a website...however a few things irritate me about this service:

A custom title of your choice: We've only given out a handful of custom titles over the years, but you can claim a unique title of your own (within reason, of course). We'll even throw in a special badge for good measure.

This is the section that irritates me - really, you're now selling custom titles - making those titles earnt through winning contests or posting a lot completely pointless...I wouldn't pay just on principal...

Audience panel membership: Let our content team know which direction you think they should go by participating in opinion surveys and focus groups.

Wasn't there a user group created for this very purpose that was disbanded? Was it purposefully disbanded to make way for this paid membership group - if not, why was it disbanded if you're simply going to do the same thing?

And finally, the home truths come out! After all that, it's simply a marketing gimmick. All of this stuff that could've easily been done for FREE. Selling titles is just extremely low of anyone. No one SELLS forum titles. I've seen -donations- go towards a colored username on forums, but that's it. And it was a $5 donation.

You're over-advertising things that really don't need to be sold. If ripoff isn't the right word then there has to be something damn close to it..

Blatantly/subliminally advertising it within posts, videos and system messages will also be a major dick move.

 

[Matt_LRR]

Spoiler: Snip

I'm certainly not going to pay to use a website...however a few things irritate me about this service:

A custom title of your choice: We've only given out a handful of custom titles over the years, but you can claim a unique title of your own (within reason, of course). We'll even throw in a special badge for good measure.

This is the section that irritates me - really, you're now selling custom titles - making those titles earnt through winning contests or posting a lot completely pointless...I wouldn't pay just on principal...

Audience panel membership: Let our content team know which direction you think they should go by participating in opinion surveys and focus groups.

Wasn't there a user group created for this very purpose that was disbanded? Was it purposefully disbanded to make way for this paid membership group - if not, why was it disbanded if you're simply going to do the same thing?

And finally, the home truths come out! After all that, it's simply a marketing gimmick. All of this stuff that could've easily been done for FREE. Selling titles is just extremely low of anyone. No one SELLS forum titles. I've seen -donations- go towards a colored username on forums, but that's it. And it was a $5 donation.

You're over-advertising things that really don't need to be sold. If ripoff isn't the right word then there has to be something damn close to it..

I believe the word you're looking for is "incentive".

-m

 

[Russ Pitts]

I have a question? will Zero Punctuation and other shows on The Escaptist still be free or will we have to pay to watch them?

All of the content you currently enjoy at The Escapist will remain available free of charge - unless you would like to watch those same shows in HQ video, our would like to view the site ad-free, or simply think that we're awesome, that content which gives you pleasure has inherent value, and that the content you enjoy (and those of us who make it our mission in life to bring it to you)deserve your monies.

 

[Russ Pitts]

I'm certainly not going to pay to use a website...however a few things irritate me about this service:

A custom title of your choice: We've only given out a handful of custom titles over the years, but you can claim a unique title of your own (within reason, of course). We'll even throw in a special badge for good measure.

This is the section that irritates me - really, you're now selling custom titles - making those titles earnt through winning contests or posting a lot completely pointless...I wouldn't pay just on principal...

Audience panel membership: Let our content team know which direction you think they should go by participating in opinion surveys and focus groups.

Wasn't there a user group created for this very purpose that was disbanded? Was it purposefully disbanded to make way for this paid membership group - if not, why was it disbanded if you're simply going to do the same thing?

Not to be a jerk here or anything, but I have to wonder why you're asking us questions about something you've already told us in no uncertain terms you won't be bothering to support? You're not giving me much incentive here to answer your questions, dude.

 

[Simalacrum]

Hmmmm... I'd love to, but I have one issue (and its a big one) - the high quality video's, one of the more significant incentives, takes AGES to load on my relatively reasonable Macbook. Still... I love The Escapist, and I'd love to support it, so I shall consider this subscription thing.

Few of questions:

How much is this in pounds?

Is there any chance we can get a members-only forum? I've noticed that trolls are incredibly prevalent these days on the forums and having an exclusive paid-forum would deal with that problem significantly... which leads onto my next question...

Will there be more features added at later dates for the members?And if so, will the price go up?

edit: wait! I have another question! Will we be able to retain our original titles (gone gonzo, etc), and will they still advance as we get more post counts, even as a member? Can we reset to the default titles if we change it, and decide we want our old ones back?

 

[Sovvolf]

Hmmmm... I'd love to, but I have one issue (and its a big one) - the high quality video's, one of the more significant incentives, takes AGES to load on my relatively reasonable Macbook. Still... I love The Escapist, and I'd love to support it, so I shall consider this subscription thing.

Few of questions:

How much is this in pounds?

Is there any chance we can get a members-only forum? I've noticed that trolls are incredibly prevalent these days on the forums and having an exclusive paid-forum would deal with that problem significantly... which leads onto my next question...

Will there be more features added at later dates for the members?And if so, will the price go up?

I think the members only forum is part of the perks of this, as for the pound question, I've asked the same thing but I've had no response yet. Maybe I'll get lucky as Russ seems to be on an answering spree atm. Though I honestly think it will just be £10.00 instead of $10.00 with the whole exchange rate being ignored... (however your best not hearing it from me as I'm not well versed in internet transactions)..Which is fine with me, I'd happily pay that, I just need to know how much I need to deposit into my bank to pay this thing in the morning.

 

[Almoturg]

If you add PayPal payment I'll subscribe immediately.

 

[D_987]

Not to be a jerk here or anything, but I have to wonder why you're asking us questions about something you've already told us in no uncertain terms you won't be bothering to support?
You're not giving me much incentive here to answer your questions, dude.

They're pretty much rhetorical questions - I don't (or didn't) expect a response. Although I am confused as to why you've just replied to me about answering said questions without answering them...surely there would be even less incentive to do so?

If you must know I asked those questions because I'm curious to know exactly why that original concept was scrapped, and why a similar, if not replica concept appears to have emerged under a paid membership. Of course this is all speculation - I don't know what these new "focus groups" will involve - then again, if you explain maybe people will gain a greater knowledge as to what you have planned and thus get involved in your subscription.

 

[DTWolfwood]

$10 sure i come here more than enough times a day at work to justify that ^-^

 

[LeonLethality]

I am now in the publishers club but it says join to enable when I want to change my title...