Recently, this forum has been full of hate, and that's expected. Many, if not all, are saddened by the significant drop in activity. This has been emblematic of the declining nature of RuneScape (our niche) and somewhat the response we had to the bot nuke and many other events that occurred within the game. We did our best to address this, although a majority of our traffic was actually attributed to RuneScape botting.
Instead, @"Mike" and I decided to expand into gaming, and we were excited to do so, just lacked the funds. We've also had other things within our life such as our final year of schooling and planning our futures. We've still monitored the forum investing time, care and money to bring what we can and what's possible in such a sticky scenario. With RuneScape dying, our advertising has been futile and activity has dropped to 1/3 of what it was. This isn't just our forum, it's been a universal effect on forums based on RS.
One of our responses was to introduce RuneScape hacking which had seen the increase in hacking, RATting, phishing, recovering and other fraudulent activity which I've never supported, and still see as a negative impact on society, but have ensured it remained on the forum for the overall benefit of Rune Gear. Honestly, I've never wanted to run a forum which endorsed hacking of game accounts or fraudulent activity - it brings an unsafe feeling generally and an unwelcoming community which is evident.
Mike and I run this forum as a part-time thing, not getting paid. It's our hobby, not our business, not our job, nothing. We don't get famous of this, we don't make money from this, we only gain experience. Members need to remember, if something happens and RG gets taken down, we will be sad, but we will not be devastated. Everything comes to end, but we sincerely hope this isn't it, and both have agreed that we will continue to work on RG for the upcoming years. We both are going in different pathways, but I can see myself managing RG for the years to come, whether it's based around RS, gaming, general discussion or whatever.
I just needed to get that off my chest so users can understand. This forum is not something you pay off, it's not your right to come on this forum and have the best time ever by hurting others, insulting, flaming, etc. We're not obligated to bend over and kiss your ass. We're all here as members trying to enjoy a community, and that wouldn't be existent without us - we take money to pay for hosting, take money for features, etc. I never thought I'd do this, but features on this forum cost money!
RG Vouches: $100 - My own money.
RG Nudges: $120 - My own money.
RS Account Merger: $320 - My own money.
Hidden content: $60 - My own money.
Status Updates: $20 - My own money.
Hosting: 4 months dedicated server: $800
14 months hosting: $200
Theme designs: $150
RSGP Giveaways in contests: 800M/$400
IPB: $330
Miscellaneous things for the forum: $300 (advertising, etc)
Total: $2800 - My own money.
As you can see, I've spent thousands of dollars for this forum, possibly more, which I didn't have to. I could have banked it and purchased myself some new clothes, games, electronics, saved up for a car, etc. But no, I put it back into the forum so the members could enjoy it. The least I can get in return, as well as Mike, is some respect that we provide you. Didn't get staff, get over it, didn't get an award, move on and send us a PM if you think you really deserve it. We award Staff to those who are patient, since we see a position on the team as a long-term thing, so we need to be sure you're worthy of the position.
Anyway, that's enough for this. One more thing, Mike and I are planning on expanding soon with new updates and an advertising campaign, and we will be changing the rules soon to follow the law, so if we see a 50% decrease in members, then that's fine. Although it'll ensure our uptime which is something we want to be sure of.
- The Elite
RG Management
Instead, @"Mike" and I decided to expand into gaming, and we were excited to do so, just lacked the funds. We've also had other things within our life such as our final year of schooling and planning our futures. We've still monitored the forum investing time, care and money to bring what we can and what's possible in such a sticky scenario. With RuneScape dying, our advertising has been futile and activity has dropped to 1/3 of what it was. This isn't just our forum, it's been a universal effect on forums based on RS.
One of our responses was to introduce RuneScape hacking which had seen the increase in hacking, RATting, phishing, recovering and other fraudulent activity which I've never supported, and still see as a negative impact on society, but have ensured it remained on the forum for the overall benefit of Rune Gear. Honestly, I've never wanted to run a forum which endorsed hacking of game accounts or fraudulent activity - it brings an unsafe feeling generally and an unwelcoming community which is evident.
Mike and I run this forum as a part-time thing, not getting paid. It's our hobby, not our business, not our job, nothing. We don't get famous of this, we don't make money from this, we only gain experience. Members need to remember, if something happens and RG gets taken down, we will be sad, but we will not be devastated. Everything comes to end, but we sincerely hope this isn't it, and both have agreed that we will continue to work on RG for the upcoming years. We both are going in different pathways, but I can see myself managing RG for the years to come, whether it's based around RS, gaming, general discussion or whatever.
I just needed to get that off my chest so users can understand. This forum is not something you pay off, it's not your right to come on this forum and have the best time ever by hurting others, insulting, flaming, etc. We're not obligated to bend over and kiss your ass. We're all here as members trying to enjoy a community, and that wouldn't be existent without us - we take money to pay for hosting, take money for features, etc. I never thought I'd do this, but features on this forum cost money!
RG Vouches: $100 - My own money.
RG Nudges: $120 - My own money.
RS Account Merger: $320 - My own money.
Hidden content: $60 - My own money.
Status Updates: $20 - My own money.
Hosting: 4 months dedicated server: $800
14 months hosting: $200
Theme designs: $150
RSGP Giveaways in contests: 800M/$400
IPB: $330
Miscellaneous things for the forum: $300 (advertising, etc)
Total: $2800 - My own money.
As you can see, I've spent thousands of dollars for this forum, possibly more, which I didn't have to. I could have banked it and purchased myself some new clothes, games, electronics, saved up for a car, etc. But no, I put it back into the forum so the members could enjoy it. The least I can get in return, as well as Mike, is some respect that we provide you. Didn't get staff, get over it, didn't get an award, move on and send us a PM if you think you really deserve it. We award Staff to those who are patient, since we see a position on the team as a long-term thing, so we need to be sure you're worthy of the position.
Anyway, that's enough for this. One more thing, Mike and I are planning on expanding soon with new updates and an advertising campaign, and we will be changing the rules soon to follow the law, so if we see a 50% decrease in members, then that's fine. Although it'll ensure our uptime which is something we want to be sure of.
- The Elite
RG Management