Messages

4966

Wiki / Re: Can't use wiki due to toolbar

« on: March 02, 2011, 06:59:28 PM »

Can you post or send me a screenshot, so I know what it looks like? That would help finding out what's going on.

4967

BM General Discussion / MOVED: Can't use wiki due to toolbar

« on: March 02, 2011, 06:58:53 PM »

This topic has been moved to Wiki.

http://forum.battlemaster.org/index.php?topic=80.0

4968

This Forum / Re: Opt-In Advertisement

« on: March 02, 2011, 03:05:47 PM »

How much do you get per click or per add active? maybe it will be worthwhile to show players how much, in terms of money, there personally contributing to the game.

I will do that if it sticks, just like I show how much donations I've received. But I only get sum totals, it's impossible to attribute it to specific users.

4969

This Forum / Re: Opt-In Advertisement

« on: March 02, 2011, 02:38:32 PM »

Actually, egamma, I've just had the same thought not an hour ago.

Yes, I think the ads don't fit into BM itself. But here on the forum, or on the Wiki, they would be much less immersion-breaking.

4970

This Forum / Re: Opt-In Advertisement

« on: March 02, 2011, 08:11:21 AM »

Well, you don't have the option to opt-out. You have to opt-in - unless you explicitly say "I want to see ads" in your user options, you will never see them. ;-)

I find it an important difference. "opt out" is the spam model - "we bombard you with ads, you can say no, let's see if you can say no faster than we multiply". Opt-in is the model for adults - "unless I know you want it, I will assume that you don't".

4971

This Forum / Re: Opt-In Advertisement

« on: March 02, 2011, 06:39:19 AM »

I think I understand where you're coming from. As I said myself, I strictly dislike ads myself, I have AdBlock installed into all my browsers, etc. For me, this is one of the most daring experiments, ever.

Also, I have to correct something, and Luegg is right. Digging deeper into Google AdSense, it turns out that there is a small percentage of ads that pay CPM - "per thousand views". From the little data I could gather yesterday, it's 0.5% of the total views, which turns out to be about 13 views - far below the threshold of paying anything at all. So it's negliegable.

4972

This Forum / Re: Opt-In Advertisement

« on: March 01, 2011, 11:49:16 PM »

Here is the big question, and perhaps this is due to my ignorance of how internet advertising works:

I am fairly positive I will never click an ad, I just don't ever do that. So, if I opt-in, and never click on an ad, am I still helping Battlemaster out? Or do I need to click them in order for it to actually help at all?

It only generates revenue on clicks. Many, many years ago money was paid for views, but I don't think anyone does that anymore.

4973

This Forum / Forum Username Fix

« on: March 01, 2011, 07:57:12 PM »

Until I've fixed the backend so you can update yourself - if you want your forum username changed, please post here and I'll do it manually. I would strongly prefer if only people who currently have their e-mail address or something else entirely unacceptable, and those who would prefer "John Doe" over their current "JohnDoe2" could live with the current one for a few more days.

4974

Other Games / Re: Dungeons & Dragons Online (DDO)

« on: March 01, 2011, 07:55:04 PM »

But I heard they did some updates since I played it (big ones) a year or so ago. Why'd you pick it over all others, Tom?

It's acceptably well done and fun, which puts it on par with a selection of other games, but the F2P/Shop/VIP combo means that it satisfies our needs best. We have times of playing intensely, where we don't mind paying a monthly fee because we easily get it out in fun. But we have other periods where we don't play much, and most games offer either no option or a full pause. With DDO we can switch to F2P and continue playing on a less active level (once a week or only every few weeks). Then, when we have more time again, switch back to VIP, or if it's a short period, buy an adventure pack and play that through.

The second deciding factor is that we like the pace. We're not much into PvP (though LOTROs was a lot of fun and very well done) and we prefer a slightly slower pace, e.g. during combat I don't want to hammer on keys, I prefer having a few seconds to think things through.

4975

This Forum / Re: Opt-In Advertisement

« on: March 01, 2011, 07:50:42 PM »

I think that adds (even if opt in) are a step in the wrong direction.

Battlemaster is special and adds will make it less so.

Thanks. I'm well aware that this is totally un-BattleMaster. I have several reasons for going this route, one being as I mentioned that people have actually asked if there's a non-donation way they can contribute.

I'm interested in knowing why you think it is wrong, even though doing nothing means everything stays the same for you? That's not a trick question, I am seriously interested in the answer.

4976

This Forum / Re: Opt-In Advertisement

« on: March 01, 2011, 07:48:03 PM »

A very slick setup, I think.  Now, if only I could get another character for opting in

I might think about that, but right now, it really is an experiment. My main question is if people like it. I personally have a dramatic distaste of advertisement in any shape or form, but it's taken me 10 years or so to understand that not all people share that sentiment. Now I wonder if what I've come up with is an option everyone can be happy with.

4977

This Forum / Re: Opt-In Advertisement

« on: March 01, 2011, 07:46:01 PM »

If you have the opt-in advertisement for a long enough time and/or click on enough advertisements, will you get similar bonuses that other players that donate do?

I have absolutely no idea. :-)

4978

This Forum / Re: Cannot Change Account Settings

« on: March 01, 2011, 07:44:44 PM »

Thanks.

Yes, it's a known issue. I need to do some changes in the backend handling, and it will take a few days. I think I know what needs to be done.

4979

Other Games / Re: Mount and Blade (Warband)

« on: March 01, 2011, 07:42:05 PM »

I loved the first Mount & Blade to death, but haven't had a chance to play Warband, yet.

4980

This Forum / Opt-In Advertisement

« on: March 01, 2011, 04:28:13 PM »

Something very new to the game - another part of hell freezing over:

BattleMaster is a free game. You can play it without paying anything and I am quite proud of it being advertisement-free.

To cover its costs and pay for occasional expenses, BattleMaster is supported by donations. However, over the years many players have suggested that they do not have the money to donate - especially players from foreign countries where a few Euros is a days wage or more. And then there are, of course, many players who are very young and don't have PayPal nor the means for bank transfers.

I have decided to make an experiment. I often do things in unconventional ways, and this is no different. To the best of my knowledge, BattleMaster is the first website with opt-in advertisement. There are some where you can opt out (sometimes for a fee), but with BattleMaster, you don't see any advertisement unless you explicitly say "yes, I want to support the game this way" and enable ads in your user preferences.

And, just to be even more interesting, we give you several choices regarding the space you want to sacrifice for ads and the type of ads you are willing to endure.
A large skyscraper ad down the right-hand side of the screen, if you have a widescreen display. Or a wide banner at the top, or a smaller box in the corner. Your choice.
Less intrusive text-only ads, or multimedia ads as well? Again, your choice.

Let me know what you think, please. This is an experiment, and I really want and need your feedback.