what kind of benefits do donators should only have are considered "acceptable"?

[Zirius]

"Acceptable" is relative and I can read a lot of rant and feedback about different private servers, and got the feeling many are picky. Honestly, I am playing on a private server that sells items that on official server are normal drop... soo.. yeah it sucks, but I don't know if you guys think acceptable, but I am not really a fan of server hopping, so in a way kinda stuck, and I feel like RMS people has a lot of experience on seeing some server that gives its donator fair benefits. But first, if you don't mind guys can you answer the following questions?

(1) I can read a lot of posts from users saying they don't want to play on pserver that is selling items that cannot be obtained by non-donators, but on iRO, which is considered an official server, they are also selling items that cannot be obtained by regular players. Like to get reset stat, you must be VIP or has reset stone, which both needs money involvement... soo.. is this the reason you guys don't play on iRO?
(2) I can also read a lot of posts from other users that sounds more like, they just want to play for free and has almost the same benefit as those that are doing donations... But let's be honest, these servers needs money to improve or maintain... so when do you guys come to a point that you think you should donate? Please be specific, if you just say "when I enjoy?", in what way?
(3) If you donate, do you expect benefits?
(4) If you donate, don't you guys feel like why should I donate if I am playing in the very same way as those people who are not donating?
(5) Can you describe the ideal donation system?
(6) Optional. Can you refer a server that you think has the best/fairest donation system?

Thanks! 

[Blinzer]

free mvp cards

[Zirius]

free mvp cards

so as donator, you want to have free MVP cards, is it like 1 donate get all MVP cards or its still the same as buying each MVP cards via something like donation points?

[yC]

free mvp cards

I don't think this is a serious one, it is not acceptable to me if we are talking about a 0.01~0.50% drop rate item from a monster with a very limited spawn rate.  Unless it is a server with high drop rate for the cards that it is a common thing.

[Zirius]

I don't think this is a serious one, it is not acceptable to me if we are talking about a 0.01~0.50% drop rate item from a monster with a very limited spawn rate.  Unless it is a server with high drop rate for the cards that it is a common thing.

I can agree in a way. the server I am playing at is a vanilla server, and I did really donate just to buy some MVP cards, sucks right? But I can somehow say its fair because its not a donation-only card, they did not remove it from the monster and its drop rate was increased to 1%~2%, which make some non-donator players hunt for it, very competitively, and sell it somehow near on how much the donation NPC is selling it,, but I can't really say there's something broken in that system. But it would really be interesting to play on a server where MVP cards are just obtainable from the MVP itself, because our localized server pRO (but its dead now), also used to sell these MVP cards for paid users (actually just half of effect, like Tao Gunka card was sold for Sealed Tao Gunka card, increases HP by 70~80%, can't remember)

i really hope to hear more insight from other users on this.

[DragonHero]

increase your luck to increase the drop rate dayum

[Zirius]

increase your luck to increase the drop rate dayum

so an increase in LUK also increases your drop rate? you want it for everybody or only for donators?
Its a very weird feature imo 

[DragonHero]

in the past that feature was only able to be activated for everyone idk about now

i'm in the midst of recreating my server so when its up ill let you know

[Blinzer]

I don't think this is a serious one, it is not acceptable to me if we are talking about a 0.01~0.50% drop rate item from a monster with a very limited spawn rate.  Unless it is a server with high drop rate for the cards that it is a common thing.

it's just a prank bro


when talking about ragnarok online, it's important to map out everything as a function over time. levelling up, getting cards, grinding equipment and refining: these are all things which have an equivalent value in time. time also scales with a player's skill and knowledge of the game, although their influence is variable depending on what we're talking about.

that being said, the goal is to fill the gaps in time for the people who don't have much time to spare, not feed steroids to the people who do. it's not a hard concept, and only takes 4 words to describe: 'don't ruin the game'.

[Voryry]

(1) I can read a lot of posts from users saying they don't want to play on pserver that is selling items that cannot be obtained by non-donators, but on iRO, which is considered an official server, they are also selling items that cannot be obtained by regular players. Like to get reset stat, you must be VIP or has reset stone, which both needs money involvement... soo.. is this the reason you guys don't play on iRO?
(2) I can also read a lot of posts from other users that sounds more like, they just want to play for free and has almost the same benefit as those that are doing donations... But let's be honest, these servers needs money to improve or maintain... so when do you guys come to a point that you think you should donate? Please be specific, if you just say "when I enjoy?", in what way?
(3) If you donate, do you expect benefits?
(4) If you donate, don't you guys feel like why should I donate if I am playing in the very same way as those people who are not donating?
(5) Can you describe the ideal donation system?
(6) Optional. Can you refer a server that you think has the best/fairest donation system?

(1) Not really, although that makes the server economy revolves around WPE zeny. For instance, when I needed zeny, I sold WPE and I easily got a few hundreds mil without effort (well, RL effort, salary money). I quit the server because I was sick of bots, which made me a big hypocrite as I sold WPE to botters. I still sometimes log on to WoE, but I refrain from going to Prontera because seeing bot shops makes me physically sick in the stomach like first day period.

(2) When I feel the server is managed well, when I see the GM is good at upholding rules, when I see GM is passionate about the game. I don't mind that my donation is basically paying for non-donators as well, as long as they enjoy and stay active, then it is money well-spent. And that can happen if the GM cares about the game and the server.

(3) Not much. Except for gym pass, because I hate not regening SP.

(4) Not for me. I donate as the token of my appreciation, but in-game, donators or non-donators should play the same way.

(5) Not expert here, I have only played a bunch of low rate pre-trans servers. But I think something that gives boasting right and make donators unique in game, but don't give in-game advantage (much). Should be things like name change, character slot change, costumes, special pets, new hair style, new clothing colours, the right to autotrade, extra slot on account.

(6) Most private servers I have been in doing it more fairly than iRO Classic!! I like Sarah Server's donation system, because even though VIP got extra exp bonus, but non-donators can also get free manuals by afk-ing in game. That will not discourage non-donators to play. After all if the gap is too wide, non-donators will be pissed off. RO is a game where more players is more fun.

Saying so, iRO Classic donation system seems to work fine, for a money-making business. So it is true that people donate because they want advantage over others. But one thing that make people happy to donate is because the server is likely to be there for long time. The zeny and gears I bought by selling WPE are still there even after these years. While if it was a private server, I would be more wary of donating that much in case the server busts next month.

I don't really understand how Origins RO can stay donation-free so long, owner must be very dedicated. It really is a nice server, don't really get it why it doesn't attract more players, maybe lack of advertising & promo.

[Bue]

An ideal donation system is simple.

1. Calculate the total operating cost of the server for a period of time.
2. Post an announcement detailing the expenditures and your goal.
3. Stop accepting donations once the goal has been reach or use personal funds to complete the goal.
5. Post a final report of how the fund was spent against the original list of expenditures.
6. Rollover any unspent donation from the previous goal.

And an ideal reward consist of temporary item consumables.

This is just oversimplifying it. In reality, you just need to be a mature and responsible adult when it comes to dealing with the money, people, and work involved in running a private server.

[heRO-GM]

I believe an ideal donation system is one that doesn't leave gaps between donators and non-donators, but are also desirable enough to bring in some money to help keep the server up / Improve its content (which all of this is needless to say, easier said than done).

This can be accomplished by offering things such as cosmetic items, certain chance items, and other unessential items that don't give too many advantages (but are also obtainable ingame). HeRO currently doesn't offer costume items, but it does offer mainly chance items (OPB, OCA) along with a few other useful things (Custom +3 All Stat Food, Hat Voucher), and some extra perks for having donated certain high amounts (A unique pet, an NPC named after the player). All but the latter are obtainable ingame or through vote for points. I think it's worked well for us so far, and no one's really complained about them, but there's always room to improve.

[Styx]

To attract a donor beside the regular ones that comes within a group, you have to take them serious.
It is your job to find out how to manage that, in common I wouldn't play or support a server with a player base having a lot of P2W issues.
There is nothing to win with this game really. For most of us we have to face the truth, within 100 years nobody will even remember we did exist at all.
All what matters is the offer for entertainment of the moment. Is it worth a donation for you?
Donate always if you want to support losers who play games instead of doing something to develop income. 99% of them are cheaters anyway.
In general VIP systems are the best, they don't allow unlimited donations. You get something steady for your $.
Otherwise it likely will be another trash server full of cheaters and they just want you to PFTE: pay for their entertainment.

[Kris]

we have to face the truth, within 100 years nobody will even remember we did exist at all.

speak for yourself fam

[Styx]

If I could make that happen, I would. But I can't.