I’ve read the guidelines, FAQs, and searched the forum but have been unable to find any recent info on this issue. So I apologize for being a noob but I’d appreciate any clarity that could be provided!
(1) I recall the reading that the CS TOS required something like “Any ChoiceScript-based content that you give to your patrons must be released to the general public within two weeks of giving your patrons access.” But I feel like I regularly see games that say their public demo will no longer be updated and that have transitioned fully to Patreon-only access. Is this guideline no longer in effect? Does the migration from Dashing Don to COG Demos have anything to do with this?
(2) What is the overall purpose of Patreon? I’d always thought the way it worked with WIPs was that the authors got free help with feedback and finding errors without having to hire a professional editor, while the readers got access to (in-development) free entertainment in exchange for their help. So I don’t quite understand what patrons are getting here. Is it just a question if access to extras like commissioned art or…? I think it’s great for authors to make money to support themselves with it, I suppose it’s just that combined with question 1, I am just having trouble understanding the dynamic.
The timeframe is a month. Some authors have arranged contracts with CoG to have long-term private WIPs. Maybe some Patreon authors knowingly or unknowingly break that rule without signing a contract, but I’ve no idea.
No, the hosting of WIPs is totally separate.
Well, overall it’s for authors to have more financial support while they’re writing and for their fans to give them that support, either to feel good about it or to access some kind of extra reward (whether that’s an earlier version of the WIP before other people, extras, etc, depending on the Patreon owner’s decisions).
In practice, I don’t recommend keeping playtesting entirely/mostly paywalled because it reduces the pool of testers and so it’s easier for bugs to go unnoticed; it also selects for people who are already fans of the project so can result in overlooking other issues.
I also strongly encourage potential subscribers to do their research when deciding if they want to spend money on supporting an author (that isn’t simply buying their game when it’s out). Without signing up it’s easy to scroll through and see how frequently the Patreon owner posts, and the kinds of things they’re posting. If you’re hoping for access to an early version of a WIP and they’ve not posted one in a year, you may do well to spend your money elsewhere.
Also it’s helpful to keep in mind that most WIPs so not get completed. Someone having a Patreon means they’re making some more money, but unless it’s so outlier-level successful that it means they don’t have a day job, it has less impact on whether the game will be released than you might think - especially if they haven’t released anything before.
I don’t think CoG have relaxed their policy on the use of ChoiceScript for commercial purposes. It’s possible they aren’t aware people are doing this. Outside of a couple of tremendously popular franchises, CoG staff don’t pay attention to HG WIPs at all. It would be very unusual for them to even look at a WIP thread unless there was something happening there that required moderator action, and they really don’t have the time to go hunting for intellectual property violations, but that doesn’t mean the rule is no longer in effect.
Some fans are very much willing to pay for early access to content that will be freely available in a few weeks anyway. Some want access to non-ChoiceScript exclusives like bonus stories, author Q&As, worldbuilding details, etc. Some genuinely just want to show support to their favorite authors.
Thank you both for the very helpful info! Definitely starting to get it now.
The one month rule is interesting in that it exists but isn’t enforced. I can totally see why COG wouldn’t have time to police this, and I agree that those doing it are probably doing it by accident. I wonder what the best solution is… maybe a discreet DM inquiry that doesn’t read as nosy/invasive or like a potential tattle tale? Not sure!
I don’t know that it’s a problem that needs an external solution; I would leave that to staff to sort out!
At any rate, I want to echo what @HarrisPS said about the potential benefits and also to add that it’s an amazing place to build community with readers. The Forum community is great, but there’s something pretty distinct about the Patreon community, probably because it’s all fans of that particular, specific world or series.
And I would also add, to the potential benefits, that it’s a natural place to post material that might be too much of a deep dive or too narrowly focused – or just too long – for posting on the forum. Similarly, stuff like short stories might not work here on the forum, but would find a great home on an author’s Patreon.
This is true! It can also act as a public or paid-for blog/newsletter which is helpful for both authors and readers who want to keep up with what’s going on.
The more reading I do, the more I agree with you. To me it seems like the main benefit of Patreon is exactly that kind of bonus / side context you mentioned. But I’m very glad for @HarrisPS advice about doing research first! Such content can be great but there has been more than one occasion where I’ve almost signed up for a lower tier only to realize it doesn’t include any actual writing, and instead only includes, like, “here’s a drawing of MC’s sword” once every few months. So if anyone was wondering about Patreon like I was and sees this - take his advice and do your research!
