gregory wrote in Acaeum "business model" question:As a sub-thread / side-quest, anyone knows of any online multiplayer AD&D game that would have true virtual collectibles? The type that is only made of 1s and 0s and yet can go for $1,000s... And the type that can be represented by an NFT.

I welcome both the puns (based on what I saw from this community and its technological readiness so far) and serious responses

FoulFoot wrote in Acaeum "business model" question:eBay commissions were netting us about $350 a month.  In exchange for that payment, eBay got to deliver one hard kick to the genitals every couple months, whether in the form of changes to their API (which necessitated coding changes on our end, often at the last minute); draconian demands for stats and lengthy explanations for Just What the Hell We're Doing With Their Data; frequent policy and procedure changes, with failure to immediately comply punishable by banning; etc etc.  Ten years ago, when I first implemented the eBay code, I was earning around $1500 per month.  For $1500 a month, a person is a lot more willing to undergo abuse at the hands of an employer, as it were.  For $350?  Eh, whatever.  My pride and self-worth does have a price tag, Mr. eBay, and it's $351. Keep your money.  I'm actually relieved to not have to jump through hoops for those idiots anymore.

I've watched literally dozens of other entrepreneurs on the eBay affiliate forum suffer the same fate over the years, and it's only ramping up in frequency.  My sad story is nothing compared the rumored high-five-figure commissions some people were earning per month, only to have their account banned because they didn't update quick enough to the newest eBay logo on their auction postings.  Now, this is all eBay's money and eBay's business model; they aren't in this for charity, and if they decide to slough off their affiliate partners (somewhat akin to laying off part of their workforce), well, that's just business.  My feelings aren't important.  I may disagree with their overall business strategy, but only time will tell who's right.  /rant off

You're more than welcome to donate, and any donation is certainly appreciated.  But please don't feel obligated; we're fine.  As I said, my other websites bring in plenty to cover the server costs, which nowadays is around $70 per month.  I've long since fired all the paid staff around here, so that $70 is literally the only overhead, which is not even as much as my home internet connection.

As far as long-term continuity, everything is pretty much on autopilot nowadays, barring the (very) occasional site update or bi-decade revamps to the Valuation system.  If I were to get run over by a bus tomorrow, it would theoretically keep running just fine as long as the server bill was paid.

Foul

red wizard wrote in Acaeum "business model" question:
As a further side thread I have been playing DDO since 2007 almost daily and its great game for anyone who likes D&D.   Close to 3.5 rules (sort of) and uses many of the original AD&D modules as a basis for their story lines though not exact.   Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson voiced several of the "modules" and they even have a shrine to Dave in one area.

It pays good respect to the game and has a lot of build options.  You can collect all kinds of things for crafting but no NFTs...is free to play.  Does have lots of slashing but you can cast a fireball too.

Happy New Year and thanks for the site Scott!

robertsconley wrote in Acaeum "business model" question: It is not AD&D but rather OD&D in the form of Swords & Wizardry but perhaps this will work.

https://www.batintheattic.com/downloads ... v%2004.pdf