Donations vs Item Rewards

[HalestormXV]

So just a question since I know the new EULA went into effect. What do you fellow server owners do with your donations plugins. Ranks? Or better yet, what can we offer as rewards for donations. I know purely cosmetic items that don't give an advantage over other players is okay now. But since most of us run modded servers where does that play in?

Edited June 16, 2015 by HalestormXV

[plowmanplow]

Donation Plugins: I don't use them and would never play on a server which pretends to accept "Donations" when they are really executing a "cash for goods" economic transaction. Look up donation in any dictionary and the general idea is "an act or instance of presenting something as a gift, grant, or contribution".

Donation Rewards: If you want to reward players with some token for donation (i.e. the cosmetic mechanics you mentioned) I would have no problem with that as it keeps everyone on a level playing field. Providing a material advantage (items, abilities, etc.) for pay (real world currency) is NOT a donation. It is a financial transaction. This splits a community into two groups: Those who can't or won't pay for an advantage, and those who can/do/will.

Personal Thoughts: (since you asked) Expecting, or even ASKING for that matter, other people to pay for your hobby is pretty lame. If you are hosting a server because you enjoy it or think it's cool, go for it. You can have a lot of fun and provide an interesting play-space for other people as well. However, like any other hobby you can think of, this will cost money. Even if it's home-hosted someone had to buy the hardware and electricity ain't free. If you are into boating, would you walk up to random people in a marina and ask them to help you buy a boat if you promise to let them ride on it? You would get laughed out of the place. If you are hosting a server as a commercial, for-profit endeavor you are also welcome to do that. However, Mojang has expressly stated that the "pay to win" and "non-cosmetic" rewards for cash is something they 100% do not want. If you can stay within those restrictions and make a great server/community, then by all means go for it, but don't pretend that you are accepting "donations". Doing so is dishonest and harms the greater MC community.

[HalestormXV]

That's what I understood the new EULA to mean. Cosmetic items are fine. Prefixes, and suffixes are okay as well or certain commands. All I am aware of is BuyCraft. But I don't really know of any other ones. Oh and Minecraft Market. Those are the two major reliable ones that I know of. Any other thoughts? Suggestions? etc.

Edited June 15, 2015 by HalestormXV

[disconsented]

Donations are fine but when you're giving something in return it is no longer a donation but instead it is a purchase

[HalestormXV]

So what about item rewards. What is the general feeling on that from the community. I know the EULA allows it so long as it does not give any unfair benefit over other players. So whats the thoughts on that?

Edited June 16, 2015 by HalestormXV

[Roversword]

Donations are fine but when you're giving something in return it is no longer a donation but instead it is a purchase

​I'd say it very much depends on what you "give in return".
If it is a cape or a titel saying "donor" or "helper of the server", I personally would say that is not too bad and actually might encourage. But that can be considered "giving something in return" as well.
However, as soon as items are exchanged or a donor has advantages over other players, I am right with you.
 

[Roversword]

So what about item rewards. What is the general feeling on that from the community. I know the EULA allows it so long as it does not give any unfair benefit over other players. So whats the thoughts on that?

​As long as the donor does not gain any advantage, something symbolic (titel, decorative stuff or just listed on a website) should be fine, I think. I personally would not mind to have this happen.
However, I have yet to see a server which gives away items/blocks which are purely decorative (I'd guess you would need a specific mod for that which adds a decorative block or something)
 

[HalestormXV]

That is what i have. It is a Shop system that you customize to give whatever items you want. However as a server owner it is ur job to stay within the EULA. So mine si set to give purely decorative items like banners and stuff.