Donating

[GreySovereign]

Generally in the past when I have played private servers of games, there had always been a feature where the players could donate to the project. In most servers that would usually give the player special items, titles, etc. That being said, I can understand why there isn't a donation feature here; so the game's not Pay2Win.

But why can't we donate to the developers? I understand that everyone on the team are volunteers and do it for the love of the game, but I would like to show my support. Especially since I've well over played enough of the game to warrant at least a small donation.

What's everyone else opinions?
Will we ever see a donation feature?

[Habsi]

Disagree. Look at the Wow private Server, which has been shut down cause the devs got "money" (hardware) from the community. If EA see that they can make money with WAR this here is over soon.
Greetings

[Estherna]

First I must say that if there was such a possibility, I would probably donate some money.

Thus said, creating a donate functionnaly could be hazardous for the survivability of the game. You can be sure that Games Workshop knows about the existence of Return of Reckoning. A big company like that is likely monitoring everything that is done in relation to its intellectual property. And there is several places on the Internet were the existence of this server is mentionned. It is even on the Wikipedia page of Age of Reckoning.

As long as the server is free and no money is gained in any way, the impact for Games Workshop is benign, and they will probably don't do anything against it. It doesn't hurt them to have a game that is not officialy exploited anymore being run by some fans. But as soon as money is generated, then they may be more cautious. After all, some people are getting money from their intellectual property, and that is something that no company is going to accept easily.

Without entering in the detail because I'm not specialist, but it could create a judicial precedent. If tomorrow someone is creating a game based on their properties and generate money from it, then it could be difficult for Games Workshop to make them stop. The defendant will just have to prove that they knew about the existence of this private server generating money from their intellectual property and that they did nothing about it. In front of a courtyard, that means that they accepted that someone else is using their intellectual property for the own benefits, so they can't complain that other peoples are doing it.

So, even if it could be a good way to support the developpers, it can't put the existence of the server at stake.

[GreySovereign]

I feel somewhat naive now. That side of the issue completely blew over the top of me. That being said I completely understand why there can't be a donation feature.

I've heard and seen other cases where a game has been shut down and it's been taken over by another small group / business for profit and such. But in this case that wouldn't happen (for obvious reasons being the game is based on Warhammer and not a completely separate thing.).

[iliesumarius]

Is there any way, we can donate for the server, without getting any benefits?Not for items, or other in game benefits, just to support the server, and those that are making this thing possible.Having the opportunity to play this game, is worth paying for.It would be such a pity, for this server to close, because is lacking the money, when there are people, willing to support this project.If there is any way we can help, let us know.

[Natherul]

Is there any way, we can donate for the server, without getting any benefits?Not for items, or other in game benefits, just to support the server, and those that are making this thing possible.Having the opportunity to play this game, is worth paying for.It would be such a pity, for this server to close, because is lacking the money, when there are people, willing to support this project.If there is any way we can help, let us know.

No the devs wont take any donation since they dont want to risk the extra exposure and consequences if GW came knocking on the door because then at least they can say that they ran the server at a cost instead of at a profit.

lets hope it never comes to that though and that RoR will continue for many years forward, especially since its not like we have a retail version to turn to and they dont exactly loose money because we are not playing "the real thing" (see wow private server).

[Noergl]

This kind of thread reappears every few weeks.
Please be aware: as long as its free, nobody gains anything, there is no profit anywhere...neither GW nor EA has a valid reason to shut the project down. Also in its own way its a kind of advertising for the Warhammer world and GWs tabletop game, so no harm done.
The devs have stated more than once before very very clearly, that they will not accept any money for any reason whatsoever. I totally understand this, i support it 100% and im thankful for the whole project!

As much as i would love to appreciate their hard work with some kind of donation...it would be the beginning of the end of it all.

If we as a comunity really want to support them, the first step would be to not complain about everything the whole time, not to insult the really nice and moderate people investing their free time (so we can have fun), not demanding this and that and in general to show some respect and gratitude!

[kusiu666]

I thought about that before. I dont knwo where server is ( UK ? ). In USA law say if we using someone game this is breaking the law and is no diferent there is some donation or not. If server is in Europe ( I think is but i'm not sure ) law will say somethink else but I dont think so. I dont know why they close WoW private server, maybe because there was low population ?

In my mind donation will be good idea, to buy new better serwer with more possibilities.
But first ovners must to check whats happen with other private serwers? There was any situation when private serwer was close after intervention of ovner a game?

I can send £ if you will need that because you makining here VERY GOOD JOB and you deserve for somethink. If for donation will be some gift for players ( like appearance ) that will be perfect but if not will be the same .

But before you will decide if you have some laver speak with him.

PS.
There was a lot of ULTIMA online private server with option to pay for somethink and EA never had done something with them.

[Estherna]

The WoW private server that was just closed was based in France, so that doesn't change a lot of things.

[Scambug]

WoW is still the most played MMO in the world, WAR has been dead for 2 years. There's a bit of a difference there.
They could set up a limited donation system each year just to cover operational costs of the server and website.
As long as it's clear and transparent that all the donation money is being used to pay the bills and no profit is being made, I doubt anyone would ever come after the devs.