Patron Token Revamp Incoming (Patreon)

Heyo folks!

So, with commission price changes, naturally, there was going to need to be some minor adjustments to the costs of the various token tiers here, as they are based on those prices. This coincides, however, with my plans to do a small rework of the token system! So, here's the heads up on what's going to happen.

Firstly, I'll need to give forewarning that the last time I adjusted tiers (which means, making new tiers and removing the old ones while people all try to get on the new ones), Patreon did NOT handle it well. More people were let onto the tiers than I had allotted slots for, and they needed to be randomly decided as to who would need to be removed from them. It is a headache, and it is extremely disappointing for the folks who were teased with a slot they weren't supposed to be able to get. I don't think Patreon has improved their systems whatsoever, so this is just a forewarning that this is very much a possibility that can happen.

Secondly, the slavestream tier, AKA "Enthralled", will be going away. More specifically, slavestream tokens will be going away. I enjoy doing the slavestreams, and hope to open them publicly soon, but I've come to realize that it is quite disruptive to my workflow to have them happen every month during  commission batches. I hope to open for them more publicly in the future; in the beginning of the year, ideally, I'll have free enough schedules for it in theory, but we'll see.

Now, the bulk of this update: I'm adjusting token amounts and token costs. I've been wanting to make some cheaper, more accessible tiers for a while now that could eventually add up to a full commission. However, using "quarter tokens" or something similar is extremely awkward, so instead I'm quadrupling all currently held commission tokens, as well as quadrupling the costs for all patron commissions. This means that a B+W lined piece now costs 4 tokens, and a shaded patron comm costs 8. To fill things out for when folks only have under 4 tokens to redeem, 2 tokens can be redeemed for a single character B+W lines piece (with no background or inserts), and 1 token can be used for a flat colored bust of 1 character.

In addition to that, the patron tokens can also be redeemed to get a commission discount if you manage to snag a slot. Obviously, with so many applicants regularly, I cannot guarantee you WILL get a slot, but I want to give folks additional ways to utilize them just in case, and some folks might feel heavily limited by the limitations on what can be in a patron commission. Each token utilized will lower a commission's price by $25. There are currently no limitations on how many you can use. As always, folks can gift tokens to others if they so choose. It is unfortunate that the timing of this change couldn't also align with the upcoming commission batch, but it can't be helped.

Now, for the numbers! For TLDR purposes, I'll also repeat the updated token redeems.

8 tokens tier - "Enthralled" $210, 2 slots

4 tokens tier - "Hierophant" $110, 4 slots

2 tokens tier - "Disciple" $60, 8 slots

1 token tier - "Acolyte" $40, 16 slots

8 tokens = Shaded piece, up to 2 characters, vague background and/or insert, simple concepts

4 tokens = B+W lined piece, up to 2 characters, vague background and/or insert, simple concepts

2 tokens = B+W lined piece, up to 1 full-body character, no background or inserts

1 token = flat-colored piece, chest up of 1 character, no background/inserts

Finally, the last part of the update is something long requested: patron tier rotation. It was a tricky subject I didn't want to dip my toes into because Patreon's systems overall are a nightmare and don't lend themselves to being able to rotate patrons out every so often. It also didn't feel entirely fair to boot people off for consistently getting work from me; Its my fault that I wasn't opening more often and getting more work done and being more available for folks to try to get art. But after several years on this platform, it has become apparent that almost no one will actually leave the tier they're on on their own. It has happened maybe twice. And in the meantime, there have been a massive amount of tokens amassed by various folks that never get used. No one wants to leave the tier because they have little faith they'll get back on it again, because no one leaves any of the tiers. Its circular. And so even if they have 0 ideas for using those tokens on, the possibility of losing it forever means they'll stay on. I get it, and I don't blame anyone for it. But it still leaves a problem to be solved.

So, the plan is to rotate folks out if they've been inactive for a while without using tokens. Obviously, almost everyone will want to build up to a full shaded piece, and that takes time depending on which tier you're on, so I can't weigh every tier the exact same. There's also the very big problem of the amount of patron comms I can take on at once - its much less than the 30 token-based tier slots I have available. So, all this is to say: its gonna be a bit tricky. I'm gonna be more lenient to the lower tiers on how many months without token redemption. I won't bug anyone before they're able to redeem for a shaded piece, since I know that's what most of you want. However, if you're getting to the point of being able to redeem for something like 3+ commissions, and still have made 0 attempts to do so, I will be sending you a message requesting you vacate your slot. I cannot manually move you, so if you do not comply I will have to ban you from the Patreon. I have no other controls to utilize. If you're not using the rewards from the slot, I'd really prefer it to go to someone who will. I know this is gonna be a disappointing thing and may not feel fair at times, but I'm trying my best here, sorry. There's gonna be muddy situations where I'm just going to have to use my best judgment. We'll have to play this by ear and make adjustments over time, bear with me.

These changes will go into effect on Tuesday, 9/19, at around 6pm EST. I will not be posting anything about the update when it happens, I will simply make the changes necessary. If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know and I'll do my best to help. Contact me here, on the discord, or at nommz.naidoo@gmail.com .

EDIT:  Tokens still won't have expiration, even if you are no longer on my Patreon. You can still redeem them. You can gift tokens to others if you want, but I will need explicit permission from you on that.

On the day of the token revamp, I will try my best to fix overflow issues as they happen. So, I'll start with the 8token tier, open the slots for that, sort who gets to stay on the tier if Patreon messes things up and allows more people on it than the 2 slots intended, and then I'll open slots for the 4 token tier. That way, if folks got booted off, they can try for a lower tier. However, this WILL cause this whole process to take a bit longer, so please be patient, and please check your messages in case I need to fix Patreon's booboos.