Do people seriously not understand why the Escapist protects their ads? (Warning: Ranty text wall!)

[lacktheknack]

I just saw a thread where someone was fussing that one of his threads got locked when it was only complaining about Slim Jim ads. I tried to reply, but it got locked as well, so I guess I'll make a thread about it.

One: The Escapist chooses their ads based on offers. Stunningly enough, the Escapist does NOT attract thousands of adoring companies throwing money and pretty girls at them by the gallon. In fact, I recently got videos that had NO ads before I signed up for Pub Club (I signed up for pub club only a day or two ago). How'd I manage that? Simple: I live in Canada, and the international ad slot hadn't been purchased. The Escapist isn't being nice to you by occasionally not putting up ads, it's simply NOT BEEN OFFERED AN AD CONTRACT. The only ads circulating are America Only ads and one or two International ads, as well as the "Watch These Shows" ads for the site itself. They aren't replacing them with other ads for money because no one wants to be there.

Two: The Escapist doesn't run on pony dust and kitten farts, it runs on money. Please tell me you understand that contributors, server costs and office workers require large wads of money thrown at them instead of drawings of ponies.

Three: The Escapist has MAJOR FISCAL ISSUES. You remember that major Extra Credits explosion that happened oh so far back (read: more or less yesterday)? That wasn't caused by a misunderstood joke or an inappropriate buttslap, that was caused by a couple major misunderstandings and a complete and total lack of finances. Allow me to repeat that: THE ESCAPIST HAD ESSENTIALLY NO MONEY. It's why so many contributors suddenly stepped out and claimed that BOOM: They weren't getting paid! The bubble of bad publicity would have caused the doom of pretty much any company that wasn't prepared for it, although the Escapist did prep for it: they completely restructured the contribution payment system from "Payment per Piece" to "Cut of the Ad Revenue", explaining why they suddenly went crazy in hiring new contributors. Jim Sterling and Miracle of Sound both claim they've been paid as according to their contracts, no ifs, ands or buts. But due to presumably contracts (I don't really know, it wasn't clarified), not everyone was swapped to the new payment system after implementation, resulting the Extra Credits bomb. At least we're recovering.

Recap: The Escapist appears to be in a giant money hole, but has a clear and effective way of getting out of it. The catch: It's SOLE REQUIREMENT is that you watch ads.

Basically, watch the ads or the Escapist dies. (Or buy a Publisher's Club membership, that also works.)

Four: Ad blockers reduce value of adspace. If the Escapist was lenient towards ad-blockers, then their adspace becomes less valuable. If they enforce a strict anti-Ad-Blocker policy (that I see so many users whinging about), then their ad-space stays valuable. I don't see how anyone could possibly not understand that.

Five: You don't hold sway over reality. One of the complaints of the guy with the locked threads was that "Money wins out every time." Clearly, how this worked in his head, was that this is about "The Escapist pays attention to its userbase" vs "The Escapist pays attention to its enormous moneybags". Sadly, it's a good deal simpler than that: "The Escapist Lives" vs "The Escapist Dies". Just because the Escapist isn't pampering you and expects you to watch an annoying thirty second clip before its videos doesn't mean it hates you.

Yes this all sounds pretty damn sensationalist with all the "The Escapist could crumble at any moment!" But then, we didn't exactly expect the Extra Credits bomb, did we?

TLR: If ads/the Anti-Ad-Blocker policies bother you, get a Pub Club membership. The Escapist isn't going to drive itself into the dirt for you.

Also, the above factoids that I state that appear to come straight from my ass are actually from the bit of homework I did when Extra Credits left. If you're interested, I'll make a reference list here later, but until then, just read the various comments made by Archon (the CEO!) from around that time.

EDIT: Where my factoids came from: the Escapist's CEO!

In general, since the recession began, we have reduced our in-house team by 40%, reduced our freelance expenses by 50%, reduced the rent on our office by 50%, and reduced our bandwidth bill by 30%. Our current office is in a basement with no windows. There is a limit to how much we can cut before there's only bone left.

As far as the new shows v. old shows thing, one thing I wanted to clear up is that in the last year or so, we have been using a new business model for our video shows. Our old business model was to pay a flat fee for content production plus a bonus for high traffic volume. The new business model for virtually all of our new shows is instead based on a revenue share of advertising.

When we add a show that uses the new business model it actually *improves* our financial situation because the second show is still generating traffic that we can sell ads against, but it doesn't cost us money if we have a bad advertising month. The model is not too dissimilar to YouTube - which also doesn't really lose money when a user posts a video, even if they don't have ads for it.

I hope that makes sense and explains what's going on when we add a new show lately.

We are definitely NOT pressing the accelerator to drive our car off a cliff... Which I suppose makes me at least a better manager than the US Government, though that's small consolation.

 

[Nickompoop]

It's kinda sad that people still ***** about ads on free sites. Hell, half the comments on Youtube are about the ads and how "GOOGLE CARES NOTHING FOR ITS USERBASE! RAAAAAGGGEEE". I'm totally fine with watching the ads because I know that The Escapist needs the money. I'm also fine with paying taxes and tollbooth charges (WHAAAT?!) because I know that that's how the government gets its money. It's the same concept, and people need to build a bridge and get the fuck over it.

 

[lacktheknack]

It's kinda sad that people still ***** about ads on free sites. Hell, half the comments on Youtube are about the ads and how "GOOGLE CARES NOTHING FOR ITS USERBASE! RAAAAAGGGEEE". I'm totally fine with watching the ads because I know that The Escapist needs the money. I'm also fine with paying taxes and tollbooth charges (WHAAAT?!) because I know that that's how the government gets its money. It's the same concept, and people need to build a bridge and get the fuck over it.

Not gonna happen, though. Building a bridge costs money.

But it's truly distressing how many people don't get this, even though it was posted BY THE CEO back around the time when he was getting a TON of people reading his posts.

 

[Timbydude]

Thank you very much for this post. I'm sick of people whining about their free content. Seriously, is it that much of an inconvenience that you have to watch a 30-second ad before watching one of the best 7-minute videos on the Internet for free?

 

[Phlakes]

Christ, thank you. Nobody seems to understand that growing internet magazines don't just shit money whenever they need it.

 

[HT_Black]

First off: Very well-structured, informative, accurate. Excellent post.
Secondly: You do realize that anyone who needs to be told this isn't going to agree with you anyway, right?

 

[Cain_Zeros]

Thank you very much for this post. I'm sick of people whining about their free content. Seriously, is it that much of an inconvenience that you have to watch a 30-second ad before one of the best 7-minute videos on the Internet?

But people shouldn't have to be inconvenienced to keep the Escapist afloat because... I honestly have no idea how people justify their complaints.

 

[thatonedude11]

As long as it sticks to banner ads and 30 second clips in front of videos, then I can live with it. If the ads are worse than that, like having a dude walking across the screen or something, that's when I'll complain. Or ads that give me malware. I'm not gunna tolerate that.

 

[Kae]

I don't understand how people don't get this, but then again I don't get any ads because I live in Mexico but I don't think it would bother me very much after all there are only like 2 videos a day so it's not like they'll waste much time.

 

[AroLombardi]

The problem I have is that the ads usually slow down my computer massively (yes, it's a piece of shit). Not saying I use adblock, but it is hard to go on this site with all the ads forcing their way on my screen.

 

[DanielBrown]

Well, they don't understand that the people posting to those suspicious sites aren't spambots, but actual people. They can't even comprehend that re-releasing a game in HD isn't the same as remaking an entire game.
Don't expect too much.

I still hate the commersials you get before watching a video though. Mostly because I have music on and the commersial screw with the songs!

 

[brunothepig]

I still hate the commersials you get before watching a video though. Mostly because I have music on and the commersial screw with the songs!

Mute button. It's all I do, since I usually have music on as well. That or a show.
OT: Well done. That was well written, some good points, and it made me laugh. I really don't understand how people don't understand this, but you're right. The Escapist doesn't get to choose interesting ads, and they need the damn ads to get money. So why not donate 30 seconds of your time?

 

[lacktheknack]

First off: Very well-structured, informative, accurate. Excellent post.
Secondly: You do realize that anyone who needs to be told this isn't going to agree with you anyway, right?

They don't have to agree, I have the power of REALITY on my side! >

Maybe that's a bit pretentious, but I've come up with official statements from the freaking CEO (edited into the OP) explaining why they have ads, and why it's important that they're there. They have nothing but a sense of entitlement and potentially a paranoia complex (some people come up with really creepy theories regarding ads).

Props to you, and yet the sad part is most who see this Thread are those who already agree with you to begin with. Those who don't understand the meaning of ads will keep complaining about it *shrug*.

If you think it's a good post, you have my permission to link it to future complaint threads. Heck, if you give credit, feel free to copy and paste it in full. It'll certainly add some substance to the complaint threads, something they sorely lack.

 

[RaphaelsRedemption]

Thank you. A well-written, well-thought-out post.

And, of course, I do agree with you

 

[Nouw]

Someone give this man a 'thanks' badge and sticky this thread. Well written good sir. I hope someone exits this thread an educated man.

 

[Flight]

This is all quite useful. I'm glad you wrote it out; I'm sure it's cleared up quite a few things. Thank you.

 

[NeutralMunchHotel]

All this Escapist circlejerking is all well and good, but the fact of the matter is that the Escapist runs on a very flawed business model. Any model that effectively comes down to "the goodwill" can, and probably deserves to, go under.

The customer should never have to suit its needs to the business, and this place is backwards if they think otherwise.

 

[Redlin5_v1legacy]

This post deserves to be read by those who seriously think the ads are there specifically to get on their nerves. I can deal with ads and yes, I see them (in an alternative account I rarely use). The Escapist needs money and if you enjoy what is offered here FOR FREE than you should respect the simple fact that they are a part of life for this site.

 

[The Bandit]

I'm much more pissed that this thread hasn't been locked, rather than being pissed about ads. If the other thread got locked, why hasn't this one? What's the difference?

 

[Pipotchi]

I agree with all your points and acknowledge that the Escapist is a business and should be run as such.

However I cant say I have a vested interest in the escapist carrying on as a viable business. If I clicked on the bookmark tommorrow and it was gone it wouldnt overly concern me. I rarely watch the videos and the comic strips are not funny to me, these forums are the only thing I look at.

Dont mind the ads though, theres a 3DS ad below this box and its pretty inoffensive