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Icrontic’s new subscriber program

Icrontic’s new subscriber program

One of the most common questions we get is, “How can I support Icrontic?”

A while back we decided to revamp our subscriber program; there were several goals we wanted to achieve, and we needed a program that worked for everybody.

After several weeks of discussion and planning, we’re ready to roll out our new and improved Subscriber Program, called the Icrontic Delightful Experience.

Our primary goal with the new subscriber program was to make sure that we didn’t take anything away from current members/non-subscribers. At no point would we allow ourselves to take away something that used to be free. We had to come up with ways to enhance the experience, add value, and make people excited to be a part of our growth.

The two biggest new features are the Delightful Experiences Newsrag and our Icrontic System Guide. One thing that we’ve noticed throughout the years is a preponderance of people saying things like “How did I miss this?” or “Where did you guys talk about…” or “I wish I could be more involved.”

The Newsrag is the perfect way to wrap up the highlights of the Icrontic week and deliver it to your inbox so that you don’t ever miss anything important again. We’ll curate the best experiences of the week and make sure you’re a part of all the cool happenings on Icrontic; whether it be the forums, the various gaming groups, the IRC channel, Twitter, or in-person gatherings around the country.

The System Guide is going to be there for you when you are in the market for an upgrade: no more worrying about following tech trends. Too often we see people saying, “I haven’t upgraded in three years, I’m out of the loop.” Our System Guide is the answer to all your upgrade woes; we’ll have systems at a variety of budget ranges that are hand-picked best of the best in that budget. Let us do the research for you!

The other subscriber benefits are equally awesome. Finally you’ll have a way to support the community you love and get the best possible Icrontic experience.

What do you think?

You can subscribe here.

Comments

  1. Bandrik
    Bandrik I want this. Now. And it shall be done.

    Update: Now signed up for a full year. For $90, it's totally worth it - it's the equivalent cost of a just couple new game releases, and will probably be a better experience anyway. Would I rather have Icrontic Deluxe, or 2 copies of Halo: Reach? Hmmm. :D

    The features I really am looking forward to the most is the Newsrag since I have a hard time keeping up with it all yet don't want to miss out on the laughs, and the "best-of-the-best" guide since I also have a tough time keeping up with the breakneck speed of new hardware releases.

    In closing, I think it's certainly a worthwhile investment. For those wondering, yes, I use the term "investment". Icrontic is something that what you get out of it is proportionate to what you put into it. In exchange for supporting Icrontic, you get some neat bonuses and that swell "did a good deed" feeling. The money helps keep the community alive, as hosting a site of this magnitude ain't cheap.

    So subscribe. It's a Good Thingâ„¢.
  2. PirateNinja
    PirateNinja Shoot, I just subscribed like ..2 days before this. Do I still get the loot?

    I'm super excited for the System Guide. Please throw in a link to your NewEgg affiliation on that guide so I remember if I build a new one.
  3. _k
    _k So when you subscribe does the Newsrag auto send to the e-mail tied to your account? How do I turn it off?
  4. primesuspect
    primesuspect Just to be clear: The TF2 server is not paid for by us; it is a totally separate entity that is funded by donations from regular players.
  5. primesuspect
    primesuspect When you subscribe, the newsrag will go to the email you registered with; whatever is in your current user profile.

    If you don't want it (why wouldn't you? :wtf:) just let me know and I'll remove your address from the database.
  6. Bandrik
    Bandrik
    Just to be clear: The TF2 server is not paid for by us; it is a totally separate entity that is funded by donations from regular players.

    Ah, thanks, I did not know that. Learns something new every day. :D My original post has now been updated to reflect this for the sake of clarity and accuracy.
  7. Jokke
    Jokke
    Shoot, I just subscribed like ..2 days before this. Do I still get the loot?

    What he asked!
  8. primesuspect
    primesuspect Yeah, if you subscribed at the previous rate, you'll be grandfathered in for four months
  9. _k
    _k But it said a year when I signed up!
  10. primesuspect
    primesuspect The benefits you received from signing up (A year of no ads) will remain;

    I should have clarified:

    Subscribers at the previous rate will receive four months of access to the newsletter and four months of access to the system guide.
  11. _k
    _k sweet +1 for doing right by the people who are already subscribed so they can see what they will be missing.
  12. Canti
    Canti On it next time I get paid.
  13. primesuspect
    primesuspect For those on the fence, we're showing our first newsletter so you can see what you can expect with the newsletter:

    The Inaugural Delightful Experience Newsrag.

    I've got tons of ideas on how to expand on this. I may include hot deals of the week, more web stats (people seem fascinated with Icrontic's stats), maybe a folding team leaderboard, and some other surprises.

    Ideas/suggestions? What would you like to see?
  14. pigflipper
  15. primesuspect
    primesuspect Great feedback so far :-/
  16. BobbyDigi
    BobbyDigi I actually was going to request more stats. I like those sort of things.

    I would like to see some wrap ups (or shoot, even entire logs) from IRC. I know I miss some good links by not always being there. Maybe an image gallery.... all the good NSFW stuff is posted in IRC.

    Also in the IRL section, I enjoyed the updates on the happenings at ICHQ. Needs Moar, maybe use your Idea of the dogs writing articles for the subscribers.

    Maybe highlight a Subscriber each month/week? Do a small paragraph writeup introducing the subscriber and their involvement in the community? Use the news rag as a way to give exclusive access to learn more about the community.

    Subscriber only events would be cool, online or IRL. Though I have no idea what that would involve.

    That's what I got for now.

    -Digi
  17. GHoosdum
    GHoosdum Just out of curiosity, is the format of the newsrag narrow so that it can be better viewed on phones? Even on my paltry 1366-width netbook screen, it looks squeeshed horizontally.
  18. Linc
    Linc It's just the recommended width for email campaigns in general because you never know what crazy client people are using for email.
  19. Butters
    Butters I actually read the first Newsrag on an iPhone. Looked fine for me.
  20. Bandrik
    Bandrik Just read your second Icrontian Newsrag. Since I never mentioned my thoughts about the first one either, I wanted to tell you that it looks fantastic. It covers exactly what was promised: a week(s)-in-review of some of the more significant things that occurred that would be of major interest to the Icrontic community. I found it to be of excellent worth, as it caught me up on some of the events and happenings that I wasn't previously aware of. For example, had no idea BobbyDigi is about to be a dad.

    My only suggestion: I love the fact that you've highlighted Icrontians and the events they are hosting, such as _k_ with Shattered Horizon, and Annes with Borderlands. Perhaps you should have a small section dedicated to "community events this week". Those that want their event added can always request a space for a shout-out. I think sticking the community events on the right sidebar (on top or below the "Traffic and Top Stuff") would take the Newsrag one step further: to really push community outreach and show everyone what our rich community is currently offering, without the need to be up-to-date on reading the forums.
  21. primesuspect
    primesuspect Sounds good. I'll do that next week :)
  22. Bandrik
    Bandrik
    Sounds good. I'll do that next week :)

    Sweet, I look forward to it. Glad you found my suggestion useful. :vimp:
  23. one234h
  24. Tushon
    Tushon It is not live at this time.
  25. one234h
    one234h I agree.

    lol. Cool.
  26. primesuspect
    primesuspect The new subscription program will be launching soon :D
  27. midga
    midga You said that a while back D:
    I want to give you money and feel special for it! :(
  28. Straight_Man
  29. primesuspect
    primesuspect Maybe @lincoln can give you a more accurate timeline.
  30. Linc
    Linc It's complicated. :-/
  31. midga
    midga That sounds pretty accurate. That's also the reason I almost never ask a programmer for an eta.
  32. one234h
    one234h Too late.
    I had the money this morning at 8am, but I wont' have it ever again.

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