I was wondering if anyone knew a legal way to allow viewers of your game website to contribute money to your cause anytime they wished? That is, like having a Paypal button on your website that they can click on to contribute to your game development – but read below some of my problems before answering.
I’m not talking about a Kickstarter or IndieGoGo campaign (or anything like that), because those usually have a time limit for your campaign. I’m talking about a continuous way for people to donate if they wish via a personal website.
Secondly, I know about Paypal’s “Donate” button. However, they have a lot of rules about that button, and mostly, you need to be a non-profit organization, which I will NOT be non-profit. My game will be FOR profit.
I thought about simply using Paypal’s “Buy it now” button, and having people that want to contribute to my game to “purchase” nothing in essence, with the idea that they are aware that they are simply contributing. I can’t think of any other way to do it.
Does anyone have some ideas or experience with this? Thank you.
Ok, I had a long blathering post, but I realized it probably wasn’t worth posting. Instead I’ll say that I believe Dwarf Fortress has a setup something like what you are talking about, and he’s usually pretty open about such things. I’d check out what he’s done and ask his advice.
The Donate button used to be quite common on websites. You’re right they seem to have updated their useage of it. Although it is unlikely you would raise $10k from it. Anyway, I’d just use the Paypal Buy Now button like you said making it clear they are simply donating. If I did it for a game I am currently developing I’d probably just make it a preOrder while making it clear it is not ready yet and may never be released.
Thanks GarBenjamin. That kind of helps me confirm it then. Man, I really wish Paypal had a “Donate” button that worked with people and businesses who are FOR profit. It’s hard to believe they don’t. I don’t expect to receive more than $10,000, but I just don’t want to risk the chance or have to keep track if for some reason I do end up going over that mark.
No problem. Just my opinion on it off the top of my head of what I would do. Doesn’t mean it is correct but at this moment, not having researched it, it makes sense to me.
It has been my experience that “donate” buttons don’t work (unless you’re Wikipedia). Even a “buy it now” button that gives nothing in return, standing in for a donate button, can be a waste of time.
Ask yourself what it is you really want. Are you expecting to make some money from the button? If you are, then why half-ass it? Decide if you want to give your game away for free or if you want to sell it or monetize it in some way. Then go from there. There’s not really a lot of sense taking the time to put a donate button on your site when most likely it will amount to nothing, and every time you see it reminds you of that fact. Do or don’t.
