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Changes to GDNet+
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The [color=#f6931a]GDNet+[/color] Membership program was created for members who wanted to support GameDev.net in exchange for additional site features, services, and product discounts.
Not much has changed since the original launch of [color=rgb(246,147,26)]GDNet+[/color], but we've recently evaluated how to improve the [color=#f6931a]GDNet+[/color] membership and set it up for future growth and expansion as new services, partnerships, and site changes are brought online.
Today, we are pleased to announce a new [color=#f6931a]GDNet+[/color] Membership program that we believe creates more value for GameDev.net members now and in the future.
So what's changing? And why did we make these changes?
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Multi-Tier GDNet+ Membership
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GDNet+ Membership will now be offered across multiple tiers:
- [color=#4676a5]GDNet+ Basic - $3.99/mo[/color]
- [color=#54ae68]GDNet+ Standard - $5.99/mo[/color]
- [color=#f6931a]GDNet+ Pro - $7.99/mo[/color]
All current GDNet+ Memberships have been transferred to [color=#4676a5]GDNet+ Basic[/color]. Renewals will continue at the new monthly/quarterly/yearly rates. Members are encouraged to upgrade their plans as they see fit. I'll cover the differences of these tiers further down.
All plans offer the same core GDNet+ site features. For members wanting to advertise on GameDev.net, we've increased the number of impressions you receive from 50,000 at Basic to 75,000 at Standard and 100,000 at Pro. Also, we've introduced "ad lite" and "ad free" GameDev.net site experiences in the Standard and Pro tiers. More details on this below.
View the GDNet+ subscription page for more information.
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Removed Crossbones Member Group
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The Crossbones Member Group will be removed. If you were a paying member of Crossbones (a few members), then your membership has been transferred to [color=#4676a5]GDNet+ Basic[/color].
On December 1, all Crossbones members who are not paying members will be moved to the standard Members group. Since we recently disabled renewals for Crossbones, you should confirm whether you are a paying member or not.
We recognize that Crossbones is a popular group that recognizes your contributions to the site. While Crossbones provided an incentive for members to contribute, it decreased the value of GDNet+ by providing Crossbones members with many of the same perks GDNet+ members received.
With the removal of Crossbones, we will continue to evaluate ways to provide recognition to GameDev.net members. Of course, if you have feedback leave your comments in this blog post below, post in the CSI forum, or email us at [email="support@gamedev.net?subject=Crossbones%20Member%20Group%20Removal"]support@gamedev.net[/email].
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Ads
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Earlier this summer we brought network ads back (Adsense and Amazon). We've listened to your concerns about these ads and now include solutions in the [color=#54ae68]GDNet+ Standard [/color]and [color=#54ae68][color=#f6931a]GDNet+ Pro[/color][/color] tiers. [color=#54ae68]GDNet+ Standard [/color]members will only see GameDev.net member ads or ads being sold directly by GameDev.net - so we can guarantee they will be relevant and safe. [color=#54ae68][color=#f6931a]GDNet+ Pro[/color][/color] members will not see any ads.
We are also evaluating whether to make ads in both tiers a configurable profile option.
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Ad Tiers
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Some users have voiced feedback that they did not want GDNet+ features wanted a way to remove ads. As an experiment, we've created a second set of membership plans: Ad-Lite and Ad-Free. These plans do not include standard GDNet+ features, but they do remove ads.
The Ad-Lite plan will only see GameDev.net members ads or ads being sold directly by GameDev.net. This plan is being offered at $3.99/mo, or the same price level as [color=#4676a5]GDNet+ Basic[/color].
The Ad-Free plan will not see any ads on GameDev.net. This plan is being offered at $5.99/mo, or the same price level as [color=#54ae68]GDNet+ Standard.[/color]
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What's Next?
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Moving forward we plan to bring even more value to the GDNet+ membership. We are reviewing new benefits that we can provide through our recently launched GameDev Marketplace while also discussing product discounts and services with our partners. In addition, we're thinking about how GameDev.net can provide more long-term value to its members through services and technologies that help you learn, share, and connect with the games industry.
Of course, if you are perfectly happy as a GameDev.net Member and not interested in GDNet+ or supporting GameDev.net then there is no change for you.
However, if you want to support GameDev.net in exchange for member benefits and services - including removal of ads from GameDev.net - then learn more and sign up on the GDNet+ subscription page.
How does one upgrade from GDNet+ Basic to Pro? Am I even a GDNet+ member? I know I have been paying, but my profile page says I'm in the Crossbones+ group, member title is GDNet+ though. In the client area under purchases it shows an expired GDNet+ membership (expired in 2013).