Sqwark's Patreon overhaul - Part 1

So starting next month I'll be taking my break and reflecting on some stuff.

I've been thinking recently about the rewards I currently offer and what rewards I could potentially make, bring back, or scrap.
So I'm going to announce the changes that I've considered and am going to most likely put into place in May.
Honestly this has been a long time coming, really.

If you guys see a chane you DO NOT like, or if there's something you'd rather see instead now is the time to speak up. Let me know.

Supporter ($1) changes:

This rank is remaining unchanged, however to be clear on what you guys receive here's a list.

• Monthly summary
• Full-res images
• Original .CLIP files (Clip Studio Paint)
• Animation teasers

You do NOT get access to Patreon Requests in the monthly stream (more on that later), or the commission discount.

Deckhand ($3) changes:

• You guys are still getting the first animation of the month one month early, but you will not be able to vote or suggest characters in any of the animation polls.
  
• You will get access to the commission discount and will have "low request priorty" in my monthly streams (Again, more on that in a bit)

Navigator ($5) changes:

• You're going to keep the ability to vote and suggest characters on the first animation, but will lose the ability to vote or suggest on the second or third animation.
  
• Like with the Deckhand tier, you will get access to the commission discount and will have "medium priority" in the Patreon streams.
  
• HOWEVER - while you're losing the ability to vote, you are getting back access to every animation. Yes, Navigators now get to see all three animations a month rather than just two, and I'll explain why later.

Deckhand ($10) changes:

As stated above, you guys are losing the exclusivity to the 3rd animation of the month (I'll explain why later) but in return I'm giving you guys more voting and suggestion power.

• You guys will be able to vote and suggest characters for all three polls, and you will also be able to vote on stuff like what features and poses you'd like to see within the animations.
  
• You guys will be able to preview and bug-test the animations, and I will work closely with you guys to include your feedback and potential features into the animations.
  
• Like with the previous tiers, you will get access to the commission discount and will have "high priority" in the Patreon streams.
  
• I will be renaming this tier to First Hand instead of Quartermaster.

First Hand ($25) changes:

This ones real simple.

• I am removing the $25 First Mate tier and renaming the Quartermaster tier to First Hand instead. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE PRICE OF THE TIER WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED AT $10.
  So you'll have: Deckhands ($3), Navigators ($5), and First Mates ($10).
  The reason for this is because rarely anyone went for it, and when they did either the rewards were being misunderstood or ignored. I've only had 4 First Hand members, two of which asked for a refund so that should tell you everything.

Monthly streams:

Starting in April I will be streaming weekly every Sunday at 8pm GMT. During these streams I'll either be drawing up commissions, animating, or drawing your Patreon requests.
HOWEVER - there is a catch to this: I'll ask any of my patrons IN THE CHAT for requests on what to draw. If you're not there you cannot request.
Thems the rules.

In addition, those in higher tiers will get priority for requests over those in lower tiers.
I will be putting time aside to draw at least one request from Deckhands, one from Navigators, and one from the Quartermaster tiers so if you want one you're going to need to be quick.
That should mean that every month I will be doing anywhere between 8 - 12 patreon requests, with that number increasing as time goes on and my streaming stamina gets better.
If you cannot attend the stream and work during those times let me know.

Why I'm giving the 3rd animation back to the $5 tier:

Here's the real quick answer: It's because the animations I'm producing at the end of the month just aren't worth $10, and I'm ruining myself mentally trying to hit a standard I know I can't match.

Truthfully making these animations is very stressful because I'm unable to really relax and create content. I have some amazingly talented peers, and in my head it's so incredibly hard to match their quality and it's just running me into the ground.
Combine this fear of not being as good as people want me to be with the fear of wasting people's money and letting them down is killing me mentally and affecting the content I make.

I've always liked to think I have a pretty good integrity but recently I can't say I have integrity at all. Not like this.
I like to be fully transparent with you guys, and this is me openly admitting that I've dropped the ball something rotten.
It's a shame really, I feel like January was such a good month and I really liked making every animation I did, but while people liked the Nessa animation the general reaction I had was "It was great, but not worth $10".

What I'm trying to say is that I'm thoroughly burnt out. I've hit the wall and I'm starting to reconsider even animating anymore. However instead of quitting, I came to the compromise that I'd rather make the kinds of animations I want to make and, unfortunately, expansion animations aren't what I want to do anymore. However that's a topic for a while other post.

Anyway. that's just a few of the things I've had in mind. I've been speaking to a few friends and peers in the community about Patreon rewards, and I feel this strikes a good balance.
There's going to be more changes coming over April, but for now here's the first list of things that come to mind.