americanmcgee
patreon
TurkeyBook and AssTrill
🕑 Added 2020-11-25 05:37:19 +0000 UTCDear Insane Children,
Just a quick (and sad) note to say that there will be no Live Stream this week. We're dealing with a Confluence of Stupidity that has me emotionally drained and technologically blocked.
For several weeks now, we've been dealing with an issue at Facebook/Instagram where our Ad Account is Suspended without reason. This has happened several times now, resulting in lost business for Mysterious. We go through the Appeal Process and then get a "Sorry for the inconvenience" message. No other useful info or reply to our questions is offered.
Now the account appears to be permanently shut down and we have no more option for Appeal.
This could turn into a Major Life Event because it's Mysterious that allows me to live the life of an Independent developer - and makes it possible for Yan to work from home after she was laid off from her "normal" job. If Mysterious were to suddenly vanish... I don't know what we'd do. As everyone is well aware, it's not the greatest time to be out searching for a new job, and that's the same here in China as everywhere else.
Before anyone asks: Patreon money supports the team of seven artists working on all the projects you see being developed here. I try to run it "lean" meaning that there isn't really cash left over after salaries, fees, taxes, shipping, and other expenses related to Patreon. Yes, adjustments could be made to have Patreon support me and my family but that would mean fewer artists being paid for by your support - not ideal and not my goal.
Add to that stress the fact that there's a major delay in trying to get our Astrill VPN account renewed. Payment has been sent but somehow not received. Their support team is blaming the pandemic but I don't see how that has anything to do with transferring money around from bank to bank...
In any case, if our VPN service gets shut down we'll be essentially knocked off the (Western) Internet. So... more stress.
Anyway, I am feeling exceptionally stressed out... not in any shape to host a stream. And our VPN service has kicked down to a non-VIP status, which means we'd probably experience lots of instability and Stream Death (TM).
I don't mean to be a Debby Downer on Thanksgiving... just want to give full transparency into why there's no stream this week.
I really appreciate your support and would be in a full-blown nervous breakdown right now if it weren't for knowing we've got a whole Asylum full of Insane Children to back us up. Much love to you all!
PS: On the Good News Side of Things... [REDACTED 2] say they are looking for TV writers to attach to the Oz: Adventures series project. I think that's huge? And [REDACTED] seem to have collected all the info they need for moving to the next step regarding helping to fund a new studio. Also huge, right? Maybe this will be one of those "one door closes, another opens" moment... Fingers crossed.
From Shanghai with Turkeys,
-American
Comments
That's a Big uupsie from FB. Just another one. Seems like all this online "services" are melting down lately... Well, I'm sure we all Hope you the best wishes and that se be here to give you and your beloved ones as much support as que can.π
I am sure you will make it through, one door close temporarily while another opens hopefully allows for additional ups then downs in the long run. Best of luck in the mean time and try to keep up that insane hope.
Christ Why
What a pain!! I hope everything gets figured out!
Anyway, sorry didn't mean to hit enter. What I would like to say is that you and Martin and your videos and the art and the design have helped me through this tough year. If there is anything that we (me and my little family) can do to help you get through your time, of course we would love to help.
Hi! I am so sorry that you are going through all this stress right now. I am not on Facebook, but I have recently looked over their job listings for work in an attempt to gauge pay and make sure the company I work for has information to remain competitive and I could not find any customer facing roles. I find this to be very strange. All large companies have to have some form of interaction with their customers, and even if they've sourced it, there are still manager roles that stay with the company.
Denise Sury
Weβve got you guys!!! You literally have an army of support - I personally promote your Patreon whenever I can. Just let us know what you need...when you know what you need! β€οΈβ€οΈβ€οΈ
Hi American ππ Shared your FB post to a marketing group and others have said they or someone else they know has experienced the same issues. In almost every case the account has been un-suspended without any reasons. So the posts seems to be tripping the algorithm causing the suspension and/or the posts themselves have been reported by FB users. The bottom line is that it is a "hiccup" on FB that sellers just have to deal with (unless they are scammers and then it all seems fine for them...WTF). Anyway, don't count FB out just yet, unless the account gets deleted and you get banned from FB and then you could count it out. Otherwise the advice i am seeing is to wait. ππ Go play with Lucky and de-stress. Be well, man. βπ
Stephanie Groth
You are one of the most talented people in the business and deserve everything good to come your way. We are THANKFUL for YOU! If there is anything thr Insane Children can do to support Mysterious and aupliment your advertising roadblock, please let us know! Sending love across the sea from Minnesota.
Iβm sorry McGee that this is happening to you I hope it gets better but at least there is good news from REDACTED
Well, at least REDACTED appears to be a very bright spot in a dark year. Also on the brighter side, all of us insane children will do what we can "on the outside". For instance, I bought a Bearfisted Bear a couple days ago!
We got your back! And if I've learned anything in my 31 years on this earth, it's that A) you don't get something for nothing and B) things usually work out in the end, though maybe not in the way you planned/hoped/expected. So fingers crossed for something good coming out of this!
Vivi Cheung
Yikes! I wish you all the best in these difficult times.
Take the time you need and i hope it gets better for you as well as those around you, enjoy the time and im hoping to buy from mysterious myself for some cool stuff ive wanted. Have a good day with love!
Nicholas Brokaw
My thoughts and prayers are going to you and your family, American. I believe that the best scenario will work itβs way out in the end. ππ»
Lucky Dragon βShe.Theyβ
I saw this on Facebook a little while ago. So sorry this is happening to you. I wonder why they singled you out? Itβs not like mature and graphic material like Doom and Mortal Kombat isnβt advertised on FB. This may not be as dire as you think though. People are leaving FB in droves. I donβt foresee it being a viable platform for an independent studio or merchant to advertise for much longer. Iβm sure this will sting, but there are alternatives and once you get your foothold there, you may see a return to previous levels of traffic, perhaps even better.
Well thatβs just plain crap, but it will work out in the end! We gotten this far we can get farther!
Good news bad news post BUT in theory everything should be okay eventually. Stay strong American we love you.
I hope things turn around for you soon! Donβt be stressed I hope yβall have a happy thanksgiving!
