Patreon Interim Update 13/09/2021

Len

This should have read “we apologize for exploiting the labor of our unpaid mods for over a year while knowing very well that the size of the discord server was growing far beyond the scope that a volunteer mod team could reasonably handle.”

Brinnanza

let me rephrase I didn't resign cause I never signed anything I quit resign implies a formalized position and uh that sure as hell wasn't what the discord mods were

Alannah Small

I'm not in the discord and have no idea what the specific issues are, but you can absolutely resign from a volunteer position. I have done it myself, more than once. For-profit companies using volunteer labour is a whole other can of worms, and is pretty morally questionable. But just because you are not getting paid for a position doesn't mean you cant resign from it.

I always wondered why the discord was so big in the patron tiers. There must be more people like me who never bothered with the discord. It will be interesting to see how they switch it up.

Latitia

Nah, you can apparently just shove it off to a handful of volunteers, no payment or support required, no sweat for the company

I don't use the discord, but handling and keeping up continuous moderating for one so large must be really difficult! I think it's really admirable that the discord was started but I won't be sad if it's gone for good.

ArreisStörmQuest

Sorry to hear all this is happening Hannah, and to a company and people I have truly come to love and appreciate. I can't speak on the topic that much because if I'm being honest I don't use the RQ Discord server that often; however I can say that every time I have been on there it's been nothing but love and positivity and mutual support so it breaks my heart to hear all of this negativity and accusations. But I'm not going to speaking for RQ and the team, instead I'll just wait for further details like you said. Still sending all my love and support to everyone over at Rusty Towers, hope you guys are doing ok despite the chaos.

Mel Andrews

I'll reserve judgment until this big update, but it's not looking good so far.

red

not to mention the several THOUSAND discord members who aren’t patrons…

Bresby

Once upon a time, I started supporting a company on patreon not just because I liked their work, but because I believed they were a good company. That they cared about their employees, their volunteers, and their fans and wanted to do some good. Naturally, this turned out to be a fairy tale. The attempts to deflect blame away from yourself and the vagueness that is clearly an attempt to cause your patrons to speculate in such a way as to make them blame another individual for these events is disgusting. And for all of your carefully concocted PR, it is also painfully transparent. I have argued in your defense through various controversies because I truly believed you were trying your best and working to improve. Now, I regret every penny I've ever given to you and every word I've spoken praising you. Will I continue to support you after this month? Honestly, at this point, it would take a miracle.

Katy DeCoste

[IMOGEN voice] Yikes!

faye

For those confused on why people are upset with this message, I’ve reworded the areas that stand out: “We also apologise for the hurt we caused them during their time with us, whether through a lack of communication or clear support. We are grateful for everything they have done for us as volunteers since the Discord was created.” “We are also continuing investigating some serious allegations that were brought to our attention. Because this is an ongoing process, we cannot legally give more details at this time.” Thank you for the update Hannah and I honestly look forward to seeing what RQ has to say on Wednesday.

Julia K

[circus music intensifies]

Nepenthe Wang

Hannah, I hope you realise that not all the ex-mods have Patreon subscriptions because you didn't give them any, and so now this apology is another thing that other people had to tell the mods about because you didn't.

Miria

Question: would it be considered sharing patron-exclusive content and thus unacceptable to screenshot your apology and share it to those of your now ex-mods who aren’t patrons?

Anthony

Update much appreciated, and I look forward to hearing what positive changes will be made going forward. xx

Brinnanza

you can't resign from something that isn't a job but thanks for the continued hostility I guess my expectations were already in the basement

TheShy Typospherian

I think RQ is handling the situation as best a young company can. Fantastic job friends!