So, a long time ago, back when FW was first starting out, we used to give things away. We'd set up competition rules and we'd get a decent turn-out. Gave away a Nintendo DS, Sony stereo system, some games, bunch of stuff. The games we'd run were things like, "Write a short story with these elements."
Those days are gone, though, and through these times, people are lazier than ever. That said, I'm still willing to give things away. Right now, I'm looking at using the Humble Bundles as a means to do so. They're a convenient package to deliver a variety of content.
At the time of writing, they only have their Weekly and Book bundles running, and the Weekly one is almost expired. However the book bundle still has over a week to go. If you play and win, you'll receive the highest tier of items that are being offered at the end of the sale, with a $20 cap being placed upon bundle purchases. (What am I, made of money get outa here)
How you play. Given that any attempt to get people to actually put any effort into anything at all is completely pointless, I'll make it easy. Roll a dice. Each person gets one roll and tries to get as close to possible as a number that is posted in each bundle offer. (Don't try to cheese the system, I can see when you've modified your posts. If you change a roll because it's undesirable, I can see that too. Trying to cheat will exclude you from all future giveaways.)
All you have to do is click on the dice icon on the far right side of the cluster of icons in the posting field (Looks like this (http://www.furry-within.com/Themes/flagrantly_20g/images/bbc/roll.gif)) and type between the brackets 1d1000. Then hit post. That's it. That's the extent of effort required by you to participate in this event.
Even if you don't want the items in question, play anyway. The links are transferable and you can give them to someone else who might actually want them.
So, in summary, here are the rules.
Giveaway Rules
- Each person gets one roll of a 1000 sided dice. This is each person, alternate accounts do not get an additional roll and doing so will exclude you from future giveaways.
- Modifying a post after you have rolled is explicitly forbidden. If you have an issue with your post, please locate a site moderator, or myself or Rain. We will be able to assist you. Modifying your post in giveaway threads will exclude you from future giveaways.
- The winners are determined by those who roll closest to the number posted at the top of every giveaway thread.
- Each giveaway will have a countdown timer at the top of the giveaway thread, counting down to when the bundle expires. You have until that clock expires to roll.
- Each giveaway requires that at least 12 people participate. You're rolling a dice, people, don't be such losers, c'mon just play.
If people suspect that someone is cheating in whatever way, report their post (there's a "Report to moderator" button at the bottom of every single post on the forums) and we'll look into it.
As always, if you have any comments, concerns, questions or suggestions, please feel free to post them here, or message me or the other staff directly.
And now, a waltz down Guilt Trip Ln.
People, I've been running this site since 2007. Since then, I've been trying to get you guys to contribute more to the site in general, not just AFK in the chat. Be more social on the forums. I've poured thousands of dollars into upkeep of the site, and features that oftentimes are at the request of users who then never use the things requested of them. This is to say nothing of the work I've put in. FW never has and never will have advertisements, donations are almost never given (Though a sincere thank you to those who do contribute, you're the bawm dawt cawm), and all that's really used is the chat. Which is a shame, because there's so much more on the site, and it could be so much better if people used things more and made the site feel like it was a community again, instead of a clique of people just hanging out in the cool kids spot.
I am still willing, for some stupid reason, to put my money and time on the line, to try and make an entertaining and engaging experience for you guys, but you've got to give something back to me for everything I've given you. Just try to be more active on the site. Post in the game boards, start a discussion, suggest something for me to add to the site
and then use it. I'm trying to accommodate you guys.
This, right here, is giving away free stuff, out of my own pocket, in an attempt to get you guys to be more active on the site.
After all the time, effort, money I've put into this place, I don't want this to just be another disappointment. Please don't let me down.
... Not here, guys. In the thread I'm going to make with details on the individual bundle. A for effort, though.
The first thread is up. http://www.furry-within.com/index.php/topic,881.0.html Go forth and do something.
With the first giveaway successful in garnering enough attention, the second giveaway is up and running. Check it out here. http://www.furry-within.com/index.php/topic,887.0.html
Oh lawd, what am I doing? Get yourself a copy of Tabletop Simulator! 24 hour window of opportunity, participate now! http://www.furry-within.com/index.php/topic,893.0.html
I'd class the first two giveaways as successful. More will be coming soon, so keep an eye out for them. The chat message of the day will also update once a new giveaway is posted, in case you never come to the forums.