Penny Arcade Sells Out

When most people hear the phrase “sell out”, they think of someone submitting to the higher-ups in exchange for money or “success”, often compromising independent integrity or principles. That is why it’s ironic that Mike Krahulik and Jerry Holkins of penny-arcade.com have decided to title their latest kickstarter initiative “Penny Arcade Sells Out.” Krahulik and Holkins raised a question to fans of the site, asking them: “would you be willing to pay for a Penny Arcade website devoid of Advertisement?”

Krahulik and Holkins began this initiative for a couple of reason. They wanted to eliminate the workload of two people securing ad revs. for the site in order to move focus on providing more content for users, as well as creating an ad free experience for fans of the site. In order to continue to provide content for users without advertisement revenues they estimated that they would need at least $250,000 from those willing to contribute, in order to maintain the site for one year.

After only two days “Penny Arcade Sells Out” has already raised over $215,000 with 34 days remaining. For many years now ad revenue has been the only way Internet content providers have been able to continue providing content to users. Youtube, Facebook, Yelp, Kotoku, and many other are all funded by companies that host ads on their sites. If Penny Arcade’s goal of $250,000 is reached, it will mark a huge revolution in how internet content is funded, it will also lay testament to the power of crowd funding and devoted online communities.

In order to become a backer, users are asked to make a donation to projects they wish to support. Donations are subject to a minimum of one dollar. The more money a user pledges to a project the higher the incentive. Typical incentives ranging anywhere between honorable mention, to, a meet and greet with the founders. Farther more, If you decide to donate $1 or more to “Penny Arcade Sells Out,” Gabe will shout your name while chasing a duck. If you decide to donate $15 dollars or more, Gabe will think about you during sex, with a certificate of appreciation of course…. No…wait- he wont think about you while having sex WITH the CERTIFICATE, you see… you receive a certificate separately….. :\

go donate.

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/575109064/penny-arcade-sells-out

-Brice