I can't speak to how much most journalists make in a month, but I do know they don't have to host and maintain a website
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Jim Sterling Goes Independent
- Thread starter Spineker
- Start date
Jim Fucking Sterling, the man who spent honest money on fucking GRASS SIMULATOR so you didn't have to?
Mate, I'd take Jim Sterling's word over a hundred indie dev's promises. He knows what he produces and he's fucking entertaining while he does so. He's the Ringmaster over Steam Schlock.
The man actually tried out all four modes of fucking GRASS SIMULATOR.
The only other game reviewer in the fucking industry I love and cherish more is Jeremy Parish, and I'm pretty sure that's because I was going through puberty while reading his reviews. (Note to self: Far to late to call no-homo on that one.)
Hmm. Does Patreon require a breakdown of costs or is it free of accountability on that front as long as the content is delivered?
The Technomancer
card-carrying scientician
Given the amount of content he creates I think that's fair. He's a popular content creator, why shouldn't he make a decent living?
A) I "rail on" broken games that are misrepresented before sale being sold on Early Access. I have, in fact, highly praised several good Early Access games, such as Nekro.
B) The Jimquisition is not exactly an unproven product. I've produced over 200 episodes of the show to date and have been one of the hardest workers in the industry. It's not as if you can't see how much work I put in.
C) I don't need a C, because A and B were awesome.
To everyone else: Thank you for the support. GAF's been really good to me for the past couple years, and the positivity here is helping curb my panic attack.
the slaughtering grounds/a new reckoning were misrepresented? the store page pictures and videos make them appear to be shit, which is what they are... they are pretty representative of the final package. you have even noted as much on your videos that their steam store pages were shit..
I agree that your episodes are a proven product, but why should one pay for an episode if they have no interest in what is being discussed?
Jim Fucking Sterling, who has access to a press account that doesn't need currency to purchase games like fucking GRASS SIMULATOR you mean?
edit: and I think it's fairly fucking silly that you think I, or a majority of people even, would even have a desire to spend money on grass simulator
I'm waiting for a bundle
Because his Patreon is worded in a way where it doesn't actually have rewards and tiers, he's basically free to take the money and run if he wants.
Of course, it's incredibly unlikely he will, but because this doesn't have tiers or flat amounts, he doesn't have to do anything. It's very much a faith/honor system, and since it's monthly, if the user isn't happy they can simply pull funding.
The Cowboy
Member
Considering he's at $800 dollars a month already (and its rising quite quickly), this seems like its not risky at all - in fact it looks like easy money considering how popular he is.
A) I "rail on" broken games that are misrepresented before sale being sold on Early Access. I have, in fact, highly praised several good Early Access games, such as Nekro.
B) The Jimquisition is not exactly an unproven product. I've produced over 200 episodes of the show to date and have been one of the hardest workers in the industry. It's not as if you can't see how much work I put in.
C) I don't need a C, because A and B were awesome.
To everyone else: Thank you for the support. GAF's been really good to me for the past couple years, and the positivity here is helping curb my panic attack.
<3 your the man jim love your content and it's use of the gifs and even your video's are very relevant today.
The Technomancer
card-carrying scientician
Right, this is the thing about Patreon: anyone can back out at any time
Well, just for practical reasons 6k on Patreon is a lot. Even mega popular channels like Corridor Digital are barely making that. Not too many patreons above that. Ones that are tend to be a specific project that'll be made so the funding only lasts a couple months.
66k after Patreon's 8% cut
Does it matter?
Before taxes, $72,000/year isn't much to ask from a totally independent content creator. The man has a family to feed, and content to create.
I'm willing to do my bit to make sure he pays his bills. He's costing me a fucking Starbucks coffee a month, and I'd far rather give up a single god-damned coffee a month than give up the existence of Jim, "God Bless 'Im" Sterling.
Feel free to discontinue your support if he ever discontinues the production of content. That's kind of how Patreon works.
CrankyKong
Member
Patreon seems like it could be very good for a popular internet personality.
Look at Spoonys one, he gets over 5k a month on top of his video ad revenue
Look at Spoonys one, he gets over 5k a month on top of his video ad revenue
IdreamofHIME
Member
It's weird you put 9 years on there when Jim has been there 1 year and 1 week only.
:/
Jim Fucking Sterling Son?
You sound suspiciously like one of the people he has criticised.
Gaz Pwnage
Member
Ah right ok.
Self employment tax will take up about 10k. Health insurance will eat another $500-1000 a month for his family unless his wife works and it is subsidized. Then he has state income tax eating another 5% i bet.
72K year self employed he'll likely take home around 50-57k (depending where he lives) when all is done.
Edit: I didn't even think of Patreon' cut
Jim Fucking Sterling Son?
You sound suspiciously like one of the people he has criticised.
you should note that 1. in the context I was replying to a poster who used the same vernacular. 2. Jim Fucking Sterling Son has become a meme in itself, even Mr. Sterling uses it...
samuraidino
Member
Iv gotta say, his video on Konami a few years back that got him blacklisted is one of the most brutal criticisms of a publisher iv ever seen.
.... And it's fucking glorious.
youtube.com/watch?v=4g1xMAPG8Ik
Jim then referring to himself as Konami's head of PR and his fans congratulating him on Konami's official Facebook page then brought it to the next level of hilarity
IcyRhythms
Member
Ebegging confirmed
Well, it's not really about you using those specific words, it is more about you feeling the need to start bitching about him. I was just wondering where ti was coming from.
Waylon Drums
Member
I pay for Botchamania, I suppose I can also pay for the Jimquisition.
Jim Sterling
Member
I added an update to the Patreon page answering the "6K" question, which reads as follows:
"So I've seen a few people angry at the $6,000 milestone, asking why I'd need that much, and considering it a bit steep. Fortunately, I'm not asking you all to pay 6K each! But to answer your concerns, I've said goodbye to three simultaneous video series, as well as the reviews editor day job, while supporting my wife and stepchild, paying a mortgage, and dealing with significant self-employment taxes. I generally work seven days a week, and want to continue doing so. The milestone figure is a secure baseline to keep me financially consistent. If I don't make it that far, I won't *not* produce the content. But I felt it better to honestly share my goal. I hope that clears it up!"
"So I've seen a few people angry at the $6,000 milestone, asking why I'd need that much, and considering it a bit steep. Fortunately, I'm not asking you all to pay 6K each! But to answer your concerns, I've said goodbye to three simultaneous video series, as well as the reviews editor day job, while supporting my wife and stepchild, paying a mortgage, and dealing with significant self-employment taxes. I generally work seven days a week, and want to continue doing so. The milestone figure is a secure baseline to keep me financially consistent. If I don't make it that far, I won't *not* produce the content. But I felt it better to honestly share my goal. I hope that clears it up!"
HighResTomato
Member
So this guy wants $6000 per month, $72000 a year to review video games? Thats a salary unfortunately even people with high degrees won't get.
edit: beaten.
edit: beaten.
Because you support the show/his work and not an (single) episode.
When you break down what that content is, it does seem like a lot. A hell of a lot, actually.
quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
LiegeWaffle
Member
I guess this is a logical conclusion of his claims about "if you block ads, you can totally do that, but do not expect me to care about your opinion".
I personally feel totally good for backing him, since I already watch every episode he releases, and it's totally worth couple of bucks a month.
Does he still intend to write reviews for the Escapist? I see only part where he moves the show, but nothing about reviews.
I personally feel totally good for backing him, since I already watch every episode he releases, and it's totally worth couple of bucks a month.
Does he still intend to write reviews for the Escapist? I see only part where he moves the show, but nothing about reviews.
Jim Sterling
Member
Actually, you know what? We'll axe that entirely. I'd rather not get bogged into a debate over what is and isn't fair to ask, which goes against the "pay what you want" thing.
You should make it $20,000.
IcyRhythms
Member
People support it by giving him hits/views/clicks etc as it is. He shouldn't ebeg his fans so that he doesn't have to work for someone.
Oh please i would rather see and support jim this way with no ads what so ever and give him a few bucks for more content. Now we see Jimquistion once a week and now i can see it more and better content. If you dont like it walk away and don't be a dick sounding like he is begging for it because that is utter nonsense what your talking about.
Not really.
Other content creators earn a fuck of a lot more for a fuck of a lot less. There's no scale for content volume versus income earned.
TotalBiscuit's earnings for a single video, for example, far eclipse what Jim's hoping to earn through a month's worth of content creation.
He's not asking that people shoulder the burden themselves. He's asking for just 6000 fans, 6000 people of the 78,000 people subscribed to his channel, just one in thirteen viewers, to pay a single dollar per month to see more of his content.
That's not an especially hard thing to ask for.
your salary is up to the scrutiny of your employer.
shocking that when the public is asked for money they offer public scrutiny in return...
I can assure you that by being based out of Mississippi, it is never cold in his office.
The Technomancer
card-carrying scientician
He did mention some re-negotiation had to go on
Waylon Drums
Member
Think about what a talking head on ESPN makes for reviewing and analyzing sports. Why shouldn't Jim get even a fraction of that for doing the same for gaming?
duessano
Member
That's how I feel, he left dtoid because the escapist offered a better opportunity and now ditches them. I won't watch because I'm not donating and this ends my consumption of Jim Sterling media.
IcyRhythms
Member
Couldn't agree more.