Rust Contests for Money! - Ideas for contests? Where to post actual contest details? - Rust

Hey guys, I'm going to be doing daily Rust contests for money on my server. Prizes won't be insane, but it'd still be fun to be playing for money in my opinion. *Edit: [URL="http://facepunch.com/showthread.php?t=1365920"]Here is a link to the current contest[/URL] [I]Prize structures would be like: 1st - $30.00 2nd - $20.00 3rd - $10.00[/I] So I have a couple questions: [B]Do you guys have any ideas for contests?[/B] For instance, my buddy had a great idea in my opinion and I will likely use it for the first contest or one of the first ones. The idea is, whoever has the most paper at the end of a duration wins first. Another idea is people all spawn with a supply signal once (can't die and spawn with another and airdrops can't contain more supply signals), the person with the most supply signals in the end wins... Things like that I think are neat ideas and could be cool contests. So I'd love to hear more ideas as I want to run multiple types of contests throughout a week or month. Some with short durations, some with longer durations. [B]Where should I post the actual post to the contest(s)?[/B] Pretty self-explanatory and aimed more towards a moderator. (I'm assuming the server list) [B]Does this interest you? Why or why not?[/B] Just wanting to get people's reactions and ideas. I haven't seen many Rust competitions or contests, and I'd like to see more. I plan on doing one in a few hours actually from this post, hence the questions. Once I have a thread created for the contest I'll link it here as well. Thanks for reading.

I understand that you would like to get people in your server, but buying a crowd isn't the way to do it. Good servers are usually filled with people that are passionate about the game, you will really only attract people looking to make money this way, which by the way... Will include a lot of hackers and cheaters. If you are really set on doing this, I wish you luck. But money often makes things toxic, and I think you would realize that very quickly.

[QUOTE=Stuntman;43952011]I understand that you would like to get people in your server, but buying a crowd isn't the way to do it. Good servers are usually filled with people that are passionate about the game, you will really only attract people looking to make money this way, which by the way... Will include a lot of hackers and cheaters. If you are really set on doing this, I wish you luck. But money often makes things toxic, and I think you would realize that very quickly.[/QUOTE] Try telling that to TopRustServers after they sell banner spots on their website. It all works the same. Advertising is advertising whether you pay for it or just post in the server section. It's all about how far your willing to go and the risk your willing to take.

First thanks for your response Stuntman, I appreciate it. I understand that logic, and I don't want to come across as buying people. But it's EXTREMELY hard to get people to join your server if you don't have any sort of pull. People want something different, and to be on a server where there is an objective and a chance to win money could be that difference. The only reason I even started a server was because of the countless other servers (I have over 300 hours played) where admins abused, servers were wiped without warning, cheaters and hackers without admins on or bans, and so on... And I'm hoping that since it will only be 10-40 bucks people could win, it's not going to be toxic or crazy. I also understand there is a chance for hackers/cheaters and that's why there will always be admins present. And for most of the contests because of the objective, hackers will not be an issue or at least we are taking them into account as much as possible when thinking of objectives. The duration plays a big part in removing hackers as well, these contests aren't meant to go on for long amounts of time. The idea is to have at least a couple a week so that there isn't a lot of downtime where hackers might be present.

Just wanted to update this forum topic with a link to the first competition we are doing: [URL="http://facepunch.com/showthread.php?t=1365920"]http://facepunch.com/showthread.php?t=1365920[/URL] It starts in 40 minutes, and it should be fun.

[QUOTE=Jerology;43952152]Try telling that to TopRustServers after they sell banner spots on their website. It all works the same. Advertising is advertising whether you pay for it or just post in the server section. It's all about how far your willing to go and the risk your willing to take.[/QUOTE] It's not just about "buying a crowd". Some sponsored guys actually work hard after the initial sponsorship, others don't. I think it's telling when a sponsored slot gets filled with the same sponsor more than once. There's value there. But it's not always a two-way street. You have to have something worth sponsoring first. And if you feel you do, it can be a great investment. Advertising isn't the same as it used to be. It's more about engagement. I don't make posts on here and then walk away, I engage. I respond. I take feedback and consider it. I'm not just here push, push, push. And if server owners can still engage and build a community, they will do wonderfully.

I already said as much but hackers are still running rampant as evidenced by the guy who's been repeatedly nuking all the official servers so I have a pretty strong feeling you're just going to be giving free money away to a few hackers. I'd like to be optimistic but...I find myself being realistic instead.

[QUOTE=IGotWorms;43962123]I already said as much but hackers are still running rampant as evidenced by the guy who's been repeatedly nuking all the official servers so I have a pretty strong feeling you're just going to be giving free money away to a few hackers. I'd like to be optimistic but...I find myself being realistic instead.[/QUOTE] I answered this as best I could on the other forum post, link to that post is 3 posts above this one. But ya, we're going to do our best to not let hackers be an issue!

[QUOTE=jwerd;43961516]It's not just about "buying a crowd". Some sponsored guys actually work hard after the initial sponsorship, others don't. I think it's telling when a sponsored slot gets filled with the same sponsor more than once. There's value there. But it's not always a two-way street. You have to have something worth sponsoring first. And if you feel you do, it can be a great investment. Advertising isn't the same as it used to be. It's more about engagement. I don't make posts on here and then walk away, I engage. I respond. I take feedback and consider it. I'm not just here push, push, push. And if server owners can still engage and build a community, they will do wonderfully.[/QUOTE] I appreciate this answer. It's not as easy as everyone thinks to build a good community. All the ones I've joined seem to not work out very well and I'm hoping this one can be different.

I don't see any issue with a contest like this -- sounds fun. There's no risk involved, so why not participate?

[QUOTE=Ryfle_;43963778]I appreciate this answer. It's not as easy as everyone thinks to build a good community. All the ones I've joined seem to not work out very well and I'm hoping this one can be different.[/QUOTE] Just keep at it man. Our organic top list has brought some real star servers forward and I'm very happy with the outcome. You don't have to always sponsor things, just put yourself up and push the places that give back! :)