If you're thinking of getting a profit from your BYOND game, consider the various methods at your disposal.

But before you go ahead and implement one of these, remember the simple rule: it's illegal to earn a profit of any kind with a fan game. Just so you know.


HostWare -
Anyone can download and play the game for free -- however, if a player is not subscribed to the game, they will be incapable of hosting it for others to join. Thus, players are restricted to playing on someone else's server or to playing by themselves unless they make the nominal fee.

HostWare systems in BYOND seem to be fairly popular, mainly because of their ease of use and understanding. Unfortunately, BYOND does not yet fully support HostWare systems -- that is, someone *can* host their game regardless of whether or not they've made a payment: when people connect to the game, they are told that the server is running a non-subscribed version and they are then disconnected. In the future, this might change.

[edit]This article was actually written a long time ago. As it turns out, the world/OpenPort() procedure was added after the time of writing. Simply override that procedure not to call "..()" unless you wish to allow hosting.


CommercialWare -
The game must be bought by a player before it can be played, either versus other players or by themselves. A single-player demo version of the game may optionally be available, but not in the same package.

CommercialWare games don't seem too common in the BYOND universe, but there are many opportunities for them that seem to be casually ignored. CommercialWare mimics the forms of games that currently fill the market today. However, the calibre of a game that someone must pay money for to play is generally required to be fairly high -- BYOND can make good games, but it can't make high-powered, high-tech games, making this payment option even more rare.


NagWare -
Players may play for free, but if they have not paid, they get a request when they log into the world. If the fee is paid, the requests for payment can be suspended for a period of time (or indefinitely if desired).


PleadWare -
Players play for free. Every so often when they log in, they get a request for payment, which can optionally be ignored.


FeatureWare -
Players may play a limited capacity version of the game. If they choose to pay a one-time fee, they may play a full-capacity version of the game. (Alternately known as CrippleWare.)


DonationWare -
Players play the game for free. If desired, players may donate money through the use of appropriate commands. Casual hints to donate can be dropped here and there, but donation is not a necessity, just an option.


AdWare -
Prices for running the game are paid for by advertisements. Players are encouraged to click on advertisements, with special rewards and other in-game bonuses provided to those who do. In some cases, players are *forced* to click on advertisements (which I, personally, find rather wrong).
<< Not currently possible with BYOND, but Dantom has some plans, as my memory serves me. So stay tuned. >>


ShareWare -
Players may play a full version of the game. However, after a certain amount of time, they will no longer be able to play unless they pay a one-time fee. This is called ShareWare because people are encouraged to distribute the game to their friends, so everyone can try it out and then buy it if they like it.


FreeWare -
The game is completely, unconditionally free. No real-life money is ever involved within the game, and the game should be distributed to everyone and their siblings.


MonthlyWare -
Players must pay a monthly fee to play the game. Payments must be made before time may be accrued. Advance payments give users a better deal in the long run. Players may or may not get the first month free, though the tendency is to allow them a free first month.


AdvantageWare -
Players may play for free as desired. If a player has the money and the will, s/he may pay to have a slight advantage at various opportune moments throughout the game; for example, pay for additional in-game money, or to have a weapon improved, or to pick a special character class, and so on.


CharacterWare -
Players must pay a one-time fee for every character they create (or, alternately, every character after the first). If their character dies (and there is permanent death) they must pay once again. Generally, if you don't have permanent death, this prevents players from readily creating "multis"; characters designed to exploit the system by benefiting the player's other character. If you do have permanent death, it makes players a lot more concerned about their character's well-being, but might also turn away potential players.


FineWare -
Players play for free. If the player makes some sort of inappropriate mistake, or causes problems with the game or with other players, s/he gets suspended until a small payment is made. In other words, play nice, or pay nicely.


CareWare -
People can play the game completely for free, but they have to let you know how much they like it, or dislike it, and they have to explain why they liked or disliked it. They also have to make suggestions as necessary. If they don't show any signs that they really care, they get removed (for example, playing for a few weeks without submitting a questionnaire).


DownloadWare -
Players can play a hosted multiplayer version on a central server for free. If they want to play uninterrupted or lag-free, however, they have to pay to get a download.


SourcecodeWare -
If people download and use the source code, they MUST make a source code contribution as payment, or have their subscription to the source code revoked. It is otherwise free to use.


PostcardWare -
Players must send a postcard to the owner of the game. It is otherwise free.


LevelWare -
The game is fully functional right from the demo, but it only contains a couple of the full game's package of scenarios, levels, or other miscellaneous addons. A different form of FeatureWare that can be considered a little less annoying.</<>