Announcement

TLDR:
I wanted to let you know that I'll be introducing Patreon-exclusive content, including alternate versions, unique camera angles, and longer animations. I'm making this change to help support the ongoing costs of my work.


Hello everyone,

This month marks my 3-year anniversary, and while some might see it as a reason to celebrate, I want to share something that's been on my mind for a while now.

I'm not particularly fond of discussing finances because it can sometimes feel like asking for handouts, but I've reached a point where I can't ignore this issue any longer. I've always strived to be fair and open, sharing my work with everyone and offering higher resolution versions to those who support me on Patreon. However, this approach isn't sustaining my monthly expenses, which include model costs, server fees, and various other overheads, not to mention the regular investments in hardware upgrades. While I occasionally generate a small surplus through commissions, when I look at my overall expenditures over the past 3 years, it barely covers the costs I incur to keep this endeavor going. It's disheartening to think that I'm essentially paying to work countless hours, and commissions, while a source of income, can be creatively draining.

I still have a passion for what I do, but lately, I've been feeling more burnt out. It's demoralizing to pour countless hours into projects and receive minimal feedback in return. My Patreon has plateaued, which has me questioning why I continue this week after week.

I've always told myself it's not about the money, but to be honest, there's a financial reality to consider. Hardware, models, voice acting, software, and other resources are costly.

I see two options ahead: either I give up or strive to reach a break-even point, allowing me to continue this work more economically.

After pondering this for about a year, I've made the decision to introduce Patreon-exclusive content. This will include alternate versions, different camera angles, and longer animations, exclusively available to patrons. Personally, I'm not a fan of gating content, but it seems to be the only way to encourage support for what I do.

Furthermore, I've reluctantly decided to give this approach 6-12 months. If I don't see any noticeable improvements in the situation, I might have to step away, as difficult as that sounds. It wouldn't be wise to sustain this venture at a loss for an extended period.

The first artwork with Patreon-exclusive content is already in early access, and I'll only publicly release 1-2 of the 4 available versions of upcoming artwork.

Thank you for taking the time to read through this lengthy message and for understanding the situation.

Sanmie3D