Webnovel.Forum

checkm8

Qidian CN works off a completely different model from QI if you've ever visited it before. There's no such thing as reading without paying(... or at least very little of it, you're shown a set number of characters as free chapters, usually amounting to around 10% of the novel?), i believe there's a monthly rotation of free novels, but no control over that, not are you able to maintain access (at least through the website) after they leave rotation.

Unless I see evidence of QI moving towards that model shown by Qidian CN, I chose to believe in current model until Qidian changes it. I have no reason to speculate otherwise except for existing models, which may or may not even be legal (hey look, I can throw baseless accusations around too!).

Mowuji_immortal

So now let's talk about the value of the advance chapters on patreon itself.

This means that intrinsically patrons are using their money in order to read ahead and that proves true so long as the chapter isn't released to the public.

This means that the value of chapters on Patron can be set as Patronage % of days the chapter remains premium. (it works better after being expressed. X Y/Z where X = patronage, Y= premium days, Z = total number of days in premium.)

In practice that means on the day you pay your patronage, you're paying $5 for the month and the value of that patronage drops on a daily basis.After the first week, assuming you attach equal preference to each chapter, you're losing approximately 25% of the value of your patronage because hey, that chapter is now free. *

On the other hand, if you're going through Qidian's premium program, that value of the one chapter that you unlocked can be held for as long as 14 weeks in extreme examples.* Going by a very dumb comparison You're losing around 7% of the value in the same time frame.

*you COULD do a whole bunch of math with the expression I gave above and figure this out in a manner that makes better sense, but honestly it's not worth it. The logic doesn't change which is simply that the value of patron money also depends on the time that they are "kept premium". Which is the only tangible benefit that can be given to patrons. The longer your "bought" chapter is kept premium, the less value you lose as time goes on.

Alternatively, on a per chapter basis, Even the most generous patreon I can think of charges >$1 per chapter, which is tantamount to 50 SS that you can use on multiple chapters. Again, this is helpful towards patrons.

All this is just a fancy ay of saying that the value of patronage to Qidian is both cheaper by a per chapter basis as well as depreciates slower.

The only drawback is free chapters, of which you're still given 7/week which is for a premium product that you should be spending money on perfectly fine from my point of view.

Edit: also, tldr i'm bad at using spreadsheets today apparently, decided to just cheat and throw in the cost from the messages here ~_~; Sorry.

Thormented There's no such thing as reading without paying

You actually haven't paid much attention to Qidian's website.

There are currently ~845,000 works that are free to read and ~29,500 VIP works that require payment. VIP works usually have some set of chapters free, typically 100 or so. It's not really possible to do a percentage since the novels are usually serials.

CKtalon It took me a while to process everything. I am curious now. Tell me.
Did WW buy right to translate those 20 novels for free by actually paying money?
If they did they are really big idiots to exclusevely give away their any other rights to make money out it other than ad money.

And I refuse to believe Qidian did not know this. I absolutely refuse to believe that. The most probable reason I can think of is the inhousing patreon system WW just implemented. Comeon, this argument of violation of contract can be right if you follow every rules down to the lines. But seriously, start humanizing.

{{{{Despite how justifiable it is, it sounds like a move to crush WW when it starts to compete seriously.}}}}

If it is as Qidian claims, they can Ask and ORDER WuxiaWorld to NOT apply in-house patreon system in WW site. That sounds justifiable. WW can do it with other publisher novels.

And if RXW claims the patreon page upload doesn't have anything to do with WW, then I am afraid he is digging himself a pit. Individuals do not have a contract with Qidian nor they are authorized to publish these novels. So Qidian can claim DMCA like "You cheated" "You cheated." But seriously give them a lease.

CKtalon A proper authorization would be something like this:

A revocable authorization (without proper conditions) is a proper authorization? Laughable.

PATREON SHOULD SUE WW FOR STEALING THEIR BUSINESS PLAN LOL.

checkm8 The contract was signed some time in Oct 2016. Most of the Patreons started in early 2017. Generally, QI acts with one eye closed. But with the fall out, QI naturally isn't gonna continue acting with one eye closed.

QI also actually hasn't made many statements. A lot of it is done through inference by us who think that QI didn't do anything wrong.

Also, are you being selective in what I'm saying? I quoted RWX on most things, providing how it is inconsistent. He posted a contract that says nothing about inhouse Patreon/Patreon, or anything of that thing. WW's past and future acts have been in breach of the contract to begin with.

CKtalon Oh CKtalon, as much as like you, I cannot agree with this one.

You did not get what I mean. You said its an understanding. BUT UNDERSTANDINGS and AGREEMENTS has no value unless it's in the contract. Right?

In your own early words,

CKtalon RWX also claims that Qidian allowed it during investment agreement talks which would have been fine IF it was actually signed.

So unless proper conditions of revoke is agreed upon, the company can revoke it on a wimp.
For ex. I as your boss in the company had an issue with you when you said a comment on how you don't like my striped pants and I kept it in mind. I just make some God knows what reason and revoked it.....

So what I am saying is the term is open-ended and thus can be exploited.
It should be like it can be revoked when
a) if the work becomes premium
b) if the translator is fired
c) blah blah

So if you agreed to an open word like that basically, it turns into be a privilege the other party may give you to enjoy until they feel like it is time to revoke rather than a benefit you enjoy.

WW can be like this too. They may not had thought too deeply into this.

Do you understand what I am saying? The contract may hold properly if both parties are in harmony and there can be mutually agreed clause and conditions that may not be specified. But when these parties turn enemies, then they are not trying to hold these contract or UNDERSTANDINGS under its harmony but tries to exploit its loopholes.

Thormented Yes, it's a false equivalency.

I concur here.

It's really a classic supply and demand issue. QI is attempting to regulate the supply of chapters to increases the demand and thus gets readers to spend more money. Most of the outcry since premium has gone live is because the supply has been reduced. Only getting 7 chapters a week instead of 21 etc.

Think of a drug user who has to pay more for their drugs when previously it was very cheap or even free. They will scream and scream but will most likely still attempt to get a fix.

Users have two options.

1. Pay more for their fix(chapters).

2. Cut back on their use.
3. Find another source for their fix. This is where things get interesting.
A. They can look for similar substances (Other stories). Possibly finding something they like better.
or
B. They can steal to get their fix. Maybe they steal from their drug dealer or do whatever they need to do to get their fix.

We are seeing both at the moment.

This is also where a reputation can matter
Imagine:
Drug dealer A is a good guy, but needs to make some money(maybe he needs to cover his use). When you have some money you don't mind helping him out (Plus you get your fix!)

Next,
Imagine Drug dealer B is an asshole. Maybe he steals from other dealers, starts fights all the time or cuts his shit. The nerve!

Which would you rather get your shit from??