This is a loose transcription of what was said during the livestream. Sorry, I wish I could spend more time and type out what was said word for word! So these aren't direct quotes, but hopefully, I'll capture the key points.
In the first part of the video, Chang summarizes all the information presented in this topic as well as our previous topic.
Chang: Why are you sunsetting the support program? The support program was more of a community feature than our business model in regards to our company becoming profitable. However, it was more of an engineering and product reasons because there was a direct clash with the business model and the support program. Our engineering teams wants to accommodate as best as possible, but this was just one of those things that we couldn't make it work.
Michael: Is ad revenue going away? No, in fact we might be seeing an improvement.
Michael: We want to make a manageable way to monetize off of content and allow creators to concentrate more on their work.
Chang: A question that I saw in the forums is 'will I be participating in this new business model?' So if we build this new business model, will that be open to everyone on day one? Not likely. It's not because we don't want to do that, but it's because we don't have a lot of resources. We have to take baby steps and scale it out to more and more creators.
Q and A Section:
Q: For the novels section, will fan fiction be forbidden?
A: We're not against it as a concept, we're really just looking for good content. But currently, we can't definitely say if we are or are not allowing fan fiction.
Q: Will you support ePub?
A: Yes, the current plan is to support ePub.
-we are interrupted by our office neighbors because they wanted a pen-
Q: Will you open an online store akin to Inkblazers?
A: Chang said "that'd be cool." But we really need to focus on digital first and get that right before we start thinking about physical products.
Q: With support sunsetting, how can we get some tapastic t-shirts and mugs?
A: We are running low on them but we'll raffle them out or something (I guess). Nervous laughter.
Q: Will you be hosting more livestreams in the future?
A: Yes, we like the casual atmosphere. So yeah, we will!
Q:Is Tapastic trying to become a publishing company?
A: We could explore creating some content in the future, but the biggest goal is to showcase what we can do with our platform. But creating all the content and the platform doesn't really work out. Kind of like how when XBOX releases a new console, sometimes they create games in-house to showcase what their console can really do.
Q: What happens when we don't have the $25 minimum to withdraw cash?
A: The plan is to collect all the money and go to Las Vegas. Just kidding, we'll do everything in our power to get you your money. Whatever credit remains on your account will be refunded.
Q: Will Tapastic only be focusing on developing their mobile apps from now on?
A: No, but in terms of our resources and priorities, the mobile app does take up a lot of our focus. But we will continually update the desktop because all of the publishing aspects will be done on the desktop version of the site.
Q: How do you feel about children uploading to Tapastic?
A: It's totally fine, but we have to abide to US laws and regulations in terms of pay outs with ad revenue.
Q: Do we have to withdraw money before the Support Program ends?
A: No. It will be fully refunded, but will remain on your dashboard after the Support Program discontinues.
Q: Will novels make its way to the desktop?
A: Novels will be mobile first.
-Random aside: Up and Out can sleep on Michael's couch-
Q: What will the disparity be like between the desktop and the site?
A: The mobile contribution to our traffic has been growing like crazy. So more than 50% of our traffic is from our apps.
Q: Will there be ad revenue opportunity on the app?
A: Yes! In the future.
Q: Will you add new and noteworthy back to the front page?
A: It's been replaced with Tapastic Pick's section.
Q: Is Tapastic moving to a cheaper city and are you hiring?
A: We love San Francisco (but it is getting pretty crazy in terms of pricing). Are we hiring? Kind of. I guess.
Q: Will it possible for creators to backup comics?
A: awkward mumbling Depends on how many people want that feature request. But we do get a lot of feature requests externally and internally, so we have prioritize.
Q: Can you define what bitesized content means?
A: It's a general term and direction we want to head in. The atomic unit of content is getting smaller and smaller, shorter and shorter. Instead of buying a CD, we want to focus on selling each individual song. But even we cannot define the term that well - it's not a one size fit all definition. In general, it's meant to be consumed in one sitting.
Q: Is comic panda coming back?
A: Nah, son.
Q: So would bite sized content be more like Cynide and Happiness?
A: It's not really just a six panel thing. We're also talking about taking long form content and turning it into bitesized chunks.
-Random aside: Did you know Peter stole my old Tapastic shirt?-
Chang also touched upon possibilities of hybrid versions of novels and comics. One key example being the Japanese form of light novels.
Michael talked a little bit about his adventures in BL.
Daron, the handsome, came up because Michael got lonely. Hilarity sort of ensued.
