So it's Patreon (Et al.) or bust then?
To put it bluntly, that sucks.
I mean, really sucks.
Allow me to put this whole situation in another way, although I may be wrong, but here's what I've seen:
Imagine you are in a magical world where, if you were diligent enough, worked long enough, and were creative enough, you could earn a dragon egg! Now where do those dragon eggs come from? In Tapastia, it comes from a generation of tamed, happy helpful dragons that are willing to give up their eggs to those who are worthy of them. Sounds awesome right? This causes a lot of soldiers and warriors to travel to Tapastia, in hopes to claim said prize. And for two years, this system works.
But then, all of a sudden, the happy helpful dragons have been shooed away by the very kingdom that trained them. They say, no more eggs. As to why? Because they have something else in mind.
Kind of downed by the change, the warriors waited for what the kingdom was interested in doing next. The King then announces, "Well we're not doing the whole easy dragon thing anymore. Also, all existing dragons and dragon eggs are to be set free or returned. If you want, we can tell you where a decent dragon's den is where you can find the same eggs, however the dragons themselves are kinda... well, untamed. But we'll make the transition easy by giving you guys weapons and armor and stuff!"
The existing warriors worry for the future to come. Some are ready, but many are unprepared for what will happen next.
"Rest assured, though," the King also announces, "All who already have had a dragon before will be given special armor, enchanted by our kingdom's wizard as they go into the den!"
Now which of the two options, the past or the present, (even if one was claimed to be incomplete) sounded better if you wanted to rouse up your veteran soldiers and gain new warriors for the war? If you could easily provide dragons to the top soldiers through the old manner, why tell the ones who just joined that they have no chance at such privileges?
Now the difference between those who already had a dragon and those who were yet to get one is that one already had an idea how to deal with dragons, so going into the den wouldn't be too difficult for them, although frustrating that they had to give up their old one. Then you have those who were looking to get that far or were just about there. A dragon's den is not an easy task, and many are willing to quit because of the kingdom's decision.
So let me ask something outside the allegory.
Why should I stay on Tapastic, either if I was old or new, if I can just sign up for Patreon and go off to my own site? I'll earn a lot more, I can customize my own pages, I can upload on my own time, and I won't have to deal with anyone other than my own followers. (whom I would kindly ask to follow me on to my site if I already had some here)
So why should I stay? Because of the community? The graphics? The streamlined content?
While all of those are amazing, I am staying because I wonder what the future might bring, and I am not giving up just because something changes. Something like a dragon's egg might be awesome, but forget the dragon egg if it doesn't mean anything anymore. I'll find a way, but just know, many others might not look at this situation the same way as I do. I'm in it for the art and getting better. But not everyone is like that. I know for certain. So I say, be prepared for the future, my fellow warriors in arms. Be prepared.
-VP