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I don't know how they're organized. Ponyisland isn't generating a profit. And compliance is based upon complaints, it's not like there are government agents sniffing around to tell you that you're doing it wrong. You can be in noncompliance for a long time before someone notices or cares or sues you. It's not a defense.
Just saying that you have to be careful about how the structure is set up.
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I am not sure why you would say Ponyisland does not make money but you must know something I don't :) However Simutronics is an actual functioning company who's Devs are volunteers along with all Mods/mentors etc.
It is not something that has to get done here of course just a note that it can be done. Just notes :) Take them or leave them .
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profit ≠ money. Profit is the value above and beyond expenses.
In the real world, pointing as someone else and saying, 'well they do it!' is not a legal argument. Ignorance of the law isn't much of a defense.
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Well that is not what I was doing, however I was offering up 2 valid examples to make my previous point :) I was not in any way, shape or form saying "Looky they do it'. :)
I was saying "Here are 2 valid examples of 2 profitable gaming companies that use Volunteers almost exclusively to run their games including Dev's and GM's. Sure they get in game perks but then again the people playing those games are mature, grateful for the volunteers and would never dream to complain they get something that others don't.
And they don't get much.
And for clarification Ponyisland is owned by a guy in Hong Kong and to my knowledge does make a profit (or maybe its Vietnam anyway he's far away) and Simutronics (St. Louis Missouri) always made a profit if they are not now it is simply because the times are changing and MUD's are not all they used to be as people prefer graphics now.
This game is about as close as you can get to a MUD without actually playing one though which is why the parallel lines for me sometimes.