Master Skins: Early results

They're here to stay

from WinCustomize Forums

It's been about a week now since the first Master Skins have gone up. And so we've had time to evaluate the results.

The results: They're definitely here to stay.  They've done significantly better than we had anticipated.  Or put another way, a skinner could potentially make a full-time living simply making Master skins.

I won't give away the sales figures for other authors but the results for the ones we've put up, which haven't done as well as what Treetog or Adni have done, have ranged from a couple hundred dollars to $500 or so in the first week. And those are dwarfed by what Adni has achieved.

I don't expect Master skins to become more than 1% of the total skins on WinCustomize.com. Or put another way, we'll tighten the moderation restrictions to ensure that they don't become too common because we don't want to give the impression of the site being about paying for skins.

Some people have loudly objected to the selling of skins.  I can't say I understand that. Labor is labor. If it's software, it's okay but if someone makes a skin it has to be free? That doesn't make sense to me.

But the benefits are significant: WinCustomize.com will continue to exist as a result.  The Master skins were WC's last chance.  The # of subscribers we were getting per month was not remotely close enough to justify the expense of the site. deviantART has been interested in providing a whole sub-section for Stardock's skinning stuff (people who think Stardock needs WinCustomize really need a reality check).  So it has been, at times, tempting to close WC and turn it over to deviantART.

A handful of dedicated community members have subscribed. But a site that gets over 3 million unique visitors per month but couldn't manage to get more than a few hundred of them to subscribe just wasn't cutting it.  So the Master skinners along with those who are purchasing their works are not just helping the skinners themselves but they are helping WinCustomize continue to exist.

There are also a lot of journeymen who, next month, we'll begin looking at nominating to become masters. All Masters will be expected to continue to support the community (we don't want Masters come to see us as just a store, we're supposed to be a community, if it ever became purely about the money then again, Stardock would take the most obvious economically justified course -- team up with our friends at deviantART to host the skinning content while we focused our resources on software only).

So the good news is that Master Skinning is doing very well.  One final note, the download count on Master skins is actually meaningless because people who buy them download them from store link, not from WC (we'll have to find a way to display something else other than download count which right now only counts those who re-download the skin after the fact).

Thank you for your support and we hope you are enjoying the new WC!

 

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8,925 views 27 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Hiya Brad...  

consider me as one of those who need a reality check then because I've always thought you undervalued Wincustomize's importance to the skinning community and to Stardock.
It was Winc that caused me not only to become a skinner but also to think it was important enough to buy Stardocks software.

DeviantArt could not absorb this community...its already a mess.Most(I think)of us would just drift away.  

Wincustomize is the anchor to the skinning world,without it skinning just wouldnt be as fun.One reason I come here and almost no other site(I dont upload anywhere else) is because Winc is related directly to Stardock.I dont think you see how extremely important that is.(maybe moreso to us than to Stardock)  

Guess that means I'm all for whatever it takes to keep Winc going.I admit to not being a subscriber...but I live on AND and only recieve 230$ a month.However,I will find a way to renew my OD subscription...something that would be less important without Wincustomize.  

Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Thanks to Master skins, it's not an issue. The sales on them will be enough to keep the site growing.
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Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I have been here going on 3 years, have subscriptions to both Object Desktop and WinCustomize, and enjoy both greatly. I don't skin, probably could, but nothing would equal the quality that shows up in the galleries. I look at Master Skins as a "No Brainer". I'm just curious to know what other things you may have in mind for WC. One thing to keep in mind, moving targets are hard to hit, so don't stop to turn around to see if we are following you.   
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
      
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
the problem in here is that it would take years and plenty work to be a Master........(me no happy).
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
If it was quick and easy it wouldn't nearly mean the same to be a Master. That's the point, for the top echelon to get there based on merit and skill. If it was too easy, anyone could be a Master and it wouldn't mean anything.
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Thanks to Master skins, it's not an issue. The sales on them will be enough to keep the site growing.
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Isn't it a bit early for such a statement? One weeks worth of sales? Anyway, I think it is a great program and I hope it draws many masters back into the game and back to the site where they can make such a great contribution and inspire others.
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
How I wish, I have the talent of a master...
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
where they can make such a great contribution and inspire others


That should be the main point. I agree.

Is it to early? Not sure.
Taking the statement from Frogboy, lets look at the skins so far. Not including treetog and adni18's skins, that leaves skins from previous Stardock suites,(Texas Hold 'Em, Fortune and Logika) that have been up for a while.
The fact that "they" are still selling good, that's a good thing.

Oh, and Amen Bebi Bulma.
Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I said it in another thread but I think it bears repeating here, having masters submit what tehy want at whatever price they want opens up a huge market between free and the work of professional skinners.  That can only be good for the market and the people that make it up..
Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Well...I'm glad to hear the "Master Skins" is working out...and equally glad to hear the site won't be moving to DeviantArt any time soon...I'd have to agree with IRBrainiac that if that should ever happen many would drift away...me being one of them. I just don't care for DeviantArt or how its set up anymore. Out of all the other sites I've been to regarding skinning this one is by far the best hands down...and it would be a huge loss to the skinning community...whether stardock knows it or not...its a fact. This site in my opinion provides the best exposure to skinning...been here 3 years now and I've seen the growth and how far things have come...I doubt I would have seen that anywhere else. If I had the money...I would definitely invest in this site.
Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Isn't it a bit early for such a statement? One weeks worth of sales? Anyway, I think it is a great program and I hope it draws many masters back into the game and back to the site where they can make such a great contribution and inspire others.

Even at 1/4th the sales level, it would still be a success. Moreover, sales are likely to increase as more master skins get made.

I have the same thought that it will encourage other people to make more stuff to move through the ranks and encourage elder-skinners to become active again.

Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Even at 1/4th the sales level, it would still be a success.



Excellent!
Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top
[DREAMMODE]A Master Skin by Dangeruss[/DREAMMODE]

Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top
One of my instructors told us that even as students, we should always charge people for our work. Maybe not the same million dollars that one would get for a big corporation, but an artist should always try to charge something whenever possible. It makes the artist value their work more, make higher quality work, and most importantly, it makes the buyer value their purchase more. It's easy to download dozens of skins a week and change them everyday, but if you spend a few bucks, you might appreciate that skin more and use it more.

I'm not saying all skins should come with a fee because, simply put, a lot of them aren't as fine-tuned as the "master skins." But if someone spends months creating a truly stellar work of art, why shouldn't they be able to sell it?
Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Will "Master" skins be confined to Windowblinds? Will DX and wallpapers be included?
Reply #17 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Master Wallpapers?  I'd hate to be the one defining those.
Reply #18 from WinCustomize Forums Top
A Master may submit anything as a Master skin. It may not be accepted but there's no limit (so yes, DesktopX or Iconpackager or pretty much anything else).
Reply #19 from WinCustomize Forums Top
WinCustomize.com will continue to exist as a result. The Master skins were WC's last chance


Had no idea it was that close.
Reply #20 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I'm glad to hear things are working out. I own all the Master skins and almost all the accessory products with the exception of a few. I have to say they have been worth the money spent.  
Reply #21 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Yes. Will continue to purchase the ones I like.
Reply #22 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Doesnt surprise me at all they are doing well. As long as the quality of the skins is consistent and the % of overall skins stays relitavely low, it's my belief they will continue to do well.

Good Job on impementing the program.
Reply #24 from WinCustomize Forums Top
...in progress
Reply #25 from WinCustomize Forums Top
so yes, DesktopX or Iconpackager or pretty much anything else


Beatniks are on the way!!!