New subscription model

Hey, everyone. We are rolling out a new annual subscription model for Sandbox Simulations that will replace the pay-per-team based model we currently have. We will roll out the first of three phases today or tomorrow, but you may not notice significant changes for a few weeks when we roll out parts 2 and 3.

Phase 1: When it comes time to renew, you'll just pay $18 per year, regardless of the number of teams you have. This is essentially making permanent the arrangement where some of you were able take over an existing free team. If you paid for multiple teams that you started from scratch, it will only cost $18 total for your annual Sandbox Subscription going forward. Your renewal date will be the date that your original league became active, so some of you won't need to renew for a few months yet.

Phase 2: Under the subscription model, you will retain ownership of your team only so long as you are active managing that team. If you ignore your team during critical times in the league schedule, you will receive a warning email, and if you continue to ignore your team, it will be made available for for other subscribers to take over. There will be an interface where you can take over abandoned teams without assistance from Kevin or me. This will roll out in a few weeks. We are going to put a pause on reassigning players to new teams until this feature is available to allow me to focus efforts on the coding to make this happen.

Phase 3: Each year when you renew your annual subscription, you will be given the option of starting a new team from scratch in a new league. We will also provide some elite leagues for the most active Sandbox players. You will qualify for the elite leagues by earning points for drafting quickly, actively managing your teams, and being active in challenge play. This way will eventually have some leagues where all of the players are very active, and the competition will be intense. If you renew before this feature becomes available, we'll keep track of it, so you will be eligible when this phase rolls out, hopefully be the beginning of the NFL season.

We hope this changes in your Sandbox Subscription will be viewed positively and will enhance your Sandbox experience. After these changes are complete, I will start the new version of the simulator.

Sounds like a blast

Great idea! Thanks!

Great Idea!

Phase 1 is in place. Please let me know if you have any issues. Owners who drafted their first team in Ravens1 will be up for renewal tomorrow.

thanks for the update