Add new post about sponsors.

blog/2023-03-06-battlesnake-is-joining-devcycle/index.md

@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@ title: Our Team is Joining DevCycle
 description: The Battlesnake team is joining DevCycle, a leading feature management company helping talented teams build great software.
 authors:
   - Brad
-image: ./img/blog_post_bsnake_joins_devcycle.png
 hide_table_of_contents: true
 ---
 

blog/2023-12-27-battlesnake-needs-your-support-in-2024/index.md

@@ -0,0 +1,56 @@
+---
+title: Battlesnake is changing, and we need your help
+description: A lot has happened in 2023, and we're reaching out to the community to help support a new operating model for Battlesnake in 2024.
+authors:
+  - Brad
+---
+
+A lot has happened in 2023, and now that we're starting to get our feet under us again I wanted to take a moment to discuss some important changes for next year.
+
+Early this year [our team joined DevCycle](/blog/2023-03-06-battlesnake-is-joining-devcycle), and as a result, we stopped working on Battlesnake full-time. This significantly impacted our ability to produce seasonal leagues and other fun content. It was a good thing, in that we've had to focus on what makes Battlesnake most exciting, but also stressful since we weren't sure how the community would react (spoiler: y’all stuck with us 💃).
+
+Since then, Chris, Kerri, myself, and a few core community members (thanks Rob, Andrew, Corey, Joe, Aileen, and Xtagon!) have kept Battlesnake operational while DevCycle paid our bills. It’s been convenient, but also not ideal for a number of reasons. A few months ago I decided to make a big change.
+
+<!--truncate-->
+
+## In 2024 we’re doing things differently.
+
+For the first time ever, Battlesnake will operate entirely independently. No investors or corporate partners, just myself and a small team of core volunteers that want to make Battlesnake better _**on our own terms**_, with no outside demands or influence.
+
+This is a big and admittedly scary change, but I believe it is the right one for this community that I've grown to love so much.
+
+As part of this plan, Battlesnake is now solely responsible for our own expenses, including the hosting costs required to keep the game engines and servers running, the services required to operate, and our annual banking, accounting, and legal fees. This is where we need your help 🙂
+
+## How you can support Battlesnake.
+
+I'm humbly asking the community to help by considering sponsoring Battlesnake directly - either as an individual or an organization. I can’t offer much in return besides a promise that Battlesnake will continue to exist, and that I will continue to develop it in a way that’s [true to my vision](https://play.battlesnake.com/mission).
+
+I’ve enabled our [GitHub sponsorship page](https://github.com/sponsors/BattlesnakeOfficial) with some suggested amounts. If you’re having fun playing, or have enjoyed Battlesnake in the past, even a $5 or $10 subscription goes a long way. My immediate goal is $1,000/month to comfortably cover our operating costs. My ultimate goal is to get back to a place where I can work on Battlesnake full-time.
+
+If you’re a supportive organization or tech company that would like to help, I’d be deeply grateful. I'm open to new ideas and have a few unique rewards we can offer, such as custom designed Battlesnake heads and tails. To be clear though, we are not selling advertising slots or recruiting opportunities at this time.
+
+Oganizations can support us through [GitHub sponsorship](https://github.com/sponsors/BattlesnakeOfficial) or by contacting me directly on [Discord](https://play.battlesnake.com/discord) or [Twitter](https://twitter.com/bvanvugt).
+
+**To everyone that’s helped Battlesnake get to this point, I’m so very grateful.** It’s because of you all that I remain driven to build and grow this community - I believe that collectively, Battlesnake makes the world a better place 💜 🐍
+
+---
+
+## Update: Gifts for sponsors!
+
+[Xtagon has been working hard](https://www.instagram.com/p/C0qHDlFryd1/) and very kindly offered to create some 3D printed gifts for anyone that sponsors Battlesnake **before January 27th, 2024**! These look just _awesome_, and I can't wait to receive mine in the coming weeks 😍
+
+Everyone who sponsors with a monthly subscription of $5 or more is eligible to receive a 2023 3D printed Battlesnake!
+
+![Battlesnake sponsor gift](./img/battlesnake-sponsor-gift-2023-small.png)
+
+Further, the **first 10** monthly sponsors for $5 or more will also receive a **bonus gift** &mdash; one of the first limited edition holiday "Battleflakes" (naming is hard, don't hate me).
+
+![Bonus gift for first 10 sponsors!](./img/battlesnake-sponsor-gift-2023-large.png)
+
+**Important Details:** Gifts are only available to US and Canadian residents, although this may change in the future. To claim yours, [sponsor BattlesnakeOfficial on GitHub](https://github.com/sponsors/BattlesnakeOfficial) before January 27th, 2024, and we'll be in touch to collect shipping information. Supplies are not infinite, and if needed we'll be offering them to folks on a first-come-first-serve basis.
+
+We really like this idea as a way to say thank you to the community for your support, and if it goes well we'll improve on it for next year 👍
+
+If you have any questions or concerns, please let reach out to Xtagon or myself on Discord!
+
+Brad

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