I don't know if you've noticed or not, but people are losing interest in TSG. Both viewers per stream and donations (outside of Indiethon, with most donations generated by game bundles) are decreasing. The Sonic Marathon only raised $4,000 and the native donations for this Mario Marathon are unimpressive too. The donation total (18,000 at the time of this writing) are respectable enough, but 9,000 of this is revenue from a prior monthlong event. Another 5,000 was from one donor alone.
So, with that said, what's the problem? Note- these are just my opinion. Others probably feel differently. Let's have a discussion.
-> Streams in between marathons.
I've been a TSG fan since 2009. I'm making this post on an anonymous account so people don't get mad at me in chat or whatever. But, anyway, streams in between marathons are killing donation interest. TSG marathons used to be huge events. But, with TSG hosting regular streams or "minithons" very often, the novelty of the big marathons just isn't there. The novelty drives viewership, which in turn drives donations.
After reading some dialogue in the thread, I've come to the conclusion that this is a rather stupid point, and is obviously just a personal feeling and not something that affects donations. We should be PROMOTING the community.
-> Disinterested streamers
Many times, the only person who is actually watching the game being played is the one playing the game. Other people on the streaming camera are generally on their phones or otherwise distracted. There was even someone sleeping on camera this year. It also seems like everybody is leaving more this year than they have in the past. It used to be that- generally- everyone would stick around for the entire time, leaving just to get food or sleep. Now, most of the TSG personalities are MIA 90% of the time when not commentating.
-> Lack of Energy
This kind of goes hand in hand with the previous point.Interaction between non commentating members is minimal. TSG streams used to feel like a big party. Now, it's mostly dull and mundane most of the time.
-> No More Cool Donation Incentives
Donation incentives in recent TSG marathons has boiled down to "Hit someone with X Object" or "Eat X weird-and-a-little-gross-but-not-too-bad Food." It seems like after the Baltes "Ghost Pepper Incident", donation incentives have been toned way down. This decreases interest. I remember a $10 donation (of which I have made plenty over the years) used to get you custom artwork, or a spot on the TSG tree. Now it gets you a chance to watch someone eat baby food.
I still love TSG, and love what you guys do. But, unless some of these trends are reversed, people might totally lose interest in TSG sooner rather than later. This post is meant to help and not to criticize.