Rock Paper Shotgun is giving its Supporter Program a significant refresh. After a period where the editorial team’s focus was stretched thin, the site is moving to improve the value offered to its subscribers with more exclusive content, better technical ad-blocking, and increased transparency from the staff.
More exclusive articles and behind-the-scenes access
Supporters on the Premium tier can expect a higher volume of exclusive posts. This initiative began last week with a pair of new articles: Sin Vega’s impressions of Crabmeat and a piece by the editorial team on a magnet. Moving forward, the site plans to feature a wider range of topics from the RPS team, alongside continued indie game spotlights from Sin Vega.
The team is also reviving the practice of eventually making older Supporter-exclusive posts available to the general public. While not every article will be moved to free-to-read status—particularly those tied to time-specific events—a curated selection will be released to give non-subscribers a taste of the exclusive content.
Additionally, the site is introducing behind-the-scenes articles. These pieces are intended to pull back the curtain on how the site is managed or showcase "cut content" that didn't make the final draft of previous articles.
Enhanced ad-free experience
The Supporter Program has long offered ad-free browsing, but the site has now updated its backend technology to cover sponsored content as well. Subscribers logged into their accounts should no longer see sponsored posts unless they click on a direct link. If users continue to encounter sponsored content, the site has instructed them to email Julian to resolve the issue.
Monthly updates and future plans
To help readers keep track of the added content, RPS will now publish a monthly roundup of all Supporter-exclusive articles. This list will be readable by everyone, serving as both a recap for current subscribers and a showcase for those considering joining the program.
Furthermore, the site plans to reintroduce regular "Letters from the Editor." These monthly updates will cover site gossip, explanations behind editorial projects, and general updates on how the team is faring. The editors noted that while neither of them officially holds the title of Editor, they will be sharing the responsibility of writing these letters.
Looking ahead, the team is considering further improvements, including the possibility of game and item code giveaways. While the team acknowledged that the current industry climate makes securing these giveaways more difficult than in the past, they have committed to trying. The editors also plan to run a survey to gather direct feedback on what supporters want to see from the program in the future.