State of the Bot: August
This month probably looked uneventful for you, but you might be surprised…
Statistics this month
Change in server count: +58,855
Most popular command: pls meme
Custom clips (sfx system): 1366
New support server members: ~2,100
Messages in support server: ~854,000
Development this month
Last month development was kind of slow, and we added one new developer. This month we added another THREE DEVELOPERS and it’s been bumping.
Our new developers are doing an amazing job, and when the next update comes out you’ll feel it. There are SO many new features coming, this is one of the largest updates we’ve had since the creation of the bot. I just wanna thank and re-welcome Blake, Paradox, and Yukine to the developer team. Be sure to say hi to them in the support server!
Plans for the future
For immediate plans, look for an update very soon. We have a small bit of functionality to add still (automating patreon perks + dank memer premium) as well as a few simple new commands, but for the most part the next update is finished.
We will be going open source soon (again). We first decided to private the source code due to a large number of people copying source code and us finding it in other bots. In this upcoming update, self-hosting is not nearly as easy. We’ll also be making public our [WIP] dashboard source code. We’ve completely redesigned the current website, and are hoping to launch this all soon.
I know I promised that the shop update was coming soon, but that’s still unclear. To be completely honest, we’re having a hard time with currency for a few reasons. Mainly, it’s a pain to work on. It may seem as easy as making some commands and letting it run free, but we have to make sure to keep things balanced, and prevent accidents/exploits.
A large second point is, we feel too many people start using the currency part of the bot, and stop using the rest of the bot. This is problematic because this bot is not meant for currency, that is supposed to just be a fun add-on. We have people coming in very angrily to the support server, over some fake internet points and that’s kinda sad.
We aren’t sure on the future of currency, let alone when the next update will come out for it. But don’t worry, we’ll make sure you know what’s happening every step of they way.
I’m not going to tell you what else is planned for this upcoming update, because I expect it will be out very soon and you will be able to see for yourself. But trust me, a LOT is added or improved. You’re going to love it.
Addressing user concerns
This is something I plan on doing every week, as I want to be as transparent as possible while going forward.
“Is Dank Memer getting updated less often?”
Yes, it absolutely is getting updated less often than it was before:
Dank Memer is a large and complex bot. Our amount of features and commands has nearly quadrupled since summer 2017. Along with this, our main two developers (myself and Aetheryx) have been pretty busy with IRL stuff. Aetheryx has actually recently decided to retire from Dank Memer development, and I plan on being fairly hands off by the end of the year. Right now I’m busting out a few updates as fast as I can, but soon it will be in the hands of the new developers.
This is not because I don’t enjoy Dank Memer and the community, I really do. But frankly Dank Memer doesn’t pay the bills, and I’ve got a family to feed. But don’t worry, as long as there is funding for server costs, Dank Memer will stay online and kicking.
“The support server is stale and useless”
You are absolutely right, and that’s why I have a surprise for you…
Starting AFTER this next update, Dank Memer’s server will be officially changed from a support server to a meme server. There will still be Dank Memer related announcements and a support channel, but the rest of the server will be 100% focused on having fun, memeing around, and hanging out with normies. Look forward to this soon.
“You’re selling out with those upvotes”
I’m sorry that some of you feel this way. We’re done our best to make the commands/features inhibited by upvotes to be minor ones. We’ve also made sure to reward users (in meme coins) for voting. Don’t worry, we will never [again] lock any main features or commands to upvoting. However, let me explain why we do it in the first place.
Bringing people to upvote our bot fairly easily secures our spot on the front page of that bot listing site. Because that site is currently the most popular, that means a lot more people find Dank Memer because of it. While it may at times be inconvenient to go vote, it really helps the bot grow a lot.
That being said, due to some issues with that bot list, we may be removing all links to vote there. There are a few things they can change to get us to stay, but we will most likely be moving to an up and coming bot list [Link Here] to help them get off the ground. If we do this, please take an extra second after voting to go browse their bot list for other bots you may enjoy. There are some pretty cool ones out there!
Pretty cool bot of the month
Each “state of the bot” article I write from now on, will shout out a pretty cool bot I’ve found that month. This will hopefully share in the meme love and make someone’s day. (I earn no money from these shout-outs, nor did anyone ask me to do them)
This month’s bot is Taunt Bot.
Taunt bot is a bot that lets you taunt people in vc, basically. It’s like a custom soundboard, but specifically meant for taunting people. You can also have a sfx that plays when you enter a voice channel, and that’s pretty neat.
Website: https://www.tauntbot.tk/
In Conclusion
This month has been a good month! I can’t wait to tell you all what’s in the next update, and I REALLY can’t wait to be done with it 😂
Have a great rest of your August, and I’ll see you soon 😉
