Gamersdungeon.net has been a labor of love for over a decade, and I’m proud of what it’s grown into thanks to the support of readers like you. Today, I want to share an important update: the site will soon begin its next chapter as a monetized platform.

Now, I know what you’re probably thinking, “Does this mean ads?” And yes, it does. There will be ads on the site going forward. That might sound like a downside at first, but I want to be upfront about why this change is happening and what it means for the future.

Monetization isn’t just about keeping the lights on, it’s about ensuring the site can continue to grow, improve, and deliver more of the content you enjoy. Joining an ad network gives us the opportunity to invest more time, resources, and energy into making Gamersdungeon.net even better.

I believe the benefits, from faster updates to expanded features, will far outweigh the occasional banner or sidebar ad. And rest assured: I’ll be doing everything I can to make sure the ad experience stays as non-intrusive and user-friendly as possible.

The Ads

Let’s start with the obvious: yes, there will be ads. But my goal is to make sure that the ads you see here are as relevant, interesting, and actually useful as possible. Think: gaming gear, hobby stores, and cool stuff we already love or might be excited to discover.

In fact, I hope the ads can even become part of the exploration for readers, surfacing new shops, tools, and games you may not have come across otherwise. It’s also a way to support the very companies that support us, many of which send review copies and content to help fuel the site.

I get it, ads can have a bad reputation. They’re often associated with loud, intrusive interruptions (we’re looking at you, unskippable YouTube ads). But that’s not the kind of experience I want here. The ads on Gamersdungeon.net will be kept low-key and respectful, generally appearing at the bottom of pages or tucked in neatly, easy to scroll past or close if they’re not your thing.

Ultimately, the goal is to strike a balance: supporting the site and its future without compromising the quality of your experience.

The Good Stuff

Now for the exciting part, the benefits of monetization.

First and foremost, it will help cover the actual costs of running the site. Beyond just my time and energy (which I’ve gladly poured into this for over a decade), there are ongoing expenses for hosting, software, and services that keep everything running smoothly. Quality matters, and having solid infrastructure behind Gamersdungeon.net and our connected sites is essential to maintaining a good experience. It’s an invisible thing behind the scenes, but the price of it has grown substantially, especially in the last few years.

This includes not just Gamersdungeon.net, but also companion projects like The Lord of the Rings Campaign Companion and The Lord of the Rings LCG Site, which many of you already use and enjoy.

But covering costs is just the beginning.

Based on our past traffic, there’s real potential for the site to generate enough revenue to grow, to do more, and to do it better. I’d love to expand what we did with the Lord of the Rings card game into other areas of the hobby: historical wargames, new LCGs like Star Wars Unlimited, and other exciting games that deserve attention.

I’m also hoping to give back by shining a light on independent creators, game developers, and community projects that I believe deserve more visibility. Through shared writing and projects, we can develop new content that everyone can enjoy.

And there’s another big step coming: community interaction. I’m planning to open up the site for comments, ratings, and discussions, giving readers a voice and turning articles into conversations. That means creating a space where we can all share opinions, ask questions, and engage with the content in a deeper way.

In the past, I have always been against this sort of thing for a simple reason: I neither want to defend my opinion nor deal with internet trolls. To have such a comment section, we need moderation, and that too comes with a cost, especially if you want to have a consistent, respectful, and fun environment.

There may also be more; it really depends on how well the site does and how much income we earn. This site is not intended to be a revenue stream for me, I have a full-time job and don’t need “extra money”, so all money earned through monetization will be reinvested into the site.

Ok that is all for now. Let the next chapter of Gamersdungeon.net begin.