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The goal of the zMUD/CMUD icon bidding process was to provide a fair way for MUDs to compete for the limited number of icon slots available in zMUD and CMUD. For more information on the icons and how they work, go to the Icon Information page. This document describes the details of the bidding process itself.
First, in order to participate in the bidding process, you must create an account on the Zugg Software bidding server. If you are reading this document then you have probably already created this account. To create an account, go to the zMUD/CMUD Bidding System and click the link to create a new user account.
Once you have created an account, you will see the main Bidding System screen. This screen has links for getting more information about the icons and for displaying this document, a list of the current bids, as well as links to add a new bid and to update your MUD and user information.
The minimum bid in 2013 is $800. To enter a bid, click the Add Bid link and enter your amount in the field provided. In addition to a Bid Amount field, you will also see a Maximum Bid field. If you leave the Maximum Bid field blank, it will use your Bid Amount as the Maximum Bid. However, if you enter a higher value into the Maximum Bid field then the bidding system will automatically increase your current bid value as needed to bid against competition.
This works in a way very similar to what has been tested and proven at e-Bay. Your Maximum Bid field represents the maximum amount you are willing to pay for an icon slot. Your bid will start at your Bid Amount value and will increase as necessary until your Maximum Bid amount is reached. Note that the bidding system will increase your bid (up to your Max amount) as needed to keep your current icon slot position.
Your current bid amount will always be kept at the minimum value needed to hold your current icon position. You can click on the Add Bid link to increase your bid anytime in the future. However, there are two constraints: You can only increase your bid, or decrease your Maximum Bid value. You can never change your bid to lower your current bid amount. Also, a new bid can only be submitted one minute after a previous bid. This time delay prevents abuse by automatted bidding programs.
After you have submitted a bid, the main bidding system screen will list the current top ten bids, and will also list your current bid amounts. If you are listed in the top ten, your entry will be highlighted.
The Add Bid link will only be enabled during the active bidding process, which is typically during the last week of January and the first three weeks of February. Once the bid deadline has been reached, the Add Bid will be disabled and no further changes to the bids will be allowed.
The top ten bids will be chosen to fill the ten icon slots in zMUD and CMUD. These icons will be displayed from March 1st of the current year until Feb 28/29 of the following year.
Some administrators are in charge of more than one MUD. To bid for an icon for a second or additional MUDs, please create a separate user account on the bidding system for each MUD that you want an icon for. Only one bid is active for every user account. So, for multiple icons you need to have multiple accounts.
There is no limit to the number of accounts you can have. However, each account MUST be for a DIFFERENT MUD. Using multiple accounts to bid for a single MUD is considered grounds for banishment. So please be honest and only create one account for each MUD that you are reponsible for.
As with e-Bay, when you submit a bid into the zMUD/CMUD Icon Bidding system, you are signing a contract. The details of this will be displayed when you submit your bid and you will be required to accept the terms of the agreement in order for your bid to become active.
Basically, this contract agreement states that you will be required to pay your final bid price. By entering a bid amount or a maximum bid amount, you are agreeing that you will pay this amount in order to get an icon on the zMUD and CMUD start screens for a year.
Any person(s) who fail to pay for their final bid will be banned from all future bidding process, and will be listed on the Zugg Software site as MUDs who failed to pay for their icon bid. Also, anyone who abuses the bid system, attempts to cheat, or attempts to use any sort of automatted bidding software (bots), will be banned from future bidding.
This is a serious process and only serious MUDs should use it. Only people authorized by a particular MUD to advertise or spend money on their behalf are allowed. You are personally responsible for paying the money that you bid. Do NOT bid on behalf of a MUD and then expect the MUD itself to pay. Most MUDs are broke. If you are not the owner or admin for a MUD, then you probably shouldn't be participating.
The money for the final bid is due in full by the end of March. MUDs that have not paid before this deadline will be removed from the icon list, and a "runner up" MUD may be chosen to fill this vacated slot (the other icons would all move up and the runner up would be added to the end of the list). Also, MUDs who fail to pay their bid before the deadline might be banned from participating in the future. Zugg Software is not a bank or collection agency and I don't want to spend my time trying to get payments. I expect MUDs that participate in this process to be serious and professional and to follow these rules.
When you submit a bid amount and maximum amount, the bid system will search for the highest current bid that is less than your maximum amount. If your maximum amount is greater than the current bidder's maximum amount, then your bid will be set to the current bidder's maximum amount plus $10 ($10 is the bid increment on the system). If the current bidder's maximum amount is higher than yours, then your bid is set to the current bidder's current bid, and the current bidder's bid is set to your maximum amount plus $10. In case of a tie, the earlier bid has priority.
Whew, sounds a bit complicated? Let's look at some examples:
| Bid Action | Current Bid List |
| MUD A bids 1000,5000 | MUD A: $1000 |
| MUD B bids 1000,1000 | MUD A: $1010 MUD B: $1000 |
| MUD C bids 2000,3000 | MUD A: $3010 |
| MUD D bids 1000,2000 | MUD A: $3010 |
| MUD E bids 1000,3000 (maximum amount ties with MUD C, but since MUD C was bid earlier, it gets priority) |
MUD A: $3010 MUD C: $3000 MUD E: $2010 MUD D: $1010 MUD B: $1000 |
| MUD F bids 1000,4000 | MUD A: $4010 MUD F: $3010 MUD C: $3000 MUD E: $2010 MUD D: $1010 MUD B: $1000 |
| MUD B changes it's bid to 2000,2000 (ties MUD D, but MUD D was the first to bid the higher amount, so it gets priority) |
MUD A: $4010 MUD F: $3010 MUD C: $3000 MUD E: $2010 MUD D: $2000 MUD B: $2000 |
OK, it's still a bit tricky, but I hope these examples help. While the method is very straight-forward when just bidding on a single item (like with e-Bay), it's a bit more complicated when bidding for multiple icon slots.
The entire history of your bids is stored. This is done so that if there are problems or bugs in the bidding system, they can be resolved and there is a record of what you original bid and in what order. If you think there is a problem with the bidding system, please contact Zugg Software immediately at support@zuggsoft.com and mention the bidding system in the subject of your email so that we assign a high priority towards dealing with it.
If you have one of the top ten bids at the end of the bidding period, you are required to pay your final bid amount to Zugg Software within 30 days. A PayPal button will appear in your Bid page after the end of the bidding period if you have a winning bid. You can click on this button to make a payment via PayPal. You can also pay with a Check or Money order by emailing zugg@zuggsoft.com for details and mailing addresses. If you need to make other payment arrangements, please also email zugg@zuggsoft.com. While payment for the entire bid amount is normally required, special payment plans may be negotiated, but you should contact Zugg Software for approval before placing your bid if you require special payment considerations.
If you have any further questions about the bidding process, please email us.