I can't get the point.
You don't want to create "oficial" premium acounts, but you're talking about some "special" stuff for donators. I think it's almost the same.
Just creating a premium acounts with an reasonable price you can ensure the future of TmX. But you prefer to trust in the kindness people and "live off begging".
TmX comunity is not so big. Maybe this can work this time. But in 6 month you will get the same situation.
This site is nice. But it don't seems to me a serious project if Devs are not thinking about basic economic concepts. I'm talking about survive, not about making a big bussiness and became rich. I love you spirit of mantain the free sharing site... But sometimes reality hits hard.
Maybe with ShootMania the comunity grows, and you can pay host with advertising. But there's lots of nice FPS around here... I think it will have the same poor sales as Canyon. (or less: Shootmania hasn't a popular game before) TM gamers are disapointed with TM2. Most TM gamers didn't even buy it. And you can hear TM2 gamers complaining about the game all the time.... Numbers don't lie. Most games get forgotten after a year or two... And there's other nice car games around here...
I've read some nice ideas in this thread...