[TheGeek]

If the intent were to truly help out those who simply cannot/will not donate, but who truly do enjoy the game, I think you are on the right track here, xerxes. I think to reduce the potential for misuse, an apprenticeship program of some sort would be better suited. Any donator can take on an "apprentice" that recieves his donator benefits (either a percentage of full donator status or a small number of credits in comparison to his master for each donation) Then once the apprentice can afford donator status, his apprenticeship ceases and he flys on his own two legs from there. The system would need to be limited to a single use to prevent abuse and would most likely need a level cap (no lvl 20-30s "apprenticing" for bonus credits) This would atleast give them a taste of what it is to be a donator, and possibly entice them to donate themselves, or atleast provide them the means to advance for a month with status and make some extra scratch so that they can afford credits from the market to keep it up.

and to make a quick comment on the some other peoples posts about donators flying through the ranks. I agree it can be disheartening at times, but just remember its lonely at the top. How many times have we seen Casanova's roll in, take top spot and get bored and retire within a matter of months? I can count a handful.