Id like to add my 2 cents, over the years ive played many private servers both good and bad, also i played global mu since the early days. I think webzen ruined a great game creating cash shop where $ can buy power. I think exp boosts or drop boost for $ are good, it encourages support of the server your playing on, and rewards those who do support you.
About 2 months ago i started Mu4kings. I started my private server because i had just finished making my Exc Arch Angel sword +15+16+S+FULL OPT +bypass in gmo... This cost me ALOT of money to make and yes its pro but the point is... its too pro. It was all obtained through $, i used $ to buy chaos cards that got me both rare ticket 8 (xaa weapon +6opt) and rare ticket 4 (to upgrade an item 6 levels eg. from +9 to +15.)
I wanted to make a server for players, like GMO higher exp so less time spent leveling and more time spent hunting for items and having fun with pvp. And most importantly disabling all methods of $ = power.
I was not very clued up on Mu servers, i have alot of close friends who are very smart with IT in all respects. My partner has alot of employees whom i had at my disposal to help also.
I agree Wipes suck, in some cases you cannot help this. I had to wipe my DB about 2 weeks ago due to hackers from Poland. Luckily i was still in Open Beta, so it was not toooooo bad. But i still lost alot of customers.
I did EVERYTHING i could to accommodate old members and previous donators, giving all previous donations back to members to spend their Mu Credits again on what they wish. This was not easy and i suffered financially because of this having to front the costs of server etc.
I didnt create my server to make $ so much but more for the love of the game. I still have many issues to iron out, i have been messed around with ALOT by polish hackers and am only just starting to get a stable server.
It has taken alot of money and time to get to where i am, but i am satisfied. I use IGC Season 6ep2 files soon to be ep3 and there not 100% perfect but IGC are great and have helped me alot with my issues re: hacking etc.
So to all of those other server owners out there i urge you, listen to what it posted on this forum thread and take note. At the end of the day It is the Customers who keep your servers running.
Keep Mu alive for the reason it was ment for not for the reasons Webzen are still running it.
And if you want great files i highly recommend IGCN theyr great. Im sure the others are too but i find it hard to fault IGCN. Just my opinion i guess.
Sorry for the rant i was bored lol.