docs: initial pricing structure — Minecraft-only launch

SCRATCH/pricing-structure.md

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+# Pricing Structure — Initial Draft (Mar 28, 2026)
+
+**Status**: Starting point — revisit as revenue data comes in
+
+---
+
+## Infrastructure Cost
+- ~$140/month (dedicated host + VPS + Backblaze B2)
+- Break-even: ~7-8 customers at Modded tier
+
+---
+
+## Launch Scope
+- **Minecraft only** — all 6 variants (Vanilla, Paper, Purpur, Fabric, Forge, NeoForge)
+- Other games added after revenue validates the platform
+- Engine abstraction designed, not yet implemented (DEC-010)
+
+---
+
+## Game Server Pricing (Minecraft)
+
+| Plan | RAM | Best For | Price |
+|---|---|---|---|
+| **Vanilla** | 2GB | Small/vanilla servers, ~10 players | $8/mo |
+| **Modded** | 4GB | Standard modpacks, Fabric/Forge/NeoForge, ~20 players | $20/mo |
+| **Heavy** | 8GB | Large modpacks, 20+ players, heavy NeoForge | $35/mo |
+
+**Market context:**
+- Budget hosts (Shockbyte, BisectHosting): $2.99-5/mo — race to the bottom, not our market
+- Premium modded hosting: $20-35/mo for modded, $35-50/mo for heavy
+- We are priced at market rate for premium — justified by better UX, Modrinth integration, purpose-built platform
+
+---
+
+## Dev Environments
+- Deferred from launch — add once game server revenue is stable
+- Target price range: $15-40/mo (to be finalized)
+- Developer discount on game servers: 50% (to be implemented with dev env launch)
+
+---
+
+## Notes
+- Do not undercut market — underpricing signals low quality
+- Revisit after first 30 days of live data
+- Annual discount option: consider later
+- Free trial: not at launch, revisit after billing is stable