MEMBERS PAGE // DEVELOPMENT LOGdev-log
ACCESS SYSTEM // RESTRICTED CONTENT BY PROGRESSIVE LEVEL
As the TUOUGM website has evolved, more and more materials have accumulated that we wanted to keep separate from the publicly accessible content — development files, production materials, recovered data, and other limited content.
But locking everything behind a membership wall creates several problems:
First-time visitors have fewer opportunities to discover what the site is about.
The barrier to registration becomes higher.
Users may leave before they ever experience the content.
So instead of building a simple members-only page, we developed a layered access system that combines OPEN access levels anyone can experience with additional content unlocked through registration.
ENTER THE SYSTEM. EXPERIENCE IT FIRST.
01. DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVE
The objective was never simply to create restricted content.
The real goal was to build a system that allows users to progress naturally through the experience according to their level of interest.
SYSTEM FLOW:
STANDARD USER
↓
ENTER ACCESS CODE / UNLOCK LEVEL
↓
REGISTER AS MEMBER
↓
UNLOCK CLASS
↓
CONNECT TO PAID MEMBERSHIP
Rather than telling users “register before you can see anything,” the system is designed to let curiosity become the trigger for the next stage.
02. ACCESS LEVEL DESIGN
アクセスは大きく2種類に分けています。
LEVEL
Access is divided into two primary systems.
LEVEL
An access layer designed for general users.
Each LEVEL can be unlocked by entering a dedicated access code.
EXAMPLE:
LEVEL 01 : UNBUILT
LEVEL 02 : STACKED
LEVEL 03 : AWAKENED
LEVEL 04 : LIBERATED
Codes can be distributed through social media, events, campaigns, and other TUOUGM channels.
CLASS
An additional access layer for registered members.
CLASS content is unlocked through user registration.
The system is also designed to support future integration with paid memberships, allowing additional CLASS tiers to be introduced.
EXAMPLE:
CLASS 01 : MEMBER
CLASS 02 : PREMIUM
CLASS 03 : SUPPORTER
03.MEMBERSHIP INTEGRATION
The system architecture also takes future YouTube Membership integration into account.
EXPECTED FLOW:
YOUTUBE MEMBERSHIP
↓
USER AUTHENTICATION
↓
RETRIEVE MEMBERSHIP STATUS
↓
UNLOCK RESTRICTED CLASS
This makes it possible to provide different experiences for:
FREE USERS
REGISTERED USERS
PAID MEMBERS
Each level of participation can receive its own content and access privileges.
04. SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE
The access control system was built on top of WordPress with a custom permission layer.
ARCHITECTURE:
WordPress
├ Access Code System
│
├ Level Management
│
├ User Membership
│
└ Restricted Content Control
Access status is currently maintained through cookies.
Once a user enters an access code, the unlocked LEVEL is stored and used to determine which restricted content can be displayed.
05. IMPLEMENTED FEATURES
CURRENTLY IMPLEMENTED:
Access code authentication
LEVEL unlocking
Persistent unlock state
Restricted content display control
CLASS architecture for registered members
Architecture prepared for future external service integration
06. WHY NOT MAKE EVERYTHING MEMBERS-ONLY?
When offering exclusive content, the obvious approach is to require registration from the beginning.
But that can force users to make a commitment before they understand the value of what lies behind the gate.
Our approach is different.
“EXPERIENCE IT FIRST.”
↓
“REGISTER IF YOU WANT TO GO DEEPER.”
↓
“BECOME A PAID MEMBER IF YOU WANT TO SUPPORT THE PROJECT.”
The result is a progressive path through the experience rather than a single wall between public and private content.
CONCLUSION
The TUOUGM members page is not simply a “members-only page.”
It is an access system designed to let users enter the experience at the point where their curiosity begins — and provide deeper layers of content as their involvement grows.
The objective was never simply to restrict content.
It was to build a system that gradually develops a relationship with the user.
UNLOCK.
EXPLORE.
GO DEEPER.
THE SYSTEM EVOLVES WITH YOU.
