.

[cat_herder]

.....

 

[Laurabearz]

(((((Hugs)))))

Very nicely written letter!

 

[Maleficent2]

Hi Dianne

you might have started out by telling Yavn what you liked about VMK instead of how much you think the game bites.

If I was Yavn I would probably say if this game makes you so angry and you don't enjoy it at all then why do you need the code to work.

I dunno I just think you catch more flies with honey than you do vinegar and that putting down his product so badly isn't going to influence him in a good way.

While I have had my spurts of anger over VMK flaws I have, I hope, also praised this game I do so LOVE to play! Faults and all I really love VMK and the friends I have made here at the DIS and in the game.


Mal

 

[KrazyPete]

I get frustrated at the game too sometimes. But, I haven't tried to plan a vacation around it either. I guess that would be a whole different level of disappointment. I still can't play VMK with the sound on. There's some conflict with the driver for my sound card and I have to disable the device before I log onto VMK.

I guess I've been lucky with the outside games. All of them work me. Even Buzz Lightyear is connecting perfectly today. I'm glad they are still working on VMK and creating links to other parts of the Disney Online properties.

Most of the time when the game is cashing (or I get DC right when I'm next in line for a host event) I try to remind myself what the game costs me to play. Since VMK is free, I've gotten way too much enjoyment out of it to complain much.

 

[aengus]

I get frustrated at the game too sometimes. But, I haven't tried to plan a vacation around it either. I guess that would be a whole different level of disappointment. I still can't play VMK with the sound on. There's some conflict with the driver for my sound card and I have to disable the device before I log onto VMK.

I guess I've been lucky with the outside games. All of them work me. Even Buzz Lightyear is connecting perfectly today. I'm glad they are still working on VMK and creating links to other parts of the Disney Online properties.

Most of the time when the game is cashing (or I get DC right when I'm next in line for a host event) I try to remind myself what the game costs me to play. Since VMK is free, I've gotten way too much enjoyment out of it to complain much.

Very well put.

All games can cause headaches when things are not going your way. (for instance I am a Raiders fan LOL you can imagine my disappointment!) but you cant let it get to you. VMK is one of the few things that disprove the 'you get what you pay for' theory. So take a deep breath, put on your <3 green day tag, and lets all go ask guests if they're taken LOL

 

[aprncess]

I <3 green day, are you taken?...........

 

[puckstopper55]

Lets see. If i need help from someone am i going to make fun of them to get help? Any chance you may have had to get help you totally ruined. Personally, if i were Yavn, and i saw your post i would give you gold ears, but make them not wearable. I am sure he has put 100's if not 1000's of hours into this game and 98% of it is awesome. For you to personally call him out is wrong and not very Dis like.

 

[Dizpinfriend]

You know, I am not a regular poster here, but I lurk quite a bit.

I have to side with Cat here - I am a VMK player from the Beta days, and have used that contact us button on numerous occasions NEVER to have gotten a response!!! Why have a contact button at all????

VMK staff have made it very clear that they do not care - by their actions...Plain and simple.

True it is a free game - but - to me, if you are going to use the Disney name - give the Disney service that people have come to expect. I am a former Disney Cast Member and frankly if I treated my guests during my hours on shift the way VMK treats its users - I would be fired!!!! Why should we be expected to look the other way when our requests and concerns go over looked just because it is a free game??? It does not cost me a thing to walk into a shop in Dowtown Disney, but you better believe that if my son was ignored by the Cast in there - I would raise hell - explain to me how this is different???

Rant over - and still waiting for an answer from staff that will never come...

 

[justliketink]

Hi Cat_Herder,

I understand your frustration with Buzz, I would be happy to gift you a buzz code when I win one! I remember sending you an Everest room because you couldn't play Everest....

 

[Azure]

Oh yes. I've heard I think it was from VMK_Mocha but they do read these forums.

 

[PrinceLegolas]

I don't think it right to point fingers at the testers, because it isn't their fault staff do not reply quickly! Another thing, there is another reason staff can't reply quickly, because they have to manage VMK!! Could you do that? I know I couldn't!! When you think about it they have to do a lot, they have to monitor conversations, watch the game for glitches, run events, even read all 10 million complaints, ideas, applications, and requests....plus they also have a life outside VMK! That's a lot for a small group of people to do.......so let's give the staff a break.

 

[cat_herder]

I have repeatedly tried to do things the right and proper way but I have gotten no results; not even the courtesy of the reply "We received your emails."

I'm not talking about one or two things happening here, I'm not talking about it only happening once or twice. I'm talking about the many things that have gone wrong for me in VMK game and their produces that surround the VMK that are no fault of mine.

Please read the part: frustrated, frustrating,
I have tried to contact VMK privately for over half a year on the many issues with no results.
Exactly how long am I suppose to wait for an answer?

And yes, it does cost me money.
The trip I took to WDW just for the cards and the tour cost me money.
The hats I bought just for the cards cost me money.
The Internet fee I pay to contact to VMK cost me money.

I love VMK or I wouldn't go back. But things are building to the point where the good is no longer out weighting the bad.

All I'm asking for at this point intime is just a little interaction from the powers that be.

 

[Dizpinfriend]

I don't think it right to point fingers at the testers, because it isn't their fault staff do not reply quickly! Another thing, there is another reason staff can't reply quickly, because they have to manage VMK!! Could you do that? I know I couldn't!! When you think about it they have to do a lot, they have to monitor conversations, watch the game for glitches, run events, even read all 10 million complaints, ideas, applications, and requests....plus they also have a life outside VMK! That's a lot for a small group of people to do.......so let's give the staff a break.

1. Who said anything about testers specifically??

2. Could I manage VMK? I have no doubt that I could!!! I sincerely doubt that VMK is run by just a small handful of people. This is Disney for crying out loud - Demand better guest service!!!! THIS IS THEIR JOB - They get paid to do this - they are not doing this out of the goodness of their hearts!!!!!! And they are failing miserably in my opinion....

 

[aengus]

2. Could I manage VMK? I have no doubt that I could!!! I sincerely doubt that VMK is run by just a small handful of people. This is Disney for crying out loud - Demand better guest service!!!! THIS IS THEIR JOB - They get paid to do this - they are not doing this out of the goodness of their hearts!!!!!! And they are failing miserably in my opinion....

I can relate to the frustration in not being able to contact them but I just dont believe there will be any positive results from bullying them in front of thousands of DISers. Its the tone of it all I think most people are disagreeing with.

 

[RicksCafe]

Cat,

I am no VMK apologist. Why some of the more significant issues you recount have not been addressed is unclear and I respect your frustration.

Even so, there are some things that don't quite "wash" in this letter. For example:

4) I plan a trip to the WDW just to get the cards and take the VIP tour, I spent the whole summer and fall saving for this trip just to get there and be told the tours are cancelled.

There is more to the story than you present. News and rumors of tour cancellations circulated on all fan sites in November, weeks before your trip. So, that was not news when you arrived.

Then there is this: on December 25, 2005 you posted the following:

We got in just about 5 minutes before the daily opening of the park. My husband, rushed in the City Hall and asked about the tour. He was the first one that day so they had to go to the back room and get the tour book. Just to tell him that even though he was there that day before anyone else, the tour was completely booked for the whole day because other guest that had come in the day before had booked them all (I thought you couldn't do that).

This is not quite what you represented in your letter above.

To compensate you for your trouble, the Disney CMs gave you many VMK cards. Then on December 28, you posted this:

Yeah, I didn't really mine the tour being gone since we got all the cards too. Other wise I would have had to complete for them in trivia on the tour and I would have lost for sure.

We need the full story, apparently, to determine how upset you are about this tour issue.

Since the tour issue complaint does not portray the full picture, that unfortunately casts doubt over the rest of the letter.

Generally speaking, I have to agree with Puck and aengus that the letter is self-defeating because of its tone and wording.

 

[puckstopper55]

Cat,

I am no VMK apologist. Why some of the more significant issues you recount have not been addressed is unclear and I respect your frustration.

Even so, there are some things that don't quite "wash" in this letter. For example:
There is more to the story than you present. News and rumors of tour cancellations circulated on all fan sites in November, weeks before your trip. So, that was not news when you arrived.

Then there is this: on December 25, 2005 you posted the following:
This is not quite what you represented in your letter above.

To compensate you for your trouble, the Disney CMs gave you many VMK cards. Then on December 28, you posted this:
We need the full story, apparently, to determine how upset you are about this tour issue.

Since the tour issue complaint does not portray the full picture, that unfortunately casts doubt over the rest of the letter.

Generally speaking, I have to agree with Puck and aengus that the letter is self-defeating because of its tone and wording.

I personally have gotten a response to EVERY single letter i sent into the VMK help center. Even a rejection notice from my CL application.

 

[Goofy05]

Okay, let's not make this a "bash Cat" thread, please. She shared her message to the "Black Hole" with us in the hopes Yavn would see it. Let him respond to the complaints.
As for the responses you claim to receive for every email you've sent..Lucky Dog!!! I used to get replies, but not for the past few months. I haven't heard much from VMK_Bear at all, other than a generic form email on how my computer was the reason I couldn't load VMK, when in actuality it was VMK's servers that were at issue. Go figure! haha
So, in response to Cat's letter, I agree with some of what you complain about. There should be at least an acknowledgement that your letter was received and forwarded to the correct department.
I hope you hear from VMK soon.
Try to keep good thoughts!


removed quote

 

[tolkien7]

I dunno I just think you catch more flies with honey than you do vinegar and that putting down his product so badly isn't going to influence him in a good way.

Cat, I have to say I agree with Mal. There must be some good things you like about the game, otherwise, you would have bailed a long time ago. Why not edit the post and throw in what you like as well as what you would like to see improved? It may attract more attention that way.

Personally, I love the game and have had good luck lately with the new queues and getting into games. I am sorry that you are not able to play Yeti Vision (not a game that is exactly setting the world on fire!) and I would be happy to give you the pin and room code prizes if you haven't gotten them yet. I, too, am unable to play Buzz, but I have a feeling I wouldn't be that successful at it! I also have some ice chairs if you would like them, as I read that you were unable to get into Pirates (I won mine at Fireworks - Pirates just isn't my bag!).

PM me if you would like some stuff. I hope this makes you feel better!

 

[Irishhockey]

I am sorry that you are not able to play Yeti Vision (not a game that is exactly setting the world on fire!) and I would be happy to give you the pin and room code prizes if you haven't gotten them yet. I, too, am unable to play Buzz, but I have a feeling I wouldn't be that successful at it! I also have some ice chairs if you would like them, as I read that you were unable to get into Pirates (I won mine at Fireworks - Pirates just isn't my bag!).

PM me if you would like some stuff. I hope this makes you feel better!

THIS... is why I remain to play vmk...

Its not about the virtual ice blocks...
It's not about the virtual pins and rooms...
It's not about staff events and prizes...

To me...

It's about playing Haunted with my "girl friend"... and coming up with the "brilliant" idea to change colors for eachother to rack up the points... only to find out... that you dont get credits for catching "peep ghosts"...

It's about spending hours in eachothers rooms... arguing where to put things to make the ultimate everest ride... when you know the guys are just sitting there rolling their eyes and would much rather be playing fireworks and haunted...

It's about... at the end of the day... not looking at what pins I have on... not caring what guest rooms I have... but laughing so hard at "dictionary dances" and conversations... that I have tears in my eyes and go to bed with my stomach hurting


We must remember that theres a difference between virtual and reality...

The world of VMK is virtual...
Our two inch characters with the cute outfits... are virtual...
but the words that come out of them, and the actions that they perform, are very much reality...

You can find a way to get ice blocks, to get room codes, to get pins... but you can't do that with out good people to help, and a place to do it...

 

[Saxsoon]

Wow very touching Hockey. I remember when I first met you those many moons ago in the Surf Spot and you were the "Bounce are" to the room scaring people away. Those moments are what make VMK special. Scaring people, making them laugh, share joys and concerns, with people you don't even know in rl half away across the world. It is a place to unload from a long day. That is why I play.