Fireworks: A question of honor? lol

[PrincessOp]

Ok, well, maybe it's not as melodramatic as my title, but I want to pose this question to the board: Do you consider it unsportsman-like (sportsperson-like?) to quit at 240,000 when you could actually score much higher? My husband and I were debating this recently. He says "No, it's just part of how the game is played. Stopping is ok, if credits are what you're after." I said that I think it is somewhat unsportsmanlike. I always score the best I can. If I'm winning the game, I win and don't take those extra credits away from those in second and third. If there's someone playing who's better than me, then great -- I can always use extra credits! Anyway, just curious as to what everyone else though.

 

[kaeoboy]

Oh if I could be so lucky to even have to worry about that problem.

It depends on what you are going after. I think I'll worry about that when I can frequently get that high of a score.

 

[thepanmanman]

I wish I had that problem. I would like to get to 240,000.

 

[AmberDaze]

You know...a few months ago, soon after I was able to pass 240,000, I used to get mad at the people who actually stopped at 240,000. I mean, I was looking for those big credits too! But then I realized, that that's just part of the game. I have finally reached the 280,000 mark (ok, just once), and have come real close again, but I think of it like this...If I want to try for a high score, and think my game is going well, great -- I do that. If my game isn't going particularly well, and I want to just make a lot of credits instead of coming in first place, then it becomes yet another game to see who can come in the lowest score over 240,000. Hey, 2 games in 1! Woot!

 

[Arwen]

I think it is unsportsman-like of vmk to penalize the winner of the game. It makes no sense that the winner gets half of the credits as the people who score over 240,00 and don't win.
Usually, if I am winning the game by a lot I will keep going and not stop. If I am in second or lower I will stop to get the credits. I don't have the time or the patience to play twice as many games to get the same amount of credits.

 

[Iris]

Yes, I like the game within a game!! If I am doing really great, I will go for the win. If I end up messing up in the final round AND I think that there are players who can score past the 240, 000 mark, I will try to stop for the credits.

If nobody is no where near my score and I do not believe they can hit the threshold, I will most likely go for the win.

If I get into a game where somebody is trying for a fireworks pin, I will try to go for the win.

I guess it just depends on the situation. Right now, I need to work my credits back up, I have spent a lot of credits in the last few days and will be playing fireworks for credits over the next week or two. I humbly apologize in advance if this messes somebody up.

 

[AmberDaze]

If I am doing really great, I will go for the win. If I end up messing up in the final round AND I think that there are players who can score past the 240, 000 mark, I will try to stop for the credits.

Great point! I agree!! Oh, I wanted to add...that if there is anyone I know in a game with me, I NEVER stop at 240,000 (ppl that know me know this). So if your mule is in a game with me and I don't know him/her...sorry!

It makes no sense that the winner gets half of the credits as the people who score over 240,00 and don't win.

And yes...I too think it's terrible that the winner should have to NOT win in order to receive the best prize. Why would Disney make first place in title, but second place in prize?

 

[PrincessOp]

I suppose maybe the real question lies in why the powers-that-be in VMK decided to score it this way. When I first heard that the way to get a fireworks pin was to score over 240,000 but not win the game, I was like "uh.... is that even possible?" So, yeah, it's a pretty interesting scoring system. It's one of the few games I've seen where the winner is not rewarded above all others. Thanks for the replies so far!

 

[PirateDaisy]

To sandbag or not to sandbag, that is the question. lol Since I am trying to reach the goal of 280K, I will not sandbag. Though I feel I would never do it, if that weren't the case. I don't like it one bit, because ever since vmk messed with the scoring system; I have yet to come across good competition(except when I play the occasional firework masters and that includes you Days! lol) because people are too busy sandbagging. I'm not going to compromise my game, I need to keep scoring the best I can to finally reach my goal.

Though I can sandbag the sandbagger just to be mean. lol For example, if I see there aren't that many good players; like those who I know will not reach 240K. I could easily stop at 200K and still get more credits than the person stopping at 240K and eventually taking first place since no one else is reaching that level. Get what I'm saying? lol Though I've never done it.

So I guess it all comes down to the end of what's more important to them; the credits or the ability to the best you can! Though I guess I shouldn't complain, I remember the days when first place got 150 credits! lol

 

[wdeversole]

If I'm in first, I usually keep trying because I have a chance to either beat my personal best or make the high score list (it'll happen someday ). If I'm not winning, I might stop at 240,000.

It's kind of like a backwards "The Price is Right" - get as close to 240,000 without going UNDER!

 

[Lauralee]

Ah, you speak of "sand bagging," i.e., to stop playing in the fifth level after you have attained a score of 240,000 in the fireworks game, with the goal of NOT coming in at first place. First, understand that when sand bagging, the only person whose credits you will affect are the person who ends up winning the game. Typically, only five people make it to the last level. The winner gets 675 credits - the other four people could potentially earn 1300 credits each if they score 240,000 or more. If you sand bag, you personally don't affect the amount of credits the other three "losers" earn.

Because vmk does NOT reward the winner with more credits than those who finish under him/her, they have, in effect, made sand bagging the "game within the game."
My opinion is:

- If you are working on the green car quest, want to get on the high score list, or just want to beat your previous best score, then play the best you can all the way through the fifth level. You may end up in first place and win 675 credits.

- If none of the above matter to you, or if your goal is to earn a lot of credits, then sand bag to the best of your ability.

Also, know that after winning your first fireworks magic pin, you will get another pin after you WIN 10 games, and you will get another pin after 10 more games where you earn 240,000 or more and do NOT WIN.

 

[Beherenow]

As with any competition, it also helps to know your opponent and what type game they will play. Will they stop or will they keep going?

 

[tigressjewel]

Two things:

One is, that my opinion is that the credits rewards are flawed, just as others have stated its odd that the winner does not receive the best credits. Its also odd that the only way to win the magic pin is to score high, but not win.

Two, I don't play near as much fireworks as my husband does. The only thing he goes in vmk for is to play fireworks. He would love to be able to play to his best ability every time, rather than stop to get the better credits. He does get irritated with the "sandbagging" that goes on. He just prefers a straight up competition, with winner taking the best prize. That being said, since he enjoys having a lot of credits for me and our kids to use, he also does sandbag, even though he's against it, lol

I just wish there was some rhyme or reason to why the credit awards are set up the way they are.

 

[BriarRosie]

Yes, I like the game within a game!! If I am doing really great, I will go for the win. If I end up messing up in the final round AND I think that there are players who can score past the 240, 000 mark, I will try to stop for the credits.

If nobody is no where near my score and I do not believe they can hit the threshold, I will most likely go for the win.

If I get into a game where somebody is trying for a fireworks pin, I will try to go for the win.

I guess it just depends on the situation. Right now, I need to work my credits back up, I have spent a lot of credits in the last few days and will be playing fireworks for credits over the next week or two. I humbly apologize in advance if this messes somebody up.

All good points, and I actually play the same way. I will not sandbag
when I know someone in the game, and I won't even sandbag every game
I don't know anyone. I tend to alternate between going for the win and
sandbagging depending on the players.

If I see a player that appears to be a potential sandbagger, I will sandbag
to the best of my ability. I also try to keep an eye out for players that
appear to be at the threshold for the fireworks magic pin so I don't ruin their
chance to earn it.

There are players that sandbag EVERY game. I don't agree with it, but
I can't fault them for trying for the credits.

 

[VirtuallyMe]

I generally do not sandbag- but have been known to from time to time...

I have started games with intention to sandbag and find that either the other players won't pass 240K or that my game is going so well that I end up going for a personal best score instead.

And many other times- I just forget to stop lol

I know I confused players once when I got out of a game with someone who stopped at 240K on the nose- they had been beating me throughout the game- and I went for it- thinking maybe they would too- when I came out in first place and this person in 3rd I was telling him what a perfect game he had
and that you can't beat that score lol- he was all excited about it too but the people in the lobby just got confused over what we were talking about lol

My husband plays and will sandbag probably 50% of the time- and then complain because I have more of the extra fireworks magic pins than he has- I'm sure over the year I've won close to 50 or more of those things- he gives/trades those so I usually restock him... But that is one advantage of not sandbagging- each win is one spot closer to another fireworks magic pin...
Before I could play fireworks I used to watch dh's score to tell him when to stop on the game so that when playing as mules he could get the firework magic pins... lol

But I do wish VMK would change it all around to having the top player get the top credits- makes sense and is fairer for all - and more people would go for higher scores that way...

In general though- if you are playing with me I don't usually quit at 240 unless for some reason I really need the credits more than the fun of the game...

 

[disvaclub92]

I will sandbag
to the best of my ability.

I have to say I love this quote. Also, no chance of me sandbagging - cannot get to 240,000.

 

[milliepie]

I have always played fireworks not really knowing the way credits are rewarded and such. I am just trying to get my magic pin and the rare chance that I do get 140,000 or up (my highest is 142 and have only been there like five times), the person ahead of me in the game stops at 140,000 and I don't get my pin. That is the only part that frustrates me. To me 675 credits is alot, so I wouldn't mind so much if I wasn't trying to get my pin.

Oh, I'm new btw, so hi everyone!

 

[cydawn]

I do sandbag quite a bit. It's too much of a difference in credits not to! There isn't even an advantage for the pins- you receive one for every 10 wins over 240,000 in which you come in first, and one for every 10 wins over 240,000 in which you do not come in first. It is very strange how they have this game set up. Is the thrill of winning supposed to be so great that it will compensate for receiving less credits? It's not to me!

It's the structure of the game, no one should be blamed for stopping at 240,000 if they choose to. I feel bad for the people who are capable of getting the really high scores, it must be a tough choice for them!

 

[cteddiesgirl]

I think it is unsportsman-like of vmk to penalize the winner of the game. It makes no sense that the winner gets half of the credits as the people who score over 240,00 and don't win.
Usually, if I am winning the game by a lot I will keep going and not stop. If I am in second or lower I will stop to get the credits. I don't have the time or the patience to play twice as many games to get the same amount of credits.

First of all, it is incredibly wrong of them to have set the winning up like this.

Personally, as a someone who can only occasionally make 240k, yes, I get upset when those I know can go higher stop. You can certainly make 240k easily every time. Me, and many others, cannot.
We would like to get those credits sometimes too.

I know that my problems really lie in my computer's limitations. It's not just a matter of my own abilities to get the higher scores. It's my computer's.
Unfortunately, I can't get another one for a very long time.

Instead of moaning and groaning on forums about it, I have sent messages to VMK to change the way they reward players. And everyone else who thinks it's wrong should too.

 

[LittleDragonErin]

I always play to get the highest possible score UNLESS I'm on a quest that's boring or frustrating and don't want to take up too much time or I really need the credits (which I haven't for some time now).

There is a slight advantage to gaining fireworks pins by going for first. Not only do you get it every 10 wins, but also every 10 top ten placements. Several times I've gotten a fireworks pin twice in a row.

Also I think it's more fun to compete against others who are good. But I do notice when the staff quests come around, lots of people are good enough to get in that 270,000+ mark from how they're doing throughout the game but stop at 240,000. And I never see them in the top ten lists. So just from that, I know there are a number of good players but they just want the credits.