Is VMK worth it anymore?

[BuddyGenie]

Is it me, or is everybody had enough of VMK? Putting all technical issues aside, is it really worth logging in those hours to collect 100 credits for visiting all five NPCs, 10 credits hourly for playing music, 20 credits a piece for snapping safari photos (or Nedding, as you folks prefer to do), etc? Let's look at the facts:

1. Rude players - these are basically kids who don't know how to play or don't care. All they want is to either conduct bogus trades, pick up girls/boys, and make up stupid rooms. And what's worse, they can actually get away with it.
2. Random bannings of innocent players - These I hate with a passion. It seems like they'll get anyone for anything, especially me. You all know how my non-conformist attitude does not always agree with Disney's values, but on the whole I've been particularly good on VMK... except for that one time where I was disguising my personal information. It may have been a warning, but it nearly scared me off the game forever.
3. The near-impossibility of obtaining CL status - First people were getting rejected left and right, with some barely passing by the skin of their teeth, and now there's news of no more CL positions until December. I don't know about you, but I don't see any reason to become a CL.
4. Adult discrimination - VMK is a kids game, and Disney doesn't really want adults playing it. In fact, Disney has had a long history of discrimination against those over 18 or 21 or whatever age you need to be to be an adult, which is preposterous since we adults put more money into the company than any other demographic.

So basically, what do you DIS club members get out of VMK? Is it really worth it anymore, or do you see it fading into non-existence long after peoples 10-year ban expires? And if it does fade away, what will happen to the DIS club?

 

[aerosmith_rules]

read my thread "byebye VMK". i think it(VMK) sucks. but i do help people on the dis boards. like give my sister ideas

 

[Roxane]

Well here's my answers:
1- There's rude people in life too. I just ignore them. It's a lot easier in the game to ignore with the little button
2-The random bannings were reversed as I recall. I've been playing a lot since late June and have never had a ban or warning. Plus, the bans seem pretty easy to get around from all I've read on it.
3-I don't want to be a CL_ either so this doesn't really bother me. Plus, maybe they have enough CL_s and are waiting until Dec for some openings. In life, you can't get a job if there is no job available.
4-I don't really think they discriminate against adults. It's not like we aren't allowed to play or there are no adult CL-s. None of the cast members threw me out of their pin trading rooms because I'm old. Sure maybe they watch out more for the kids, but that's as it should be.
I like VMK, I think it's a fun game. I love to play pirates and to visit players game rooms. I have a race game myself, and really like to run it when I have time. As for the DIS, I think it's a great community. It was here before VMK and I'm sure it will be here after.

 

[Tinkerbelle739]

1. Let me tell you Genie what happened to me last night. I was in my room in the door way with a blocker up. (Easier that way to arrange furniture.) A boy would appeared next to me, I would say hi and he would disappear. I was back and forth between rooms and everytime I came back to this room he would reappear. Finally he spoke. "I hat you!" "You should get on your knees and clean my floors" "Cook me food now!" "You will break my heart just like the others" That is just a sample of what he said!

I told him, "I think you need a hug, -hug-" I asked him why he was being mean and why he came to yell at me. He admitted to being broken hearted and admitted to seeing me post on the dis. He is a dis member! I won't name him so dont ask.

Moral of this long story...sometimes rude players are just frustrated by a lack on inclusion by a group they want to be a part of. Many of them have not yet made friends on VMK and just want to get our attention one way or another. "Hug a Rude Person and Make VMK a Better Place!"

2.I have never been banned and have only had 1 warning (Yes that is true!)
I know we are all upset when a friend gets banned, but really it is just to
keep VMK safe for the kids. A staff member came into the room I was in
last night to remind us all to watch our topics and if we had any questions
to check out the VMK values.

3. I have not applied for CL but I know alot of people who are anxiously
awaiting their approval letter. I feel bad for the kids who now have to wait
until December to send in their application.

4. VMK is not just for kids. That may be the target audience, but believe me
Adults are just as welcome.

I personally enjoy VMK. It is a great way to chat with DIS friends in a friendly fun place. I have been to DIS chat and sorry, it is not as fun as chatting in VMK! On the Dis you cant win fireworks magic or have your cursed storm fixed by Yavn! You cant have hagen make you popcorn in central or dance with orange flips with the Zeta Girls. On the Dis you cant sink CL_Capecad's pirate ship or be on his winning team!! You cant have surferrat serve you a drink(nice while it last bear tender!) or dress up silly or have jelly give you boogies! How could you not have fun on VMK?!

Have a Magical Day!!

 

[HollyJoy]

well said, Bella! I have finally encountered a few rude/mean players on VMK too, and I just feel sad for them. I don't let them ruin the game for me, in my opinion, it's not worth it! There are bound to be those (really, anywhere you go) who, for whatever reason, have a sour outlook and try to bring others down by being mean. I boot them, or ignore. What a wonderful feature that ignore button is! As for the whole Community leader thing, well I applied once and was turned down (lol), and have a second application in right now. Why? I don't know, something to do, I guess. I'm not fretting about it though. If I get declined again, so be it. Life will go on, and I will still enjoy VMK just as much. That little "CL" before my name won't change me or my enjoyment of VMK! I look forward to the time when I can play, even if it's only for 10-15 min! I like seeing the familiar faces.. it's just fun to me. Takes me away from the stresses of real life for a while. A break, so to speak. Just enjoy the game, and don't let the sour ones ruin it for you.

 

[jazstar87]

1. yes rude people, they are everywhere! In the virtual world, in the real world, in disney world, and in my school, but why should that bring you down?
Ignoring them is the best way to deal with it. You (meaning everyone) yourself can be rude at times, too, if you are having a bad day or somethign like that. Plus this is sadly, but true, what the kid generation is... Studies done show kids not caring about school and being rude to adults. I am at near the generation that are these "wonderful" kids, truely it is hard to deal with them.

2. I have never been banned but did get a warning. Though i do think vmk staff can be fair at time but to me i think it is a very tough job. Making sure every thing is in order in vmk is tough. So they do take the easy route though and ban people.

3.Though i do wish to become a community leader, but its not like i can't live without it. I really don't know why?

4. finally, well though it is toward kids but to tell you the truth, the adult have to spend the money to get to disney, the adult have to ok the kids to sign up for disney. The kids need the adults to play and also the adult need to see if it is safe enough for kids, but they get addicted while testing it out . So though it is toward kids, the adult plays a big role in vmking.

well though i am 17 and i am still have a kids mind. I think vmk is a wonderful place to go. I don't know where i can play pirates with the capes, and dance in the fablous dis room, move 20 feet with out lifting a foot, and actually feel i am in disney when i am in only jersey. I think it is a wonderful place, and it is my home away from "home". i wish though my parents had the same idea

 

[lovethattink]

Very well said Pixie Bella.

1. I have not encountered a rude player...yet. Will have to deal with it when the time comes.

2. I guess we just have to learn to hold our tongue at the appropriate times. And stand up for ourselves when we are innocent.

3. I know the CL status is something very important to my son. I hope he'll have a chance in the future to apply.

4. I don't feel discriminated against. I may not be in their target audience, but I feel very comfortable going about my VMK play.

As for DIS not feeling like they are accepted, I can see where this could come from. I've seen DIS enter another DIS room, say hi, and nobody acknowledges their presence. It is because they are deep in conversation and that hi at the door slips right by. Or because people are afk. I don't think it is intentional.

 

[LisaInNc]

I find it just the opposite. The more I play the more fun the game is for me. I now have more friends and I have no worry about being banned. I feel like I have a better understanding of what I can and can not say. I am more used to the crazy dictionary.

The CL thing does not seem like a big deal. I put in an application and if they don't want it until December that is fine. For me it is just 2 letters to put in front of my name.

There are rude players and I love the ignore buton. Anyone that talks about a foolish topic I just ignore. I do that for the boyfriend and girlfriend stuff. Anyone that starts begging me to trade something I do not want it. Ignore. Once I discovered that little button the game has not been as annoying.

The technical problems are still highly irritation to me.

I have also noticed that since the kids went back to school VMK is a ghost town from opening until mid afternoon. VMK Blue was playing a game yesterday, I got in the cue that only had three people. I can play without lines for anything.

I now have all the cool costumes so I do not feel like the kid in Junior High School wearing the wrong clothes.

 

[Tinkerbelle739]

I now have all the cool costumes so I do not feel like the kid in Junior High School wearing the wrong clothes.

 

[RicksCafe]

ToonDude, as you know, the game is what it is. We will have to decide individually when the aggravations outweigh the joy. I expect it will be a private decision for each of us, made in close consultation with our personal physician and clergyman.

As we all have discovered, VMK is virtual life. People have the capacity for spreading great happiness or causing great pain. The criminal justice system is not always administered wisely or justly. Leadership is not always awarded to the most deserving. As has been said previously, we make the system better by being better ourselves.

As for LisaInNc's comment, "I now have all the cool costumes so I do not feel like the kid in Junior High School wearing the wrong clothes."
If Napoleon Dynamite has taught us anything, it is that the kid you describe is often the coolest of all.

Kid on Bus: What are you gonna do today, Napoleon?
Napoleon Dynamite: Whatever I feel like I wanna do. Gosh!

 

[redbaybound]

Is VMK worth it? Sure, for me it is. It's a wonderful place with wonderful ppl. Like I posted before, for me it is worth the occasional "bad apple". I try to leave myself as open and trusting as possible.

And why shouldn't the kids have their own games? BF/GF, playing house, pets, armies? I don't know about you but that is exactly what we played when we were kids. The only difference I see is that it is online and not with the neighborhood kids. Come on everyone; we complain how quickly they grow up these days and yet when they act like what they are we complain about it. They're KIDS! Let them be KIDS!

Their games are not my cup of tea but I don't suppose they like my games either (doubles at surferrat's, dancing at PeachyT's, hanging out at Astryd's just chewing the fat) LOL

ok, I'll step off my soap box now...

Red

 

[pumpkinfish]

Well Genie I know you have felt like this for a long time now. Almost as soon as you started you began expressing your feelings about how scared you are that you will be banned, ect. I do know for a fact, that you have made several friends on VMK Is that not worth it for you in the long run? The magic of friendship goes a lot further, but that is my feelings. I have posted this before, and I will continue to in the future- If it were not for VMK, I would not have several special friendships outside of VMK. I have met AMAZING and kind-hearted people who spread joy in my life even when the game is turned off. Just yesterday (not to hi-jack a thread) I received a gift in the mail from a VMK buddy After the events that happened to me it was a blessing in disguise
So as many others have already posted, there is more to the game than meets the eye. Yes, the game is what you make it to be. If you only think of it as "a game" and not a social hour, than you will have different views. If you only see the rudeness that some players choose, then you will only see a negative aspect of the game.

Here is to swimming with bow-legged women, and of course, VMK friends Kungaloosh!

 

[Disneyfreak92]

I can't say it much better than PixieBella or MissBelle. I must admit, I spend a great deal of my VMK time in the games, in guest rooms with friends, or decorating my own guest room, so I don't encounter lots of rude players. But it has happended, and I too "heart" the ignore button though I have only had to use it once. I really have to say that I don't think I would spend nearly as much time in the game if it weren't for the friendships I have made. As it says in my vmk signature, "I heart my dis ppl!"

 

[BuddyGenie]

You all seem to echo the same sentiments and have high praises for VMK. And MissBelle is right about the friends that I've made. If it wasn't for VMK and DIS (two great tastes that taste great together), I wouldn't be able to reach out to people in the way that I do. There's still a little piece of me inside that begs to be careful should the Dark-Eyed Monster of Banishment take me away forever, but as long as I don't hear about other people getting banned, I should be all right. (You hear that, kids?? Don't ask, don't tell!)

As for all the other issues (CL or not, rudeness, adult discrimination), I won't let that get to me either. As a wise man once said while cooking Bisquick to feed his 342,134,230,483,230,478 children, "I am aware of your non-conformist way of thinking, but just keep in mind that there may be children viewing messages as well." And I guess that's what the VMK dictionary is for.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'd better get to VMK before I'm banned forever.

 

[airhead]

I haven't been back to play for a few months. I just got bored with the same ol'stuff.

 

[TwirlerGirl]

Well here it goes; if I get to sappy just slug me. I'm old, I'm a CL and I'm home recovering from an operation. I enjoying VMK very much for the friendships I have made, the entertainment(games, contest, room designs, helping new players) and even the boogies I receive. Recently I made a new friend; maybe some of you have met Marcm. I encouraged him to join the Dis to help with his personal quest to build his own Teleport room. At the time I just thought he was a kid who needs a friend. His mom posted information here on the Dis recently about him. He is ADHD, aspercus(?) and no friends other than on VMK. I knew the moment I read that post VMK is a great place to help kids and adults. It helps me and I help others. I have heard that many other ADHD kids play VMK too. Some of them are the rude players, I always ask if they are having a bad day and need a hug. (PixieBella - hugs are very important, WTG). I have a nephew with ADHD and know that hugs really help him. We need to be a little more understanding and tolerant. Well that's why I think VMK is still worth playing. Dis members are wonderful people. Thanks for being my friend.

 

[aerosmith_rules]

1. Let me tell you Genie what happened to me last night. I was in my room in the door way with a blocker up. (Easier that way to arrange furniture.) A boy would appeared next to me, I would say hi and he would disappear. I was back and forth between rooms and everytime I came back to this room he would reappear. Finally he spoke. "I hat you!" "You should get on your knees and clean my floors" "Cook me food now!" "You will break my heart just like the others" That is just a sample of what he said!

I told him, "I think you need a hug, -hug-" I asked him why he was being mean and why he came to yell at me. He admitted to being broken hearted and admitted to seeing me post on the dis. He is a dis member! I won't name him so dont ask.

Moral of this long story...sometimes rude players are just frustrated by a lack on inclusion by a group they want to be a part of. Many of them have not yet made friends on VMK and just want to get our attention one way or another. "Hug a Rude Person and Make VMK a Better Place!"

2.I have never been banned and have only had 1 warning (Yes that is true!)
I know we are all upset when a friend gets banned, but really it is just to
keep VMK safe for the kids. A staff member came into the room I was in
last night to remind us all to watch our topics and if we had any questions
to check out the VMK values.

3. I have not applied for CL but I know alot of people who are anxiously
awaiting their approval letter. I feel bad for the kids who now have to wait
until December to send in their application.

4. VMK is not just for kids. That may be the target audience, but believe me
Adults are just as welcome.

I personally enjoy VMK. It is a great way to chat with DIS friends in a friendly fun place. I have been to DIS chat and sorry, it is not as fun as chatting in VMK! On the Dis you cant win fireworks magic or have your cursed storm fixed by Yavn! You cant have hagen make you popcorn in central or dance with orange flips with the Zeta Girls. On the Dis you cant sink CL_Capecad's pirate ship or be on his winning team!! You cant have surferrat serve you a drink(nice while it last bear tender!) or dress up silly or have jelly give you boogies! How could you not have fun on VMK?!

Have a Magical Day!!

did anyone understand what she was saying?

 

[JeanJoe]

Yes, I did.

did anyone understand what she was saying?

 

[aerosmith_rules]

let me rephrase that, did anyone understand the point she made?

 

[JeanJoe]

Yes, I still do. It was about:

1) sometimes mean people can be treated nicely, and they will improve
2) the sometimes seemingly arbitrary warnings and bannings are to improve safety
3) expressing empathy for those who will not be able to be considered for CL until December
4) VMK is for everyone, all ages

And finally, comments about little things about VMK that make it special.


And I will try to follow my first instinct, and no longer feed the troll.

let me rephrase that, did anyone understand the point she (made?)