Just want to share something I posted over at VMK forums and see how everyone here...

[Maleficent2]

feels also.

First it was a continuation to a post by Tinkerblue which I will post here first and hope she does not mind....

TinkerBlue
Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 104

So in other words

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Forgive me if I sound a tad cranky and this is NOT directed at MissAmber so much as the apparent inconsistency of rules that tends to frustrate some of us at times.

I too was not judged. I too got the message that the judging was over. So, all I had to do was hit the "call for help" which, to me is to be used for 411 type emergencies, and complain that I wasn't judged to have a VMK staff member run over to my room and judge it anyway?

I'm sorry, that just does not seem fair to me. Once the message went out, all judging should have stopped. Indeed, I thought it had and went to Enderz room to commisserate with him. Only to find a VMK Staff member in there who totally ignored my question and then vanished. That was okay, I knew they were busy but it did rankle a bit.

Again, I am not criticizing MissAmber who worked just as hard on her room as the rest of us. I am questioning another apparent uneven execution of the game rules by the VMK_Staff.

Please do not read this as any kind of rant or complaint. It is merely constructive criticism to help VMK staff handle such things in the future. Incidents like this tend to fuel the idea that you have an inner "VMK Staff favorite" group. I know with so many players of such a diverse age spread, it makes it much harder for VMK Staff to apply an even hand to everything.

I really enjoy the game and will continue to do so. I thought bringing out the new costumes was wonderful. This event was far better than the last and I think the VMK Staff is working very hard to improve game play, guest interaction with each other and staff, and the overall quality of the game. I do feel that I have the right to call them for perceived lack of fairness, however, which is what these comments are in the hope that they will see them and give some thought to addressing some issues.

Even one disappointed guest is not a good thing. Yes, it is a "free" game but it still requires time investment from the guests just as it requires time from the VMK Staff. Let's keep making comments that will help VMK make our little virtual world even better.

For myself, I have renamed my room and rewritten the description so that I can enter it into the Celebration competition. For those who were also disappointed and not judged, don't give up but try again (if you are able to spend the time). Remember too, the room is for you to enjoy even without the contest. There is still the weekly competition and, perhaps, you can make additions, changes and try for that as well.

then I said...

Very well said Tinkerblue I just want to add that

Yes, while this is a free game it is a "DISNEY" Free game and Disney after all is held to a higher standard than say Coke (just an example) all true Disney Fans know this and expect it. That is why a lot of people feel really let down by the two events that VMK has had so far.

While I did not enter this competition last night and was not even in the game much yesterday because of prior commitments I am truly sorry for the so many that did not get judged I can stand back and say they really need to get their act together and stop angering so many patrons. This game after all is an advertisement and if you are a player and get upset with how things are going or the way things are handled or feel like favoritism is out of hand in VMK then it leaves a bad taste in your mouth and you WILL NOT want to travel to WDW or DL because of the game which is the whole point anyway.

Some of us over at the Dis are already talking VMK Meets at WDW this talk will stop or these meets will not get planned if people get tired of the poorly run events put on in VMK or the other problems with the game mentioned above. And we are talking big money when true Disney fans hit WDW or DL. For a single meet most if not all stay on Disney Property and never travel off. Most bring their families(because most of us at the DIs are adults) so the ave family is 4 and most meets last at least 4 days so you have room, food, tickets, and souvenirs for all these people that really adds up.

I really hope Disney gets their act together on this one I love the game and really want to see it succeed.

Mal

 

[pumpkinfish]

You know Mal, I read these two posts and also saw the posts by Mr.Genie (of whom I admire). I must say that I am still angered by the happenings that went on yesterday.

Just think: I spent a LOT of time and credits to get my room just right. I thought long and hard about how I was going to set it up and make it "unique". Ok, it would be great to win something, but I was going for more of the "WOW" factor. Know what I mean?

If I was that upset (being an adult), think of all the KIDS who were let down because their room was not judged. I know life will go on and I will continue to hang out at VMK, but there were many kids who were quite upset. They too, spent time and credits to prepare their rooms.

I understand this is still a fairly new site. There will be kinks that they will be fixing, but I think they should have done something about the judging. Did they not realize how many people would enter? I am not in their shoes so I have no room to judge them (he he). Just wish I could have gotten a second chance to show my room off.


Glad there are others who are on my side...

 

[Maleficent2]

Luckily we were not home last night (our wedding anniversary )
so DS was not allowed to play while we were gone because if he had had his room up and no one came to judge it I do not know if I could have stopped the tears. Then I would be really livid!

 

[Tinkerbelle739]

You know Mal, I read these two posts and also saw the posts by Mr.Genie (of whom I admire). I must say that I am still angered by the happenings that went on yesterday.

Just think: I spent a LOT of time and credits to get my room just right. I thought long and hard about how I was going to set it up and make it "unique". Ok, it would be great to win something, but I was going for more of the "WOW" factor. Know what I mean?

If I was that upset (being an adult), think of all the KIDS who were let down because their room was not judged. I know life will go on and I will continue to hang out at VMK, but there were many kids who were quite upset. They too, spent time and credits to prepare their rooms.

I understand this is still a fairly new site. There will be kinks that they will be fixing, but I think they should have done something about the judging. Did they not realize how many people would enter? I am not in their shoes so I have no room to judge them (he he). Just wish I could have gotten a second chance to show my room off.


Glad there are others who are on my side...

Excellent Point!!

 

[Tinkerbelle739]

"VMK Staff favorite" group.

Apparently I am not a part of that group!

 

[JeanJoe]

"VMK Staff favorite" group.

Apparently I am not a part of that group!

Nor am I, but I won't use the emote about it though! There shouldn't be such a group, as far as the VMK_ and developers are concerned! That topic is one that I've posted about multiple times on the other site, about favoritism and fairness.

One reason I prefer the Dis boards VMK forum to the VMK fan site is that there is less of a feeling of the "haves" vs. the "have-nots", where frequently the "haves" are the ones who appear to be more favored by the VMK staff.

Even the few people here on the Dis who belong or belonged in the "favored" category have definitely decreased their "flaunting" (that word is a little too strong, but I can't think of another) of their status.

As to TinkerBlue's and Maltoo's posts, I agree wholeheartedly.

I do want to remind you, though, is that because Disney'starget audience is in large part the "tweens", the LAST thing they want to do is anything that will encourage "VMK meets" in real life. We are, for the most part, adults and can probably safely meet in real life. But Disney's primary target audience may not be safe doing this. They want us to go to the parks and leave our cash behind; but they probably don't want to publicize the fact that people are now meeting in real life. All it takes is one bad incident, and the press will eat it all up...

 

[HollyJoy]

I, too, was upset by the way they handled it. I didn't expect to see a message from VMK saying the judging was over due to weather. I was another who worked a long time and spent lots of credits, on my room, and was not judged. A lot of people told me they thought I had a good chance to win too! Oh well! But I also think that this whole thing is new to them (VMK staff) as well. I hold out hope that in the future, they learn from this and plan better. They obviously had way too many rooms to judge in the time slot they allowed. Next time, have us actually enter somewhere; fill out a form.

 

[Maleficent2]

I do want to remind you, though, is that because Disney'starget audience is in large part the "tweens", the LAST thing they want to do is anything that will encourage "VMK meets" in real life. We are, for the most part, adults and can probably safely meet in real life. But Disney's primary target audience may not be safe doing this. They want us to go to the parks and leave our cash behind; but they probably don't want to publicize the fact that people are now meeting in real life. All it takes is one bad incident, and the press will eat it all up...

While I agree with most of what you said, for the tweens to get to WDW or DL they have to have a Adult take them. And granted VMK is targeted towards tweens I bet WE(adults that play) were a pleasant surprise to them and if they knew about Adult meets or meets with kids and parental supervision they would not discourage it...why else are they having the tours...to get players more excited about the game and WDW/DL and wanting to return sooner. And maybe to meet other players who are just as excited about the game. JMHO

 

[JeanJoe]

While I agree with most of what you said, for the tweens to get to WDW or DL they have to have a Adult take them. And granted VMK is targeted towards tweens I bet WE(adults that play) were a pleasant surprise to them and if they knew about Adult meets or meets with kids and parental supervision they would not discourage it...why else are they having the tours...to get players more excited about the game and WDW/DL and wanting to return sooner. And maybe to meet other players who are just as excited about the game. JMHO

Yeah, I agree with all you said too. Just playing Devil's Advocates, more from Disney's lawyer's standpoint, than from Disney's (or, should I say, Disney's financial officer's) standpoint.

 

[WebmasterAlex]

I have been wondeing if VMK has a future just because of stuff like this.

Disney likes their image to be one of magic and pixie dust and I think they are learning they can't control VMK the way they like to control everything.

 

[Maleficent2]

I have been wondeing if VMK has a future just because of stuff like this.

Disney likes their image to be one of magic and pixie dust and I think they are learning they can't control VMK the way they like to control everything.

I have had the same thoughts, and they seem to be losing control at a rapid pace. I am also wondering if Yavn and his staff do not get control of things and quit making such monumental blunders how long they will be on the Disney payroll.

Which let me add I would hate to see either of these things happen because I really do love VMK and love playing. I just hope they can get it together soon.

Mal

 

[pumpkinfish]

Ok, wrong thread... LOL

 

[TwirlerGirl]

Add another dissappointed person to the list. After 3 1/2 hrs sitting in my room on Sunday (by the computer) waiting, my room was not visited or judged. Saturday I sat with Dis members waiting for their rooms to be judge and were never visited. How unDisney like this is. The last message I received said something about read the newsletter about more info if your room did not get judged. I 'll be interested in that info.

 

[Maleficent2]

Add another dissappointed person to the list. After 3 1/2 hrs sitting in my room on Sunday (by the computer) waiting, my room was not visited or judged. Saturday I sat with Dis members waiting for their rooms to be judge and were never visited. How unDisney like this is. The last message I received said something about read the newsletter about more info if your room did not get judged. I 'll be interested in that info.

Ditto~on most except the last message I got was just that Judging was over good night..

Like you I was in my room from 10 pm EST to closing and I think that this was downright another unfair Event poorly handled by VMK!

I will be writing a note to Disney about this....this is so unDisney Like and free game or not this is not the way it should be handled. I really do not know what kind of excuse they can come up with for not judging everyone room

Just hot off the VMK website:

Q: How come my room did not get judged, I was there all day?Q: How come my room did not get judged, I was there all day?
A: The staff made every effort to visit every room that qualified. It could be you were not in your room when the judge attempted to review it. If you feel your room should have been judged and was not, please use the Contact Us form and we will look into it.

I did and what do you bet that I never hear from them. I am very upset with the handling of this.. I know I am ranting but I am POed.

Mal

 

[Beherenow]

Just a quick idea... I did not have time to read all of thread, so please forgive me if this has already been thought of.

It seems like the judges could only get to the rooms high on the list (with lots of people in them). Most of us dis people last night were either waiting for a judge or waiting in a friends room to help them out, so there were only a few in eash room. Most could not get high on the list that way, and missed the judge. Sorry to all the people that did not get the visit.

Anyway, next time there is a room contest, would anyone be interested in starting a dis list for rooms to visit. Even if you are wanting to get your room judge, we all go to the first room and wait until after judge shows up, then on to the second room and so forth. That way all the dis rooms could be seen. Just an idea...

 

[pumpkinfish]

Well, last night was a miracle that my room was judged. As you all know, it had not been visited the night before for the "Space" room contest.

Last night I was part of JeanJoe's drama troupe and helped in his room. It was a blast and a first for me to test my acting akills on a virtual level As soon as his room was judged I bolted out the door to sit and wait in my room.

I was not in my room more than a minute, before PixieBella came and visited with me for a few. Then, by the grace of God, a judge came in and spent a minute checking out the place. I was wished 'good luck' and she went on her merry way.

Now, whether is was truly just luck that I was visited within the first 1/2 hour of judging, or maybe it was the fact that I had sent my "comments" about the night before to the VMK black hole. I am happy that I was at least judged this time around. But I still feel guilty that others were not. I understand EXACTLY how you feel (just read my above comment from the situation Saturday evening). Good luck to everyone, and I hope they get their acts together!

 

[TwirlerGirl]

Mal, I'm with you. I used the contact icon but I'm sure I'll never get a reply.

Do you really think it's weighted by the number of people visiting the room? I thought they would do a query list of all rooms with that Name ie. "Space" as the first word and work from that. If so, all you need is a wild name even if it has nothing to do with what's in the room. How UnDisney like this is and very sad. Not a good example to be showing to our young children. I thought this was a good way to mentor the kids, showing them to be friends, polite, helpful can still be fun. How very sad.

 

[Maleficent2]

this is the reply I am getting from reporting within the game

"For up to date information on the event and competitions, as well as answers to frequently asked questions, please check the news letter at VMK.com"


ok fine whatever.

I tired to use the contact us there but I do not get an option for reporting anything

 

[TwirlerGirl]

Mal,once you select "Contact US" they show you a list of catagories for reporting problems. You need to select "Other" at the bottom of the page. They verify that their list did not cover what you are trying to report. Then continue and fill out the text box with your information. I did it this morning, I'm betting my chances are 1,000,000 to 1 that they get back to me.

 

[Maleficent2]

also wanted to report I was in the room with YAVN this afternoon and someone said how unhappy they were and I said I was too and Yavn quickly left the room and I lost my connection...coincidence I think not!