New Pirate Game Issues

[nrb]

WARNING: Rant below

I finally got in and was able to try the new pirates game. I really don't like it. I had to pay twelve credits, the team I played against totally crushed us (I'm quite good at the first pirates game), and I only made nine credits back. If I am doing this bad, I can only imagine kids are struggling as well. I don't think that it's very fair that they went and changed the game and didn't breathe a word of it to us.

That's not the part that bothers me the most though. I really don't understand why they are making us pay credits to earn credits.

I like the graphics and the design of the new game, but the fact that they make us pay for it now makes me mad To me, paying to play teaches gambling and that is the part that bothers me the most. It's just like going to the casino, dropping in that quarter, and hoping you play well enough to double it.

I'm going to the black hole about this. Do we really want VMK teaching kids to gamble with their credits? I've never had a problem with VMK before. But this "pay to play" crosses the line with me. Where is the Disney magic in that?

Does anyone else agree? Or am I stirring the pot too much here?

Ok, rant over

On the plus side, I do like the new room. It reminds me of the ride at WDW.

 

[Dudezeke]

I agree with you somewhat, but it isn't really gambling. I think it is someone's choice. You try it once and decide you aren't good at it so you stop. It's only if you keep playing so you get something, then it becomes gambling. I only play if I feel like it. Also, don't play if you don't have a lot of credits.

 

[kgordonlvn]

Ok... so it is against the rules to "charge" for quests, yet it's ok for them to "charge" us to play something... can someone say "DOUBLE STANDARDS"

 

[nrb]

I agree with you somewhat, but it isn't really gambling. I think it is someone's choice. You try it once and decide you aren't good at it so you stop. It's only if you keep playing so you get something, then it becomes gambling. I only play if I feel like it. Also, don't play if you don't have a lot of credits.

According to Webster's dictionary definition of "gamble", this game, to me, seems to apply

1 a : to play a game for money or property b : to bet on an uncertain outcome
2 : to stake something on a contingency : take a chance

1a. Although this isn't "real" money, credits are in a sense virtual money (they are used to buy things).

1b. To me, 12 credits seems like a "bet" or "ante". Since the outcome of the game is uncertain, this also applies. You never know if you will win 5, 10, or 100 credits

2. This sounds a lot like 1b to me.

It's also complicated by the rumors that treasure detector magic is a prize for comleting level three ten times. I think this will make people ultimately want to keep playing. People who ordinarlily might only play once if only credits were at stake are now going to want to keep playing to win the "newest magic."

I realize I'm on a soap box here, so If I go to far here, let me know...

 

[Cpt.JackSpearow]

WARNING: Rant below

I finally got in and was able to try the new pirates game. I really don't like it. I had to pay twelve credits, the team I played against totally crushed us (I'm quite good at the first pirates game), and I only made nine credits back. If I am doing this bad, I can only imagine kids are struggling as well. I don't think that it's very fair that they went and changed the game and didn't breathe a word of it to us.

That's not the part that bothers me the most though. I really don't understand why they are making us pay credits to earn credits.

I like the graphics and the design of the new game, but the fact that they make us pay for it now makes me mad To me, paying to play teaches gambling and that is the part that bothers me the most. It's just like going to the casino, dropping in that quarter, and hoping you play well enough to double it.

I'm going to the black hole about this. Do we really want VMK teaching kids to gamble with their credits? I've never had a problem with VMK before. But this "pay to play" crosses the line with me. Where is the Disney magic in that?

Does anyone else agree? Or am I stirring the pot too much here?

Ok, rant over

On the plus side, I do like the new room. It reminds me of the ride at WDW.

Well actually paying 21 credits is like nothing compared to what you get if you win so I would not worry about that.

 

[nrb]

Well actually paying 21 credits is like nothing compared to what you get if you win so I would not worry about that.

The price isn't my issue, it's the concept. You can pay a quarter in Las Vegas to have a chance to win a $1,000,000 dollars, or buy a $5 lotto ticket to win the same amount. It's still gambling.

 

[Cpt.JackSpearow]

Who cares if its gambling? Kids gamble with there family, kids think gambling is fun like in marbles or playing the game quaters, adults gamble all the time, trading is pretty much gambling to see what you will get next so if you say gambling then you are pretty much talking about trading, the game and spending credits on something then you find out that you didnt need that stuff and something else is coming out so I see no problem in the new game.

 

[FunkyMonkey]

Who cares if its gambling? Kids gamble with there family, kids think gambling is fun like in marbles or playing the game quaters, adults gamble all the time, trading is pretty much gambling to see what you will get next so if you say gambling then you are pretty much talking about trading, the game and spending credits on something then you find out that you didnt need that stuff and something else is coming out so I see no problem in the new game.

Actually, I'm just a little upset that you just have to, Pay. Usually people play games to earn credits, not spend them. I only have nine credits now....I'm gonna have to start playing mansion or let my mom play fireworks for me

 

[Captain Brain]

Ok... so it is against the rules to "charge" for quests, yet it's ok for them to "charge" us to play something... can someone say "DOUBLE STANDARDS"

 

[Cpt.JackSpearow]

Actually, I'm just a little upset that you just have to, Pay. Usually people play games to earn credits, not spend them. I only have nine credits now....I'm gonna have to start playing mansion or let my mom play fireworks for me

You dont understand people, just because you have to pay this big huge expensive price of 21 credits that cant even buy you a set of flip flops doesnt mean that the game is so dreaded and bad because you have to pay, now to me that is just whining. (or however you spell it)

 

[cteddiesgirl]

Who cares if its gambling? Kids gamble with there family, kids think gambling is fun like in marbles or playing the game quaters, adults gamble all the time, trading is pretty much gambling to see what you will get next so if you say gambling then you are pretty much talking about trading, the game and spending credits on something then you find out that you didnt need that stuff and something else is coming out so I see no problem in the new game.

What part of this did you not understand?

I had to pay twelve credits, the team I played against totally crushed us (I'm quite good at the first pirates game), and I only made nine credits back.

He lost more than he got back. That is gambling.
And no. Many parent do not allow their children to gamble at all.
Trading is not gambling unless you don't know the value of the items you are trading or unless you trade teleporters, codes, or more than the 15 items per person.
Yes, adults gamble. Because they are (or should be) old enough to know when to quit. Children usually don't.

This is plain wrong to start "charging" to play a silly game. What will they do next? Change all the games to this format? Charge us real money to play VMK?
If they start changing all the games to pay to play, I will quit.

Plain and simple.

 

[Cpt.JackSpearow]

What part of this did you not understand?

Are you saying this to me?

 

[JeanJoe]

I don't really agree, but everyone is entitled to their viewpoints.

Let me just point out there are SO many things in VMK (and everywhere), that many people can argue are "wrong".

And read this very much with tongue-in-cheek.

- gambling, as mentioned here. I don't really think it's that bad, because the odds are highly stacked in FAVOR of the player, which is not true in any actual gambling, where "The House" is looking for a profit. You might as well argue that "The Crane" of Toy Story fame is gambling -- you put in a quarter, and if you have skill, have the chance to pick up a stuffed animal (or 3-eyed alien). If not, you lose your quarter.

- pirates: what's acceptable about blowing people out of the water? What's acceptable about pirates at all, who killed, raped, looted, and pillaged, for profit?

- bear rugs: these hideous items condone killing virtual items for virtual fur!

- haunted mansion: filled with ghosts. Such disrespect to the dearly departed, and the afterlife.

- the Spell Room and Magic pins: witchcraft and sorcery. I say, burn them all at the stake. And then drown them. Same goes for Esmeralda and her pagan Tarot cards.

- Music Mix: you know what they say about sex, drugs, and rock and roll. Music Mix has got to be the first step to wanton debauchery.

- VMK itself: advertising and marketing aimed DIRECTLY at kids, aged say 8-12, a very vulnerable market segment, which is also profitable for Disney

 

[piratesmate]

I don't like the idea of paying credits to play. There's not even an option to play this the old way...free with set rewards. I agree that it does feel like gambling. And I don't know a single family that allows their children to gamble. Frankly, I know very few adults who gamble!

BTW - Has anyone figured out the "credits earned" criteria? The first time I played capture the flag I had no clue what I was doing and was given 42 credits for losing. (I paid 21 to play.) I did destroy a ship though.

If they were to change all the games to the Pay-To-Play format, that would mean people who lose could only play about 10 games with the credits they visit the NPCs & the music room before they'd have to leave....or wait another half hour to re-play music & earn another 20/25 credits. And that's assuming they don't want to buy anything!! Maybe this is how they're going to solve their inadequate server problem! People will give up & leave when they run out of money!

By the way, didn't someone in Philadelphia get into BIG trouble a couple years ago for "Pay-to-Play"??

 

[Cpt.JackSpearow]

I don't really agree, but everyone is entitled to their viewpoints.

Let me just point out there are SO many things in VMK (and everywhere), that many people can argue are "wrong".

And read this very much with tongue-in-cheek.

- gambling, as mentioned here. I don't really think it's that bad, because the odds are highly stacked in FAVOR of the player, which is not true in any actual gambling, where "The House" is looking for a profit. You might as well argue that "The Crane" of Toy Story fame is gambling -- you put in a quarter, and if you have skill, have the chance to pick up a stuffed animal (or 3-eyed alien). If not, you lose your quarter.

- pirates: what's acceptable about blowing people out of the water? What's acceptable about pirates at all, who killed, raped, looted, and pillaged, for profit?

- bear rugs: these hideous items condone killing virtual items for virtual fur!

- haunted mansion: filled with ghosts. Such disrespect to the dearly departed, and the afterlife.

- the Spell Room and Magic pins: witchcraft and sorcery. I say, burn them all at the stake. And then drown them. Same goes for Esmeralda and her pagan Tarot cards.

- Music Mix: you know what they say about sex, drugs, and rock and roll. Music Mix has got to be the first step to wanton debauchery.

- VMK itself: advertising and marketing aimed DIRECTLY at kids, aged say 8-12, a very vulnerable market segment, which is also profitable for Disney

Like music mix is going to let you say FU vmk players, and the witchcraft part is at disney and esmeralda is a mind reader what ever, with her tarot deck I think that is a little over board with VMK bringing in pagan, tarot decks, the music thing, also al the pirate stuff with rape, and kill and shoot. This does go alittle out of hand but it does not change my mind with the Paying for pirates.

 

[PurpleDuck]

BTW - Has anyone figured out the "credits earned" criteria? The first time I played capture the flag I had no clue what I was doing and was given 42 credits for losing. (I paid 21 to play.) I did destroy a ship though.

Umm.. sorry if this sounds a bit harsh, but.. try clicking on the "Instructions" button in the POTC lobby? It explains the scoring and prize/reward criteria you are looking for.

 

[PolyFish]

I actually don't get why you must pay to play a game in which case you may not win?

 

[hagen]

- gambling, as mentioned here. I don't really think it's that bad, because the odds are highly stacked in FAVOR of the player, which is not true in any actual gambling, where "The House" is looking for a profit. You might as well argue that "The Crane" of Toy Story fame is gambling -- you put in a quarter, and if you have skill, have the chance to pick up a stuffed animal (or 3-eyed alien). If not, you lose your quarter.

The big difference being, of course, whether or not the stuffed animal (or 3-eyed alien) wants to be picked up by the crane. In Toy Story, the squeakers were all for it, but I have seen evidence of some Woody Woodpecker dolls who shun the removal of their flocked selves from their glass and chrome habitat. This then becomes poaching, not gambling.

- pirates: what's acceptable about blowing people out of the water? What's acceptable about pirates at all, who killed, raped, looted, and pillaged, for profit?

What's acceptable about it? Dude, the pirates had it coming to them! Didn't you see the bulls-eyes painted on their foreheads?

- bear rugs: these hideous items condone killing virtual items for virtual fur!

Again, this is a case of splitting hairs. Those bearskin rugs, according to a source I cannot reveal (but is mostly reliable on weekdays when the moon is waning and the tide is out) says that his brother-in-law said his accountant posted on the rec.arts.Disney board a week from tomorrow about a guy who read it originally from someone who sweeps up the hallways in a building in the very same state that the VMK offices are located (I should have warned you... it's complicated) that the bears in VMK are donating their skins in a free trade agreement with the monkeys named 'Jack.' Unfortunately, the monkeys have yet to come through on their end.

- haunted mansion: filled with ghosts. Such disrespect to the dearly departed, and the afterlife.

Not so! The ghosts are all volunteers who work the suicide prevention hotline after VMK closes. Very sociable spirits... you see how they are always trying to hug you if you are the opposite color?

- the Spell Room and Magic pins: witchcraft and sorcery. I say, burn them all at the stake. And then drown them. Same goes for Esmeralda and her pagan Tarot cards.

Hey, hey! Slow down, big fella? And who ends up on the list next, green boys? Think before you call out for such drastic measures, please. Besides, Esmeralda is more of a phone operator with a bonus phone booth accessory. Nothing pagan about that, unless she works for BellSalem.

- Music Mix: you know what they say about sex, drugs, and rock and roll. Music Mix has got to be the first step to wanton debauchery.

As a rock star, I resent the implications that the simple 4/4 noises available in Music Mix lead to anything but a restful afternoon nap. If you want debauchery, you have to learn an instrument first... Vladimir Horowitz exemplified this. So did Schroeder, until he became ill.

- VMK itself: advertising and marketing aimed DIRECTLY at kids, aged say 8-12, a very vulnerable market segment, which is also profitable for Disney

Okay, that's a gimme. But really, VMK and Disney are just trying to replenish their staff by capturing the imagination and souls of everyone who plays the online game. Can that be all that bad? And if so, can rampant capitalism really be held accountable?

Sorry, Be, but paying 21 coins to play and potentially win is not only gambling, but it is a deterrent to all who would bet on the outcome of the game. This is such a nasty new development...

hagen

 

[Lauralee]

Me thinks the new pirate game has bugs! I won 10 games on level 1 ship battle and got the ok to play level 2. Played and won my first level 2 game, then got the message to go see Blackheart and that I can play level 3. I clicked on Blackheart - nothing. Arg! I bet my game win counter is all messed up!

 

[tigressjewel]

Is anyone else having problems getting vmk to load on a new computer? We were able to play on two older computers we have, but when I try to log in with our newest computer it takes the blue bar all the way across then just sits and does nothing. You think I need to re-install shockwave?