Recieved Letter from 1 of the Addresses Posted Here(DISNEY)

[KingQuackATac]

Here's the official Mission Statement:

"The mission of The Walt Disney Company is to be one of the world's leading
producers and providers of entertainment and information. Using our portfolio of brands to differentiate our content, services and consumer products, we seek to develop the most creative, innovative and profitable entertainment experiences and related products in the world."

This is a lot different from Walt's original statement: "To make people happy"

Maybe the Misson Statement should be changed to:

"To make stockholders happy"

Sigh, the pixie dust is fading..........

 

[aliceblue]

They did not, as some have said, take into account the differences between an online community like this and a regular promotion like the Monopoly game McDonalds does or a POTC toy tie-in with Burger King. That's where the problem lies. We have invested so much in VMK, I don't think Disney understands how much difference it makes to so many.

You have hit the nail right on the head. I doubt that the various departments instrumental in creating VMK were ever on the same page as to the nature of what they were doing, or what the long-term implications might be.

That it became what it did is really because of our own suspension of disbelief. I remember speculations about how long VMK would last way back in that first year; we were quite aware of the connection with the 50th celebration. But it was too easy to get pulled in by the illusion of something permanent.

 

[rickyratsmom]

You have hit the nail right on the head. I doubt that the various departments instrumental in creating VMK were ever on the same page as to the nature of what they were doing, or what the long-term implications might be.

That it became what it did is really because of our own suspension of disbelief. I remember speculations about how long VMK would last way back in that first year; we were quite aware of the connection with the 50th celebration. But it was too easy to get pulled in by the illusion of something permanent.

So we are all victoms of a Scam?? So, so very sad. Walt Disney would never ever have done such a thing to children!!! Shame on you who have decided to pull the plug on a wonderful community!! Shame on you for making children cry!! Shame on you for taking our time, our efforts and yes our money!! Shame on you!!

 

[MomsGoneGoofy]

They did not, as some have said, take into account the differences between an online community like this and a regular promotion like the Monopoly game McDonalds does or a POTC toy tie-in with Burger King. That's where the problem lies. We have invested so much in VMK, I don't think Disney understands how much difference it makes to so many.

Exactly why I would have liked them to give some examples of "extremely popular promotions", so I could see what they are comparing VMK to.

 

[bopper]

Thanks for sharing your letter. "VMK was always designed as a promotional tool, not an ongoing virtual world" got me too. If it really was just a promotional tool, why did they hire a game designer to set it up? Seems more like a job for a marketing team. Honestly, if yavn knew that the game would only last a year, I doubt that he would want his name associated with it, or put in as much work as he (and everyone involved) obviously did. Whenever i hear "just a promotion," I think of how many times yavn said "no, vmk isn't closing- the game is still going strong."

I agree...if it was not supposed to be an ongoing virtual world, why did new stuff come out EACH AND EVERY WEEK with host events held DAILY?

 

[aliceblue]

You have hit the nail right on the head. I doubt that the various departments instrumental in creating VMK were ever on the same page as to the nature of what they were doing, or what the long-term implications might be.

That it became what it did is really because of our own suspension of disbelief. I remember speculations about how long VMK would last way back in that first year; we were quite aware of the connection with the 50th celebration. But it was too easy to get pulled in by the illusion of something permanent.

So we are all victoms of a Scam??

This is exactly what I was not trying to say. Rather that there is no point in assigning evil intentions to those who planned VMK. I just don't think they ever realized what kind of effect the game would have.

 

[redshoe]

This is exactly what I was not trying to say. Rather that there is no point in assigning evil intentions to those who planned VMK. I just don't think they ever realized what kind of effect the game would have.

Probably true, but I don't believe that absolves them of responsibility for what they did create, whether intentionally or not.

 

[Cardinal]

Since when does a "promotional tool" give a hoot whether players treat each other with respect and kindness?

Or carefully screen those who apply to become community leaders?

Or make an issue about how players choose to play the game?

Or reward those who create a welcoming atmosphere for others by designing a quest, game, or a special room?

Or encourage players to make friends, trade, link their rooms together, or just hang out with each other?

Sounds suspiciously like a community to me. And if it was never meant to become that, then somebody sure got their wires crossed.

How about the long running podcast/radio show we have? Have you ever seen a specific video-game podcast run longer than Today in VMK? I haven't.

 

[aliceblue]

Since when does a "promotional tool" give a hoot whether players treat each other with respect and kindness?

Or carefully screen those who apply to become community leaders?

Or make an issue about how players choose to play the game?

Or reward those who create a welcoming atmosphere for others by designing a quest, game, or a special room?

Or encourage players to make friends, trade, link their rooms together, or just hang out with each other?

How about the long running podcast/radio show we have? Have you ever seen a specific video-game podcast run longer than Today in VMK? I haven't.

That's a great example of our community contributions, but the ones above were meant to demonstrate that principles of community were built into VMK by the creators themselves.

Probably true, but I don't believe that absolves them of responsibility for what they did create, whether intentionally or not.

It would be nice if they took responsibility now, but I doubt the decision-making end of the company is going to budge from their original game plan.

Disney is a business. They certainly have a right to do whatever they want with their products. I know I as a consumer will be more careful about where I invest my money, time, and emotions. It's my own responsibility to keep the pixie dust out of my eyes.

I know this for a fact-I will not join another online community again. I put my heart and soul into this community. Shared a lot with my friends-cried and laughed together. I can not emotionally handle a 2 1/2-3 year commitment just to have my heart torn out and watch such sadness created by a company i adore. I will get over VMK as well as everyone else after a time of grief and when I bounce back this will have left a bitter feeling about online communities-not who are in them but what happens when they flip the switch on us.

Bug, I know you are not here right now, but this is such an important point about online communities in general.

Keep in mind that so much of our actual "community" took place right on these and other forums; I know my VMK experience would not have been the same without that element. Not that message boards can't disappear too, but perhaps they are a safer way to share interests with others than an immersive game.

 

[jeffgwins]

Does anyone remember these little tidbits from Yavn's newsletters? I have cut and pasted some from the newsletter link at the top of the forum. This is why I feel so slighted. We were led to believe this game would last a very very long time. Here they are: (Direct quotes from newsletter are in red)

Newsletter 5/21/ 07 “The game is still enormously successful and continues to run strong”


(In response to the question Is VMK going to end because of vmk central closing, here was Yavn’s answer)
Does this mean VMK is going to end?

No. The game continues going strong – and we've got some exciting additions coming in the next few months – so stay tuned! Plus, you can still go Questing in-Park at Walt Disney World.


Newsletter 8/6/07
"Just because VMK Central is closing doesn't mean the game is going away. VMK is going stronger than ever and we've got some very cool announcements (including one I'm making today) about how VMK will get even better.”

Now this is not meant to pick on Yavn. It is meant to make the point that Disney falsely led us to believe this game was not going to end.

 

[aliceblue]

Now this is not meant to pick on Yavn. It is meant to make the point that Disney falsely led us to believe this game was not going to end.

I don't think those statements really represented Disney at all; I'm sure they were well-intentioned but they probably reflected the desires of the VMK developers rather than Disney management. Again, I never got the impression they were on the same page.

 

[redshoe]

I don't think those statements really represented Disney at all; I'm sure they were well-intentioned but they probably reflected the desires of the VMK developers rather than Disney management. Again, I never got the impression they were on the same page.

But SOMEONE had to approve their release.

 

[aliceblue]

But SOMEONE had to approve their release.

Speaking from experience, the right hand doesn't always know what the left hand is doing. But it doesn't really matter; the bottom line is that whoever had the final say was determined that VMK would be temporary. Whether they communicated that openly to the developers is another thing.