Ride Contest Rant - It's a Game! With Real People, Remember?

[Disney Dreams]

All right, I have been holding this in and it is finally not possible to hold in any longer, so here it is:

In the last week, I have been:
- Booted from rooms filled with people I thought were my friends
- Yelled at for walking into rooms with the sole intent of saying hi
- Listened to friends who are very upset because someone deleted them from the friends list because the saw their idea
- Seen groups of friends divided because of ride teams
- And personally been hurt by many people due to a contest for a virtual prize.

I'm sorry, but this is stupid! THIS IS A GAME! The prize is FAKE. But the people behind the little characters on the screen are real. They think. They feel. And they do get hurt.

I never thought I would have no one to go visit in vmk because my friends list is filled with "Do not enter" "Keep Out" "Stay Out" "Keep Away - Team Only" and even, "Enter and I Ill You"

Who cares if someone sees your design? It's not the cure for cancer. It is not going to make you a billion dollars. It is not going to make you a Noble Peace prize winner. And if you think your friends are going to take your ideas, then it is sad that you cant trust your friends.

And as for people joining a team: Who cares if someone isnt rich enough? That means they can't play with you?!??! (nice value system) Who cares if they aren't experienced enough?!?! (what if the experienced taught those who dont know how? wouldnt that be great!) Just because someone has not been in a ride competition before, does that mean they have nothing to add? Who cares that they weren't here last time? New ideas aren't worth anything?!?!?!

Think about how it feels to not be asked by your friends to join in the fun. Or how it feels to be told there is no room for you - only to see others added in. Think about the fact that kids are watching.

It's absolutely the saddest display of true human behavior that I have seen in the four months I have played this game! And the fact it - it's just that. Bringing out the "other side" of people. I have been hurt. I have seen friends hurt. All over a virtual prize. Come on people - are you serious?!?! It's a game.

It's too late to let the "other kids" play on the playground since sign ups are tomorrow, but maybe, just maybe think twice before booting someone or labelling a room with such an anti-social title. It's supposed to be fun.

And by the way - if you ever want to see my sad little first-time-ever-I-have-no-clue-what-I-am-doing room, come on in. Friends and others are always welcome. That's what makes VMK fun - or at least I thought so.

If I have offended you with my honest, I am not going to apologize. I will just say that this is truly how many people out there feel. I am just brave (or stupid) enough to speak up.

EDIT ADD: And I have to say - an experienced player told me all this would happen. I could not believe happy VMK would become what was described. And - wow - this person was right!

Cant we all just play together?

- Disney Dreams (Dreaming of how VMK was 3 weeks ago)

 

[Goofy05]

First of all, I am one of those people who has a ride room titled, "Not in any room". It also has "I will boot" in the room description. I would hope my friends would respect that and stay out while I'm busy working. Yes, it's work to build a new room and stopping every few moments to talk to someone can be irritating when all you want to do is finish your room. This is true regardless of entering an event or just building a new room.
Secondly, this is not going to last forever. Most of us are completing rooms within a day or two. Relax, after this week everything will most likely return to normal.
I think you are taking the friends thing a bit too seriously. This is a game, yes. It is now a competition, as well. Just as you would prepare for any competition in real life, we are preparing for one in our virtual lives. It will be over soon enough.
Who said this event isn't fun? It's fun for me, it's fun for my teammates.
Play games. Wander the public rooms. Check out the other guest rooms. That's fun, too. Your friends will be back in a few days.

 

[moikturtle]

I don't quite understand why anyone would feel the need to be so paranoid about someone else copying their idea for a room. If they did, wouldn't it be really obvious to the judges? Besides, for something that's a game, I would kind of be flattered if someone liked my idea enough to try to emulate it.

Eh, I don't know. I'd heard about the last time they did this, and how people had to stand around in their rooms all day waiting to be judged. And that some people didn't even GET judged. In my opinion, I'd much rather go out in my real pool that day instead of stressing out over it. I mean, it might be sort of fun to do it for the heck of it, but I wouldn't ban people from my room and such because of it. Especially people I consider friends.

And someone seriously put "I Will Ill You" in the room name? Wow. That's...bold. Suprised they didn't get in trouble for that one.

What's the name of your room, by the way? I'd like to stop by and see it sometime.

 

[Disney Dreams]

I would hope my friends would respect that and stay out while I'm busy working. Yes, it's work to build a new room and stopping every few moments to talk to someone can be irritating when all you want to do is finish your room. This is true regardless of entering an event or just building a new room.
Secondly, this is not going to last forever. Most of us are completing rooms within a day or two. Relax, after this week everything will most likely return to normal....

Who said this event isn't fun? It's fun for me, it's fun for my teammates. ...Your friends will be back in a few days.

Of course friends respect the privacy. As do I. If someone is working on a room and needs concentration - I get that. That is NOT what my post is referring to (and I think that is clear. If not, it is now. )

As for it being normal after this week, maybe you underestimate the feelings on people being booted.

 

[Disney Dreams]

... What's the name of your room, by the way? I'd like to stop by and see it sometime.

Thanks! The name keeps changing, but my in game title is Jegrezo. Drop in anytime. You can see my first timer mess of slides! (But I am having fun - and that's what counts!)

 

[LeanaSpin]

OMG, I had to post cause I was thinking something along the same lines tonight.
I logged on just to pop into some rooms and say hi to friends..
As my friends list lit up, there was "come in and I'll show you my boot" "Stay out!" "My team only" "Come in and get boot"
I was sad.. so just gave up and sat in a room alone.. I am so turned off by that show of attitude. You know, you can put "Working, Please don't enter" and most will respect that, you don't have to try and intimidate people.

Nothing much else to say, but wanted to throw in my .02.. Maybe I'll avoid VMK this month.. since I'm not participating in the competition, apparently we're not part of the in-crowd.

 

[Tampa]

I for one need to apologize to anyone whom I may have deleted off my list while coming into a room I've titled, "Not in any room". But when you dedicate so much time to this silly game, it's fun when they throw a challenge at us, and this paticular one calls for secrecy. There are people who I truly feel bad about deleting and hope to get them back on if they're not holding a grudge.. but yes, I guess I am saying, "I think you will do what I'm doing". But then again.. that's the way Walt had to work, but mainly so he wouldn't get overcharged (like VMK) because he rocked peoples socks.

And as far as chosing members, our team(s) have agreed to allow lifeguards to be head ride designers as well. I myself picked up a buddy (you can currently see him on the main page) that needs huge guidance throughout this build, but we have lots of time, and he's part of the team woot!

So to conclude, during these edgy times.. please respect the value of having each other on friends lists, and take a hint when someone is.. "Not in any room".

 

[moikturtle]

Thanks! The name keeps changing, but my in game title is Jegrezo. Drop in anytime. You can see my first timer mess of slides! (But I am having fun - and that's what counts!)

Neat! I'll have to stop by sometime this week. And, I've yet to build anything from my slide pieces yet, but I have a feeling mine will be quite a mess. Hehe. But you're right. It's all about having fun with it.

 

[iamdaisygirl]

I would love to come visit your room Disney Dreams, I promiss that I will not steal your ideas as I have no desire to make a ride room for the competiton. I can be you tester if you like, ooooh can I get purple mouse ears with a daisy on each ear like they have at Disneyland? You won't even have to pay me, going around and around in a little tube all day is payment enough and I won't have to pull all my hair out trying to figure out how to get all those ride pieces to fit together.

I also wish to welcome anyone into my rooms and promise not to boot, delete, yell at or ill if you want to take a break from building.

Be kind to eachother, this is just a game. Only some of you will win a prize but think how much you may lose along the way.

 

[Pirate-Emery]

Really, I haven't been in this problem.

I too am diligently working to perfect not one, but three rooms for the competition. But I've never had to put up a 'Working, leave me alone' type thing. Just the names Nano and I have chosen for my three rooms. I too have noticed all of these though on my friends list. I do like the clever 'Not in any room' one, deserves points for being bright.

But I do see your point. Really, I think VMK has been going downhill ever since the Jack Sparrow Costume Fiasco and the 50+ lines to get into Host Games. The game has felt less... fun.

Did you know, that I have not been able to get into a single Host game this summer? And I have tried to get into at least 4/5 of them. Taking at least 15 minutes of trying to enter the line?

But this game... this competition...

I'm really enjoying it. I'm having fun for once. Using my creative juices to design a fun virtual ride, then gifting a bunch of items to my teammates just because they're too busy to get to Ned's. I feel like I've gotten closer to folks, rather than the vice versa.



Woah, did I just ramble on without aim to my post?

 

[AmberDaze]

You know, you can put "Working, Please don't enter" and most will respect that, you don't have to try and intimidate people.

I understand how you feel, and am again so sorry you are feeling this way. When I am working on my team room I usually title it, "Please do not enter," or something along those lines. The description says something like, "Team only, or I will have to boot. Can we still be friends? " I have the room set to "friends only," and have only had a couple of friends come in (one of them by mistake -- she pushed "enter room" instead of "send message." And she left immediately and sent me a message apologizing. Jegrezo, you never came into my room... I truly hate booting people, and feel terrible when I have to ask people to leave, but I just wanted to say that if I saw my friends in a room titled, "Please do not enter," or such, I would have to respect that and send off a little message instead. I personally don't see anything wrong with that... but that's jmo.

 

[Disney Dreams]

... but I just wanted to say that if I saw my friends in a room titled, "Please do not enter," or such, I would have to respect that and send off a little message instead. I personally don't see anything wrong with that...

100% agree

 

[Adventuredaz]

We are all but pawns in their game. I think VMK enjoys watching the interaction on the game when they put together this stuff. Then they come here to see the real drama unfold and then collapes.

It is true those of us that participated in the first official ride contest were fully aware of what was to come when the words ride contest were uttered again, like a curse. When we did the Yeti ride we were told by others that did the original room design competion of all the bad that would follow. We all have heard some of the ugly details so I will not rehash them.

I can look at both sides of this issue easily I am one that does not mark my room out of bounds till later when I just can't stop the flow of people i have not seen for a long time. What you have said Jegrezo, speaks volumes of truth and I agree quite a bit with you. Yet we need not look any furthur than the next thread for the other side.

I have said and mean it, I would not intentionally treespass in rooms even of friends with such ominous warnings. I will boot people that I do not know and are not my friends, and it is true some people are just wandering around spying and many people copy alot and staff has no way to tell which is original (sorry but is true). With that said I will not boot a friend or person I know that is a "unlisted friend" such as yourself (I can't speak for My other team members) I think to do so is to risk the friendship which is what VMK is about.

It can complicate a build when you have limited time and there is a lot going on in and out of vmk when doing these rides (ie IM and Confrencing) so don't be surprised if you appear to be ignored - it may not be the case.

I offer this one suggestion to everyone. It is a fact some people want their ride a secret and and surprise, while some do not want to be bothered. before you visit your friend -best friend or long lost in "Please I beg you don't enter...this is private" or "don't enter I don't care if you are my mother..I will boot" Send a simple greeting requesting a visit and wait for a response. If no response catch them later.

Maybe as the keep out person you could drop your friends a note every now and then...and certainly as an advanced warning system, instead of whining about people not respecting your privacy like they are your little brother or sister not your good friend ... WAKE UP PEOPLE ... sorry

This is the ugly side of vmk, when I saw all the do not enter I thought here we go. It will pass, some wounds heal fast others take months others are fatal. I hope everyone trys to stay civil and remember everyones feeling and respects peoples privacy.

 

[celine12]

OMG, I had to post cause I was thinking something along the same lines tonight.
I logged on just to pop into some rooms and say hi to friends..
As my friends list lit up, there was "come in and I'll show you my boot" "Stay out!" "My team only" "Come in and get boot"
I was sad.. so just gave up and sat in a room alone.. I am so turned off by that show of attitude. You know, you can put "Working, Please don't enter" and most will respect that, you don't have to try and intimidate people.

Nothing much else to say, but wanted to throw in my .02.. Maybe I'll avoid VMK this month.. since I'm not participating in the competition, apparently we're not part of the in-crowd.

I think you're being one-sided here. Staff members would get equally annoyed and even delete CL's who repeatedly entered there closed rooms before the 12/05 update that allowed them to close rooms. It's frustrating when you're trying to work, want alone time, want privacy or are trying to build something for a big compeition and your friends are just entering.

It's not about friends and being kind, it's about respect. If you see your friend in a room that says "Do Not Enter" then do not enter. Show respect and courtesy and follow their wishes. I sometimes wish I could turn my friends list off or lock a room. I want to work alone and don't want my friends seeing my room ideas, etc.

 

[Adventurejimbob]

I have to agree 100% with Disney Dreams here. These last few days, I have tried to come in contact with some of my friends, but they are always in those "Get out or I boot" Rooms. I have to tell the owner that I am not on a ride team to then only get booted three seconds later. When I build my rides, I encourage people to come in. A few ideas for parts of my rides came from a player who I had never known before. So, if you think about it, keeping the ride in secrecy for so long and then creating a giant post to "Come see the new ride" isn't right, because you should allow some other players help you make it. VMK is a hybrid online village of Disney. Some players want to be secretive, lavish and extravagant with their rides, and others just want to provide a fun ride for their rooms for their friends to ride on. When I build a ride, I don't care if someone copies it. As a few posters said before, imitation is the finest form of flattery. I don't think automatically about getting Best Guest, Quest or Game Room when I build a room. I just think of providing a fun services to my friends all over VMK. So, if you ever spot a room with my name underneath, don't be afraid of the boot unless you do taken or bay be.

That is my.. well it is more than two..

Ten bucks on the topic!!

 

[mtlhddoc2]

this just makes the case for our need to be able to close or lock rooms when we dont want to be visited.

 

[SeaSpray]

Hello

I've only read your post, and no replies, yet. I would like to add my feelings on this...

I couldn't care less about a virtual prize. My vent last night has ALL to do with people being disrespectful to me, and nothing at all to do with me worrying about someone stealing my room idea.

I was on the Expedition Everest team that got disqualified before the event even started because our Team Leader didn't properly name our start room. You know what? We were a little disappointed for about 5 seconds, then we all decided to get over it and enjoy the fun we had building and connecting our rooms. On the weekend of the contest, we knew we wouldn't be judged, but we sat in our rooms and kept our ride open so that people in general could come in and see our final production. It felt just as good to have regular people ride it, as it would've felt to have the judges come through.

I made some good friends during that event that I'm still friends with now. And CapeCAD and I were the ONLY adults on our team That says a lot about the young people who were our teammates! I consider them to be some of my best VMK friends

Anyway, I can understand your frustration because before I decided to be on a team again, I was seeing all the "locked" rooms. lol

Like I said, some of us have a problem with this because of the simple fact of people not respecting our wishes to have a little private time on VMK. I'm sure that some people are getting upset at the thought of their ride ideas being copied, but I also think they have a valid point too.

I hope no real friendships are going to be harmed because of these ride events. But it really goes beyond worrying about a virtual prize.

 

[Cardinal]

In the last week, I have been:
- Booted from rooms filled with people I thought were my friends
- Yelled at for walking into rooms with the sole intent of saying hi
- Listened to friends who are very upset because someone deleted them from the friends list because the saw their idea
- Seen groups of friends divided because of ride teams
- And personally been hurt by many people due to a contest for a virtual prize.

I'm sorry, but this is stupid! THIS IS A GAME! The prize is FAKE. But the people behind the little characters on the screen are real. They think. They feel. And they do get hurt.

I have spent most of this week in the "real world" , but I do remember the above happening at the Yeti ride event. I will not reveal the people who did that to me, but one of the teams I went to constantly tried to kick me out of their base camp using another player (who I found out was allowed to stay after I finally left!)
That should not happen, as VMK is supposed to be a place for friendship, fun, and...gimmicks.

 

[VirtuallyMe]

Just wanted to apologize for not being more sociable when you popped into my room- which by the way was an open room- I was just tweaking it when you came in and almost finished- the short work times (17 minutes was my average this weekend) between dc was frustrating when building my real ride.

Most of my team mates were hard at work building their rooms- and the only reason I was on was to occasionally pop into their rooms if they had a question or if someone needed something I had in my store rooms...

I do understand how easy it is to feel isolated and left out= my friends list was filled with Do Not Enters- some since early last week- and there were times I felt lonely too lol- of course that gave me an opportunity to get some more fireworks in and try to recoop my credits I spent on my room lol...

But as Capegirl has said in this post and her other one- there is also a need for respect- at times- I know when I was working on my ride room (most of Saturday) I got visits from people that I know were there just to see my room that said "Please do not enter -working" or something like that- I do know I had the "Please" and "working" can't recall if it was do not enter or leave me alone though-

Now had these been some of my friends that stop by often to see me- it would have been different- but a few of the people were some that are on my friends list but the last time I've seen them was around the everest competition when I was trying to build my rooms then. Of course to their credit when I asked them to leave they did.

One friend who I hadn't seen in a while pm'd first and asked if it was ok for her to drop in- then asked about changes to vmk and asked me to show her my typhoon room-

You came to visit me in a room that was formally a store room -lol- almost all my rooms are open- I don't even friend lock most of my rooms- only if for some reason I don't want the random visitors that seem to drop in from time to time- I think currently 2 of my many rooms have friend settings- one has the back door access to the Everest ride and the other is my current ride room.

But I do apologize for not being more social with you- lol- had I known you were having a rough day I would have stopped rearranging my mickey head and gotten some chairs for us to chat a bit...

 

[Pixie Dusted]

Hello,

I'm still relatively new to VMK and the DIs Boards but I would to add my 2 cents worth.

First, I love the competition and have been working on my slide room the past few days. I agree it is frustrating to have friends and others just pop in to visit while you are building your rooms. Would love to be able to lock the room, maybe VMK could add a "just building" status to rooms to restricts access to all players or anyone that is not invited.

Being new to VMK, I do not have many firends on my list yet, so have been lucky not to be interupted much this past weekend while building. I think the holiday helped here also. What I do find frustrating is being BOOTED from slide rooms that say things like "come enjoy my thrilling slide" or other such inviting descriptions for their rooms. Yes, I do like to check out other players' slides, rivers and yeti rides. I am amazed at how creative many of the VMKers are! I would never think to copy another players's ride however.

If players want to keep others out, I don't understand why many players don't restrict access to "friends only". This is what I have found in general, it seems many of you here probably have. While I think naming or desribing a room as "closed" or "team only" or "will boot" is fine I would think VMK would have a problem with many of the other labels mentioned in the thread. "I will Ill you" is a horrible thing to say...It is only a game people.

To the original poster...I am sorry if others have made you feel that you cannot join a team if you don't have lots of stuff or credit to buy. That is just rude. I for one would be willing to trade or possibly gift a few extra slide pieces to a teammate in need. The idea is to have fun and meet others afterall.

I'll stop by your room to say "hello" sometime.