The Taken Thing

[MiakodaWDW]

What gets to me is that they don't allow obvious(ly) but they allow evident(ly). Tell me what 8 year old will know what evident means lol. They gear this game towards the younger players and yet they make it so that they use incorrect language! Isn't 8-14 the years kids really learn how to read and write? Why allow "lalalaness" or "interestingness"? And like Virtuallyme said, "Wronger" and Wrongest". They should be accepting more correct words so that our future does not consist of illiterate people.

Really good point!!! What the *&^% is "lalalaness"?

 

[KrazyPete]

The Taken thing doesn't bother me anymore.

It used to get on my nerves pretty bad because I thought it was just stupid. Now it doesn't because I just write it off as kids playing make-believe. Playing make-believe is really what a virtual reality world like VMK is all about anyway. I've sipped sweet tea in make-believe cafes and I've been "Ran day" on VMK Idol. It's all fantasy so what's the problem?

I haven't seen very much, if anything, in the game that I would call inapropriate related to the Taken phenomenon. I certainly haven't seen anything of an implied physical nature like what has been described here. I've seen couples break up because the guy was talking to another girl. It's all about the drama anyway so what's wrong with that? I've seen very persistent girls "cry" when they get rejected. So what? She's playing the part. Bay bees, Duh duhs, Day cares are all just part of the make-believe game that some kids want to play. Why can't we let them?

If you don't want to play just tell them so and if you see something inappropriate just report it.

I know that predators are a possibility. I don't think anyone would deny that Disney has made every attempt make VMK one of the safest places for kids to play online. Predators are a fact of life though and they will try to beat any system you put between them and children. It could happen in VMK and it could happen in your city park. Part of being a responsible parent is being aware of the danger and keeping an eye on your kids, as well as watching out for other people's kids.

You should have already talked with your child about the dangers of the Internet before their boi went from make-believe to emotional attachment. My kid is nine and we talked about it and she decided she didn't want to do the taken thing. She may change her mind later. That's fine. She knows that she can never know who she's playing with. Heck, even her dad looks just like all the other cute spikey haired boys in the game.

I get asked if I'm taken all the time. I simply tell them that I do not do the taken thing. If they persist I ask them why they DO the taken thing. Usually they don't have a good answer and I ask them if they have ever played Pirates or Haunted Mansion. More times than not, they have no idea what I'm talking about. So I take them to a game, have them read the instructions and set up a game where just the two of us can play together. That way I can give them tips while we're playing and they have some room to learn. They discover that there is more to VMK than Taken and I get an easy win

Look, when a person signs up for an account and lands in the game they'll probably encounter Taken before anything else. So I really think that a lot of kids don't realize there is anything else to VMK. That's why they are desperate to find a boyfriend/girlfriend and that's why you see them sitting on a park bench saying "I'm bored" when their boyfriend/girlfriend isn't on. I've taken these girls to VMK Central to buy a camera and then out in the Kingdom to find their first Hidden Mickey's. Most of them had no clue they could do that and get stuff for it. They don't know there's magic pins for mastering the Fireworks and Pirates games.

So you can play along, you can ignore it, or you can redirect kids to other activities. But what is the point of complaining?

 

[Aunt Cawa]

Excellent post KrazyPete! At first, the whole taken, mummy, bay be thing really annoyed me. But it is what many kids do at that age. I have played many of those games over the years while babysitting nieces and nephews.

I try to remember what it was like when I first started playing. I don't think I still be playing except for the Dis. The "good old days" of finding someone you know standing on the corner in Central Plaza was a nice support system. You heard of new things and always had someone to play with. I think alot of these new kids just don't know what to do or who to talk to. I too have shown newcomers that there is much more to VMK than just the taken thing. And I have to say they have been very nice and appreciative of someone taking the time to show them around.

 

[Azure]

I think I see the light! I mean these are just kids... if it was an adult than it would be a different story. But do remember that littler kids also play this game and not just adults. I know that all the adults are getting mad at this and some kids are too but the fact is that most of you adults are already married so you don't need to play the "are you taken" game.

I'm sorry if it sounded rude I didn't mean to say it like that. But the only thing is this if you like someone don't say "oh look at that hottie" just tell them that you like them.

 

[Pixie_Dust]

At first, the whole taken, mummy, bay be thing really annoyed me. But it is what many kids do at that age.

I already posted about the "taken" thing and how that reminds me of what kids do even though it creeps me out, but today was the first time I ever encountered the "mummy" thing. Someone was in the Emporium repeatedly typing "Will u be my mummy?" I don't think most kids play that game -- I haven't encountered "Let's play house, you be the daddy etc." since I was in kindergarten, and I don't think kindergartners wouldn't be on the game typing like that. And why do they say "mummy"; aren't most of the players users of American English? Maybe it is just a small group of ppl with a sick fetish. Again, Eww!

 

[VirtuallyMe]

I already posted about the "taken" thing and how that reminds me of what kids do even though it creeps me out, but today was the first time I ever encountered the "mummy" thing. Someone was in the Emporium repeatedly typing "Will u be my mummy?" I don't think most kids play that game -- I haven't encountered "Let's play house, you be the daddy etc." since I was in kindergarten, and I don't think kindergartners wouldn't be on the game typing like that. And why do they say "mummy"; aren't most of the players users of American English? Maybe it is just a small group of ppl with a sick fetish. Again, Eww!

The mummy baby thing can be pretty odd- most of the time it is young girls who are really "just playing house" maybe not kindergarteners but definitely the under 12 set.

The reason for mummy... mommy / mom / mother- are all no no words- so mummy is the only way to express something about the maternal person in your life on the vmk game

And speaking of American English versus British English- I've found many times there are words used in England- that can be said on VMK for the same things in American we can't say- like mail I just use post- mummy and mommy- and a few others I thought of last night but can't remember now that I am thinking about it on the game

 

[KidGoofy]

I am completly against taken.You try to get your credits from the characters(NPC not sure if that is it) everyday and you get swarmed with girls. I tried making myself look ugly like this , believe me it does not work.It is just way to annoying. VMK should definately get rid of it.

 

[DementedRiku]

Another great story:

I was in The Starcade and had to stay and watch this:

Girl: Do you like me?

Boy: Maybe if I get to know you.

*long pause*

Girl: It's just yes or no

Boy: I don't know you yet. Be my friend and maybe I'll get to know you and like you.

*pause*

Girl: Do you like me or not? I won't be your friend until you say you like me.

Boy: Ok....I like you.

Girl: You don't even know me!



Score one for the girls!

 

[Pixie_Dust]

I tried making myself look ugly like this , believe me it does not work.

Lol!
DH's goofy hat and glasses, and the fact I only use the character for quick cash runs so far, seems to work so far...

The reason for mummy... mommy / mom / mother- are all no no words- so mummy is the only way to express something about the maternal person in your life on the vmk game

Oh that makes sense! I wish they would just allow some common words like numerals since everyone finds a way to get around the restrictions anyway!

Do they allow the word "married"? If anyone hit on DH's character (that he gave to me as a mule since he didn't want to play VMK!), I'd like to say "I'm married," lol

 

[KrazyPete]

Do they allow the word "married"? If anyone hit on DH's character (that he gave to me as a mule since he didn't want to play VMK!), I'd like to say "I'm married," lol

I was sitting with a friend of mine (a girl) and and another girl walked in and asked us if we were "may red." It took me second but I got it.

 

[Tiinkerbelle]

I can't speak for her, but I'm assuming on vmk...b/c I rarely see people in real life going up to strangers asking "are you taken"? Since we don't know who a person *really* is on vmk, we can only see their avatar (character), that to me is the equivalent of calling a random person in the phone book, without seeing their name, and asking if they are taken before they can say "hello". Not exactly the same, but it's similar b/c like, you don't know who they are, what they look like, how old they are, or even if they are male or female! I know on vmk it's just pretend, no one is actually dating, but I am so against the taken thing (if you know me, you probably already know that! I scold girls for it all the time ).

I'm sure being "taken" is harmless, because even if an 11 year old girl's vmk boyfriends is actually a 54 year old man or a FEMALE even (I mean, I have some boy characters and mules....who by the way get hit on ALL the time b/c of course they are 'cute') then she will never know it. She can imagine it's a cute little 11 year old boy who looks like the avatar. But most times, sorry to say, it's not. And even if being taken were ok with me, I still think that the random "u taken?" as a first greeting is silly. If you want to pretend like you are dating in real life, make friends, hang out, then decide if you like each other and be a pretend couple!

And let me add that I cannot stand how almost every girl has a signature like "I am cute and a cheerleader and not taken, come get me boys" to attract them. It makes them look foolish and desperate, like Kat said.

Just play the game, make friends, have fun. Don't try to grow up too fast and if you must have a boy or girl friend on vmk, at least talk a little first! How about, "Hi, I'm so and so, nice to meet you"???

And don't even get me STARTED on the "mummy duh-duh bay be" junk.

~Mia steps off the soapbox~

I totally agree with you, could not have put it in better words myself. I think anyone who does the "Taken thing" and "Mommy baby things" are really mindless, they have not listened to their parents and teachers saying "Don't talk to strangers" let alone ask one out. What if they were an online preditor?

 

[DementedRiku]

I totally agree with you, could not have put it in better words myself. I think anyone who does the "Taken thing" and "Mommy baby things" are really mindless, they have not listened to their parents and teachers saying "Don't talk to strangers" let alone ask one out. What if they were an online preditor?

Well if you think about it most of these "taken"-ers are kids. So let's not be terribly harsh on them to call them mindless. To them it's a game and it's what they want to do. VMK is wired to make sure no online predators can find out anything about you. These kids know that it's an online game and will have absolutely no interest to try and meet their virtual bf in rl. Most "taken" ppl i see are always breaking up and finding other people. Short attention spands, you know.

 

[Tiinkerbelle]

Well if you think about it most of these "taken"-ers are kids. So let's not be terribly harsh on them to call them mindless. To them it's a game and it's what they want to do. VMK is wired to make sure no online predators can find out anything about you. These kids know that it's an online game and will have absolutely no interest to try and meet their virtual bf in rl. Most "taken" ppl i see are always breaking up and finding other people. Short attention spands, you know.

It's still very dangerous and it teaches the habbit it's ok to do this sort of thing online and some trasfer that habbit onto messengers where it's even MORE dangerous. I know I would not let my daughter date online, how do you REALLY know half these people are kids. I've met so many people asking these little girls to date them and they thought it was so cool to date someone older. When you clicked to read the signature one said "Truck driver" . I'm very against any online dating it's very dangerous. That's my opinion that will not be changed.

 

[DementedRiku]

It's still very dangerous and it teaches the habbit it's ok to do this sort of thing online and some trasfer that habbit onto messengers where it's even MORE dangerous. I know I would not let my daughter date online, how do you REALLY know half these people are kids. I've met so many people asking these little girls to date them and they thought it was so cool to date someone older. When you clicked to read the signature one said "Truck driver" . I'm very against any online dating it's very dangerous. That's my opinion that will not be changed.

Yeah the thought of online dating creeps me out! -shudder- We can only hope that kids are smart enough not to want to do that

 

[Tiinkerbelle]

We can only hope parents have drilled some common sence into their heads .

 

[DanMedix]

I will say this, though. VMK is the only place where I get tons of girls falling all over themselves wanting me to be their "boi"! Wish it was like that IRL! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

 

[Loves Disney]

Another great story:

I was in The Starcade and had to stay and watch this:

Girl: Do you like me?

Boy: Maybe if I get to know you.

*long pause*

Girl: It's just yes or no

Boy: I don't know you yet. Be my friend and maybe I'll get to know you and like you.

*pause*

Girl: Do you like me or not? I won't be your friend until you say you like me.

Boy: Ok....I like you.

Girl: You don't even know me!



Score one for the girls!

This really made me laugh lol!

 

[tolkien7]

"Woot" = has become universal word for "I'm little" lol (as many of the younger kids use it (that is an observation and an assumption which could be 100% wrong *points to posts above that talk about thinking someone is who they are not*)

I use "woot" all the time and I am 38 years old. All of my VMK friends (adults and children) use it as well. It is just a gamer's term - it stands for "We own other team." I didn't realize that using this expression would cause others to think I was a child! Not that I care - I will continue to woot woot!

 

[MiakodaWDW]

I use "woot" all the time and I am 38 years old. All of my VMK friends (adults and children) use it as well. It is just a gamer's term - it stands for "We own other team." I didn't realize that using this expression would cause others to think I was a child! Not that I care - I will continue to woot woot!

I hate and refuse to say Woot for that very reason....every time and I mean EVERY TIME I go to the music game and someone inevitably says "can i get a woot woot?" I say "ok, We owned other team, we owned other team". I get some "huh?"s and explain that's what it means. No one cares.

ah, well, I did say I'd also never say "LOL" and now I say it all the time...lol. But I still refuse "ROFL" b/c I know people are not actually rolling around on the floor. It may be silly but that's just me!

And DanMedix...ROFL!!! Hehe....well I'm sure you don't want 11 year olds hitting on you in real life. Maybe they would if you wore the blue wig tho...

~M

 

[BriarRosie]

I use "woot" all the time and I am 38 years old. All of my VMK friends (adults and children) use it as well. It is just a gamer's term - it stands for "We own other team." I didn't realize that using this expression would cause others to think I was a child! Not that I care - I will continue to woot woot!

I use "woot" simply because that's the closest thing to "woohoo" or "wahoo"
the game allows. "Yay" is ok, but I like "woot" better.