Non-Disney Online Games Virtual Family Kingdom Thread

[thesupersmartguy]

Look below for a quote from the homepage.

 

[Kasiks]

You want a perfect game?

Make your own I'm sorry but unless you complainers know how to code flash/java/shockwave please stop being rude to the VFK coders, also it's a free game your not paying so thus you shouldn't be able to complain about a game that's in ALPHA, BETA.

I'm very low at coding so I don't complain since I don't code flash very well I can't throw stones in a glass house.

beta test
Definition

Second level, external pilot-test of a product (usually a software) before commercial quantity production. At the beta test stage, the product has already passed through the first-level, internal pilot-test (alpha test) and glaring defects have been removed. But (since the product may still have some minor problems that require user participation) it is released to selected customers for testing under normal, everyday conditions of use to spot the remaining flaws.

Since when was a beta test perfect?


Forgot to add the back-up server is to gain bandwidth when there's tons of people on not just to BACKUP if the main server's going down.

And aengus router's don't always deal with servers.

Calling VFK a beta release is a joke in my opinion .. and more than that it looks like they did not even test the game before putting it out for more people. Bugs like in the report window, and the way they made the clothes inventory should not even be present ..

 

[jasonpwns]

I will agree at saftey measures

In most games it's just a notepad with blocked words that the server has to read or a sql database with words Should of added more words as it doesn't take to long, and tink I am sorry about earlier just don't like people bashing games that may be actually trying very hard but not succeding.

 

[thesupersmartguy]

I see why they were down.

A major update for all of our Beta testers:


As you may have heard in the news, there was a large explosion caused by electrical equipment failure in the H1 data center in Houston that knocked down three walls at about 5:00 PM CDT. Fortunately, and most importantly, no one was injured. In addition, no data was lost and there appears to be no damage to the servers or networking equipment.

You remember when you first started playing that the servers went down? Well that was because of bandwidth, so we went to The Planet, which is recognized as one of the most RELIABLE providers in the world.

As luck would have it we are among an estimated 100,000 websites that are down around the world.

We have been assured that engineers are working around the clock to get the H1 data center back online, and we are told it will resume operation sometime tomorrow, Sunday, June 1st.

We are not going to waste this time though. This gives us the opportunity to complete enhancements we are working on, and add new lands. Our goal is that each day you log into the kingdom, it will be better than the last.

Keep an eye out and make sure you log on when the services are restored, because our world will be better than ever.

We have rerouted the DNS for the WWW server, so that we can share with you what is happening.

However, we do need the bandwidth from the H1 data center in Houston to support all of us in our virtual world.

We will keep you updated about the progress being made in restoring the Houston data center.

Your development team
Virtual Family Kingdom

We will be posting updates below from The Planet on the progress being made in bringing the H1 data center back up.

Update 2:

Hello,

Our various departments continue to work very hard to restore service to our H1 data center. We expect to have ServerCommand access restored within the next several hours as well as access to single homed nameservers out of H1 redirected to another facility.

We will continue to provide status updates once an hour. We do not have an Estimated Time to Repair at present.

Todd Mitchell

Update 1:

From Doug Erwin (The Planet):
"This evening at 4:55pm CDT in our H1 data center, electrical gear shorted, creating an explosion and fire that knocked down three walls surrounding our electrical equipment room. Thankfully, no one was injured. In addition, no customer servers were damaged or lost."

"We have just been allowed into the building to physically inspect the damage. Early indications are that the short was in a high-volume wire conduit. We were not allowed to activate our backup generator plan based on instructions from the fire department."

"Our initial assessment, although early, points to being able to have some service restored by mid-afternoon on Sunday. Rest assured we are working around the clock."

"I am sorry that this accident has occurred and I apologize for the impact."

 

[vmkfan13]

You can tell anyone your name, where you live, your age, what forums you're a member of, any number of personal things. Other players can harass you, flood the screen with random chat bubbles, things of that nature, as well. Sure, you could dance the dictionary on vmk and do the same, but there was always a way to notify the staff there. On vfk, there is no way of contacting the moderators.

Let's make a list

1. Spam*
2. Inappropriate behavior
3. Harassing
4. Personal information
5. Broken report button*

I put a star next to the things that weren't present in VMK..

I will agree at saftey measures

In most games it's just a notepad with blocked words that the server has to read or a sql database with words Should of added more words as it doesn't take to long, and tink I am sorry about earlier just don't like people bashing games that may be actually trying very hard but not succeding.

They are succeeding, many people just think they aren't succeeding in the right matter.. safety

Calling VFK a beta release is a joke in my opinion .. and more than that it looks like they did not even test the game before putting it out for more people. Bugs like in the report window, and the way they made the clothes inventory should not even be present ..

Like many have said, this is alpha, and what I don't understand is how they'll release this game in a few weeks.

 

[TinkPinkPoem]

I did not bash the game and I do not intend to.

It's a discussion thread and I am sharing my views. I am positive about the game, but cautious.

 

[Vary]

Safe? I think the game is just as safe as VMK.. but I could be wrong..
Can someone fill me in on how this game isn't safe?

This is exactly what I'm talking about! An awful lot of people have come to the same conclusion based on the things that the developers have been saying.

VMK was safe because of the exceptionally well thought out moderation system that was in place. There were no moderation tools in the game when it opened, and the 'help' button is pretty obviously non-functional. It's not the rules that keep a game safe, it's the way those rules are enforced. VSK's mods have no way of enforcing their rules.

 

[disvaclub92]

I will agree at saftey measures

In most games it's just a notepad with blocked words that the server has to read or a sql database with words Should of added more words as it doesn't take to long, and tink I am sorry about earlier just don't like people bashing games that may be actually trying very hard but not succeding.

I appreciate you apologizing to Tink.

You do have to realize safety measures are the key. As others have pointed out, should have been the first thing. As we know VMK had safety measures up front, but in the end became flawed. I would have thought that VFK would have taken the experience we learned from VMK and taken that into account when it was released. Clearly no safety measures were built in and not sure if the help button is operational, so I will go on and test now.

 

[TinkPinkPoem]

You do have to realize safety measures are the key. As others have pointed out, should have been the first thing. As we know VMK had safety measures up front, but in the end became flawed. I would have thought that VFK would have taken the experience we learned from VMK and taken that into account when it was released. Clearly no safety measures were built in and not sure if the help button is operational, so I will go on and test now.

Hope it all works now!

 

[vmkfan13]

This is exactly what I'm talking about! An awful lot of people have come to the same conclusion based on the things that the developers have been saying.

VMK was safe because of the exceptionally well thought out moderation system that was in place. There were no moderation tools in the game when it opened, and the 'help' button is pretty obviously non-functional. It's not the rules that keep a game safe, it's the way those rules are enforced. VSK's mods have no way of enforcing their rules.

I didn't know the report button was broken, thanks for mentioning this to me.

I don't understand their excuse.. "we wanted to open the game the day after vmk closed"..

They could have at least finished all the basics, people can wait..

Clearly no safety measures were built in and not sure if the help button is operational, so I will go on and test now.

Good luck testing LOL

 

[TinkPinkPoem]

I don't understand their excuse.. "we wanted to open the game the day after vmk closed"..

They actually said that?

 

[Goofy05]

Let's make a list

1. Spam*
2. Inappropriate behavior
3. Harassing
4. Personal information
5. Broken report button*

I put a star next to the things that weren't present in VMK..



They are succeeding, many people just think they aren't succeeding in the right matter.. safety

Okay. Now remember we had that wonderful "Ignore" button on vmk...one of my favorite buttons, btw. Report and ignore their chat. Almost a perfect combination.

Yes, they need to work on their priorities, imo. They are pushing to hard towards a full release THIS MONTH, and I just don't see it happening. Fixing what should have been fully functional before a beta release while trying to upgrade and add more features will create chaos. But, we'll see.

 

[disvaclub92]

Let's make a list

1. Spam*
2. Inappropriate behavior
3. Harassing
4. Personal information
5. Broken report button*

I put a star next to the things that weren't present in VMK..

All of the above were present in VMK in the beginning. The use of CL's helped to keep that in line. Most of the CL's still performed that role, when they were able to have Staff on their list to call when help was needed. That seemed to stop once some CL's abused the role to stalk staff and therefore the CL's had no contact with Staff. Which was a shame because we had alot of CL's who were there to make the game safe.

And I cant get in to test the button. LOL

 

[vmkfan13]

Okay. Now remember we had that wonderful "Ignore" button on vmk...one of my favorite buttons, btw. Report and ignore their chat. Almost a perfect combination.

Yes, they need to work on their priorities, imo. They are pushing to hard towards a full release THIS MONTH, and I just don't see it happening. Fixing what should have been fully functional before a beta release while trying to upgrade and add more features will create chaos. But, we'll see.

We also had a contact us form..

They actually said that?

Not exactly what they said, but it's kind of obvious, I mean the day after VMK closes?

 

[TinkPinkPoem]

Not exactly what they said, but it's kind of obvious, I mean the day after VMK closes?

Yes it is, but I wondered whether they actually said it!

 

[Disneychick74]

I have to say that while the "safety" measures are not up to par with Disney with the things we are allowed to say and the help button not working..while it can be a danger to some, WHY does all of that responsibility lie with VFK?

Where are these kids parents? I signed my son up for beta and since seeing the chat the first day he is not allowed to go on unless I am sitting with him.

Since when is an internet company responsible for babysitting your children?

There are thousands of sites and games that allow worse chat than VFK. Let's take Habbo for example. I am 33 and I blushed when I signed up and chatted for about 10 minutes before I got so disgusted I logged off never to go back.

What it comes down to is good parenting, knowing what your children are doing online, who they are chatting with, what they are chatting about and what is allowed or isn't. Just because you CAN tell people your name and where you live does not mean you SHOULD. If we are paying attention to our children this should not be an issue.

 

[TinkPinkPoem]

I have to say that while the "safety" measures are not up to par with Disney with the things we are allowed to say and the help button not working..while it can be a danger to some, WHY does all of that responsibility lie with VFK?

Where are these kids parents? I signed my son up for beta and since seeing the chat the first day he is not allowed to go on unless I am sitting with him.

Since when is an internet company responsible for babysitting your children?

There are thousands of sites and games that allow worse chat than VFK. Let's take Habbo for example. I am 33 and I blushed when I signed up and chatted for about 10 minutes before I got so disgusted I logged off never to go back.

What it comes down to is good parenting, knowing what your children are doing online, who they are chatting with, what they are chatting about and what is allowed or isn't. Just because you CAN tell people your name and where you live does not mean you SHOULD. If we are paying attention to our children this should not be an issue.

Oh yes definitely, no safety measure in an online game substitutes a parent.

However, since they promote it as a family kingdom, why not make it safe as one!

 

[vmkfan13]

I was not quoting you ...

lol You edited like 5 times, sorry?

I have to say that while the "safety" measures are not up to par with Disney with the things we are allowed to say and the help button not working..while it can be a danger to some, WHY does all of that responsibility lie with VFK?

Where are these kids parents? I signed my son up for beta and since seeing the chat the first day he is not allowed to go on unless I am sitting with him.

Since when is an internet company responsible for babysitting your children?

There are thousands of sites and games that allow worse chat than VFK. Let's take Habbo for example. I am 33 and I blushed when I signed up and chatted for about 10 minutes before I got so disgusted I logged off never to go back.

What it comes down to is good parenting, knowing what your children are doing online, who they are chatting with, what they are chatting about and what is allowed or isn't. Just because you CAN tell people your name and where you live does not mean you SHOULD. If we are paying attention to our children this should not be an issue.

But.. it's impossible for parents to look after their kids 24/7.. I think parents should just educate their kids about what to do online ect.. and the game is family friendly right?

 

[LittleWoodenHead]

beta test
Definition

Second level, external pilot-test of a product (usually a software) before commercial quantity production. At the beta test stage, the product has already passed through the first-level, internal pilot-test (alpha test) and glaring defects have been removed. But (since the product may still have some minor problems that require user participation) it is released to selected customers for testing under normal, everyday conditions of use to spot the remaining flaws.

Since when was a beta test perfect?

Even using that definition, VFK is not conducting a true beta test.

See the lines about "glaring defects have been removed" and that "the product may still have some minor problems"?

I think the ability to chat and to see yourself & others is fundamental. Being unable to do those basic things is a "glaring defect" and much more than just a "minor problem".

The game they put up -- to cash in on VMK's closing -- is barely at an alpha stage. To continue to defend this shoddy product with the excuse that it is "beta" just does not cut it for me.

 

[monsterkitty]

1. It's BETA. They're worrying about the important bugs other than a rock
named pink couch.

2. It's not VFK's fault that the H1 Data Center in Houston exploded and
caught on fire!!

If you don't want to deal with the word beta, then yes you should find
either find another online game that is finished, or enjoy the fresh air outside.

First, I was teasing a certain mod about not being able to find the remote control for his TV.

Second, I am a person who defends the BETA part of this game to everyone. I know it is Beta and I find it fascinating to watch it grow with every step we take in the game. In fact, I would donate money to the developers if they asked. There needs to be a safe place for families to play online and I am willing to help monetarily with that.

Did I ever say it was VFK's fault that the H1 Center caught on fire? No I did not. I do admit that I may not have chosen the best words for my post, but the post was tongue-in-cheek and playing off the PP "look under the couch".

Oh, I can't go outside because the fresh air is full of things that I am allergic to, including sunshine, so I will just have to stay in today.