VMK RANT! (long) Contact information removed by request from Disney

[AdioSkater]

Well said Mal. I was unable to get Narnia Teleporters. I still can't get them on the game. With the odds even lower on this pirate game makes me very mad. Staff and Disney wants us to play the game once and only get one code. I think this would be understandable if the costume was more likely to be obtained. I don't think it should be like the conquer the sea game but I do think that they should set more realistic odds.

 

[DaraAllen]

They made you remove the contact information? That's ridiculous.

Thankfully, my e-mail saves everything I send in my sent items folder.

Anybody who wants Yavn's boss' e-mail address, PM me and I will gladly provide it to you.

Talk about elitist! They don't like what you have to say, so they don't want to hear it!

Now I'm hoppin' mad!

 

[Kelsie]

They made you remove the contact information? That's ridiculous.

Thankfully, my e-mail saves everything I send in my sent items folder.

Anybody who wants Yavn's boss' e-mail address, PM me and I will gladly provide it to you.

Talk about elitist! They don't like what you have to say, so they don't want to hear it!

Now I'm hoppin' mad!

Don't be uset about this, I do understand why they don't want this information out there, even though it's public information. Just be happy that we now know Disney is watching and knows our concerns. Hopefully they will take them to heart.

 

[MomsGoneGoofy]

Very well put both Kelsie and Mal. There have been some very good points made in this thread. I love playing VMK but it can be very fustrating at times.


I think that instead of banning players for entering codes too fast they should focus more on players that are selling items on ebay!! Just my 2 cents.

 

[aeryn]

Don't be uset about this, I do understand why they don't want this information out there, even though it's public information. Just be happy that we now know Disney is watching and knows our concerns. Hopefully they will take them to heart.

I really do hope they understand the spirit and the meaning behind the posts and the emails and don't get hung up in how it was delivered. I believe we would all be more understanding about issues we raise if we felt our concerns were being heard and addressed.

Once again, thank you, Kelsie for so eloquently expressing how many of us feel about this particular issue.

 

[DemonLlama]

Well, in the interest of adding my two cents. . .

VMK is a commercial. It represents and is designed to attract a young consumer base to become brand loyal to Disney.

VMK, are you listening? Your marketing plan currently stinks to high heaven.

In my household, I have a 13 and nearly 11 year old who both have left VMK permanently. The younger one fell in with an awful crowd last fall and learned a number of very hard lessons about the kinds of behaviors that spring up in online games. I have since told her she may play again under tight supervision and she now refuses. The climate of the game, the rudeness that goes unpunished while the fast typists get banned, the impossibility of winning those longed for items only to have it lorded over her by others, all of this has led her to adopt a "just say no to VMK" attitude.

The older one just does not find the game interesting. The mini-games are repetitive and not engaging enough to hold his attention. The focus on amassing stuff and more stuff as the entire point of the game leaves him a bit cold.

So that leaves me, a thirty-something college prof who doesn't come close to fitting the demographic, except for an abiding love of all things Disney. I am trying to remember how charmed I was by the little virtual representation of Main Street long ago, at the end of last May. I wondered then if they would have a parade of virtual floats and Disney characters to enjoy. Maybe some virtual characters to take pictures with? You know, Captain Hook or Mickey Mouse? Um, Donald flashing by the size of a gnat doesn't count. How about a flag ceremony to honor our country? Or a show where we could all sing along with the characters? How silly and romantic of me. Why would Disney bother with such trivialities as falling in love with what could be experienced in the parks when there is envy and greed and one-up-man-ship to capitalize on.

Disney, with all its resources and imagineering, has so much potential to create an online game that makes everyone who plays want to go to Disney Parks and experience in reality what we enjoy virtually. But right now, that potential is just not being realized. It's a shame.

 

[Maleficent2]

Very well said DemonLlama!




Exactly why my DS hardly ever plays , he has been reduced to tears too many times trying to accquire something that is near imposssible to accquire, it is sad to see a eight yr old so heart broken.

We as players do not by any means want the end of VMK to come what we would like to see is Magic put into the Game we all have grown to love.

 

[aensming]

My children have also pretty much given up on the game. It doesn't hold the attention of an 11 year old. There are not enough variety of games and the kids can't make enough credits to create their own quests and games.

 

[milkabum]

You took some of the words right out of my mouth! The oter day we bought some treats for my dog, Jessie, and I brought the bag inside. I took the blue pouch out and he new the crinkling sound of the bag, so I had to give it to him. That is just like VMK! You get teased, you want want want, and then boom it's forgotten (in this case, eaten).

The game is actually aimed at 8-14 year-olds(as I read somewhere, darn I forgot where). That's just, well, kinda cruel. A helpless 8 year-old who perhaps knows nothing about trading, earning credits, and surviving ban threats, the taken issue and more has to play this game. I most likely would have to help my child in this 'easy' game because they don't have a clue of what's going on. They should at least set up a tutorial like they do with other games.

I have also sent out reports or questions, and gotten a message back that it was only for emergencies. Yes, but could you please support some link to the contact page? The first week I was on VMK, I had no clue what to do, why, and how. Thank God some wonderful CL's and other helpful players were there to guide me through the game- thank you to those who did to me, and do to others.
You go girl, you said what was needed! Demon you also put out a great point! When I joined the game, it was pure wholesome fun with very nice, interesting people and know it's a materialistic game that requires you to be virtually rich, pretty, important, and able to do quests.

VMK you got some 'splainin to do.
Emily
P.S.- In case you didn't get that, we are not dogs.

 

[darthephidel]

exellent thats my opinion too my friend got band my real life freidn and since that item is nearly imposible to get its really boring no good friends no good items do they really expect the 10 year band ppl to come back or be able to for that matter if they dont work on the problem i dont know if they will make it 10 years
they really need to reed the rant more than anyone

 

[milkabum]

“You can design and create, and build the most wonderful place in the world. But it takes people to make the dream a reality.”-Walt Disney



Mal

Nicely said It is not about the thing, but about the person who owns it. You can look funny on VMK, have no credits, furniture, and empty rooms but be one of the nicest people online. Many times the players don't see that and forget the true meaning, sorry If I seem cheesy, of ohana. We are all part of this game and need to work together to make it what we want, and in this case need. We all love interacting with players around the globe, but it's becoming some people that is the problem. Lighten up It's just a game, not your life. Forget about the items, help new players find nice friends, and hang out with your own. You only live once, so make the best of your time

 

[BraveGhostOfYou]

do they really expect the 10 year band ppl to come back or be able to for that matter if they dont work on the problem i dont know if they will make it 10 years

A 10-year ban is permanent. It has to have a date stamped, so that's why it does say 10 years, but it also says it's permanent. If by any chance VMK Survives for that long, i doubt the ban will be lifted.

 

[SorcererDonald16]

I've yet to read the thread aside from scanning through the first post, but I couldn't agree with you more.

I've said it before, and sadly they've given me reason to say it again... Walt would be ashamed.

 

[CapEldano2]

whenever i get mad like this I tell myself it is just a game.. if vmk ended right now everyone would have the same thing.. nothing i still don't get why people get so worked up over a big blob of pixels that the vmk society says is rare.. we will never really get a pin that when we push a button will make a ring of fire burn around our feet or any other of the "rare items".. plus you know you've played vmk too much when you go to a disney park and say to someone wearing a stitch hat that you will give them anything for it.. lol stitch hats aren't that rare in real life anyway and they sell for about 20$ in WDW.. lol so for all of those people who sell their extra virtual stitch hats online for large sums of money, you just do a couple more clicks and you can probably get a real stitch hat for less than a virtual one.. lol
-CapElDano2

 

[Belle1997]

Well I used to be so keen on VMK. Would tell everyone I knew loved Disney about it. Now I do not for I do not want them to see the other side of Disney when they let game programmer run it without a proper PR person to oversee decision that are made.I would not ruin possible friendships over this disaster in the making. Slowly watching the Titanic sink. I used to play all the time. I worked hard on my rooms and never once has a staff seen them. Especially my VMK on Ice or my bear protection room. I used to try and get any item but now I do not care. I love giving to people but get tired of the manipulation I see and the favourtism. I have applied to be CL since day one. And then told I am rejected not because I do not qualify but there is no room. And see others become CL that had many questioning there VMK values.

I can never get in Hosts games anymore. I do not bother. I play the host quests and never get better than 250 so never get a prize. I like to do them but once in a while I would love to get something.

I began to lose interest after the Yeti Team experience. When I spent one week trying to figure out how I could build my yeti wall and make a trap door
so you did not see the teleporters coming.Even writing Yeti on my crates took some plainning. I even made a model because I have left right problems. I was not so upset about losing as that I have never seen anyone build anything like this and I feel staff never noticed.

Kids come into my rooms in awe. But I am not poplar so I will never win a pin. Why do I want a pin. So others will stop by my room and have fun being in there. I did not build it for myself I built it so others could have fun.

The green car quest was when I got totally fed up with the immature game programmers. Making the fireworks game almost impossible. Why not make the ghosts and pirate games just as hard instead of favoring the firework pro.

Most of all I know they read these boards. And why are they so ignorant to the people who play these games. Can we all be wrong.

Why can they not turn this public relations nightmare around. Why are they not talking to the target group for suggestions and actually implementing them.

Why do they not listen to the parents who pay to take their kids to Disney.

I actually plan more time at Disney because I want to get the quest items.

But I will not be doing that again. I will go to Disney but not trying to get more trips in because a quest item is there. So they have lost my extra cash. And when I go to Disney I buy lots and lots of stuff. I do not shop most of the year on clothes so I can get them at Disney world. So lets say they have loss resort tickets food and merchandize from one person around 2,000. Now if you times it by more and more people who have grown to dislike VMK like me. Then you have a marketing flop. And is counterproductive.

However that can still be all changed around. Just give the people what want. The Disney magical feeling. The heart of Disney that makes all feel joyous and carefree from the real world. We get enough crap day to day we do not need it in VMK.

Then I will be happy to plan more trips to WDW or maybe some day Disneyland. But now no way.

I am tired of the crap I see and the kids getting discouraged and hurt. I am tired of players winning best room more than once when some of us have never one.

I am just plain tired of VMK.

Why do I not quit entirely. Because I have met some really wonderful people on VMK and I enjoy there friendship. Not all the games and difficult quest. The people make VMK what it is right now. So I hope the VMK staff follow suit and beginning to share the magic again.

POST NOTE. I think Hula is the best staff on VMK. She shares the magic and is very caring. SO if they just hire all hula's wow VMK would be so amazing. I would promote her to make decsions on how the game is one. I think Yavn is extremely talented in creating this game but has no people skills.

Thank you for my rant

 

[SorcererDonald16]

To quote a friend of mine, back when we were both in a group in college that had a leader with no people skills:

"She was great... until she got power. Power corrupted her."

Sounds kind of amusing, but at the same time I think that's essentially what we're seeing here. Someone's on a massive ego trip, IMO. And I wish more than ever that Walt was still alive to kick the people making so many people miserable right out to the curb.

 

[peasy]

I had a thought today - trying to see this picture from Disney's point of view. Because it's real easy to point a finger and say "why on earth would you do that?" when you have never actually had to be in their shoes.

The mess that happened with the Narnia Teleporters - where lowlife's were writing up programs to basically rape the game and suck out every Narnia teleporter that could be won - to turn around and sell 20 of them on ebay, do you think they did the pirate codes this way to try and avoid that? If they hand out the codes, without you knowing exactly what it is, they are less likely to do that, right? Just a thought. I really think doing it that way is a good idea, but if they are concerned about people using short keys, like I said before put a limit on the number of codes each character can input in a day. You enter your codes that day and either you win the costume, or you don't - and you can go on, kwim?

 

[Pirate Speedy]

Why do they not listen to the parents who pay to take their kids to Disney.

I actually plan more time at Disney because I want to get the quest items.

But I will not be doing that again. I will go to Disney but not trying to get more trips in because a quest item is there. So they have lost my extra cash. And when I go to Disney I buy lots and lots of stuff. I do not shop most of the year on clothes so I can get them at Disney world. So lets say they have loss resort tickets food and merchandize from one person around 2,000. Now if you times it by more and more people who have grown to dislike VMK like me. Then you have a marketing flop. And is counterproductive.

Thank you for my rant

I have a work convention coming up in October in Cal and was planning to head down to Disneyland to see about doing the VMK quest that will be there but now I have to re-consider this as a why bother! I love the park and will go when ever I can but VMK is quickly becoming less of a reason to go.

 

[MrsToad]

DH and I play the game often and agree with much of what has been said on this thread. We are a bit confused, however on the relationship between Disney and the developers. It was our understanding that Disney hired a 3rd party software development company to create the game. If this is the case, it seems like there isn't enough "interfacing" going on between Disney Marketing and the software developer. We are major Disney fans and agree that the game can be very unDisney-like at times.

So, can someone fill us in on the relationship between Disney and the 3rd party vendor? Do the "Contact Us" emails go to Disney, or, as we fear, the developers? How much control does Disney have in the decision making process? For example, who determined that these quests would be obviously too difficult for kids? Who decided that it was a good idea to advertise the availability of new game prizes that kids would want and then make them virtually impossible for most kids to obtain? Again, the decisions that have been made over and over again seem to be decisions that one would think came from a group of programmers who didn't know their intended audience. What is Disney's involvement in the whole VMK experience that bears their name and reputation? Though we admit to being uninformed on the arrangements between Disney and the developers, it seems to us that he only thing really lacking in the VMK world is hands-on Disney management as Disney DOES know it's audience.

We love the game concept and have enjoyed participating both on-line and in the parks. I hope Disney commits to keeping and improving this game.

 

[CapEldano2]

i just have one more thing to say.. no offense but all vmk is is a big commercial.. just a commercial you can play and i know some people get all worked up over commercials (we won't even get into Universal's attack on Disney but anyways) all this is is a way to get people to come into the parks not something that people should devote thieir lives to, aznd like i said before IT IS A GAME!! i'm sorry but i just feel people who get upset cause their virtual friend has one mass of pixels and you don't is kind of petty, again NOBODY WILL ACTUALLY GET THE STUFF THAT YOU CAN GET ON VMK!!!!
there will never be a skeleton in a bed that you can use as a couch.. there will never be an oversized teacup in your living room like in vmk.. you will never be able to have a wall on fire that is under control in your bathroom, and most inmportantly YOU WILL NEVER EVER BE ABLE TO SAFLEY DANCE IN A RING OF FIRE AT A TOUCH OF A BUTTON YOU JUST CAN'T!! i specifically do not chase after these items myself for this reason.. i don't have a stitch hat or any of the collection, i don't have inferno so please don't say i'm just saying "don't worry about getting these items" because i have those things.. i don't have them