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

Kelsie

DIS Veteran
Joined
Aug 13, 1999
Messages
4,914
I have always taught my daughter to play by the rules in VMK, respect and follow VMK values and treat everyone as she would like to be treated. Sure, there have been a few slips but nothing bad enough to ever get her banned. I also play VMK but mostly to help her get the stuff VMK has set up as ‘elite badges’ for these children. I don’t trade unless it’s something she wants and I have no other way of obtaining it and as most of you know, when we get something we usually give it away (Christmas Present Room, DIS/VMK games) or just finding that lonely child and gifting something you know will make their day. Unfortunately, VMK has set this game up so you are cool if you have inferno, you are awesome if you have a Stitch hat, etc. I don’t condone this in real life so, I’m not sure why I so easily accepted it in a game.

I’ve seen host game lines over 500 people long, special events with little or no thought for the children VMK was originally designed this game for, items that were very desirable but almost impossible for the average child to obtain and other players who have little or no respect for anyone in the game.

I keep telling myself, this is just a game and no one is getting hurt but sadly, I am rethinking my position on this.

I guess it’s time to get to my original point. ;)

VMK, why on earth would you week after week advertise a special item, have your testers parade around VMK wearing it and basically ‘tease’ the children then release it in a game where the odds are the only way they are going to get it is by playing hours and hours only to be threatened they will be banned for entering the codes? YOU designed the continuing quest to get the item, YOU designed the game so the only way they can get the code is to keep trying yet, the only way to know if they got the ‘coveted’ item is to enter the code in VMK. Did you really think players would try once and say “oh well” I didn’t get it, while they walked around VMK seeing others wearing the item they really want? I’m sorry I just don’t get it!

It makes absolutely no sense to me why VMK would even think about doing something like this and after a year haven’t learned more about their targeted audience. Sure, the Narnia Teleporters were difficult to get but at least you could keep trying without the threat of being banned because you knew what the code was for BEFORE you entered it.

VMK, do you really know the people who play your game? Do you even understand what you have created and the impacts on the people who play? Maybe you need to add a few kids to your ‘round table’ discussions to really understand what you are doing to these children (and adults).

So, now the way I see it is you have created a new game where the players are now afraid to play because they don’t want to be banned from your little world. You have players who want an item YOU flaunted yet are not allowing them to pursue.

I for one think this is completely unacceptable and you need to rethink your strategy on this game and any future games. :(

Sorry, rant over!
 
WebmasterKelsie said:
...Sorry, rant over!
Now that you got it out here - PLEASE copy the whole thing and send it to VMK Contact Us.
 
HERE!!!! HERE!!!!!

you tell them girl!

but do not send it into the black hole, PLEASE contact YAVN's boss: here is the address and he does listen and take action believe me!

:sad2:

Contact information removed by request from Disney. Sorry Everyone! (WebmasterKelsie)
 

BRAVO!!! So well put and couldn't agree more. Granted I am an adult who enjoys VMK, I do agree with the hypocracy which exists especially for the sake of the kids who may not have the web savvy some of the older kids/adults may have. I am really glad you sent this in, because I think the folks at VMK are really losing their sight on the big picture and the original intent of the game. It is a kids game that is fun for all, just like the Pixar movies. There is something in it for everyone, however at no point should it be slanted to deal with one side exclusively which I am afraid it has done. Oh well, just wanted to say you really have a solid post and I am glad someone so elaquantly stated this for once.

And by the way, the ban warning on entering codes is ridiculous. I recieved a warning and was shocked. These are tech people running the show and to think people can't type fast and that is has to be a 3rd party system entering the codes is ridiculous.
 
Wow, I Would Send That Anywhere You Can, Because The Black Hole Is Just Going To Eat Up And You Will Never Get A Response. Also Everything You Said Was Very True.
 
~Thunderous Applause!!!!~ :thumbsup2 :thumbsup2

I hope you sent a copy of this to VMK also. Its been a major concern of mine for a long time. My kids pretty much go without staff room prizes. They (nor I) have any desire to wait in long lines for a virtual item, and luckily they don't ask me too either. I've wondered for a very long time why they aren't truly considering and using kids in their design and plans for the game and the supplemental games outside of vmk. I for one am not only sick of the poor planning and distrubution of vmk items and prizes, but am seriously tired of seeing the behavior it invokes in the game and here on the DIS.

In that regard, I want to thank you, and our fine moderating team here for making a sincere effort to keep this board focused in a positive direction, and to foster the camaraderie that this board is supposed to be about.
 
AMEN to this. Both CapeGirl and myself received 'warnings' last night for entering in codes too fast. Good grief. I spend ALL day online for my full time job, typing and what not. Do they honestly expect people to not type fast?

They set this game up so that you'd have to have zillions and zillions of codes to get the 'cool rare costume'. What do they think is going to happen? If they didn't want codes entered in so fast, it would be a relatively trivial matter for them to slow it down via rate limiting. They do it when you chat too fast. You get a 20 second time out. Doing it for entering codes would not be that much more difficult. Don't threaten those people who have the ability to type fast and don't do it anonymously. I wasn't even able to respond to who ever was wielding the big, white glove last night because there wasn't a name attached. Sure, I could send to the black hole, but that's clearly pointless.

We know you read here, VMK. Start to use all those smart people you hired and do things that make sense. Remember this IS a game for kids (and we're all kids, after all) and use the code to prevent the behaviours you don't like.
 
I really want to say more on this subject and you all know me and I will but I have a committment to attend too right now...but when I get back watch out. ;) popcorn::


I think everyone should let their feelings be known in this thread and also write to the email address I provided above and include a link to this thread.

I can not wait to get back to put my feeling to print once again and see what everyone else has had to say.

this will make for a Great afternoon of reading. popcorn::


Mal
 
Is Paul Yanover, Yavns real name? I dont want to addres him incorrectly in an email.
 
Idol_Fan said:
Is Paul Yanover, Yavns real name? I dont want to addres him incorrectly in an email.

just leaving but will answer this quickly.


NO Paul Yanover is Yavn's BOSS.


Mal
 
Very very very well said, webmaster. Just giving this a little bump. :thumbsup2
 
Maleficent2 said:
just leaving but will answer this quickly.


NO Paul Yanover is Yavn's BOSS.


Mal

Oh!!!!! Its just I got confused bc his name sounds like 'Yavn' but I do remember Yavn is Seth not Paul

Thanks for the info Mal!
 
Well I for one agree with the above as I have been banned for "life" because I entered too many codes. No where did I see this in VMK values that you could not enter codes. I had tons from Everest and Narnia and was entering them for the credits so I could buy cool things to stock the Quest I was working on. Now all of my things are held hostage as I try to communicate with the "Black Hole" and my daughter can't play due to the IP ban on our home computer. They say I didn't follow VMK Values, but their is no value about entering codes.

Now I get no response to any of my corrispondence not even a form letter.

Does anyone find it strange that if you send a response as a Parent, you get a form letter saying to go through the Player Side, cause they can't do anything to help. However, when you send a message through the Player side you don't get anything. I don't understand how Disney can be so full of "magic" but the people who work this side can't respond to a simple email? I'm really at a loss. I want to play, but I want to quit as well and my OCD's will not let me.
 
Wow. I did not realize you can get a warning for typing in too many codes. I had to log in to make sure I didn't recieve it! I for one would love the costume but I really don't want to get banned. This is really ridiculous. I can't believe vmk would admit there is glitch in the game that gives out more codes but penalizes people for using it? It's like they are penalizing people for their own mistake! :confused: WebmasterKelsie, let us know if you hear anything. Thank for writing such a precise complaint.
 
Yeah! :cool1:

I hope they read these messages. It has gotten so bad that I don't even try for the special pins in host games. Why wait in line for 45 minutes for a small chance at getting a pin. I would rather play Pirates or Fireworks.

That's just me though.
 
I agree with some of what you say and disagree with others. The main problem with the ideal VMK (Kids giving gifts, having fun and playing games) is that people show no interest in doing that. Gifting gets peeps complaining nonstop about anything, there's not much to do on VMK other than talk or collect things and most games are ignored if you don't put PRIZE!!

The problem with VMK lies in the people playing it not the system they created :surfweb:
 















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