Well Played VMK, Well Played...

[caribbound]

I have been thinking this right from day one, if they had announced on April 7,they were going pay to play, i think they would of lost a huge portion of their players, everyone would of been furious, this way, they retain a good portion of their players (who are happy to pay to play cuz "we saved vmk") it was a way to build good will in the community (towards each other)after the blackheart debacle, and all the free publicity attracts new players who pay to play right from the start. Another added benefit is that it will weed out a lot of the "mule" accounts creating less lag and less time waiting in lines for host events. This technically could have been one of the most strategic marketing ploys in history, i for one will be willing to settle for that if it is, lol

This is exactly what I've thought from the beginning. Not necessarily as a marketing ploy to attract new visitors from publicity, but that many of us would have refused to pay to play had that been the initial announcement. It seems vmk can never keep most of you happy no matter what they do. Too much stuff new and not enough credits, not enough new stuff released, quest too difficult, hosts rooms too hard to get into, host rooms cancelled or heaven forbid opening 5-10 min late, and on and on and on. Most would have been on a rampage to learn vmk was going to switch to pay to play, maybe enough to cause publicity for all the kids who won't be able to play yet (nvm webkinz, shiningstars, club penguin, etc are all pay to play and for kids). By KNOWING we WANT vmk open even if it means paying, they eliminate much of that negativity. I think 6 weeks is a huge window of notice for closing a game, imo. It gives them a back door for reconsideration.

I really do like the thought of weeding out all the clones that make it impossible for many to get a single character into the host game, much less try again if you fail the first time, as well as adding to the lag issues. When would we know? Certainly not before May. I just hope they don't close the doors just to reopen them as a pay to play with ALL brand new empty characters!

 

[Belle1997]

I do have to disagree with this part and maybe that is just because my life is so busy with other things, but I do not see where anybody has really been put through anything, other than getting upset at losing VMK. Nothing has been taken away from us yet, they are still playing the game like it was always played by releasing items, doing best guest, etc.....but overall, Disney has not directly done anything to any of us yet. May 21st will be a different story.

A lot of people are mad and upset and have chosen not to play, but that was their choice. A lot of my friends will not play now because they are mad and that is unfortunate, but everything should be status quo until 5/21. Besides, we may all save VMK by then.

Sorry but I think it has put strain on people. The tears these kids feel is real. The fear of losing contact with your friends is real. Even if a friend moves away in todays society you can still contact them. Alot of kids that play by the true values do not have this luxury. I to have many friends on my list that do not know where to find me.

I just know right now I am going to DRL next week and am struggling to get into the Disney spirit. You see I just love the faith trust and pixie dust. If you can dream it you can do it. Where dreams come from. The happiest place on earth. Yes I believe all that. But right now looking at pic of mickey mouse just does not do it for me.

Told my hubby well the good side of this I will not be buying much

Each one deals with the lost of something important to them differently. Some quit, some get angry, some cry and some say oh well. And some fight to the end.

BUt unfortunately a lot of people did feel hurt and betrayed. Nice thing to remember feeling are never really right or wrong they just are

 

[CelebrationNM]

I've thought of this too, but the more I think of it the less sense it makes. They've closed Quests in the park. They've taken away VMK Movie Rewards. Sorry to say it, but as far as Disney is concerned, VMK is winding down. If they wanted to do Pay to Play they would have done so. If they wanted to continue to advertise to get more members they would have done so.

I believe VMK means more to us players than it does to Disney; they have demonstrated pretty clearly that they don't have an interest in continuing the game. To take what they're said as anything else is simply because of denial. VMK has been used as a marketing tool to promote other products (that is what Disney sees it as) and those other products have chosen to market in other ways (and so Disney has no reason to continue it.) Other Disney brands don't want to include VMK in their marketing and WDIG is focusing on other games, so VMK just sits there.

(My commentary is not about if this is "right" or "fair" or "nice" or anything related to the emotional well-being and feelings of players. I'm just trying to be objective.)

Maybe, maybe maybe maybe Disney will change their minds in wake of all the letters and support, but I have no reason to believe that this was a part of a secret alternative plan and they're taking us along for a ride.

 

[PirateBell]

Yup...at this point, I don't care how it happens. I just want it to stay open.

I was thinking the same thing when I read the first post and then saw yours

I so agree...I just want VMK to say open..no matter how!!

 

[VMK_Mouse]

I really do like the thought of weeding out all the clones that make it impossible for many to get a single character into the host game, much less try again if you fail the first time, as well as adding to the lag issues. When would we know? Certainly not before May. I just hope they don't close the doors just to reopen them as a pay to play with ALL brand new empty characters!

I agree.


I think pay to play with a max of lets say 2 characters per IP would be good, if you want 4 characters, then you would need two pay-to-play accounts, etc. That would allow each pay-to-play account a boy and girl character.

This would cut down on the trouble makers tremendously. The call for help button would be used much less often, resulting in saving Disney Corporation money on staff that could be utilized elsewhere.

People would be more inclined to play with some respect for fellow VMKers if they had to pay to play the game; they would not want to be banned after handing Disney $50 or $60.

I see a lot of potential here. Hello, Disney....are you reading?

 

[VMK_Mouse]

Sorry but I think it has put strain on people. The tears these kids feel is real. The fear of losing contact with your friends is real.

BUt unfortunately a lot of people did feel hurt and betrayed. Nice thing to remember feeling are never really right or wrong they just are

LittleBelle, I do agree with you on both points. Especially knowing that we have to be careful not to share contact information or tell ppl to find us on the Dis bc that is against values.

 

[KrazyPete]

I did run through the notion that "closing" may be an attempt to make a move to pay-to-pay more attractive to players. But, if they wanted to have people paying for VMK it doesn't seem like they would have turned off the ability to create new accounts. How many new people could they have picked up in a month and a half? All of those would have the potential to be converted to paying customers.

No, I think they really did intend to close it down. I also think our continuing efforts to keep it open may convince them that it has more value than they originally thought. If they do see the size and loyalty of this fan community as an asset they will have to reconsider closing VMK. Keep the pressure on people!

 

[BlueHairedMonkey]

I've given away almost everything I "own" on VMK. If they kept VMK open at this point, I guess I would feel a little "used." I'd much rather see VMK close down at this point and then re-open as VMK 2.0 where everyone starts from scratch again. And yes...I'd pay.

 

[Mnementh]

As many of us know, the decision to close VMK has caused thousands of players to speak out. First, the letters to the Disney Company began, the petition sites soon followed, then the many youtube videos put out by the players were displayed all over the web, and then earlier this week, we saw that the mass rebellion of the VMK players has caught the attention of major news papers/stations/sites. The latest news of this fight to keep VMK alive is that we were given reports that high powered authors, celebrities, and even VMK in-game staff themselves have joined the fight to keep VMK open. With all this attention VMK is being given in it's "last few weeks", I can't help but wonder if this isn't all just VMK's greatest marketing ploy yet. By threatening to close the game, VMK has brought so much attention to itself that perhaps this mass rebellion was the Disney Company's intent after all in order to recieve free publicity. Perhaps the Disney company wants us all to write letters and sign petitions because it is giving the game publicity; if the game is given publicity (and since VMK is a "marketing promotion") Disney products/movies/park tickets/etc. could potentially sell more than ever. If you think about all of the people who hadn't heard about VMK until they saw it on the news, the amount of players could potentially increase exponentially should Disney decide to reconsider their decision at the last moment. It would be no hard task for the Disney Company to say "because of the overwhelming reaction of players worldwide, VMK will remain open". Now I'm not saying this is factual, or that VMK will definitely remain open, however it is an interesting thought that perhaps VMK just needed some attention, which we all have given it. I'm not saying we shouldn't give the game the attention it's getting, i think ultimately, we all want VMK to stay open. That said I think the best thing for us to do is finish this fight and keep on giving VMK the publicity it wants!

Just some food for thought!

-CapElDano

I've also considered that. It's a good possibility. However, I honestly don't think I'd want the community to grow much past what it is now. If their servers can only hold a maximum of 7,000 people right now, most of us would never be able to get onto the game anymore.

 

[doodlebug]

It's a very interesting thought that this is all a marketing ploy.. But I hope for Disney's sake it isn't because even though they are a big Corporation I would hope they aren't that evil to make kids cry just so they could earn a buck or two..

 

[Jasonbobdude]

Well if it is a marketing scam, I hope they are prepared for when a group of EXTREMELY dedicated VMK players resorts to physical violence. Some people are very passionate about this, after all. Good luck, WDIG.

 

[KingQuackATac]

We've come to the conclussion that VMK is ending because Disney doesn't want to be in bed with another company. Think about it. VMK remains popular so the other company asks for a bigger cut of the profits and/or benefits. Disney decides it's more cost effective to shut the game off than pay this other company.

I think Disney will re-introduce something similar to VMK with better servers, more up to date system requirements, and of course, Pay-to-play (like their other on-line sites).

The only question is when?

 

[Mnementh]

Well, now I'm ABSOLUTELY convinced that you're right, Cap. Why would they put us through the trouble of another difficult quest if they truly intended to close this game?

 

[VMK_Mouse]

We've come to the conclussion that VMK is ending because Disney doesn't want to be in bed with another company. Think about it. VMK remains popular so the other company asks for a bigger cut of the profits and/or benefits. Disney decides it's more cost effective to shut the game off than pay this other company.

I think Disney will re-introduce something similar to VMK with better servers, more up to date system requirements, and of course, Pay-to-play (like their other on-line sites).

The only question is when?

I am glad to see that somebody else has thought this. Your description is more "colorful" than mine would have been, but I think the same.

 

[NedsTJ]

We've come to the conclussion that VMK is ending because Disney doesn't want to be in bed with another company. Think about it. VMK remains popular so the other company asks for a bigger cut of the profits and/or benefits. Disney decides it's more cost effective to shut the game off than pay this other company.

I think Disney will re-introduce something similar to VMK with better servers, more up to date system requirements, and of course, Pay-to-play (like their other on-line sites).

The only question is when?

I am glad to see that somebody else has thought this. Your description is more "colorful" than mine would have been, but I think the same.

I'll jump on board with this theory. But in typical Disney fashion they won't reveal their hand until forced to (like discovering who was really buying the florida swampland!). BUT I think a lot of people would maybe feel better if they knew the real reasons behind the decision to close VMK and even a hint at plans for the future. Keeping people in the dark, while maybe a good business decision, is not good for PR!

 

[Rygo]

We've come to the conclussion that VMK is ending because Disney doesn't want to be in bed with another company. Think about it. VMK remains popular so the other company asks for a bigger cut of the profits and/or benefits. Disney decides it's more cost effective to shut the game off than pay this other company.

I think Disney will re-introduce something similar to VMK with better servers, more up to date system requirements, and of course, Pay-to-play (like their other on-line sites).

The only question is when?

I am glad to see that somebody else has thought this. Your description is more "colorful" than mine would have been, but I think the same.

Glad to see there are a few people left on these boards that are using their heads. Let's think about this logically people. When has Disney ever welcomed bad publicity of any kind?? Never. So why would they start now? If all they were looking for was free publicity, there are other ways of doing it.

I honestly think their intentions were to close down VMK, probably for exactly the reason that KingQuackATac has stated. Now, maybe they are reconsidering, maybe they have finally realized that VMK is a one of a kind online game. Like Disneyland, it is the first (and only) of it's kind where kids and adults are having fun together. Hopefully they have realized this and are in the process of working on VMK 2.0 (I like the sound of that Monkey).

 

[vmkfan13]

Glad to see there are a few people left on these boards that are using their heads. Let's think about this logically people. When has Disney ever welcomed bad publicity of any kind?? Never. So why would they start now? If all they were looking for was free publicity, there are other ways of doing it.

I honestly think their intentions were to close down VMK, probably for exactly the reason that KingQuackATac has stated. Now, maybe they are reconsidering, maybe they have finally realized that VMK is a one of a kind online game. Like Disneyland, it is the first (and only) of it's kind where kids and adults are having fun together. Hopefully they have realized this and are in the process of working on VMK 2.0 (I like the sound of that Monkey).

VMK isn't that unique, the only difference between the other similar games is the fact that VMK is disney related. VMK 2.0 sounds likely but maybe it wont just revolve around MK, and anyways I still think they wouldn't make us pay for VMK 2.0.

 

[NedsTJ]

VMK isn't that unique, the only difference between the other similar games is the fact that VMK is disney related. VMK 2.0 sounds likely but maybe it wont just revolve around MK, and anyways I still think they wouldn't make us pay for VMK 2.0.

Yes, but that difference is a BIG difference to a lot of people on VMK now. It's the only reason I logged onto VMK to begin with. At least with Disney, I could identify with the world and what it represented.
Whether or not they close VMK come mid-may, I fully expect to see a VMK 2.0 in the future. BUT I suspect it will have a totally different look and feel than VMK does today and at that point they WILL close the current version.

With the pace of technology these days, 3 years is almost antiquated!

 

[snowgracefulstone]

Glad to see there are a few people left on these boards that are using their heads. Let's think about this logically people. When has Disney ever welcomed bad publicity of any kind?? Never. So why would they start now? If all they were looking for was free publicity, there are other ways of doing it.

I honestly think their intentions were to close down VMK, probably for exactly the reason that KingQuackATac has stated. Now, maybe they are reconsidering, maybe they have finally realized that VMK is a one of a kind online game. Like Disneyland, it is the first (and only) of it's kind where kids and adults are having fun together. Hopefully they have realized this and are in the process of working on VMK 2.0 (I like the sound of that Monkey).[/QUOTE

well i would like to argue the fact that you think we are not thinking logically, think outside the box for a minute.... the only way disney could come out of this ahead in the public eye, was exactly like we said, look at the following scenarios for a minute:

go directly pay to play= bad publicity and bad will
close down completely= bad publicity and bad will
say they are closing and change their mind at the last minute( becuz it means so much to so many, in essence, allow us to save vmk)= bad publicity and bad will in the beginning, followed by good publicity and good will when they decide to save our game

It is marketing genius, and if everyone at disney pr and marketing thought in the box all the time, they wouldnt be the company they are today. Remember thinking differently doesnt mean not thinking, those are the people that change things

 

[vmkfan13]

Yes, but that difference is a BIG difference to a lot of people on VMK now. It's the only reason I logged onto VMK to begin with. At least with Disney, I could identify with the world and what it represented.
Whether or not they close VMK come mid-may, I fully expect to see a VMK 2.0 in the future. BUT I suspect it will have a totally different look and feel than VMK does today and at that point they WILL close the current version.

With the pace of technology these days, 3 years is almost antiquated!

I like how it's general audience, unlike the similar games. I bet VMK 2.0 was in the makings ever since VMK was launched.

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This is why I don't like it when people bring real life problems into VMK, since VMK is an escape from reality.