Yavn Speaks- 8/06

[WDWLIGHTNINGZ]

I don't get to WDW till October 8th/9th. I soo wanted to visit VMK Central . Oh well guess it's another thing i'll never see.

 

[VMK_MagicalLadee]

I am not sure, but maybe VMK will expand to other Disney Stores and other chain stores everywhere.

I know somebody brought this up before, but why not have VMK Card Packets that are sold like Trading cards- Some have codes and then others don't. They have this for Sports, Pokemon, YuGiOh, and even Webikinz!

I think if VMK did this it would be a great move for them.
OR
At least expand to Disney Stores everywhere- some people don't have the opportunity to go to Disney every year, but have a Disney Store near them- Why not expand and share the "glove"

There happens to be a disney store near my house, up here in Canada : D

I'd faint if that happened.

 

[poohluv2u]

.. I have a gut feeling it's days are numbered too despite what Yavn says in the newsletter-seems like they are going out of our way to convince us that all is fine. This is after all Disney and they can pull the plug on anything at anytime. Now that they own Club Penguin with 700,000 paying customers look at the new advertising base they have. Why do they need VMK.......

Bug

We all know that Disney understands about advertising and making a profit, so why don't they advertise VMK more??? I don't think they really intended for the game to go on as long as it has .. just a 50th anniversary thing. DH and I, and several close friends are very big Disney fans, and we thought we were up on all the latest Disney stuff. Yet, we did not know about VMk until a few months ago.

We were even at DLR for the day of the 50th Anniversary and still found out nothing about VMK. We passed by VMK central at Disneyland so many times, but having a long line of people in front of it, we never took the time to find out what it all meant. Why didn't they pass out flyers about it, or give out some cards to get people started. We bought so many gold ears for ourselves and friends and not once were we asked if we wanted VMK cards.

I think that Disney has underestimated the value of VMK. There might be those that would be upset about Disney charging for VMK, but I would rather pay for it, than lose it. Maybe then it could get the attention it deserves!!

Penguin has a huge customer base, but they do say that Disney is not going to change it ... and I have no desire to be a penguin or dress a penguin ... so I am not going to start playing it just because Disney bought it. I've played ToonTown before too, but once the trial was over, I had no desire to continue with it .. it just doesn't appeal on the same level as VMK.

After pulling quests out the Parks, we don't really know where we stand with VMK. We all thought that VMK was about promoting the parks and so we felt comfortable with Disney continuing it. Now like Bug said we don't know why they will continue. Yavn if you are reading this, and really want to allay our fears about VMK being discontinued, why don't you tell us what Disney wants to get out of this ... there is too much secrecy going on!

 

[Pirate-Emery]

I think that Disney has underestimated the value of VMK. There might be those that would be upset about Disney charging for VMK, but I would rather pay for it, than lose it. Maybe then it could get the attention it deserves!!

Then I can complain about quality without folks saying that this is a free game!

I'm going to out and say it: I feel VMK's quality has greatly diminished from last year. Sure, there are awesome items coming out, but still I can't help but raise an eyebrow. Old pins? No Host Items?

Then I hear that the BIG BAD GAME that Yavn and co have been slaving over is a TCG?

Something doesn't sit right. It feels like everything is just slooowing down. Very rare Yavn posts? Bad news in every newsletter?

If I recall, last summer felt like it was JAM PACKED with stuff. Pirate Month? Jack Sparrow costume? Slide-a-thon? Slide Competition? Quest Month? Fun Days geared towards getting credits for the Quest Kiosk? All this before being capped off with a Pin Trading Weekend in September to celebrate the end of the Summer.

What have we got to show for this summer? Finding Nemo Sub? Straw Hat? Food Carts that you can't actually do anything with? Rereleases of Tiki, Princess, Peter Pan?

I have this feeling that we should repent before the end of 2007.

 

[BattyMcDoon]

ok im beyond bummed about vmk central...i never got to see it or do in park quests or anything... so sad...ok now for my questions

what are mickey rewards? ive never heard of them before...
and does anyone remember if this was supposed to be an inside vmk game our outside of vmk game?

yay for the tiki shirt! or...is it a dress for girls?

 

[BobRichmond]

...what are mickey rewards? ive never heard of them before...

They were the four items that were supposed to be changed seasonally and rewarded when you completed 3 in-real-park quests. The Mickey TV was the only one released.

...does anyone remember if this was supposed to be an inside vmk game our outside of vmk game?

If you mean what has turned out to be a trading card game - it was always supposed to be an external to VMK game. Not sure if that means like Yeti Quest or the Tomorrowland arcade games.

 

[Spongeblair]

I loved how yavn said we have plenty of time to get the rewards when there is a 90 day wait and some can't get to park that often.
~Spongeblair

 

[BattyMcDoon]

ok thanks

If you mean what has turned out to be a trading card game - it was always supposed to be an external to VMK game. Not sure if that means like Yeti Quest or the Tomorrowland arcade games.

and i meant was it supposed to be like jungle cruse game or like the narnia game [in or out of vmk]

 

[BobRichmond]

...i meant was it supposed to be like jungle cruse game or like the narnia game [in or out of vmk]...

Well definitely not like Jungle Cruise.

 

[Berry Princess]

We all know that Disney understands about advertising and making a profit, so why don't they advertise VMK more???

I think that Disney has underestimated the value of VMK. There might be those that would be upset about Disney charging for VMK, but I would rather pay for it, than lose it. Maybe then it could get the attention it deserves!!

After pulling quests out the Parks, we don't really know where we stand with VMK. We all thought that VMK was about promoting the parks and so we felt comfortable with Disney continuing it. Now like Bug said we don't know why they will continue. Yavn if you are reading this, and really want to allay our fears about VMK being discontinued, why don't you tell us what Disney wants to get out of this ... there is too much secrecy going on!

Well why promote something that isn't going to make you money? That would then be putting money into promotions for a game that is free and nothing to make that money back with, you know? Supposedly it was to get those to go to one or/both parks but I don't think it really worked the way they had hoped. Most people that go to the parks don't know or care about this stuff.
And IF they were to charge a fee for VMK I wouldn't bother anymore. Basically cause we already pay for to many other MMOs and compared those with VMK...well I rather pay for the other ones instead still. And VMK would REALLY, REALLY need to clean up their game before making it a pay one IMO. I think with the way things have declined over the last year now that it has basically been the downfall of the game if it ends. They didn't put the foot down when they should have so its let tons of players run wild and get away with things they shouldn't in a family friendly/safe game. And sadly they will never tell us what Disney or them want out of the game. We will really never know. We will be left confused until something ends up happening and we know where things stand and by that point I think it won't be good. And to me when someone reassures you over and over again about something like this it doesn't look good.
I think the items like costumes and hats being released again is just a way to hope that scams will be down or stop so they don't have to deal with the issue themselves. JMO on that. Which the smart thing to do is release all this stuff again for that purpose. But as for the turkey cart..I'm not thrilled with it. Couldn't it not look like a turkey leg and more like the cart they sell them at?



I agree with Bug about getting excited about things on those cards. I don't think we should just yet. It looks like it is just for the game and nothing more at this point. If its like Pokemon and all that then maybe my boys will be good at it since they love that stuff.

I do think it wouldn't be a bad thing if they sold cards in packs. Put in one or 2 with codes in each pack and you would have money being made. Sell them in parks and Disney Stores.

 

[jasonpwns]

Well why promote something that isn't going to make you money? That would then be putting money into promotions for a game that is free and nothing to make that money back with, you know? Supposedly it was to get those to go to one or/both parks but I don't think it really worked the way they had hoped. Most people that go to the parks don't know or care about this stuff.
And IF they were to charge a fee for VMK I wouldn't bother anymore. Basically cause we already pay for to many other MMOs and compared those with VMK...well I rather pay for the other ones instead still. And VMK would REALLY, REALLY need to clean up their game before making it a pay one IMO. I think with the way things have declined over the last year now that it has basically been the downfall of the game if it ends. They didn't put the foot down when they should have so its let tons of players run wild and get away with things they shouldn't in a family friendly/safe game. And sadly they will never tell us what Disney or them want out of the game. We will really never know. We will be left confused until something ends up happening and we know where things stand and by that point I think it won't be good. And to me when someone reassures you over and over again about something like this it doesn't look good.
I think the items like costumes and hats being released again is just a way to hope that scams will be down or stop so they don't have to deal with the issue themselves. JMO on that. Which the smart thing to do is release all this stuff again for that purpose. But as for the turkey cart..I'm not thrilled with it. Couldn't it not look like a turkey leg and more like the cart they sell them at?



I agree with Bug about getting excited about things on those cards. I don't think we should just yet. It looks like it is just for the game and nothing more at this point. If its like Pokemon and all that then maybe my boys will be good at it since they love that stuff.

I do think it wouldn't be a bad thing if they sold cards in packs. Put in one or 2 with codes in each pack and you would have money being made. Sell them in parks and Disney Stores.

If it was pay there won't be know bay be or very little of it same with taken lol

 

[rickyratsmom]

As far a the future of VMK goes, just check out Disney.com. They are advertising all sorts of new games, many with mini clips. Even Club Penguin is being highly advertised. Now try and find anything promoting VMK, I challenge you...there is nothing. In fact you have to do some pretty deep digging just to find the link to the game. It is not included in any of the games on the game bar on the side, or the one under the miniclip section, nothing. Is Disney distancing themselves from VMK, definately yes. They closed VMK central in Disneyland and will close the one at WDW in September, coincidently around the time they will release the Pirates of the Caribbean Virtual world game. Yes you have to pay to play many or at least to play the full game, but Disney is a business. You can't survive in business if you don't make a profit. VMK is small in comparison to say Club Penguin. VMK is free and therefore has no commercial value. Club Penguin has 700,000 paying members at about $25 per year. That is a very attractive 17.5 Million dollar per year income. Now that Disney owns it I bet it will get even larger. In fact I checked it out after seeing it on the Disney.com promotion. Sadly my prediction is that VMK will eventually be phased out, just like VMK central probably by the end of the year. As for Yavn's reassurance, well that is his job now isn't it. He does what Disney tells him to period. I truly hope I am wrong as VMK is so much fun and I have met many wonderful people here, but it just doesn't look good at this point. Just my opinion.

 

[Berry Princess]

If it was pay there won't be know bay be or very little of it same with taken lol

I would find it hard to believe there wouldn't be. It is already to hard to weed out the bad in the game as it is. They would literally have to hire more workers and ones that do their job in moderating things. But no matter what I don't think paying would get rid of those things. You have more saying they have a right to do whatever like that in game since they are paying for it. Its one of those no win situations I think. Mods didn't stick that foot down long ago when it should have been and so now look at things. Its hard to clean up something you let go for far to long.

 

[Kasiks]

There goes Magical's dream of ever going to Disney World and going to VMK central.

There goes my dream of seeing VMK Central too other than that good news in the coming

 

[Belle1997]

I am ok with it closing. As I could only go to disney once a year. We are doing the disney cruise this year and were not going to do MK. But because of VMK we are. So in the end it will save us money hehe.

Also if they get rid of all quests it stops favouring the people who go to Disneyland and WDW all the time. Some of my friends are wonderful at sharing these quest prizes. I even shared one set with another Diser knowing they would never get to MK in the near future. But sadly too many hog all for themselves to get the rare items. It does not break any rules, but shows greed not kindness.

But I have a problem with say Disneyland getting middle sub pieces and WDW not geting something of equal value. More people need the middle as they have yellow under water houses not subs without the middle pieces. And since some people do not mind dumpster diving they can get lots of good stuff buy getting many nemo code cards. Some how I think VMK has to deal with this issue.

I used to think I would pay for VMK. My husband pays for toon town. But after the last ride competition where there were so few prizes for the thousands that entered. I was left disallusioned in the magic of VMK. Most got it for the halloween disaster it took me a year later hehe.

Yes not all could be winners, But a person who put like 500 credits into their room should not have gotten the same prize for those they could tell spent weeks working on theirs. to get a pin when they sat all weekend in their rooms.

Maybe with a paying game they would clean up their acts in this regard. I have given up trying to get stitch, sparrow and my first ever inferno. I am too busy giving good stuff away to help bring happiness to others. Some people who have these items are extremely generous, one actually let me borrow his inferno, sparrow and stitch hat. But I would say 85% are very greedy and selfish.

This is why I think all items should be made buyable. And to keep them rare make them high in value like inferno for 250,000. Would stop the scamming in a lot of cases, would encourage more playing because there is a goal people could reach.

I also think if a parent is paying for it the kids will be better behaved. And scamming would be taken much more seriously.

Well that is my opinion.

 

[Spongeblair]

Maybe with a paying game they would clean up their acts in this regard. I have given up trying to get stitch, sparrow and my first ever inferno. I am too busy giving good stuff away to help bring happiness to others. Some people who have these items are extremely generous, one actually let me borrow his inferno, sparrow and stitch hat. But I would say 85% are very greedy and selfish.

I would say this 85% are scared of scammers and not selfish and greedy to not share.

I wonder what will happen to VMK Central in Main Street. Also will they take away the stars from the Epcot Globe in the guest room as that is happening at the real Epcot.
~Spongeblair

 

[aliceblue]

I am so sorry to hear that VMK Central at WDW is closing, though I suspected it might happen.

Now I'm even more grateful for our once-in-a-lifetime WDW trip last fall, and that we did the quests there.

Now I read for my own eyes, that everyone is now on an equal playing field. MK and DL are now equally bereft of quests.

I feel sorry for you WDW-ers, just as you felt sorry for us in our time of need.

But you must admit that this is fair.

I'm a DLR regular, and I have to disagree with you. I was glad that WDW still had the quests, because the rest of us could still get the benefits through trading. Now no one will be able to. That's better?

the turkey cart looks a little weird.

I agree! Looks more like a serving of turkey leg than an actual cart. I hope it's proportioned to be placed on a table, and not a huge scary piece of furniture!

 

[Bugdozer]

I would say this 85% are scared of scammers and not selfish and greedy to not share.

I wonder what will happen to VMK Central in Main Street. Also will they take away the stars from the Epcot Globe in the guest room as that is happening at the real Epcot.
~Spongeblair

Hi,

I have heard that the gift store that is in Cinderella's castle is being moved into where VMK central is. The Place where it was in the castle is being made into the Bibbityboppityboo Boutique.


Bug

 

[Spongeblair]

Hi,

I have heard that the gift store that is in Cinderella's castle is being moved into where VMK central is. The Place where it was in the castle is being made into the Bibbityboppityboo Boutique.


Bug

Oh no sorry I meant in-game VMK central.
~Spongeblair

 

[TikiKrissy]

LOL, I made the same dress for TikiKrissy last year...

I think I like mine better! Heh.
TikiKrissy