Virtual Magic Kingdom (VMK) closing

[drcorey]

Geez, and I thought Neopets was complicated.
I got really bummed out when my Aisha and Wocky couldn't win a battle if someone put a gun to thier heads.

[Randy B]

Geez, and I thought Neopets was complicated.
I got really bummed out when my Aisha and Wocky couldn't win a battle if someone put a gun to thier heads.

I think I found your problem. To win a fight you are supposed to put a gun to someone elses head. ;) :D:

Randy (not a gamer, never have been, never will be)

[CelebrationNM]

First, I'm all for keeping VMK running. I enjoy the game myself, but I also understand that Disney starts and ends promotions as they see fit and I have no problem with it ending to make way for other projects. There's been huge effort underway by VMK fans to bring media attention to the closing of VMK and tonight I witnessed what I would consider a very sad SGT on Board X.

Somebody started a thread saying that they were looking for a parent of a child that plays VMK to be interviewed by a Central Florida television station. This is what one person responded:

Someone with a disabled child or one in the hospital would be great!

ETA: I don't mean that to sound callous, just might be more heart wrenching ..

I'm sympathetic to the fact that VMK has done a lot for people, especially children, with physical challenges...giving them a bright spot in their otherwise dreary day. That is a really positive and important thing. It's just one example of what Disney does for kids...we all know MAW stories.

Yet, the fact that this individual wanted to take advantage of a child in an effort to make the story "heart wrenching" (or just make Disney look bad, but probably both) upset me a great deal and in a way made me lose respect for what is behind these "Save VMK" efforts.

Or maybe it's just me.

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

I have to agree, that seem kind of "low" on the class scale, and very high on the crass O' Meter.

It sounds like he was wanting to save it for himself, but was not "pathetic" enough in his own eyes to appeal on T.V., Come on people, there are a lot more different games you can play..OR read a book!

[I LUV Chip]

OMG! That's horrible!

I can't say that I'm surprised by board x but....wow!

[Sarah Magdalene]

Hmm, if so then would those die hard Disney fanatic then boycott Disney for taking away their "beloved" game. Hmm, not a bad idea - Less SG's in the parks for the good guests and CM's to deal with.

I agree with GP. There are a TON of games to get sucked into if that's what they so friggen crave! Oh, and trust me someone is gonna have to make a lawsuit about "emotional trauma" and "depression" cause of it. Personally, I'd find it entertaining to watch these people suffer cause of the ending of the game. And yes, there is a lot of great that can come from reading books.

Disabled or one in hospital? Now that is something that REALLY gets my nerve. I've heard a few SG stories of such families of individuals who abuse that "power". I'd rather fork out free CD-Roms of the game to those ill children who chose to get on and do other alternative activities, than the SGVMK mommy or daddy who cries on the TV news about it. It's not like I have don't have empathy for these people. But those who use such a reason to be a whistle blower and throw needless fits - they get NO compassion from me. Also, I personally think they are just as capable of affixing themselves to a new novelty to help them cope. If that's all the kid ever does and has for amusement and entertainment, then I'm sorry to hear that. What about watching one of the many fan made DVD's of the various park attractions? How about the parents helping them write their own stories about what would happen on a dream visit to Disney! Print out some Princess or Pirate paper dolls and make up stories and play out with them. I'm betting many ill children can get by with a book of fairy tales and some coloring books.
Heck, just act out the fantasy Disney trip story themselves!

Computers are great for so many reasons - SGT, e-mail, research, and Games of course. But I'm so betting that convalescent individuals were able to amuse themselves without the excessive and obsessive need for computer games.

[mechurchlady]

VMK was a place for kids to have fun. It was a place to learn social interaction unlike most places. Little kids could be reporters on boards, collectors, merchants, pirates, party animals, babies, chefs, cafe owners and many many other things

A place without race or religion or social crap but a place of near equals who through good social skill, good gamesmanship. and other skills could be something special. I have never before been so happy and had fun being one of the best traders around.

It was a place without glasses, crutches, celiac, alopecia, cancer, scars or other stigmas. There was nobody there telling you how worthless you are and no child abuse, no bosses, no pressure from the mean people of life but a safe haven from life.

[February]

Yet, the fact that this individual wanted to take advantage of a child in an effort to make the story "heart wrenching" (or just make Disney look bad, but probably both) upset me a great deal and in a way made me lose respect for what is behind these "Save VMK" efforts.

Or maybe it's just me.

It's not just you. That's revolting.

The people who are making the biggest fuss about this are not the children themselves- but grown adults who need to find better uses for their time than those who have no other source of happiness besides VMK.

I'd like to look at these people and say if you want to do something for disabled children VOLUNTEER your time for a program that works with them or a charity that does things for them! Make something for them- send them gifts to the hospitals- do something besides use them to try to save something that has become a place for you to hide and not contribute to society.

And before anyone asks, yes, I have volunteered for such projects myself and still do what small things I can even with my health situation- so I'm not expecting anything of others that I wouldn't do myself.

People really need a priority check. . .and I hate to tell them but this Save VMK stuff isn't going to embarrass Disney into keeping it open. $$$ is the bottom line here why should they worry when they have millions of registered users for their Pay to play games???

Bru

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

It's not just you. That's revolting.

The people who are making the biggest fuss about this are not the children themselves- but grown adults who need to find better uses for their time than those who have no other source of happiness besides VMK.

I'd like to look at these people and say if you want to do something for disabled children VOLUNTEER your time for a program that works with them or a charity that does things for them! Make something for them- send them gifts to the hospitals- do something besides use them to try to save something that has become a place for you to hide and not contribute to society.

And before anyone asks, yes, I have volunteered for such projects myself and still do what small things I can even with my health situation- so I'm not expecting anything of others that I wouldn't do myself.

People really need a priority check. . .and I hate to tell them but this Save VMK stuff isn't going to embarrass Disney into keeping it open. $$$ is the bottom line here why should they worry when they have millions of registered users for their Pay to play games???

Bru

Well said. I hate to think of the adults that are so involved in something that they would stoop to a new low, just to feed their ego by playing a game.

I frequently tell the newbys in the office that self justification is the most powerful force on earth, and most people that use it feel they are right, no matter what. So when dealing with them, remember that they think they are always right, despite evidence to the contrary.

Using sick children to accomplish their own end is nothing but victimization of them. And I cannot think of anything lower on the scum scale that using children to accomplish your own needs.

Please Disney, pull the plug on VMK, because its obvious that the SG's have invaded and staked it as their own.

Sorry, but when it comes to kids, I have very strong ideas and standards on how they should be treated.

[February]

Sorry, but when it comes to kids, I have very strong ideas and standards on how they should be treated.

Don't apologize for that, GP! You're right on the money!

VMK has been messed up for a long time- they said it was a game for kids but for the quests and things it got to the point where I knew more parents playing the game to try to help their kids with the quests than the kids themselves!

I wrote a scathing letter to Disney about the messed up pirate quest that directly proceeded VMK's closing announcement by a day- and my husband who is a saint and never complains about ANYTHING let alone writing complaint letters actually stayed up until 2 am writing a 3 page letter, and emailing it to several different places and then also snail mailing it to Disney as well, he felt that strongly about it.

We had decided that as parents we were done with VMK for our family the day before they announced the closing- we watched our child cry over it too many times. They should have made everything available to all the players- none of this 'rare pin' crap. It's lines of code. In a free videogame. For CHILDREN. There should not be 'rare' items they have to cry over when they try their best on a quest over days of time literally- I even read some kids saying they got grounded for staying up too late and not finishing homework to do the Pirate quest- unless they were going to hire new people to run it- change the rules so people couldn't cuss your kid out around the language filters (such creative use of the acronym "FAQ" I have never seen in my life before) and get new servers that can actually support the game.

I've been giving all my 'rare' stuff away to kids who wanted specific items but never got them. Doing that has been the MOST fun, honestly, I have ever had on VMK.

Bru