The cancellation of VIRTs purchasing and other changes to the system of contests

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Discussions on our virtual business game, your ideas and game mechanics

Topic:

Topic created : 30.06.2010, 14:00

Last time edited : 15.10.2010, 15:34

diska

Chairman of the Board

cnJDS

Flaj Cokotlaj

JDS

Anna Ltd.

The following changes come into force starting from July, 1, 2010:

1. In connection with the program of minimizing of financial and juridical risks the Administration of Virtonomics will not any longer directly buy VIRTs from the players. You will only be able to transfer VIRTs between players and use them to create a trade account on FOREX CLUB.
Our responsibilities in connection with the purchase of June’s applications will be completed.

2. The monthly drawing of 1000 VIRTs among game points buyers is cancelled. There is only the daily drawing left.

3. The prize of the Contest for Directors and the Contest for Presidents has been reduced. The prize of the weekly CD will count 150 points: 5 nominations with the prize of 30 points (18 – first place, 9 – second place, 3 – third place). The main prize of the CP will count 300 VIRTs. However, the total prize of the CPs starting on July, 6, 2010 will not be changed.

4. The launch of new contests for managers, directors and presidents on Anna has been temporarily cancelled.

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Message list:

30.06.2010, 15:28

VladTechs

I luckily didn't make it but many players invested tens of virts to win the CD - they will be happy for sure to hear the amazing news Really?

Be the change you want to see in the world

30.06.2010, 15:47

FutureBrands

FutureBrands Industries

Im a new player so i guess it doesn't really affect me that much.. although i have to admit i was counting on earning virts for conversion to real $ Again

... oh well...

30.06.2010, 16:44

warfreak

I wonder why the sudden changes though to the contests. I understand why with judical risks, as this can be seen as a source of undeclared income if you make a lot of money, but with the CD and CP? Well, that makes me try even harder for the president's contest, 1500 virts is still a lot, I can buy myself a villa.

30.06.2010, 16:52

Last time edited : 30.06.2010, 16:54

casperb

Probably cash flow problems Eyes in a heap

Funds aren't rolling with the costs of most products.

Feww CD just finished for me

30.06.2010, 17:06

warfreak

I'm not sure it is cash flow problems. I mean, if it were, changing VIRTs into points would be a much easier solution. And given that is has managed to attract so many people already, especially on the Russian speaking servers, from what I gather, it does seem to be stable, given how long it has been in business. But no doubt actual real life money is an issue. Of course, it's impossible for anyone to tell unless either the admin tells us or somehow we get financial records, which is unlikely.

If it is a cash flow problem, there has to be a way to solve it. If you need more cash, and supply is low, increase supply, so advertise the game more? I know that other websites have users promote their game on other popular websites, online game directories and the like, so perhaps this game should do the same by providing some incentive? Like 1 points for 1 vote or something along those lines? Not only would it be a useful incentive, after all, everyone wants points, but it will also promote the game.

That or promote the game to more business-dominated sectors or environment. Like taking ads out in financial magazines or stuff like that, attracting people who are going to be interested in this game and stay on. Not only would that increase player population, it will increase revenue. Those are a few ideas at the top of my head, but I'm sure that there has to be some way to increase revenue if it is a cash flow problem.

Funny, to sell more goods in stores in this game, all you need to do is provide a higher quality product and advertise to succeed. Very we!

30.06.2010, 18:17

Last time edited : 30.06.2010, 18:30

I AM PROTESTING the changes that will be made to the CD and CP contests. Those contests have served as a source of motivation and milestones in measuring a player successfulness. The reward was just and as motivating as well. The reduction is too steep!

I am fully aware of the prospective financial hardship that site owner(s) is facing. However, the reduction of those rewards is a double-dip to the situation that you attempt to address in the first place. Many players will leave or not as motivate to play to game regularly which drives down the website traffic. If USER RETENTION and attracting new users are essential to the business model that you are using now, then this decision would makes it worsens the situation. I beg of you to reconsider the decision.

Other changes such as cancellation of VIRTs purchasing and monthly drawing are wise decisions. Monthly drawing winners have always been tempted to cash their VIRTs after winning and never show their asses on Virtonomics again.

Want to raise cash quick for Virtonomics? Here is one simple idea: create a Virtonomics' Supporter Badge which gives +10 to all player's qualification. Player can subscribe MONTHLY for $4.99.

May God save the Queen and my beloved Virtonomics.

30.06.2010, 19:29

Last time edited : 30.06.2010, 19:31

sammotea

+ Khoi

Well argued. The only reason I started playing was for capitalistic reasons. However, I am now thoroughly hooked, and have spent all of my winnings repeteadly. The possibility of winning is allowing me to justify 'wasting' all of this time playing a game which, though enjoyable, is definitely draining hours that I would normally have spent bettering myself as a real world individual.

30.06.2010, 21:11

Last time edited : 30.06.2010, 21:32

oldblast

PROTESTING and trying to help you on a better decision!

You've created a great game in which people can play like in real life and are motivated with rewards for great performances, this is the core of the game that I see.
Now when you cut all the rewards by a lot you should expect (and I think you do) a big lack of interest of the players the love this game the most and put effort and money in it, these players you should cherish the most.

You will keep as expected the players that are not in love with the game and are not paying you to keep the game running. I may understand you have some hard time or any other issue at accounting with the staff but please don't ruin the game you worked so hard on it until now!

I think you are wise enough to understand how important social motivations and purpose are in a simulation and reality. Once you start loosing the players that put effort in the game you loose your own core.

As a first impression from your email I understand that your profits are sinking because a lot of players are in this game to get the money out not to put them in, but use a wise solution to keep the motivation up and still adjust your cash flow no matter how serious an accounting issue sounds.

SOLUTIONS:
First would be to limit the ones that are getting the money out of the game and emphasize the use of internal money, we are fighting here for status in the game not buying pizza out of it. Like the money earned in contest to have a bigger value used in the game and a smaller value if you want to get them out.
Second solution wound be to make the game payable at a small fee after the first months of playing to keep in the game just the ones that are loving the game and are loss aversive about the gains in the game. Because it's addictive!
Third solution I see to lower the prize gradually (not like you said you will do now) but make it engaging as internal value with badges, icons and any other incentive to keep the same motivation value and improve the ones that are working hard for gains and status.

We play in this game as business people LET'S ACT LIKE ONES, not just as usual players of some online game!

30.06.2010, 21:32

Last time edited : 30.06.2010, 21:33

ydaf

People - it's game, NOT work

30.06.2010, 21:49

Last time edited : 30.06.2010, 21:57

Axaria

@ oldblast

The man has the gist of it: +10 Ingenuity +5 Intelligence and a fist-full of Cookies from me.
It's always the idealists to move the world, ne?

Kh0i has a good idea too with the Supporter Badge, though you could make them by categories +10 and higher; 10 would be more than a little useless for the big boys.

Oh, I'm PROTESTING the prize decrease too, it seems to be all the new black this summer

Oh and before you brush me off as not giving a half damn please know I'm really, really pissed off

Thanks

@ ydaf We're not trying to earn a steady paycheck out of it if that's what you mean by your reply. We're just concerned idealists noticing a poor leadership decision that is quite thoroughly and effectively disappointing us, is all.

1.07.2010, 01:54

Last time edited : 1.07.2010, 01:55

casperb

ydaf
People - it's game, NOT work

+ Right on that one

This is Virtonomics first english realm i think open, there where only russian realms ?

That makes a little demographic differances. Opening the market globally changes, more players who play for free.
Russians pay sooner for on-line games, with lots of paying customers you can have high prices for contests.

It's a virtual text based game.
Prices are very high i think, who pays $1000 for a raw material source that is producing you virtual cash ? ( not to offend the players who do, just a student To wink

)
Lowering the prices is getting more customers over the hedge to pay.

Other realms already have a subcription to pay but, that will not help with marketing the game as "for free" is the new thing with Google. Going global is creating more idears to get the money from the customer. Think trademarks are very very good but than it's only for 90 days make it forever that getting something for your money.

Developers and team thanks for the great game hope i can get unhooked. I roll!

Getting global is getting a new plan too many cultures to get acqainted with.

1.07.2010, 02:52

mrstickball

Its just as I predicted with my suggestions to change the business model of Virtonomics.

A lot of what they've done has been confusing, and not the greatest business decisions (in comparison to other top-tier browser based games). This is a step in the right direction. Not everyone may agree, but its a step in the right direction.

1.07.2010, 03:56

Last time edited : 1.07.2010, 04:15

oldblast

mrstickball

Its just as I predicted with my suggestions to change the business model of Virtonomics.

mrstickball that's a good point. The game target of winning a lot of money that you can convert in real cash seems odd since we're playing for the experience, pleasure and status not for food.. real money would be nice too but that's not the most important asset. A new direction of the game done wisely can lead to more players and motivated by playing not making 1:1 money, like other big browser games. This is a difficult task for them to change now the track after so much time doing this.

But all these should be done with new rules well thought toward the new path and at the same time keeping the rewards values at the same level or higher not to loose the core players or the new core players, and by value I mean game attributes not necessarily 1:1 money you can withdraw.
We play this game because we like it and it's addictive, not as a job. And we like money too since it's a money game, but maybe with different and better rules.

*About "acting as business people" I'm referring about ideas to solve the virtonomics team issues and make the game better not as a daily job. It's obvious that their profits are sinking since they can't afford the usual rewards.

1.07.2010, 10:50. Subject: no money

AnthonyCrawford