12/25 – Announcing a new ticketing system for your Guest rooms! Plus, a way for you to keep track of big game events. The latest VMK News starts now...

It's a Holly Jolly Holiday!
Happy Holidays everyone! I hope you're drinking lots of hot coco and keeping warm... Even here in what's a normally warm Southern California, we've had a bit of a cold spell. Yesterday morning I had to scrape ice off my windshield and as you can imagine there aren't too many places to buy an ice scrapers around here!

Before I get into the details of this weeks column, I want to mention a few things... First, you've probably noticed the personalization on the site, we hope you think it's as cool as we do, you'll now see the Pins you're wearing... Next week I'll talk more this and other new features... Second, make sure to check out the new EVENT INFO box just to the right of this column on the Newsletter page. In the future you'll want to check this section out to get all the information you're looking for about major in-game and Park events - again this section will just focus only on EVENTS, not game items, or play tips, but the what, when, where, who and how of major VMK events. Ok, so now that that's outta the way, let's get down to bizness!

Holiday Mix Up
So by now you're probably aware that we switched out the Disneyland Holiday Quest for a new Haunted Mansion Holiday Quest. I'm truly sorry for those of you who were looking forward to getting the Holiday Items - but even with careful planning and many extra Reward Cards we still ran out. The truth is that these Special Quests (Halloween, Holiday) have been a huge success, even exceeding our own expectations, so we will be adding more in the coming year. I'll give you some more insight into the next Park Quest in the coming weeks. If you are spending the holidays at Walt Disney World you can still play the Holiday Quest but as we've already mentioned, there is a limited supply there too, and once this batch of Holiday Reward Cards are gone, the Quest will end.

Who Needs Tickets?
It's the holiday, so why are you reading this Newsletter instead of playing with your new toys? I'll tell you why - because you want to know about the new VMK Ticketing System! The system may sound a little complicated, but bear with me and I'll do my best to explain it!

http://avmk.disney.go.com/avmk_v0300/en_US/media/calendar/YavnSpks-2006-12-25-tix_roominfo.jpg


The basic concept of Tickets is that players will be able to close their Room(s) and require Tickets to enter them. A Ticket can be purchased for 10 Credits and can be traded to other players.

Starting in early January two new options will be added to the Room Information Button (that's the icon that has an i on it). The first is the 'People With Tickets' box, the second is the 'Create Tickets' box.


Once you decide who to let into your Guest Room you can now have the following options:

Allow Everyone: This option allows all players into your Room.
Only Allow Friends To Enter: This option only allows players that are on your Friends List to enter your Room.
People With Tickets: Only players that have an unused Ticket to enter your Room can enter.
Only Allow Friends To Enter & People With Tickets: This option only allows friends to enter & people with Tickets - Players that are on your Friends List and players that have an unused Ticket can enter the Room.


Creating Tickets

http://img329.**************/img329/6728/yavnspks20061225tixcreafv1.jpg

When you click on the 'Create Tickets' button you will be given 4 options of when the Ticket will expire if not used (1 day, 3 days, 7 days, 30 days) you'll also have a counter that will help you decide how many tickets you would like to buy. (Should we add this feature to all shops?... It sure would make it easier to buy lots of tracks.)

The Fine Print

http://avmk.disney.go.com/avmk_v0300/en_US/media/calendar/YavnSpks-2006-12-25-tix_pinmenu.jpg

Tickets work as Single Use Magic Pins and once created are found in the Pin menu.

- Tickets can only be used once.

PLEASE NOTE: If you are kicked out of a room that requires a Ticket you can not re-enter!! We are looking ways to solve this but for now be aware that as a Room Owner you must be very careful when kicking a player out.

Likewise players that abuse this ticketing privilege will be banned.

- Tickets work for all rooms that require tickets from the same owner (you can not create a ticket for a specific room, the ticket works for any and all rooms with the "People With Tickets" box checked.

- Tickets not used by the expiration date will disappear from your inventory.

- Tickets can be traded. And traded, and traded... so just be aware that the person you trade with may re-trade the ticket.

- Rooms that require a ticket will have an icon on the Room Navigator to show the Ticket required for entry.

http://img92.**************/img92/775/yavnspks20061225tixpinizq2.jpg

Aside from the Tickets there is another benefit, you can now lock a room from everyone without having to clear you friend list. How do you do that? Just click the 'People With Tickets' box but don't create any Tickets. Any Room that has both 'Only Allow Friends To Enter & People With Tickets' will allow people on your Friend List to come and go, but non-Friends will need a Ticket to enter. Rooms that require Tickets will now have a Ticket icon on the Navigator. Of course even VMK will have a special place that will be a 'Tickets Only' for special events.

Jingle All The Way
I hope that all makes sense - it made sense to me when I was writing it but with all the sugary Holiday treats I've been eating, this all may sound like a rambling sugar rush! I also hope you're excited about the updates and stuff that's on the way. So what's on deck for next week? Well, a little something I like to call "Castle Fireworks Remix," and no you won't have to come in 2nd Place to win the Pin...

Finally, enjoy what ever Holiday or tradition you celebrate and I'll see you in VMK... Alright, someone pass the Eggnog & Churrous, Yavn needs more sugar!

And to all a good night,
Yavn


==============
DEAR YETI

12/25 – What Christmas songs are sung in 'it's a small world holiday' at Disneyland?

-PirateJack

Dear PirateJack,

I know it's cold where I am, but doesn't this wintry weather shiver your timbers! Har! That's a good one... Anyway, the Yeti has just gotten back from visiting 'it's a small world holiday' and was singing right along to all the holiday tunes...

Now, let me see if I can remember them all... The regular theme song is still in the holiday soundtrack but 'Jingle Bells' has been mixed in too. Plus, when you float past the mermaids listen carefully, they'll be singing 'Jingle Shells!' Oh those girls are clever - you can also hear 'Feliz Navidad' too! The ride ends with a few rousing bars of 'Deck the Halls' and the Yeti with visions of sugar plumbs dancing in my head! Have a great holiday!

Do you have a question for me?

Send it to me through the Contact Us section at the bottom of this page. Be sure to have your VMK registration info with you (the email and information you registered with) and select "Dear Yeti" from the drop down menu. Every other week I'll answer a question or two here in the Newsletter.


Happy Holidays!
-MSP

A little sorry about this next word I'm typing, but..

YES

Fireworks is getting updated, awesome! It's about time is all I can say. This will probably end the crying over people "sandbagging"

Now the people who are working on something can finally have peace:)

and this has been said by other people too..

WOOOO HOOOOOOO!

About time they updated the fireworks like that!!

What a relief I thought VMK tickets would have been like Paying to play vmk!

Finally, tickets!!!!!!!! WOOT!!

Fireworks is getting updated! Yippie! :D

Yay fireworks is getting updated, although I don't play it :) I hope the BGR comes out :|

Yay! Yavn is finally doing something about Fireworks. Now I don't actually have to stop at 2nd place anymore. :)

This is wonderful news I can't wait!

So.. you make the tickets and people get them HOW?

Maribeth- when you make the tickets, you can then trade them to who you want to enter your room.

Oh. Odd.

But sort of makes sense.

tickets to get into hosts rooms too?

I certainly hope not, cause then Hosts would have to trade you. That'd kind of be stupid.

Finaly I Am Tired Of playing Fireworks For Chedits!! Woot!!!!!!

The little aside about adding the ability to purchase more than one of a particular item at a time is a great idea. Yes, Yavn, this should be added to all the shops. Man, it took way too many clicks to purchase all those thousands of ride support posts for my Space Race!

OMG now i have to wait until january yavn told me different aww man testing must of gone bad

anyone notice that caffdawg doesn't have

QA_ on it

anyone notice that caffdawg doesn't have

QA_ on it
I did think that odd, yes.

wow vmk is getting better i like the tickets news !

YAY FIREWORKS IS COOL NOW!! lol AND THE TICKETS ARE COOL TOO!! lol

the push's trash winners were announced!! congratulations Neoteny!! you are on the list :)

the push's trash winners were announced!! congratulations Neoteny!! you are on the list :)
Wow! Yay me!

Another pin I can mark off my checklist. Now I only need four more for a complete set...

WOW!! Four? BGR, BGR, BQR, VIP?

Anyhow, yes. I want the fireworks to go into effect NOW!

I am not going to go in any room if anyone has tickets. People are going to end up scamming you somehow. This seams like the turnstile anyway.

Good idea but I hope the HOST_s don't go to far with it. Ugh, wait in line to get in a room that gives tickets and then the next week use that ticket.

~Q/S

It's a one time use time use! Ugh!

WOW!! Four? BGR, BGR, BQR, VIP?
VIP, Top Ten, Gold Star, Inferno.

I'm not counting whatever that thing Nedakh has is.

Four of what? Where? When?

Four of what? Where? When?
Sometimes it can be helpful to read back a few posts before you respond. :)

the push's trash winners were announced!! congratulations Neoteny!! you are on the list :)
Wow! Yay me!

Another pin I can mark off my checklist. Now I only need four more for a complete set...
I am four pins shy of a complete collection.

Oooh! Four adwards, right? Right?

I didn't understand at first, I thought this was a Ticket Discussion thread.

Oooh! Four adwards, right? Right?

I didn't understand at first, I thought this was a Ticket Discussion thread.
This thread is about the newsletter, which does include the trivia award winners.

***. the whole ticket thing sounds completely stupid. what's the point?

Yeah, I meant that :).

I agree, the ticket is stupid, it's another way to scam people and make guests lose credits while 'Cafe' lurking.

Yeah, I sort of agree. You tell someone this ticket will give you inferno or something and they pay lots of rare.

But its like anything, they should have been reading the newsletter.

What exactly is the point of tickets? You pay to make them and then give them away? Why in the world would I want to do that?

What exactly is the point of tickets? You pay to make them and then give them away? Why in the world would I want to do that?
I think maybe Yavn didn't explain it very well. I'm going to wait and see how this actually works before I give an opinion.

(Should we add this feature to all shops?... It sure would make it easier to buy lots of tracks.)


how cool they listen what i tell months ago lol woot wot this rocks!

Maybe the people buy the tickets for 10 credits and you make them free? Just a guess...

I personally think that the turnstiles were enough money spending, now this is redicioulous!

How do we know what room a ticket is for? Is it gonna say - ticket for a SuperBillyHill room - or what? It seems to me like it would have been easier to just make a thing to click so the room is - owner only -. I guess maybe once they do it and we use it then maybe it will make sense but it seems like totally too complicated the way he explained it. Like if we need a tiket to a host room then where do we get it? And maybe there are a few friends that I would let in my room while building or whatever but if they can't get in my room then how I can give them the ticket unless I leave my room and give it to them in a public place or a room that's not - ticket only -. And why do we have to buy tickets to give away? Id know but the whole thing sounds like they didn't maybe think about it enough. Or maybe they thought about it too much when all they needed to do was make a - owner only - option for our rooms. But I think it would be cool to enter a number for how many of a item we want to buy in shops. Because I want to buy like 50 palm tree parts or whatever and it's so lame to have to buy them one at a time. And it was also lame to have to enter each person one at a time for the give a gift thing. That took me over 2 hours to do all the peeps on my friends list and I had to be SO careful to spell every one of them just perfect. And that's not even counting how long it took to copy all my friends list to a regular list so I could enter all the names without them changing the order all the time from peeps logging in and out. I totally hope I got them all right so all my friends get their gifts tomorrow :)

Wow Billy, that's detailed. (I didn't read all of it, I just did DDRMAX2 and 'danced' .800 of a mile, and boy am I tired!)

I find this idea.... worse than words. Yavn, is this going to change the world? No, is this going to change the moods of VMK players all around the world? Yes, yes it is. You need to get your behind over here and read what we have to say! GRAW!

Sorry, angry moment. Mod's please edit that if needed, didn't know how to word it.

Why, when there are so many social issues needing improvement and games that need tweaking, so they start making commercializing elements like the turnstile and tickets? If the staff are so bored that they need to make this much more to moderate, perhaps they should try loggin in as normal characters and walking around without the staff uniform on. There are enough infighting issues between players and bad attitudes out there to keep them busy quite a while. I think the previous suggestion of a owner only checkoff would be much more beneficial.

People trade you rare things to get in your room.. ?

I dunno.

Oooh! Four adwards, right? Right?



I didn't understand at first, I thought this was a Ticket Discussion thread.

If someone quoted something you don't get, you can click that little blue arrow beside their name to back up to the post. ;)

I wonder what changes will be made to fireworks. He didn't mention anything about credits just that you won't have to come in second to get the pin. I don't think getting the pin has been as much of an issue as the difference in credits between first and second place.

I think that was like a hint torward it. First place won't be so hated anymore. Maybe the credits will change too.

Why, when there are so many social issues needing improvement and games that need tweaking, so they start making commercializing elements like the turnstile and tickets?

I think part of it is that many of us see the potential that some of these changes do address the social issues. Or at least that they try.

For example, if you can get a "VMK Pass", you'll reduce the people who complain they can't get the host only items, because it makes it easier to get into a room. You'll also increase interactions in other rooms, because people won't be constantly wasting their time trying to get into host games.

Many game and quest designers have been asking for some kind of compensation for their hard work. The turnstile and "VMK Ticket" are two ways to address this kind of question.

And you'll note that issues with the mini-games are being addressed one by one. We had a re-work in pirates (which many people asked for), and a re-work in fireworks is now coming.

The real question is: "Are these changes truly beneficial to the game?" I'm not sure. Yes, VMK Pass addresses one of my big complaints - how difficult it is to get into the queue in the first place. VMK Ticket even addresses some of the issues, since it now allows game creators a roundabout way to create the equivalent of the Pirates "treasure chests", so we can offer a chance at great prizes, but also be able to affort to hand out lots of other prizes too. But not until hosts use turnstiles and tickets will it become truly acceptable for the rest of us to do this as well.

I'm cautiously optimistic.

I also noticed QA_Caffdawg doesn't have the QA_ infront of her name. Maybe she isn't a tester anymore?

Caffdawg is a tester, she probably has a different account.

Caffdawg is a tester, she probably has a different account.

Hmm, that still is weird.

the ticket is a good thing too....you people keep asking for no one to enter your room because building your ride or other.so there you go :)

What exactly is the point of tickets? You pay to make them and then give them away? Why in the world would I want to do that?

Who says you have to give them away? Trade Them for 10 Credits Back ~ A Crate Sell it Back = 10 Credits ~ No Profit But still!

And it was also lame to have to enter each person one at a time for the give a gift thing. That took me over 2 hours to do all the peeps on my friends list and I had to be SO careful to spell every one of them just perfect. And that's not even counting how long it took to copy all my friends list to a regular list so I could enter all the names without them changing the order all the time from peeps logging in and out. I totally hope I got them all right so all my friends get their gifts tomorrow :)
It would be so nice to be able to copy and paste in VMK. That's such a basic text editor function!

If someone quoted something you don't get, you can click that little blue arrow beside their name to back up to the post.

I know, I've been here since before May. I would think I would know that. But if you quote a person like this -points above- then you can't click the little blue arrow that leads to there post.

Why, when there are so many social issues needing improvement and games that need tweaking, so they start making commercializing elements like the turnstile and tickets? If the staff are so bored that they need to make this much more to moderate, perhaps they should try loggin in as normal characters and walking around without the staff uniform on.

I agree with you CherryPixie! Why can't staff make guests, are they not capable to start over, to decline, to not act like staff. There are more important issues than making new furniture like the tickets machine.

the ticket is a good thing too....you people keep asking for no one to enter your room because building your ride or other.so there you go :)

Yes, but then you don't have to use the tickets. They could have easily done that without the tickets for all we care. The tickets are no help in this situation.

It would be so nice to be able to copy and paste in VMK. That's such a basic text editor function!

Yes, but its also a basic thing to disable if you're intentionally trying to create an isolated environment or if you're trying to slow down people's typing.

It is pretty clear that removing cut/paste is an intentional operation.

Where would you buy these tickets?

Edit: I see that tickets are user-specific, not universal. That answers a lot of my quesions.

I don't like that there's yet another item cluttering up our lanyards.

First the drivers' license, then the Pirates keys, and now the VMK tickets.

I would like to be able to display a full lanyard of pins, but it seems they always want me to leave room for these other items.

I think magic should be stored separately (maybe on a second lanyard), and tickets and drivers' licenses should be usable without having to wear them.

Perhaps they could look into fixing this issue where, when there are less than 2000 people playing, we cannot log in because our info is incorrect...the same info we have been putting in since we signed up and the same info, if we try about 50 more times, will eventually get us in. Seems as if someone's server is not replicating our login info correctly maybe?

How about we look into that before making new shiny pictures of stuff that people will beg for for free or whine about not being able to get because they cost to much or are in a staff room that ' I just can't get into '

Sorry for the rant tone...I have been trying for solid half hour to log in and still am sitting here reading the forums...

I really don't understand this ticket thing. The only real use I see is having your room as ticket only and don't give anyone tickets. Other than that, what would be the benefit of having tickets to enter your room? Some people already have pay to enter, the pay turnstiles are coming someday soon, now tickets that you hand out to people? I don't get it lol :)

I really don't understand this ticket thing. The only real use I see is having your room as ticket only and don't give anyone tickets. Other than that, what would be the benefit of having tickets to enter your room? Some people already have pay to enter, the pay turnstiles are coming someday soon, now tickets that you hand out to people? I don't get it lol :)
It does seem a little like overkill, yes. But let's wait and see how it works. Maybe it will be a good thing after all.

I really don't understand this ticket thing. The only real use I see is having your room as ticket only and don't give anyone tickets. Other than that, what would be the benefit of having tickets to enter your room? Some people already have pay to enter, the pay turnstiles are coming someday soon, now tickets that you hand out to people? I don't get it lol :)

I think of the tickets as the equivalent of the Pirates keys.

At least thats how I'm planning to use them... :)

With the passes and tickets out, along with the quest kiosk already out (retired for now) and the new Epcot Turnstile coming out in the future, does anybody else get the feeling that these items are making vmk feel a little more like a real disney park
( Besides the things already out and rooms in game. What i'm saying especially works if you're running a hotel, amusement park, etc.)?

We should make this in to a rant, it's more rant-ish than discussion or talking.
Wow, I didn't notice that camara, your right!
VMK Pass- Disneyland/World Fast Pass
Paying Turnstiles- Entering the Park Turnstiles, you have to pay money.

Oh... my... gosh.

what is new on fireworks?

what they change in fireworks?

They didn't change anything on fireworks

Tickets-If I understand this right, I am paying 10 credits a piece to give people something so they can enter my room? Why? I can invite them for free and keep my credits.

VMK Pass-This will be great if you are on-line when the room opens. Since the normal time for a host room to be open is usually 3 hours, let's say you get in line shortly after it opens and are around 200 in line (There is and always has been a huge ammount of people trying to enter when they first open) Now take that same player that logs on 1 hour later and is number 1657in line. What chance do they really have to get in? As slow as some of those lines move (1 took me an hour and 20 minutes to go from 49 to in the room) will it really be better?

As far as the DC bug being gone, I still get DC, not as much as before, but it still happens.

How about fixing that lag almost everybody has in the new pirates game? Or update the dictionary with words such as "Turret" (Which I submitted 3 weeks ago) Or actually putting somebody at the contact us desk to actually respond to questions. Or how about when you ban people, tell them exactly what they did and when so there is no confusion about it.

Why fix things that are not broken when there is enough that is broken, or could be better to concentrate your efforts on?

Don't get me wrong, I love this game and everything it represents, and have fun playing it. I also love this site and all that it does.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Tickets-If I understand this right, I am paying 10 credits a piece to give people something so they can enter my room? Why? I can invite them for free and keep my credits.

I don't think you understnad. Other people buy tickets to enter your room, not you buy tickets for people to want to come to your room. At least, that's what I thought they meant. I may very well be wrong.

VMK Pass-This will be great if you are on-line when the room opens. Since the normal time for a host room to be open is usually 3 hours, let's say you get in line shortly after it opens and are around 200 in line (There is and always has been a huge ammount of people trying to enter when they first open) Now take that same player that logs on 1 hour later and is number 1657in line. What chance do they really have to get in? As slow as some of those lines move (1 took me an hour and 20 minutes to go from 49 to in the room) will it really be better?

Yeah, that occurred to me, as well. I'm still willing to wait and see how it goes before I start complaining, though.

soumds a little like someone on this sites idea, cant remember who though