Too much like gambling for a kids site - Page 4

dovey · #31 10-09-2009

Agreed. It is surely a way to increase margin and because there are so many people with addictive personalities, it would probably bring in alot of money.

Maybe someone linked to gamblers anonymous would have a better idea of the dangers of exposing young children to this type of activity.

MarissaUnicornHorn · #32 10-09-2009

I think KI just wants yet another way to make more money. Kids will ask for more and more crowns making mommy and daddy spend more and more money on the game.

Cassandra StorySmith · #33 10-09-2009

I agree. Gambling is not appropriate for a kid's game. If it asked for gold, that would mitigate the situation.

Vanessa Blueriver · #34 10-09-2009

I do agree with some of what you guys are saying but dont bash kingsisle so much i mean they work so hard on everyone that we have like look at the new awesome mounts they made. and the new crown shop. I can see why people are saying its gambeling but kingsisle would probably never try to make it gambeling. And what i say is that if you dont like the wishing well then dont use it. I mean i do agree some what like i said because people spend ALLOT of there crowns on that wishing well and they get maybe like a bloodbat treausure card or maybe 20 gold. and then when all there crowns are out everyone goes to there mom or dad and says " i need more crowns" when they just got crowns about a week or a day ago! I mean I am not saying i hate the wishing well but i just think maybe more valuble stuff could come out of it since we are spending good crowns on it. and as some one else said in this thread maybe everyone that goes into the wishing well maybe kingsisle could donate some money to a charity just so its not wasted. But I wouldnt call it gambeling i just want better stuff to come out of it

Outrageous Autumn · #35 10-09-2009

I won't "resay" what the OP, Ian, Susume, and dovey said already. I agree with them all.

I wanted to add, since I share my 3 accounts with my sons as well... I'd be LIVID! if they used my crowns (bought with cash) in that well. Livid!!!

So in addition, there really needs to be Parental controls on crowns. I don't necessarily think it should be "per wizard" but a control set into place, so that kids need a passcode to use them, since the crowns are "per account". ESPECIALLY with the new crown places to spend them coming out soon.

I've had crowns sitting for a long time, on all accounts, with nothing I choose to spend them on as of yet. I have told my kids over and over not to use them without asking, after the youngest used THEM ALL (once), thinking they were "his" crowns since they show up on his wizards when he plays. It's confusing.. and I would REALLY like to be able to "lock" them until I give permission to use them.

He hasn't done it since hte one time, but this is too risky to have a "cash bought" crown purchase sitting ona childs account in which they share with their parent.

2cents.

Professor Greyrose · #36 10-13-2009

Thank you everyone for your feedback and concerns regarding the Wishing Well system.

We are reconsidering how these Wishing Wells function, and they will not be going to the Live Realm with the other updates. We may choose to revisit the Wishing Well in the future, but with a dynamic that is more favorable to all our players.

It's players like all of you that help make Wizard101 safe and fun for everyone.

Dragon Girl · #37 11-10-2009

Hi! Today I found this thread witch I thought was extra special, as if it was one of those kids helping kids activities at my school.

I remember when I used to play cp, I would always be happy when coins for change came around. I would play games for the whole day, even though the were not so fun. Then when I put in all my coins I would shout out to my parents.

"Look mom! I helped the animal!" or, "Dad look! I just helped a kid in Kenya!"

I hope you enjoy this as much as I did

(I found this on Ian SilverFlames blog)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Susume

Of course it sometimes gives good stuff-- that's what gambling IS-- a whole bunch of people lose money and a few people get something really cool. I wouldn't be crazy about it even with imaginary money (in-game gold), because it's not something I want my kids to think of as legitimate entertainment. Since it uses real money, it's not at all appropriate for a kids' game!

Keep the wishing wells, don't give in-game rewards from them, and donate to a charity that helps kids in proportion to the crowns tossed in (doesn't have to be the same rate as purchase price for crowns, just something reasonable). Let kids learn that together they can make a difference in the real world, and that this is an enjoyable use of spare change. There are benefits to KI in this model as well. Show off KI as a company that cares about kids. Get KI's logo out where parents will see it ("Proud sponsor of --").

James Summergem · #38 11-11-2009

I am glad it ha been reolved, yet a bit upsetg. That woulde a nice way to get rid of the 10 extra crws I had

SilverBird · #39 11-11-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by dovey0420

I tried out those wishing well things and you start by throwing in a small amount of crowns for a chance to win something. I won a small amount of gold, hardly worth crowns in real world.

But then it asks for a little more crowns for a chance to win something. Kinda luring you in to take a gamble. Second time I won a small amount of gold again but again it asked for more crowns next time.

Since crowns are money isn't this really like a slot machine? I don't think it is a good idea at all on a site geared toward kids.

The concept of a wishing well with a set number of tries per day to all members seems like a fun idea but not if you are charging crowns to take a chance. It really is gambling.

In the boss boxes people are trying to get their items but they spend lots of crowns trying to get it. So if that happens parents waste money. I am very sad i spend 500 crowns and never got my storm athame. make the boxes cost gold please.

gronga · #40 11-13-2009

Actually it is by definition gambling.
Furthermore, since it uses crowns, with are bought with cash, a case could be made that there is no legal difference between crowns and chips. If the well gives up something that can be traded, and someone sells it to another player for anything in game or out, then KI has a potentially big problem.

The only way to avoid it is to make all items that come from the well, no auction, no trade. Then it will be up to the parents to moderate their children's habits in game by locking down their crown usage. Like say, taking them all away, and only letting them have some when they ask for them in person, and you get to see what they are for. You know, making a family account, and being involved.

The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to dovey For This Useful Post:
Mordoom (10-09-2009), Outrageous Autumn (10-09-2009)

The Following User Says Thank You to MarissaUnicornHorn For This Useful Post:
Mordoom (10-09-2009)

The Following User Says Thank You to Cassandra StorySmith For This Useful Post:
Mordoom (10-09-2009)

The Following 6 Users Say Thank You to Outrageous Autumn For This Useful Post:
carterma (10-13-2009), cs550 (11-11-2009), dovey (10-09-2009), Jenna Star (10-09-2009), Mordoom (10-09-2009), Susume (10-14-2009)

The Following 7 Users Say Thank You to Professor Greyrose For This Useful Post:
Andrew Wildflame (10-13-2009), dovey (10-14-2009), Heroboy102 (10-13-2009), Ian Silverflame (10-13-2009), Jenna Star (10-13-2009), Noelle (10-13-2009), Susume (10-14-2009)

The Following User Says Thank You to Dragon Girl For This Useful Post:
Susume (11-10-2009)