VPN: the end

[Moondreams]

For those who still have not given up... Did you read this on the forums?

http://www.meteorgames.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=32&t=7210

They start up a new game and leave this to die. Again! First Twin Skies now
VPN...

[http://soviet1918.webs.com]

I would like to say im shocked but im not.
The people i feel sorry for are those that have purchased
add-ons for there character.

Post by Moondreams
For those who still have not given up... Did you read this on the forums?
http://www.meteorgames.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=32&t=7210
They start up a new game and leave this to die. Again! First Twin Skies
now VPN...

[Moondreams]

I think people should get their money back.

They said we can use the MC's we bought in one of their new future games.

That is just when they would say to those people who bought a ticket for the
concert by Michael Jackson that they can now use it to go to a concert by
some unknown band.
This stinks.

First they sell Neopets, which was made a success by all the people playing
there. The new owner does not care about the game and the people at all, is
only trying to get as much money out of it as possible. Ok, I don't blame
Adam and Donna for that, I would have done the same. :)

But then they start with this promise of Twin Skies. Looking great. They go
to that PAX event, pretending they have something great, while in fact they
only have some vague plans and some sketches. All dressed up, giving away
plushies, etc. We see videos of people at the office, playing with beanbags,
playing office wars, having fun. I started to think: Do they ever make any
money that way? Shouldn't they work some time?

Then there is a long silence, staff members disappear without notice (I
still miss RogAmHuman) and then we hear that due to the crisis they cannot
continue with Twin Skies. But... they have a wonderful new game: Vikings
Pirates and Ninja's.
Well, I tried it and I played it till now, but it was rather monotonous. But
I was still hoping for more, I thought this was just the beginning, give
them a chance to develop it into something as successful as Neopets.

Then at the end of June again a long silence. Staff members disappear. This
time they let us know that Lucy and Leroy are leaving. And then we hear:
Sorry, VPN is not going to work, but we have a new game....

In fact I even tried the new game, opened a FaceBook account especially for
this. But it does not work here. Maybe only for Americans, or maybe
something else is wrong, but I cannot even play the game.

And then somebody starts a topic on the forums: Thank you Adam and Donna.
*shocked*

Post by http://soviet1918.webs.com
I would like to say im shocked but im not.
The people i feel sorry for are those that have purchased
add-ons for there character.

Post by Moondreams
For those who still have not given up... Did you read this on the forums?
http://www.meteorgames.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=32&t=7210
They start up a new game and leave this to die. Again! First Twin Skies
now VPN...

[Yellow]

Post by Moondreams
I think people should get their money back.

I agree, 100% percent.

Post by Moondreams
They said we can use the MC's we bought in one of their new future games.

No good to me as I will not be playing any more of their games as they
have wasted the most precious thing I have, my time.

Post by Moondreams
That is just when they would say to those people who bought a ticket for the
concert by Michael Jackson that they can now use it to go to a concert by
some unknown band.
This stinks.
First they sell Neopets, which was made a success by all the people playing
there. The new owner does not care about the game and the people at all, is
only trying to get as much money out of it as possible. Ok, I don't blame
Adam and Donna for that, I would have done the same. :)
But then they start with this promise of Twin Skies. Looking great. They go
to that PAX event, pretending they have something great, while in fact they
only have some vague plans and some sketches. All dressed up, giving away
plushies, etc. We see videos of people at the office, playing with beanbags,
playing office wars, having fun. I started to think: Do they ever make any
money that way? Shouldn't they work some time?

I work for a small business - 20 people tops when we are busy - and you
do not succeed by giving away free lunches and having inter-department
"wars". It's bloody hard work.

Post by Moondreams
Then there is a long silence, staff members disappear without notice (I
still miss RogAmHuman) and then we hear that due to the crisis they cannot
continue with Twin Skies. But... they have a wonderful new game: Vikings
Pirates and Ninja's.
Well, I tried it and I played it till now, but it was rather monotonous. But
I was still hoping for more, I thought this was just the beginning, give
them a chance to develop it into something as successful as Neopets.
Then at the end of June again a long silence. Staff members disappear. This
Sorry, VPN is not going to work, but we have a new game....
In fact I even tried the new game, opened a FaceBook account especially for
this. But it does not work here. Maybe only for Americans, or maybe
something else is wrong, but I cannot even play the game.

I'm not into facebook. I have an account so I can see family photos of
those who are keen, but it really isn't for me.

Post by Moondreams
And then somebody starts a topic on the forums: Thank you Adam and Donna.
*shocked*

I guess I am not their target audience any more despite having money to
spend that children could only dream of so, in my view, they are
certainly doing something wrong and I don't even feel gracious enough to
say "I wish them luck" because I am really really really pissed off.

[http://soviet1918.webs.com]

WoW calm down Yellow its not worth it :),

Im just wondering what A & D's little money making scheme
will be next week, S,L,W, Sheep,Lemmings & Wolfs.

I shudder when i think of all the time i spent on VPN & so on,
but not as much as some.

Post by Yellow

Post by Moondreams
I think people should get their money back.

I agree, 100% percent.

Post by Moondreams
They said we can use the MC's we bought in one of their new future games.

No good to me as I will not be playing any more of their games as they
have wasted the most precious thing I have, my time.

Post by Moondreams
That is just when they would say to those people who bought a ticket for the
concert by Michael Jackson that they can now use it to go to a concert by
some unknown band.
This stinks.
First they sell Neopets, which was made a success by all the people playing
there. The new owner does not care about the game and the people at all, is
only trying to get as much money out of it as possible. Ok, I don't blame
Adam and Donna for that, I would have done the same. :)
But then they start with this promise of Twin Skies. Looking great. They go
to that PAX event, pretending they have something great, while in fact they
only have some vague plans and some sketches. All dressed up, giving away
plushies, etc. We see videos of people at the office, playing with beanbags,
playing office wars, having fun. I started to think: Do they ever make any
money that way? Shouldn't they work some time?

I work for a small business - 20 people tops when we are busy - and you
do not succeed by giving away free lunches and having inter-department
"wars". It's bloody hard work.

Post by Moondreams
Then there is a long silence, staff members disappear without notice (I
still miss RogAmHuman) and then we hear that due to the crisis they cannot
continue with Twin Skies. But... they have a wonderful new game: Vikings
Pirates and Ninja's.
Well, I tried it and I played it till now, but it was rather monotonous. But
I was still hoping for more, I thought this was just the beginning, give
them a chance to develop it into something as successful as Neopets.
Then at the end of June again a long silence. Staff members disappear. This
Sorry, VPN is not going to work, but we have a new game....
In fact I even tried the new game, opened a FaceBook account especially for
this. But it does not work here. Maybe only for Americans, or maybe
something else is wrong, but I cannot even play the game.

I'm not into facebook. I have an account so I can see family photos of
those who are keen, but it really isn't for me.

Post by Moondreams
And then somebody starts a topic on the forums: Thank you Adam and Donna.
*shocked*

I guess I am not their target audience any more despite having money to
spend that children could only dream of so, in my view, they are
certainly doing something wrong and I don't even feel gracious enough to
say "I wish them luck" because I am really really really pissed off.

[Yellow]

Post by http://soviet1918.webs.com
WoW calm down Yellow its not worth it :),

I was annoyed, with good reason. I am now just a bit cross. :-)

Post by http://soviet1918.webs.com
Im just wondering what A & D's little money making scheme
will be next week, S,L,W, Sheep,Lemmings & Wolfs.
I shudder when i think of all the time i spent on VPN & so on,
but not as much as some.

I was thinking it over, and one of the reasons this has got to me is
some months back I decided I didn't have time for VPN and stopped
playing for a week or so. It was after one of the events and I actually
found myself setting a timer to come and take a turn so as to get the
achievement.

But I missed it, it is a good game and decided that it was worth the
time and that I would give something else up to make the time I needed
to play it, which I did.

I still had a lot to do but have been making lists of things I need to
collect - heck I even bought a small A4 size whiteboard :-) - and have
been working away, slowly progressing with the game.

I have spent hours!

But I appreciate none of *that* is really Meteor's problem.

Lack of customers they say, together with VPN not being on the path they
have now decided to travel.

Well, apart from getting people to introduce their friends (and hasn't
*that* worked well for everyone now they have dropped the game) has
anyone ever seen it advertised - Anywhere? Ever? They have been lazy,
cheap or both.

And while I respect that they have changed their minds about the sort of
games they want to produce I recent the fact they let us carry on
playing a now pointless game for weeks and weeks after a time when they
knew it was going to be stopping.

That, I do blame Meteor for.

But yes, that's life - onwards and upwards as they say and honestly, I
am not going to be losing any sleep. :-)

Oh, and the whiteboard is now being used for Food Club on Neopets - I'm
in profit! Yay. :-)

[http://soviet1918.webs.com]

I do get impression that A & D create these sites to get a fan base, then
sell them off quick,
and if know one takes an interest in buying they drop it.

Post by Yellow

Post by http://soviet1918.webs.com
WoW calm down Yellow its not worth it :),

I was annoyed, with good reason. I am now just a bit cross. :-)

Post by http://soviet1918.webs.com
Im just wondering what A & D's little money making scheme
will be next week, S,L,W, Sheep,Lemmings & Wolfs.
I shudder when i think of all the time i spent on VPN & so on,
but not as much as some.

I was thinking it over, and one of the reasons this has got to me is
some months back I decided I didn't have time for VPN and stopped
playing for a week or so. It was after one of the events and I actually
found myself setting a timer to come and take a turn so as to get the
achievement.
But I missed it, it is a good game and decided that it was worth the
time and that I would give something else up to make the time I needed
to play it, which I did.
I still had a lot to do but have been making lists of things I need to
collect - heck I even bought a small A4 size whiteboard :-) - and have
been working away, slowly progressing with the game.
I have spent hours!
But I appreciate none of *that* is really Meteor's problem.
Lack of customers they say, together with VPN not being on the path they
have now decided to travel.
Well, apart from getting people to introduce their friends (and hasn't
*that* worked well for everyone now they have dropped the game) has
anyone ever seen it advertised - Anywhere? Ever? They have been lazy,
cheap or both.
And while I respect that they have changed their minds about the sort of
games they want to produce I recent the fact they let us carry on
playing a now pointless game for weeks and weeks after a time when they
knew it was going to be stopping.
That, I do blame Meteor for.
But yes, that's life - onwards and upwards as they say and honestly, I
am not going to be losing any sleep. :-)
Oh, and the whiteboard is now being used for Food Club on Neopets - I'm
in profit! Yay. :-)

[Moondreams]

Post by http://soviet1918.webs.com
I do get impression that A & D create these sites to get a fan base, then
sell them off quick,
and if know one takes an interest in buying they drop it.

That's an interesting theory. It would explain the excellent support they
gave in the beginning.

But I still think it's just that they are like some spoiled kids, bored with
their toys and starting with something new.

Post by http://soviet1918.webs.com

Post by Yellow

Post by http://soviet1918.webs.com
WoW calm down Yellow its not worth it :),

I was annoyed, with good reason. I am now just a bit cross. :-)

Post by http://soviet1918.webs.com
Im just wondering what A & D's little money making scheme
will be next week, S,L,W, Sheep,Lemmings & Wolfs.
I shudder when i think of all the time i spent on VPN & so on,
but not as much as some.

I was thinking it over, and one of the reasons this has got to me is
some months back I decided I didn't have time for VPN and stopped
playing for a week or so. It was after one of the events and I actually
found myself setting a timer to come and take a turn so as to get the
achievement.
But I missed it, it is a good game and decided that it was worth the
time and that I would give something else up to make the time I needed
to play it, which I did.
I still had a lot to do but have been making lists of things I need to
collect - heck I even bought a small A4 size whiteboard :-) - and have
been working away, slowly progressing with the game.
I have spent hours!
But I appreciate none of *that* is really Meteor's problem.
Lack of customers they say, together with VPN not being on the path they
have now decided to travel.
Well, apart from getting people to introduce their friends (and hasn't
*that* worked well for everyone now they have dropped the game) has
anyone ever seen it advertised - Anywhere? Ever? They have been lazy,
cheap or both.
And while I respect that they have changed their minds about the sort of
games they want to produce I recent the fact they let us carry on
playing a now pointless game for weeks and weeks after a time when they
knew it was going to be stopping.
That, I do blame Meteor for.
But yes, that's life - onwards and upwards as they say and honestly, I
am not going to be losing any sleep. :-)
Oh, and the whiteboard is now being used for Food Club on Neopets - I'm
in profit! Yay. :-)

[Yellow]

Post by Moondreams

Post by http://soviet1918.webs.com
I do get impression that A & D create these sites to get a fan base, then
sell them off quick,
and if know one takes an interest in buying they drop it.

That's an interesting theory. It would explain the excellent support they
gave in the beginning.
But I still think it's just that they are like some spoiled kids, bored with
their toys and starting with something new.

Something is weird with what has happened, certainly.

The business I work for is just about to have its 10th birthday and I
have been their 4 years. It took the founders 2 years to start getting
enough profitable work to pay themselves a proper wage and they worked
out of a tiny little office backing onto a railway line with just a
couple of phones and a fax machine.

You look at Meteor games and it makes no sense. Fun, games, freebees,
big offices, money to burn and no real sense of hard work or a decent
plan.

They are playing at it, literally.

Or perhaps after their previous success, they really thought it would
all just be that easy. Bit of free lunch, a night out with the team
bowling, a quick go on the playstation and the rest would all just fall
into place.

Gosh, if we are "caught" talking for too long we get a "ahem" in a loud
voice and working evenings and weekends is just what you have to do
sometimes to meet a deadline and get paid.

I dunno. All a bit strange.

[Sandie .]

I went and did something I said I would never do ... I opened a Facebook
account so I could play the new game. I certainly hope they add a lot to
it very quickly.

I really liked VPN, and spent may a happy hour there. I'm extremely
disappointed that they are ending it. I really wish I could let Adam
know how much I want VPN back.

If any of you are playing on Facebook, please add me to your friendlist.

Sandie Ashley on FB

[Moondreams]

Post by Sandie .
I went and did something I said I would never do ... I opened a Facebook
account so I could play the new game. I certainly hope they add a lot to
it very quickly.
I really liked VPN, and spent may a happy hour there. I'm extremely
disappointed that they are ending it. I really wish I could let Adam
know how much I want VPN back.

I think many many people have already said that on the forums :). Do you
think they care? I don't get the impression they do...

Post by Sandie .
If any of you are playing on Facebook, please add me to your friendlist.
Sandie Ashley on FB

I also started a Facebook account. I was curious. The new game is a
shameless copy of Farmville, it seems they can't even think of anything
original.
So I tried both Farmville and Island Paradise, so far I like IP better. It's
more pretty. About the game it's too soon to judge that. And there is the
risk that after three months they will say: sorry folks, we blew it again,
but here is our new wonderful game: xxxxxxx. So I am not going to invest too
much time in till it's online for at least a year and out of beta.

And that Facebook is so annoying, really. This morning when I logged in I
spent an hour to handle all the friend requests, neighbor request, gifts
that were sent, etc. I quit Farmville again, because that was a bit too much
altogether. This is not fun, it's a job :(.

I don't know if I will continue with this, but I will add you as a friend,
Sandie, and everybody else here who wants that. I am Maan Droom there,
because the name Moondreams was not allowed, they expect you to use your
real name. Very funny, as if I will ever do that...

Also on the VPN forums somebody mentioned a new game, called Kingdom of
Loathing. I tried it and many people from the VPN forums have migrated there
now. We got a warm welcome and the game is really funny, though a bit absurd
kind of humor. The graphics seem very simple, with stickmen, but there is
more than it seems at first sight. The quests are good and there is a lot to
do there.

Here are some links for those who want to try:

The game: http://www.kingdomofloathing.com

The place in the forum where all VPN refugees came together:
http://forums.kingdomofloathing.com/vb/showthread.php?t=176154
You need to register there separately.

It's free, no advertisements, though you can donate if you like it, or buy
T-shirts or mugs with the stickpuppets. Which don't look bad at all.

The game is online since 2003 and new content is added on a regular base.
No flash games, no stunning graphics, but simple php with simple drawings.
An economy that seems to work well. Shops, clans (Erich started a clan for
the VPN refugees, it's called Farewell Transmission), and a lot to explore.
You can learn to cook ingredients, find new recipes, collect tattoos, there
is a lot of magic and most of all: it's fun. :)

And if you want to join the chat, you need to pass a language test, showing
you know the difference between there, their and they're. Hehe.

Well this will keep me busy for a while and I hope some of you here will
give it a try.

[Yellow]

Post by Moondreams
The game: http://www.kingdomofloathing.com
http://forums.kingdomofloathing.com/vb/showthread.php?t=176154
You need to register there separately.
It's free, no advertisements, though you can donate if you like it, or buy
T-shirts or mugs with the stickpuppets. Which don't look bad at all.
The game is online since 2003 and new content is added on a regular base.
No flash games, no stunning graphics, but simple php with simple drawings.
An economy that seems to work well. Shops, clans (Erich started a clan for
the VPN refugees, it's called Farewell Transmission), and a lot to explore.
You can learn to cook ingredients, find new recipes, collect tattoos, there
is a lot of magic and most of all: it's fun. :)
And if you want to join the chat, you need to pass a language test, showing
you know the difference between there, their and they're. Hehe.
Well this will keep me busy for a while and I hope some of you here will
give it a try.

Won't be tonight now, but I will be taking a look. :-)