Thu Oct 14, 2004 1:23 pm
Just while I think of it, some people might find this helpful:
Channel 7 reads all the mail sent to them. I know this because a friend had a friend who used to sit there all day reading every bit of mail that came into them. ^.^
Unlike another popular yet at the moment controversial site, which seems to be pointedly ignoring my email about what it's planning to do about the gambling issue. -.-;
And not letting us know what's happening.
EDIT:
Snicker...just drifting off to sleep, when an idea came to me...
Protest Rally outside of Channel 7! Get Neopets supporters together at a common time, and get them to at least listen to us.
...yeah, strange things happen when it gets past midnight. But hey, I'm willing. Any other Adelaideans?
:p :p
Channel 7 reads all the mail sent to them. I know this because a friend had a friend who used to sit there all day reading every bit of mail that came into them. ^.^
Unlike another popular yet at the moment controversial site, which seems to be pointedly ignoring my email about what it's planning to do about the gambling issue. -.-;
And not letting us know what's happening.
EDIT:
Snicker...just drifting off to sleep, when an idea came to me...
Protest Rally outside of Channel 7! Get Neopets supporters together at a common time, and get them to at least listen to us.
...yeah, strange things happen when it gets past midnight. But hey, I'm willing. Any other Adelaideans?
:p :p
Last edited by Ledi on Thu Oct 14, 2004 2:29 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Thu Oct 14, 2004 2:11 pm
Has this been pointed out yet? I haven't read through the thread in detail...
GIVE. ME. A. BREAK.
I am right now about to step over the cliff of quitting.
McDonalds has responded to the concerns of parents by blocking Australian users from Neopets' gambling games, but players are not McHappy.
McDonalds' latest Happy Meal promotion is based on a collection of cute fluffy toys called Neopets and their make-believe world on the Internet.
Last night, we revealed how - on the Neopets website - kids of all ages are being given a step-by-step guide to games like poker, roulette and blackjack. Michelle Stiebel was shocked when she found her nine-year-old son Harley gambling his heart out in a bid to keep his virtual pet alive.
The idea is that you play punting games to keep your Neopet fed and healthy. If you don't gamble, or worse, lose on the punt, your Neopet starves or is sent off to an orphanage.
McDonalds saw the light and yesterday blocked users from the gambling parts of the game. But that move has now created a storm among Neopet users, including thousands of Australian adults very, very angry that they'd had the pin pulled on their games.
Jacqui Adams, 22, and Anita Esposito, 19, are just two of the thousands of adults hooked on the Neopet games. They're now fearful the site could be shut down altogether and even argue it's not for kids.
"There are many different species, like a Loop is a dog, a Scorchio is a dragon," Anita said. "A lot of my friends are playing it, are 26-year-olds and a lot of them are married and have kids of their own."
Jacqui explains her concerns.
"Because of this controversy I'm worried McDonalds is going to stop sponsoring Neopets," Jacqui said. "That's what every one is worried about, because it's a free site."
Lisa Lee, 23, spends hours feeding her cyber pet.
"Kids shouldn't be exposed to gambling, but rather than banning the gambling they should put closer restrictions to keep kids out," Lisa said.
Louise Crooks of Perth says while Neopets are obviously aimed at kids, it's a great way for adults to escape.
"It's stress relief," Louise said. "I'm going through year 12 and sometimes you want a break."
For some players, the gambling games are too hard. They prefer non-gambling games to earn 'Neo-points'.
"Like if you win a poetry contest you can win a 1000 points," Lisa said.
GIVE. ME. A. BREAK.
I am right now about to step over the cliff of quitting.
Thu Oct 14, 2004 2:24 pm
Obviously, their research is only on the surface basis. I would have thought they have more depth than that.
Thu Oct 14, 2004 2:41 pm
McDonalds has responded to the concerns of parents by blocking Australian users from Neopets' gambling games, but players are not McHappy.
McDonalds' latest Happy Meal promotion is based on a collection of cute fluffy toys called Neopets and their make-believe world on the Internet.
Last night, we revealed how - on the Neopets website - kids of all ages are being given a step-by-step guide to games like poker, roulette and blackjack. Michelle Stiebel was shocked when she found her nine-year-old son Harley gambling his heart out in a bid to keep his virtual pet alive.
The idea is that you play punting games to keep your Neopet fed and healthy. If you don't gamble, or worse, lose on the punt, your Neopet starves or is sent off to an orphanage.
McDonalds saw the light and yesterday blocked users from the gambling parts of the game. But that move has now created a storm among Neopet users, including thousands of Australian adults very, very angry that they'd had the pin pulled on their games.
Jacqui Adams, 22, and Anita Esposito, 19, are just two of the thousands of adults hooked on the Neopet games. They're now fearful the site could be shut down altogether and even argue it's not for kids.
"There are many different species, like a Loop is a dog, a Scorchio is a dragon," Anita said. "A lot of my friends are playing it, are 26-year-olds and a lot of them are married and have kids of their own."
Jacqui explains her concerns.
"Because of this controversy I'm worried McDonalds is going to stop sponsoring Neopets," Jacqui said. "That's what every one is worried about, because it's a free site."
Lisa Lee, 23, spends hours feeding her cyber pet.
"Kids shouldn't be exposed to gambling, but rather than banning the gambling they should put closer restrictions to keep kids out," Lisa said.
Louise Crooks of Perth says while Neopets are obviously aimed at kids, it's a great way for adults to escape.
"It's stress relief," Louise said. "I'm going through year 12 and sometimes you want a break."
For some players, the gambling games are too hard. They prefer non-gambling games to earn 'Neo-points'.
"Like if you win a poetry contest you can win a 1000 points," Lisa said.
Lol, "Loop" is a dog...
And Lisa? Playing turdle racing can win you an average of 4.5k per day, Tombola can win you a codestone worth 5k, etc, etc... and they are much easier to play than composing a poem, IMO (which you still have to wait for TNT to judge).
Thu Oct 14, 2004 2:54 pm
My Response To An Australian Article About Neopets
Submitted via email oct. 13, 2004 by dogfriend2
First, I have to wonder if journalism classes are taught in middle school in your country. My guess is no due to this "story" you have published. It might behoove you to make sure that all of your writers have graduated middle school before hiring them. Most tabloid writers do not let the facts get in the way of a good story. This article is certainly no exception. Taking quotes out of context does not make them true or lend much to your paper’s credibility. My daughters will be happy to write a couple of articles for your “paper” should you wish to bring up the quality of the articles you publish.
The thrust of your article appears to be aimed at children gambling on Neopets. Neopets is a game and to take it as any more than that defies logic. One has to wonder why you are not trying to get the hundreds or thousands of “gambling” games off the shelves of stores that are marketed to children, which include stand alone electronic games, other electronic games, and computer games. Neither of my daughters “gambles” on Neopets because they do not like to take a chance on losing neopoints. Heaven forbid they actually learned something like risk versus reward on Neopets. I am sure you have people at your paper that understand risk versus reward. Such as publishing an article, weighing the possibility of a libel lawsuit versus the amount of direct and indirect revenue you will receive from publishing a specific article.
My daughters read your “article” and my oldest daughter told me it would get a "F" in her journalism class for trying to imply a lie by using a few select, out of context quotes. My youngest daughter said you should be doing UFO articles. The intelligence of children is sometimes amazing. One can only assume this “article” is aimed at uninformed adults, as it would appear they are the only ones who might believe any part of it.
My entire family plays Neopets and it is a tremendous site. It is a very fun and educational site with extremely rich content and offers a wide variety of things to do. For many older people who play, Neopets is a great stress reliever as well. I am a management consultant with an engineering degree and a MBA, my wife is a homemaker and my children are ages 13 and 17. We have all been playing Neopets for well over 2 years.
Neopets players have the opportunity to learn how to prioritize things, how to plan and manage a budget, how to analyze and predict an economy, how to manage time, analyze risk versus reward, and how to develop strategies. It also can teach and sharpen written communication skills, html skills, show people the importance of having character and integrity, the importance of independent thinking, what can happen if you join the crowd and blindly follow someone, teach people to follow rules and what to do if you do not understand something.
You might consider requiring some of your "writers" to play Neopets to fill any gaps in their education and raise their core values a bit. No doubt they would get their Neopet's accounts frozen a few times for making slanderous remarks about someone, but they too can learn.
I am not affiliated with Neopets or any Neopets related site.
Submitted via email oct. 13, 2004 by dogfriend2
First, I have to wonder if journalism classes are taught in middle school in your country. My guess is no due to this "story" you have published. It might behoove you to make sure that all of your writers have graduated middle school before hiring them. Most tabloid writers do not let the facts get in the way of a good story. This article is certainly no exception. Taking quotes out of context does not make them true or lend much to your paper’s credibility. My daughters will be happy to write a couple of articles for your “paper” should you wish to bring up the quality of the articles you publish.
The thrust of your article appears to be aimed at children gambling on Neopets. Neopets is a game and to take it as any more than that defies logic. One has to wonder why you are not trying to get the hundreds or thousands of “gambling” games off the shelves of stores that are marketed to children, which include stand alone electronic games, other electronic games, and computer games. Neither of my daughters “gambles” on Neopets because they do not like to take a chance on losing neopoints. Heaven forbid they actually learned something like risk versus reward on Neopets. I am sure you have people at your paper that understand risk versus reward. Such as publishing an article, weighing the possibility of a libel lawsuit versus the amount of direct and indirect revenue you will receive from publishing a specific article.
My daughters read your “article” and my oldest daughter told me it would get a "F" in her journalism class for trying to imply a lie by using a few select, out of context quotes. My youngest daughter said you should be doing UFO articles. The intelligence of children is sometimes amazing. One can only assume this “article” is aimed at uninformed adults, as it would appear they are the only ones who might believe any part of it.
My entire family plays Neopets and it is a tremendous site. It is a very fun and educational site with extremely rich content and offers a wide variety of things to do. For many older people who play, Neopets is a great stress reliever as well. I am a management consultant with an engineering degree and a MBA, my wife is a homemaker and my children are ages 13 and 17. We have all been playing Neopets for well over 2 years.
Neopets players have the opportunity to learn how to prioritize things, how to plan and manage a budget, how to analyze and predict an economy, how to manage time, analyze risk versus reward, and how to develop strategies. It also can teach and sharpen written communication skills, html skills, show people the importance of having character and integrity, the importance of independent thinking, what can happen if you join the crowd and blindly follow someone, teach people to follow rules and what to do if you do not understand something.
You might consider requiring some of your "writers" to play Neopets to fill any gaps in their education and raise their core values a bit. No doubt they would get their Neopet's accounts frozen a few times for making slanderous remarks about someone, but they too can learn.
I am not affiliated with Neopets or any Neopets related site.
Thu Oct 14, 2004 3:42 pm
So out of curiosity, do we have the names of the authors of these articles... 
I mean, can't we try to dig up a little dirt on them? Please!?!
I mean, can't we try to dig up a little dirt on them? Please!?!
Thu Oct 14, 2004 4:02 pm
After spending a day reading the articles, I sure think the "Today Tonight" people must be the bottom of the barrel when it comes to journalism.
Like this picture they have with their story:
LOL, they try to make it look like a picture off the website...look at it, dice, cards, happy "gambling crazed" pets. That's just awful...
Gee, maybe they'll give me a job....I can make dumb sensationalist poop for them if they want....
My excuses to all at PPT for the above ad, I couldn't help but mock these guys.
Like this picture they have with their story:
LOL, they try to make it look like a picture off the website...look at it, dice, cards, happy "gambling crazed" pets. That's just awful...
Gee, maybe they'll give me a job....I can make dumb sensationalist poop for them if they want....
My excuses to all at PPT for the above ad, I couldn't help but mock these guys.
Thu Oct 14, 2004 4:05 pm
valerielundberg wrote:
My excuses to all at PPT for the above ad, I couldn't help but mock these guys.
Haha, I love it, nice one, its pretty much what the shows are saying anyways!
Thu Oct 14, 2004 4:57 pm
Haha, Val that ad is absolutely classic, it really made me laugh
Thu Oct 14, 2004 5:16 pm
:snort: I take it there's nothing interesting going on in Austraila at the moment, if this sort of thing is making the news.
I remember at my high schools' after-prom party we had a little casino, complete with blackjack tables, roulette wheels, and parents dressed up as casino workers running th games. We all got a certain amount of play money to start and we could trade the play money back for prizes. It was a lot of fun but I even remember thinking at the time that it was intended to be a learning experience for us -- to teach us exactly how unlikely it is you'll make a profit be gambling. :-)
Frankly, I think it's better for children to learn this with fake money now than with real money later.
I remember at my high schools' after-prom party we had a little casino, complete with blackjack tables, roulette wheels, and parents dressed up as casino workers running th games. We all got a certain amount of play money to start and we could trade the play money back for prizes. It was a lot of fun but I even remember thinking at the time that it was intended to be a learning experience for us -- to teach us exactly how unlikely it is you'll make a profit be gambling. :-)
Frankly, I think it's better for children to learn this with fake money now than with real money later.
Thu Oct 14, 2004 5:52 pm
Why are they all excited over this? If they're so afraid of what their kids are doing on the internet, why not pre-view the site they go to? Or get a site-blocker. (don't get NetNanny if you ever get one... it won't let ya go anywhere - I know from experience) Ok, I'll stop ranting now. It's just that 'worry about it later and then we'll make a big noise' kind of attitude really bugs me.
Yes! I couldn't agree more. ...But, I do see, if not know, where the distraught parents are coming from.
bgryph wrote:Frankly, I think it's better for children to learn this with fake money now than with real money later.
Yes! I couldn't agree more. ...But, I do see, if not know, where the distraught parents are coming from.
Thu Oct 14, 2004 5:58 pm
valerielundberg wrote:
[Ten Minutes Later]
Good God my ribs hurt.
I doubt this will do any good, but:
http://home.neopets.com/templates/homep ... =TTiswrong
Thu Oct 14, 2004 6:20 pm
Chris wrote:valerielundberg wrote:
[Ten Minutes Later]
Good God my ribs hurt.
I agree. My roommate is looking at me like I'm insane while I'm laughing so hard I have tears streaming down my face.
Thu Oct 14, 2004 6:22 pm
first of all...Loop?! *facepalms* Can't they even do their own research?
And Val, I have to admit, that ad woke me up real nice after laughing so hard at it.
And Val, I have to admit, that ad woke me up real nice after laughing so hard at it.
Thu Oct 14, 2004 6:52 pm
Oh, Val, that is priceless!!!!!!
You are too, too clever.
So, I have a question. If Australian parents are so concerned about their kids playing the site, why can't Neo just block the "gambling" aspect of it for all under 13-players? They already block the chats and neomails for those users. Then those players who are more mature can gamble their virtual money away to their hearts' content.
And, if the kid is under 13 and signs up as over 13, then that should be the parent's fault--because someone should be around when a young kid is doing anything on the internet these days!
And, I don't know if anyone has suggested this yet (forgive me if you have), but the easy solution for those Aussies who want to "gamble" is to change the country in your user preferences to anything other than Australia. All limitations are then lifted.
You are too, too clever.
So, I have a question. If Australian parents are so concerned about their kids playing the site, why can't Neo just block the "gambling" aspect of it for all under 13-players? They already block the chats and neomails for those users. Then those players who are more mature can gamble their virtual money away to their hearts' content.
And, if the kid is under 13 and signs up as over 13, then that should be the parent's fault--because someone should be around when a young kid is doing anything on the internet these days!
And, I don't know if anyone has suggested this yet (forgive me if you have), but the easy solution for those Aussies who want to "gamble" is to change the country in your user preferences to anything other than Australia. All limitations are then lifted.