Premature reinstatement of auto demolition

[Vahlnir]

And what about if they come back to the game AFTER said hardships have been dealt with? Are they worthy of your pity then?

I strongly disagree with any sort of rollback, but I really dislike this stance of "they got better stuff to do" to just shrug off people losing in-game assets through no fault of their own. Going through hardship doesn't automatically make someone not think about or not want to play a game. A lot of people experiencing hardship right now are dreaming of when things can go back to a normal boring life to do things like play a game. I know someone who was hospitalised for over two months due to covid and they were only able to keep their house because someone else logged in on their behalf. Even when they were suffering in bed they were thinking about when they could go back to the game and finish decorating. They had the awful luck of falling ill very shortly before demolition came back.

I am glad you got your house, congrats. I know how frustrating the housing system is. It sucks. I'm glad that chapter is finally over for you. I just want people to have a bit more compassion for those who lost theirs because of a crazy situation entirely out of their control.

All this just shows how intensely broken the housing system is. So many times demolition has been paused because of large scale disasters. If we had a proper instanced housing system this entire sort of conversation wouldn't even vaguely exist. Some people who lost their house due to covid spent years trying to get it. There is something wrong with an in-game asset if you can spend years trying to get it, and then lose it so quickly purely because of bad luck that didn't even take place in the game. I'm so tired of this song and dance. I wish we had a proper housing system so we could all enjoy it without any worry.

They aren't wrong though when they say "they've got other things to worry about", because it's true. However, I agree that coming back to the game and losing their house (after losing enough time due to unforeseen financial hardship or illness, or in the worst case suffering a loss of someone close to them) is salt in an open wound. If the system were better, no one would have to worry about losing their house. In my opinion, having a sense of normalcy after so much has hypothetically changed is just as important in the process of moving past a horrible event. The little things matter. I'm speaking from experience, though not exactly related to housing in a video game. But the same logic applies.

[Jojoya]

If they have returned to the game and discovered they have lost their house, it would be better for them to come individually to the forums to express their thoughts and feelings rather than for you to claim you speak for them.

[Penthea]

They aren't wrong though when they say "they've got other things to worry about", because it's true.

I agree, it just appeared that the person I was responding to didn't seem to think about -after- these people's lives became normal enough again to log in to the game. And it irritated me.

However, I agree that coming back to the game and losing their house (after losing enough time, or in the worst case someone close to them) is salt in an open wound. If the system were better, no one would have to worry about losing their house. In my opinion, having a sense of normalcy after so much has hypothetically changed is just as important in the process of moving past a horrible event.

Exactly this. The person I know who nearly lost their house due to being hospitalised was so thankful that someone else helped them keep their house. Their health is still not good but they were very happy to go back to the game and continue like they never left. Their world was turned upside down but at least their game remained the same. Which is how it should be for everyone. It's so sad that it isn't.

[Jojoya]

I agree, it just appeared that the person I was responding to didn't seem to think about -after- these people's lives became normal enough again to log in to the game. And it irritated me.



Exactly this. The person I know who nearly lost their house due to being hospitalised was so thankful that someone else helped them keep their house. Their health is still not good but they were very happy to go back to the game and continue like they never left. Their world was turned upside down but at least their game remained the same. Which is how it should be for everyone. It's so sad that it isn't.

The problem is where do you draw the line? How do you determine someone is not playing because of serious real life situations as opposed to they just didn't feel like playing for 6-12 months?
How do you justify denying content to active paying customers (the ones who are paying to keep the game operating) for the benefit of those who aren't and who may never return?

Yes, it's a situation of SE's making because they refuse to do the smart thing and move to a comprehensive instanced house system as other MMOs have. But it exists and that means hard decisions have to be made.

[Iscah]

You can even prorate your subscription by logging for one day and then cancelling.

You can't do that. Cancelling a sub only takes effect the next time you are due to pay for it.

Only retainers are charged pro-rata according to your subscription length, because they're tied to your main subscription instead of having a separate renewal cycle.

[Themarvin]

The Auto Demolition works as intended, there was given warning as assuming that people who is interested in playing this game, also would keep on the the news and such.. it was a fair warning... with X patch... and then the run of 45 days to go back and claim your house.. or it being lost.

[Penthea]

The problem is where do you draw the line? How do you determine someone is not playing because of serious real life situations as opposed to they just didn't feel like playing for 6-12 months?
How do you justify denying content to active paying customers (the ones who are paying to keep the game operating) for the benefit of those who aren't and who may never return?

I'm not talking about any lines, I'm just wishing people would have more compassion for those whose lives have been ruined because of the pandemic. I wish there wouldn't need to be any line drawn so no one would have to lose anything unless they choose to, which would mean a proper housing system.

Yes, it's a situation of SE's making because they refuse to do the smart thing and move to a comprehensive instanced house system as other MMOs have. But it exists and that means hard decisions have to be made.

It's very frustrating that this entire situation is avoidable. Had they updated the system considerably...well the housing forums would look very different : /

Sigh.

[Caitsithhh]

People that can actually play get to enjoy housing once they get one? That’s bad???

Let the people that have been trying for ages and got one enjoy it. The people that lost have much bigger issues than a teleport spot with custom pixels

[Jojoya]

I'm not talking about any lines, I'm just wishing people would have more compassion for those whose lives have been ruined because of the pandemic.

The compassion is there. But It needs to be applied in a place where it makes a difference - real life. If you want to help a first responder who's struggling, do it in meaningful ways like doing their household chores and running errands like grocery shopping for them so when they do get those few stray hours away from work that aren't given over to exhausted sleep, they can do relaxing things with that time instead.

An online game is a frivolous and temporary luxury item subject to change without notice. It should never be given such importance that what you do or don't have within the game can ruin your life. If you ever get to that point, seek help for your addiction because that what the game has become for you.

[Penthea]

An online game is a frivolous and temporary luxury item subject to change without notice. It should never be given such importance that what you do or don't have within the game can ruin your life. If you ever get to that point, seek help for your addiction because that what the game has become for you.

I personally don't think stuff being from "just a game" is any excuse to be very flippant when someone loses something that could be incredibly difficult to get again, especially if they lost it due to a horrible situation. I think it's very disrespectful to diminish how someone feels about losing something that isn't easy to replace regardless of whether it's physical or digital.

For me this game is not frivolous. I met my boyfriend in this game and we have been together for over four years. I have met some of my closest friends in this game. This game changed my life. Yes one day the game will be gone, but isn't that the case with everything? Nothing lasts forever.

The compassion is there. But It needs to be applied in a place where it makes a difference - real life.

I don't think it is when some people appear to be very happy that they can benefit from someone's unfortunate circumstances due to the pandemic. Not saying anyone here in this thread is like this but it is an attitude I have seen over the past year. Some have been clearly very content that the pandemic essentially gave them a house.

I don't disagree that helping irl is a great thing and can easily be more impactful, but this doesn't mean that having the things you enjoy in a game being there for you to interact with them cannot improve your happiness.