Why is autodemo suspended? This is why...

[KayRadley]

The auto-demolition timer was introduced as a means of preventing unscrupulous players from hoarding housing plots and not actually using them, which was a big problem when housing plots were opened for individual players in addition to FCs. But what happens when a lot of players with housing plots that they regularly use become unable to log in due to circumstances outside of their control? What if a disaster struck the playerbase that prevents them from logging in, or from keeping their subscription, because they literally cannot play the game?

The world, as a whole, is dealing with a disease that is highly contagious and deadly. Even if you survive and are cured of the coronavirus, there is a chance the disease can cause lasting damage that will take a long time still to recover from, if you can recover from it at all. The United States, in particular, is being struck hard by the disease (the reasons for this is something to debate somewhere and sometime else). Those who fall sick to the disease, obviously, will not be able to log in while they're in the hospital being treated.

If you're fortunate enough not to be infected, there is still the economic hardship that the disease has wrought on the country: in an effort to slow COVID's spread, many businesses have had to work at reduced capacity (including, but not limited to, Square, hence the delay of patch 5.3). Other businesses have suspended operations entirely, and others still will never reopen as a result of this disease. That's a lot of people who have had their income reduced, if not outright obliterated. Even with the economic relief checks everyone in the US received, many may not be able to resub as they have to use what little money that have to afford housing, food, utilities, and other necessities to live.

That's a lot of players unable to play the game through no fault of their own. Square didn't have to suspend autodemo for them, but they did so anyway in consideration of those who, and this cannot be overstated, CANNOT PLAY THE GAME THROUGH NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN.

I understand that getting a house in this game, especially on NA data centers, is an exercise in frustration and virtual futility, but being selfish and wishing to punish players whose circumstances have gotten out of their control is not going to help you get a house. The other myriad problems with the housing system will still persist, and it's not going to be any easier getting a house than it is now. If you want housing that badly, there are still several dozens of apartments available. If that's not good enough, and this is a big enough issue for you, you can feel free to discontinue your subscription and play another game that gives you better housing. Acting like a Karen will get you the same thing now that it has before autodemo's suspension: absolute jack-all nothing.

tldr;

[Canadane]

Why did you make this topic instead of just replying to others that complain about it?
You aren't going to garner attention by your target audience this way.

[KayRadley]

Why did you make this topic instead of just replying to others that complain about it?
You aren't going to garner attention by your target audience this way.

Mostly to vent.