Ad for Lutari Island!

[IcyBlue]

i really think it's not fair, because i waited alot a time for the lutari island to be released, and now you have to be a *special* player to have it?

If you paid attention to all of the discussion about Lutari Island awhile back, then you'd have known that most people thought and agreed that the world would be cell-phone accessible only. So really, that knowledge has been out there for some time.

[stampsyne]

It seems that most of the people complaining do not remember Totems.


Like these:


That were needed to visit Mystery Island and the Ice Caves when they first came out.

[Historyteller]

With Premium you don't have to look at ads (since you're supporting the site directly), you get an email account, and you have access to the SSW .... which boots me more often than the regular Wiz does.

Lutari Beads will be available to everyone (if I read that part correctly).

The site is still free, just because you don't have access to EVERYTHING doesn't mean you're being discriminated against.

Personally, if you spend anytime on NeoPets and use an ad blocker, I think you're stealing .... how are they supposed to pay for all of the servers and stuff as well as people's salaries if the users don't contribute somehow?

[everconfused]

OK, I read the news, I went to the cingular site, saw $2.99 a month (no mention of how much the internet fees are for the phones, but I can just imagine), started reading some of the boards that were inevitable and started giggling. Don't ask me why. I just think the whole LI thing is incredibly silly.

A few people who have signed up have posted on various boards. There are apparently 2 games - neither of which are any good, but what can you expect for a cell phone game? There's a wheel, a place to train if you can get certain feathers and the only thing that I see as an advantage atm is that there's a special shop. So the people who can get there and rs are making np before there's a glut of the items on the site. The training I haven't seen anyone post that they've been able to, if there's a level cut-off or anything else. The feathers sound like a variation of codestones, so is that really an advantage?

You can't be on the site on the same account you've synched your phone with while you're on the phone. A few people have found that annoying.

Mostly, unless something's added that's really big, the verdict seems to be don't bother, that it's not really worth it.

They do say on the mobile page that other carriers will be added. Don't know who, don't know when. Don't know if the rest of us "mere mortals" will be able to get to the island without having the cell phone access. Guess what - I don't even have a cell phone and if I did, I highly doubt I'd spend the $$$ on extra fees. And the referrals? Just thinking about referring other people who already look at me like I'm nuts when I say Neopets is like, yeah riiiight.

I'm not in the least upset, I don't feel slighted, I also don't think the "best of all it's free" has really been compromised. You don't HAVE to have premium. You don't HAVE to have the cell phone deal. The site, technically, IS free. No, the rest of us can't get to LI - yet. Who knows what will happen though?

[chi_chi1548286]

OK, I read the news, I went to the cingular site, saw $2.99 a month (no mention of how much the internet fees are for the phones, but I can just imagine), started reading some of the boards that were inevitable and started giggling. Don't ask me why. I just think the whole LI thing is incredibly silly.

A few people who have signed up have posted on various boards. There are apparently 2 games - neither of which are any good, but what can you expect for a cell phone game? There's a wheel, a place to train if you can get certain feathers and the only thing that I see as an advantage atm is that there's a special shop. So the people who can get there and rs are making np before there's a glut of the items on the site. The training I haven't seen anyone post that they've been able to, if there's a level cut-off or anything else. The feathers sound like a variation of codestones, so is that really an advantage?

You can't be on the site on the same account you've synched your phone with while you're on the phone. A few people have found that annoying.

Mostly, unless something's added that's really big, the verdict seems to be don't bother, that it's not really worth it.

They do say on the mobile page that other carriers will be added. Don't know who, don't know when. Don't know if the rest of us "mere mortals" will be able to get to the island without having the cell phone access. Guess what - I don't even have a cell phone and if I did, I highly doubt I'd spend the $$$ on extra fees. And the referrals? Just thinking about referring other people who already look at me like I'm nuts when I say Neopets is like, yeah riiiight.

I'm not in the least upset, I don't feel slighted, I also don't think the "best of all it's free" has really been compromised. You don't HAVE to have premium. You don't HAVE to have the cell phone deal. The site, technically, IS free. No, the rest of us can't get to LI - yet. Who knows what will happen though?

Wow, you took the words right out of my mouth. Looks like I was a few hours to late to post it, lol.

But like Everconfused said, if ANYONE read the small print (which most don't), more phones and carriers will be added to the list.

*Only available on select Cingular phones. Other phones and carriers coming soon.

Also, if I had a cell phone, I could access it, because my boyfriend accessed it the other night, and he uses Bell (Audioaux or something like that), AND we live in Canada. But the funny thing is, with cell phones, the carriers change when you travel from the states to Canada. Like, his Bell phone, would become a Cingular phone in the states, don't ask me how, it had something to do with the towers!

Just like I work for Rogers. I don't know what Rogers would turn into in the States, but I know every phone that was on that Cingular Wireless list, I can get at my work.

Like the Sony Ericson W600i, or the MRO L7, or the MRO RAZR. I think people should stop complaining about this.

I know it's not fair, but, TNT are NOT forcing you to go out and buy a cell phone, just to access Lutari Island. They are NOT forcing you to go out and pay for Neopets Premium. They are not even forcing you to play on their site, which IS free.

I think we SHOULDN'T send TNT letters about this. But, that's only my two cents.

[Cerise]

My only petty complaint is that talisman on my lookup! They put it in the same row as my DoN and Kad trophies, and it looks really weird and out of place. The other three trophies in that row are gold and silver, and then pops up the talisman in its crazy rainbow. Plus, it only has one line of text under it, which gives the illusion that its sitting higher than the others. I really wish I could move it into its own line, or put it up with the war trophies, since they're various colors too. It would look nice and symmetrical between my two Meridell war shields. Im very picky about these sorts of things

The cell phone stuff doesnt bother me. I didnt even have a regular telephone until 1994, and my parents have never believed in credit cards, so Im used to being left out on that kind of stuff. I only have premium as a birthday gift from my aunt. I dont know what Im missing, so I dont miss it. And after what everconfused said, I miss it even less.

[Rayen]

I'm in the UK so the chances are I won't get LI for a while, if at all (look how hard it is to get/cancel premium if you're in the UK!)

I'm not that bothered. I think the only thing that really bothers me is that the talisman's in my lookup! If I can't get to the island and use it, I don't want it there.

[Winchycott]

With Premium you don't have to look at ads (since you're supporting the site directly), you get an email account, and you have access to the SSW .... which boots me more often than the regular Wiz does.

Lutari Beads will be available to everyone (if I read that part correctly).

The site is still free, just because you don't have access to EVERYTHING doesn't mean you're being discriminated against.

Personally, if you spend anytime on NeoPets and use an ad blocker, I think you're stealing .... how are they supposed to pay for all of the servers and stuff as well as people's salaries if the users don't contribute somehow?

A lot of people buy their merchandise , thats one way of contributing

[Azzie]

I'd be upset if they had made the faerie pteri for subscribers only. Lutari island doesn't really hold my interest.

[Raza]

Let me clear something before I post.

I do have a cellphone. But it's too old to work with cocoroller or Lutari Island.
I have the money for premium but don't own it.

Lutari Island is just a perk. Whether it influences training or not, it's not going to be the end of the world for people who don't have it. I live fine without all the little pay-to-play add ons Neopets has to keep running.

Just because you don't have access to a colourful little island where you can adopt an otter that TNT said will release 10,000 over today doesn't mean your Neopets experience is ruined. You can still do everything to the extent others can or better. If that friends pet of yours is gaining an extra level a day over your Scorchio, it isn't going to matter.

Sending letters and raving about it along with all those petitions aren't going to change the minds of multi-millionare marketers and business men that have already signed who knows how many years worth of contracts with popular companies and Cingular.

Personally I think instead of complaining, this should just encourage you more to show that no matter what marketing schemes Neopets has, you'll still be the best you can in functionality.


And if all else fails.. just listen to some Miyavi. He'll cheer you up.

Disagreed. You don't know how things like that training school will work. The battledome, especially at high levels is rather competitive and expensive, and the ability to train quicker or cheaper than anyone else might make a pretty large difference. Same goes for other features.

It doesn't mean your experience is ruined, no one said that. But it does mean it's very possible that paying users will be achieving things significantly easier, and it does mean that they're betraying their 'Neopets is entirely FREE' policy.


As for protest being ineffectual, only on the short term. Maybe they can't come back on these contracts, but they'll at least know people don't like it and might rethink doing it again. Maybe they won't renew them. Maybe they'll do their best to make sure the offered features aren't too unique or irreplacable. There's still many things they might do if they care what we think.

And not speaking your mind certainly isn't going to get you listened to, better to say what you have to say and risk achieving nothing than to do nothing and know you'll achieve nothing.

Lutari Beads will be available to everyone (if I read that part correctly).

The Bead items will be available to everyone, probably, but they're useless without the talisman. That's like saying weapons are still available to a group that can't use the battledome.

The site is still free, just because you don't have access to EVERYTHING doesn't mean you're being discriminated against.

Uhm. Yes it does. That's exactly what discrimination is. I'd dig you up a load of historical examples, but I think this forum frowns on politically sensitive stuff?

Personally, if you spend anytime on NeoPets and use an ad blocker, I think you're stealing .... how are they supposed to pay for all of the servers and stuff as well as people's salaries if the users don't contribute somehow?

Even someone with an ad blocker will see integrated on-site promotions and comercials they run, and they'll be adding to the site's impressive popularity statistics which makes it more appealing to advertisers even if they don't personally view them. And you don't have any more access to their financial records than I do, there's no telling how much more they're making than they need to be self sustaining.

[burntouttrash]

The Bead items will be available to everyone, probably, but they're useless without the talisman. That's like saying weapons are still available to a group that can't use the battledome.

But everyone has the talisman, it's on your userlookup.

[in_fatuated]

I agree with the lookup and the talisman. I wish they'd create another row for it!

And if TNT are not releasing lutari morphs/trans/magical toys, plus we can't even pound/adopt...then I guess more people will sign up. Good thing I'm not crazy over those pets like I was with the poogles. Sigh.

[bgryph]

I agree with Raza. It's not yet clear how the training school there will work, but if it turns out to be significantly cheaper than the main site training schools, then the advantage to having the cell phone game could be substantial. Likewise if the faerie quests turn out to be very good or the items in the shops profitable.

As far as blocking the ads being "stealing" -- do you also consider going to the bathroom during the commertial breaks on TV stealing? Users contribute to Neopets the same way TV viewers contribute to the TV program -- by playing/watching so that the company can sell ad space. Neopets doesn't exist as a favor to us: it exists to make money. The fact that we the users play the site is what allows them to make money. We don't owe them anything. If anyone's doing anyone a favor, it's us, by giving up our time to play on their site.

[Rakumel]

Err...maybe it's because I haven't done anything much with my userlookup, but...I actually don't mind where the talisman is now. It looks fine to me. *hides under a rug*

Just a thought...if there is another training school option, wouldn't that help lower codestone prices a little bit more? Even if only a few people had access to it?

Even if that doesn't happen, I still don't feel upset or like I've been cheated out of anything or anything like that. It's very possible that sometime in the future (maybe very near future, who knows), Lutari Island won't be as "exclusive." It's already been pointed out that places like the Ice Caves were also limited once, and now they're accessible to everyone. Also, wasn't the Ixi a limited edition species once? I've only been on Neopets a few years...

EDIT: D'oh, I didn't see bgryph's post before I wrote mine. Now I feel <i>really</i> dumb...

[Cerise]

Err...maybe it's because I haven't done anything much with my userlookup, but...I actually don't mind where the talisman is now. It looks fine to me. *hides under a rug*

Just look at that! Its wrong in a million ways. I just want to slap it, and move it beside the LDP trophy, or in the middle of the top row. Anything to make it look a little less tacky. It kinda looks like I did some fancy coding trick, and stuck it there myself.