OCCUPY GAIA :: SAY NO TO BUYING GC

[brighternight]

from love to pain

I don't understand how people could get banned from this. This is free speech, correct? What we're saying doesn't go against the terms, correct? I'm not sure, but if Gaia wants to ban me for having an opinion then let them ban me. It shows how much they care for their users, y'know?

[Darius Runan]

I suggest adding this to the list of demands:

Offer preventative efforts to avoid financial segregation on this site.

As many of you already know, this site is on the verge of separating those that do and do not have Gcash. This was not something gaia used to do. While there was a cash shop, there wasn't an obvious "Let's rub it in the face of the poor" feeling that we all have received. While I do think club verge is interesting, it does pretty much weed out the non cash buyers and offers those that do buy a further advantage.

Aside from that, our events are now being hijacked by cash shop items, which further separates those that can and can't spend tons of money.

[X_icewhip_X]

I don't want Gaia to die. I understand the idea that it is a bussiness. Workers, managers, CEO's, even the janitors, all need to be paid their dues for all the hard work they do in creating this one of a kind site. I sincerly understand that.

Before, I was happy to pay for GC. Even with all the complaints about it when it first came out, I figured that, at the time of it's release, it was an easy way to support a good site, and to get some nice items on the side. The fact that I could pay for it in a store was even better, due to a lack of a credit card or Paypal.

However, with all the ways they're piling it on, I feel like buying Gaia Cash in any fashion would just be feeding into this collosial monster of a cycle. If I pay for internet entertainment, I want to feel like it was because I had a choice in the matter. Because the site I was paying money too respected my intellegence, and that they understood that I didn't have the time or money to do it all the time, and thus appriciated the few times I forked over 25 bucks for a few items.

Now? Now they're treating it like JC Penny's where they have a "sale" every day, to make it seem like a deal. Where they try to slum items on us for 250 dollars (in real money), trying to make it sound like a worthy investment. I feel like my intellegence is being insulted. Like they're treating me like a mindless consumer who only needs a catch phrase and some bright flashy colors to be convinced.

If we were just given a reason or two about new features, or a lack of funding, or a sister site, I'm sure all the members of Gaia would be willing to contribute. We like to know where our money is going, after all, and all these pop ups and flash sales just seem like a huge cover up to me. Why hide it? Why act like the problem isn't there? Why pretend all these cash items for event potions and hundred dollar items is just business as usual.

My suggestion: A Kickstarter. Yeah, I know! "What?! We're trying to get them to stop begging for money! Why suggest the one thing that does exactly that?"

For a few reasons, if you'll permit me:

1. In the kickstarter, they'll have a perfect opportunity to explain why they need so much money all of a sudden, They'll be able to explain if it's a lack of funding, a new project, a sister site, etc. So that way, we'll know where our contributions are going to. This is much more respectful and preferable than what's been happening recently.

2. Instead of shelling ut a hundred dollars for a group of colored pixels on a computer screen, the Kickstarter can instead offer material things. They can offer posters, plushies, figurines, wrist bands, shirts, VIP tickets for conventions, etc. Even virtual items, like avi arts, spots in the manga, Gaia Cash, rare items you can't buy anymore. The list goes on and on.

3. If they did a Kickstarter, and explained the need for money, and offered good perks, I would feel as though I were contributing to the site, rather than falling for it's tricks (which is exactly how I feel now).

A kickstarter isn't a cure all. There are a lot of changes to be made to bring Gaia back to it's former glory. Even if a Kickstarter wasn't possible, I would still like the return of the dignity and respect that they used to give us, back before the pop ups and flash sales.

[Rufus ShinRa]

Can I sign with ALL my mules? Does that count?
Not any of them have bought gaia cash
everything was bought in the MP when it was AFFORDABLE

[Sadiakay]

X_icewhip_X

I don't want Gaia to die. I understand the idea that it is a bussiness. Workers, managers, CEO's, even the janitors, all need to be paid their dues for all the hard work they do in creating this one of a kind site. I sincerly understand that.

Before, I was happy to pay for GC. Even with all the complaints about it when it first came out, I figured that, at the time of it's release, it was an easy way to support a good site, and to get some nice items on the side. The fact that I could pay for it in a store was even better, due to a lack of a credit card or Paypal.

However, with all the ways they're piling it on, I feel like buying Gaia Cash in any fashion would just be feeding into this collosial monster of a cycle. If I pay for internet entertainment, I want to feel like it was because I had a choice in the matter. Because the site I was paying money too respected my intellegence, and that they understood that I didn't have the time or money to do it all the time, and thus appriciated the few times I forked over 25 bucks for a few items.

Now? Now they're treating it like JC Penny's where they have a "sale" every day, to make it seem like a deal. Where they try to slum items on us for 250 dollars (in real money), trying to make it sound like a worthy investment. I feel like my intellegence is being insulted. Like they're treating me like a mindless consumer who only needs a catch phrase and some bright flashy colors to be convinced.

If we were just given a reason or two about new features, or a lack of funding, or a sister site, I'm sure all the members of Gaia would be willing to contribute. We like to know where our money is going, after all, and all these pop ups and flash sales just seem like a huge cover up to me. Why hide it? Why act like the problem isn't there? Why pretend all these cash items for event potions and hundred dollar items is just business as usual.

My suggestion: A Kickstarter. Yeah, I know! "What?! We're trying to get them to stop begging for money! Why suggest the one thing that does exactly that?"

For a few reasons, if you'll permit me:

1. In the kickstarter, they'll have a perfect opportunity to explain why they need so much money all of a sudden, They'll be able to explain if it's a lack of funding, a new project, a sister site, etc. So that way, we'll know where our contributions are going to. This is much more respectful and preferable than what's been happening recently.

2. Instead of shelling ut a hundred dollars for a group of colored pixels on a computer screen, the Kickstarter can instead offer material things. They can offer posters, plushies, figurines, wrist bands, shirts, VIP tickets for conventions, etc. Even virtual items, like avi arts, spots in the manga, Gaia Cash, rare items you can't buy anymore. The list goes on and on.

3. If they did a Kickstarter, and explained the need for money, and offered good perks, I would feel as though I were contributing to the site, rather than falling for it's tricks (which is exactly how I feel now).

A kickstarter isn't a cure all. There are a lot of changes to be made to bring Gaia back to it's former glory. Even if a Kickstarter wasn't possible, I would still like the return of the dignity and respect that they used to give us, back before the pop ups and flash sales.

Amen to that!

Great ideas!

[TheJesterGuy]

X_icewhip_X

I don't want Gaia to die. I understand the idea that it is a bussiness. Workers, managers, CEO's, even the janitors, all need to be paid their dues for all the hard work they do in creating this one of a kind site. I sincerly understand that.

Before, I was happy to pay for GC. Even with all the complaints about it when it first came out, I figured that, at the time of it's release, it was an easy way to support a good site, and to get some nice items on the side. The fact that I could pay for it in a store was even better, due to a lack of a credit card or Paypal.

However, with all the ways they're piling it on, I feel like buying Gaia Cash in any fashion would just be feeding into this collosial monster of a cycle. If I pay for internet entertainment, I want to feel like it was because I had a choice in the matter. Because the site I was paying money too respected my intellegence, and that they understood that I didn't have the time or money to do it all the time, and thus appriciated the few times I forked over 25 bucks for a few items.

Now? Now they're treating it like JC Penny's where they have a "sale" every day, to make it seem like a deal. Where they try to slum items on us for 250 dollars (in real money), trying to make it sound like a worthy investment. I feel like my intellegence is being insulted. Like they're treating me like a mindless consumer who only needs a catch phrase and some bright flashy colors to be convinced.

If we were just given a reason or two about new features, or a lack of funding, or a sister site, I'm sure all the members of Gaia would be willing to contribute. We like to know where our money is going, after all, and all these pop ups and flash sales just seem like a huge cover up to me. Why hide it? Why act like the problem isn't there? Why pretend all these cash items for event potions and hundred dollar items is just business as usual.

My suggestion: A Kickstarter. Yeah, I know! "What?! We're trying to get them to stop begging for money! Why suggest the one thing that does exactly that?"

For a few reasons, if you'll permit me:

1. In the kickstarter, they'll have a perfect opportunity to explain why they need so much money all of a sudden, They'll be able to explain if it's a lack of funding, a new project, a sister site, etc. So that way, we'll know where our contributions are going to. This is much more respectful and preferable than what's been happening recently.

2. Instead of shelling ut a hundred dollars for a group of colored pixels on a computer screen, the Kickstarter can instead offer material things. They can offer posters, plushies, figurines, wrist bands, shirts, VIP tickets for conventions, etc. Even virtual items, like avi arts, spots in the manga, Gaia Cash, rare items you can't buy anymore. The list goes on and on.

3. If they did a Kickstarter, and explained the need for money, and offered good perks, I would feel as though I were contributing to the site, rather than falling for it's tricks (which is exactly how I feel now).

A kickstarter isn't a cure all. There are a lot of changes to be made to bring Gaia back to it's former glory. Even if a Kickstarter wasn't possible, I would still like the return of the dignity and respect that they used to give us, back before the pop ups and flash sales.

The Kickstarter idea sounds very legit. smile
And it would be an "hand brake" on this Gaia Cash extravaganza.

As for the "business" argument, it has lost its meaning already (due to not only it being "parroted" a bazillion times but also being a cheap argument which is based on an appeal to the emotions of people) and became one of the main reasons why this site is a mess as it is. And no, I don't believe it has been worth it.

PS.: The b*tch is back, folks: http://www.gaiaonline.com/gaia/shopping.php?key=hbjdcjkygqwygbqw emotion_facepalm

[TheJesterGuy]

Darius Runan

I suggest adding this to the list of demands:

Offer preventative efforts to avoid financial segregation on this site.

As many of you already know, this site is on the verge of separating those that do and do not have Gcash. This was not something gaia used to do. While there was a cash shop, there wasn't an obvious "Let's rub it in the face of the poor" feeling that we all have received. While I do think club verge is interesting, it does pretty much weed out the non cash buyers and offers those that do buy a further advantage.

Aside from that, our events are now being hijacked by cash shop items, which further separates those that can and can't spend tons of money.

I'm also noticing this paradigm to real life that Gaia has been becoming. Which's very ironic, since some people come here to, of course, escape from their realities, not to be remembered how much "real life sucks".

And, as I said once, everybody loses in this game:
- The non-cash users, who can't even now quest their desired items properly, let alone "play the market". Not to mention they're afraid of not finding their desired item(s) on MP due to the Flynn's Booty buyers, who literally "wiped out" the listing(s) of the item(s) they wanted.

- The cash users, who'll easily get bored of their minds after they have all the items they want due to Flynn's Booty and Chests, not even being able to show their 'sexy avatars' to a proper public (unless it's the Avatar Arena, of course).
Their feeling will be the same as when you're playing a game for the first time and use an "Infinite Money" code/hack to get all items in the game. It just destroys any 'fun' you could have with it;

- Newbie gaians, who has now only two options: "buy Gaia Cash or get lost". Why, you may ask ? Just take a look at this:

Guardian Arlen

Just saw this in the Site Feedback:
http://www.gaiaonline.com/forum/site-feedback/really/t.88744279/

AutoCash now offers gold upon sign up. emotion_facepalm

Spend $10, get 100K
Spend $25, get 400K
Spend $50, get 2Mil

....well, that escalated quickly!

[Terry Chocolate-Twist]

I always wanted to quest a Runcible Spoon; it's such a pretty item but was pretty un-attainable for me in the first place and now it's just...even more stupidly un-attainable than before. I never bought GC in the first place and I don't plan to start now.
Add me to the list, people.

[Chris ex Machina]

I sign. I'm ******** fed up. I'm fine with the cash shop but not the gold generators that are screwing users.

[Nova0437]

Noire Samhain

I sign. I'm ******** fed up. I'm fine with the cash shop but not the gold generators that are screwing users.

This. So much. emotion_facepalm

[Kyra Tawney]

I totally agree.

[Yureiaa Hearts]

I have paid for GC many many times in the years I've been on here, but they seem to be acting more and more like Nexon America since Flynn's Booty came along... and I'm just so disappointed.

I signed in the Petition thread. Not buying GC anymore. sad

[Kyra Tawney]

I will say one thing though this site is totally becoming pay to play which is ridiculous. If they really are worrying about money they should reopen the gstore. I know they got screwed over but it seems to me that it was kinda on them because that is not how to run a business. If they hired the right person they could reopen the store and start selling all the lovely things that are unique to gaia. I'm still pretty depressed that I never got to buy a gwee plushie.

[Kyra Tawney]

Darius Runan

I suggest adding this to the list of demands:

Offer preventative efforts to avoid financial segregation on this site.

As many of you already know, this site is on the verge of separating those that do and do not have Gcash. This was not something gaia used to do. While there was a cash shop, there wasn't an obvious "Let's rub it in the face of the poor" feeling that we all have received. While I do think club verge is interesting, it does pretty much weed out the non cash buyers and offers those that do buy a further advantage.

Aside from that, our events are now being hijacked by cash shop items, which further separates those that can and can't spend tons of money.

Exactly how I feel. I love this site but can't afford to buy cash and with the average gold prices for things going into the millions it's so hard to get new things because I don't have to live on the site earning gold.

[from love to pain]

IX Odysseia IX

Asite that rates websites based on media consumerism warns parents against allowing their teens on Gaia because it pushes them to "buy buy buy" with real money. What does this say gaia? Even parents that are supplying your paychecks agree that the push for gaians to spend money is HIGH.

http://www.commonsensemedia.org/website-reviews/gaiaonline

I am quoting this again because I think it is important that everyone see this.
As soon as I realized the downward spiral, this was my number one concern: Gaia's youth and the lessons their being taught with this bullshit.