OCCUPY GAIA :: SAY NO TO BUYING GC

[Neko-mancer Supreme]

from love to pain

Tori_of_OVER9000_talents

Ive been on this site 9 years.

I started in the middle of middle school, a kid with a cool new site to play on with people that shared similar interests. I was spawned into the Online world wearing nothing but a jade peasant dress, and i spent months saving each piece of gold i had to buy myself the "Autumn Leaf Kimono" from the old shops.

18k.

That was a lot of gold back then.
Hours and hours of time posting and browsing, talking and chatting to make myself "look cool".
I made friends, I learned how to RP, I made memories that me and my friends still talk about as if we were an actual part of something. Gaia was a second home.

They introduced a "Shop" where you could by real items for yourself. I own a catscratch hat, I remember wanting a Sqwee the dragon plushie, and a REAL coco kitty plush. They had Gaia Keychains and fun items you could buy for YOURSELF to show how much you loved the site.

When the cash shop was introduced, prices were cheap, and they were exclusive items. I loved the Fallen wish, and my friend and I pooled $5 each to buy a $10 card to buy one. They were cool, the evolving items.

And then they kept going.

And going.

And going.

Then they recolored the old items they had already made and charged real money for them.

rise.
repeat.
rinse.
repeat.


The site once said they would never ever ask for our money. Everything you gave to them was optional. Now its slowly but surely drifting into the "If you want anything, you need to give us a credit card" catagory.


It just hurts Gaia. It really does. Most of us have been here for years, youve had plenty of cash come in with the Donation Items, the Monthly collectables... which you dont even do anymore.


Even facebook hasnt gotten this bad. And Facebook is awful.

And Facebook definitely employs more people and supports more users than Gaia. rofl

Exactly. Worst part is... honestly if they had scrapped this GCS and went with the Real Items shop.... I would buy so much. I would willingly give Gaia every cent i could so i could own my items "for real".

[Rufus ShinRa]

I'd like to see gaia become more affordable again..
More fun.
Less of this 'in your face, buy our cash' crap.
What about a new inventory arranger or gaia weddings? are we to see those or will they be cash related as well?
I can imagine the wedding suits and stuff in the cash shop instead of the gold shop -sigh-
...
Let me think
No more do I want to see flynn...ever >_>;

[Neko-mancer Supreme]

I would like to see no more of those ads that come up in the screen because they have to get around AdBlock. I put AdBlock up for a reason,

[Il Karma Il]

I think it should be illegal for any site to be able to ask/require anything more than 50$ on site. The only other thing that should be aloud to be asked cash for, should be things you can physically own forever. I think it should be against the law and prosecutable if I paid 1000$ for a halo (I didn't I've spent 10$ on gaia since I was 12 i'm 18 now) and the site shut down, or I got banned w.e the case may be, that is a lot of money to be out on because of gaia's stupid decisions. That is enough for rent where I live!!! I think if gaia wants to ask for 500-1000$ for something, it better show up in a nicely wrapped box on my doorstep as well as a virtual copy for my avatar. That would warrant that kind of asking price. There is no virtual item that costs 1000$ to make and sell on a virtual website and these items people are paying that much for are disposable at best. There will come a time and place where that 1000$ could do a lot of good! People can live on 1000$, maybe not well but it's something. If gaia wants to ask for more than 50$ it should have to be a physical item you can forever keep, and a virtual equiptable item for your avatar that is disposable as this site is. Otherwise, nothing should EVER EVER exceed 50$ and if it does, you have something to show for your money if the site crashes and burns.

[BaasuBlossom]

-l- bby gurl -l-

I think it should be illegal for any site to be able to ask/require anything more than 50$ on site. The only other thing that should be aloud to be asked cash for, should be things you can physically own forever. I think it should be against the law and prosecutable if I paid 1000$ for a halo (I didn't I've spent 10$ on gaia since I was 12 i'm 18 now) and the site shut down, or I got banned w.e the case may be, that is a lot of money to be out on because of gaia's stupid decisions. That is enough for rent where I live!!! I think if gaia wants to ask for 500-1000$ for something, it better show up in a nicely wrapped box on my doorstep as well as a virtual copy for my avatar. That would warrant that kind of asking price. There is no virtual item that costs 1000$ to make and sell on a virtual website and these items people are paying that much for are disposable at best. There will come a time and place where that 1000$ could do a lot of good! People can live on 1000$, maybe not well but it's something. If gaia wants to ask for more than 50$ it should have to be a physical item you can forever keep, and a virtual equiptable item for your avatar that is disposable as this site is. Otherwise, nothing should EVER EVER exceed 50$ and if it does, you have something to show for your money if the site crashes and burns.

why I agree that nothing on a website should cost more then 50$. I also think if your foolish enough to blow 1000$ on something you can't even hold in your hands, that your own fault. Now they can 'ask' but they should never except us to pay real money for anything. There should always be a gold opposition. Which there almost never happens to NEW things on the site. Worst of all there contest now even require you to spend rl money. THAT I find upsetting, they get the send in a post card. But you know none of those people will even be entered. They be disquieted for whatever reason. Gaia has become completely untrust worthy in my eyes. If they start asking for money to play game,level up, and buy idiom without giving any other chose then they've hit bottom and no one should come here

[Il Karma Il]

Baasu is Haymitch

-l- bby gurl -l-

I think it should be illegal for any site to be able to ask/require anything more than 50$ on site. The only other thing that should be aloud to be asked cash for, should be things you can physically own forever. I think it should be against the law and prosecutable if I paid 1000$ for a halo (I didn't I've spent 10$ on gaia since I was 12 i'm 18 now) and the site shut down, or I got banned w.e the case may be, that is a lot of money to be out on because of gaia's stupid decisions. That is enough for rent where I live!!! I think if gaia wants to ask for 500-1000$ for something, it better show up in a nicely wrapped box on my doorstep as well as a virtual copy for my avatar. That would warrant that kind of asking price. There is no virtual item that costs 1000$ to make and sell on a virtual website and these items people are paying that much for are disposable at best. There will come a time and place where that 1000$ could do a lot of good! People can live on 1000$, maybe not well but it's something. If gaia wants to ask for more than 50$ it should have to be a physical item you can forever keep, and a virtual equiptable item for your avatar that is disposable as this site is. Otherwise, nothing should EVER EVER exceed 50$ and if it does, you have something to show for your money if the site crashes and burns.

why I agree that nothing on a website should cost more then 50$. I also think if your foolish enough to blow 1000$ on something you can't even hold in your hands, that your own fault. Now they can 'ask' but they should never except us to pay real money for anything. There should always be a gold opposition. Which there almost never happens to NEW things on the site. Worst of all there contest now even require you to spend rl money. THAT I find upsetting, they get the send in a post card. But you know none of those people will even be entered. They be disquieted for whatever reason. Gaia has become completely untrust worthy in my eyes. If they start asking for money to play game,level up, and buy idiom without giving any other chose then they've hit bottom and no one should come here

No no no, I was saying if they were going to ask more than 50$ in real cash for anything, it should only be something physical, I agree with you that if you are willing to pay for something you can't hold, you are an idiot. But, that would be completely optional. Just that, if they wanted to shove sales in our faces for things over 50$ it'd be something we could actually keep forever and hold. I'd much rather have a advertisement on gaia about something I could wear, hold, or put on a key chain than something i'll pay for and run the risk of losing. If it's under 50$ and is completely optional, more people could afford to buy the virtual item anyway. I'd much rather spend 20$ on something I cannot hold rather than 50-100$ which I wouldn't do in the first place, as it is retarded and foolish to spend money on something you cannot keep for yourself. It's like gambling your money away, you spend 50$ and hope to god the site doesn't shut down next week, then you are out your item and your 50$, however, if you had something physical you got, weather it be outfit, shirt, plush, keychain, at least you have something to show for it.

[BaasuBlossom]

-l- bby gurl -l-

Baasu is Haymitch

-l- bby gurl -l-

I think it should be illegal for any site to be able to ask/require anything more than 50$ on site. The only other thing that should be aloud to be asked cash for, should be things you can physically own forever. I think it should be against the law and prosecutable if I paid 1000$ for a halo (I didn't I've spent 10$ on gaia since I was 12 i'm 18 now) and the site shut down, or I got banned w.e the case may be, that is a lot of money to be out on because of gaia's stupid decisions. That is enough for rent where I live!!! I think if gaia wants to ask for 500-1000$ for something, it better show up in a nicely wrapped box on my doorstep as well as a virtual copy for my avatar. That would warrant that kind of asking price. There is no virtual item that costs 1000$ to make and sell on a virtual website and these items people are paying that much for are disposable at best. There will come a time and place where that 1000$ could do a lot of good! People can live on 1000$, maybe not well but it's something. If gaia wants to ask for more than 50$ it should have to be a physical item you can forever keep, and a virtual equiptable item for your avatar that is disposable as this site is. Otherwise, nothing should EVER EVER exceed 50$ and if it does, you have something to show for your money if the site crashes and burns.

why I agree that nothing on a website should cost more then 50$. I also think if your foolish enough to blow 1000$ on something you can't even hold in your hands, that your own fault. Now they can 'ask' but they should never except us to pay real money for anything. There should always be a gold opposition. Which there almost never happens to NEW things on the site. Worst of all there contest now even require you to spend rl money. THAT I find upsetting, they get the send in a post card. But you know none of those people will even be entered. They be disquieted for whatever reason. Gaia has become completely untrust worthy in my eyes. If they start asking for money to play game,level up, and buy idiom without giving any other chose then they've hit bottom and no one should come here

No no no, I was saying if they were going to ask more than 50$ in real cash for anything, it should only be something physical, I agree with you that if you are willing to pay for something you can't hold, you are an idiot. But, that would be completely optional. Just that, if they wanted to shove sales in our faces for things over 50$ it'd be something we could actually keep forever and hold. I'd much rather have a advertisement on gaia about something I could wear, hold, or put on a key chain than something i'll pay for and run the risk of losing. If it's under 50$ and is completely optional, more people could afford to buy the virtual item anyway. I'd much rather spend 20$ on something I cannot hold rather than 50-100$ which I wouldn't do in the first place, as it is retarded and foolish to spend money on something you cannot keep for yourself. It's like gambling your money away, you spend 50$ and hope to god the site doesn't shut down next week, then you are out your item and your 50$, however, if you had something physical you got, weather it be outfit, shirt, plush, keychain, at least you have something to show for it.

I agree, they should stop asking for real money for things we can not hold...but if your a fool and spend that money on something you can not hold in your hands then....well your a fool. I mean 20-50$ bucks ok, more then that, what are you thinking? Do you not have better things to spend your money on? I just think Gaia needs to stop asking for money for things people can't hold in there own hands

[Ghuleh]

I've been watching this for a while. I sign.

[T3h Oka]

I sign. Good luck, hope some results will come of this but it seems, unfortunately, rather
unlikely. Gaia has been slowly adding to the insults, at first with a gentle pinch that barely
anyone noticed whilst taking time in-between. Now they seem to find ways to strike us down
on weekly basis. I mean seriously, it's gotten so bad that no longer do I think it worth
investing any time on this site. My hobby was mainly collecting items, to see just how
much I can collect. Now it's no point. Way too easy to own everything. The challenge has
been lifted and they've sat me down into a babies cradle with a limited oxygen supply.

Not just for me but so many Gaian's I know since 04 have left and not too many more
are staying, once the air is too heavy it'll just be new users that have no idea what's going
on but will still invest real cash into the site and that is what I think Gaia is trying to accomplish.
Out with the old, who are no longer investing in the site because they already have all
the items they could ever want and in with the new. Who because they know no better, will
spend lots of money to get their hands on items of old.

So nothing will change. Sadly.

[Rat_Flumper]

I figure, I should note running an Adblocker is useless now.
As many parts of the site, including games will outright REFUSE to run if it's enabled now.

As per my experience in googlechrome, and Internet explorer 10 using adblock plus.
And no, I haven't tried "Chrome adblock" for the reasons being, I like to avoid software written/ran by crooks.

Thanks C:
And goodluck.
I miss when this site was well, Gaia and not this ad-ridden...let alone FLASH-ad (of all the things!) ridden shadow of it's former self. Among the other things they're doing to the site. -sigh-

[Silver Sunreaver]

from love to pain

Rizrazzle

Where did you get your numbers?

Here's a few sources, although not all of them are complete as I didn't save all the links:

- Venture Beat
- Virtual Piggy
- Yahoo Finance
- Worth Of Web
- Alexa
- Crunchbase
- Wikipedia
- Massively Joystiq
- CBS Interactive
- Gaia Interactive/Gaia Online
- Public Broadcasting Service

“Paying Gaia users generally spend about $30 USD every month to purchase Gaia cash.”
“The world is akin to a fantasy world, offering a richer experience than a typical Facebook game. The average revenue per paying user is about $30 per month. Rivals include IMVU and Habbo.” Teen virtual world Gaia Online lays off 15 to 20 staffers - Venture Beat
“Paying Gaia users generally spend about $30 USD per month to purchase Gaia Cash, which is then used to buy virtual things such as evolving, chance, collectible, and limited edition items.” Gaia Online - Wikipedia

“[…] the agreement with Virtual Piggy inc. This means that 26 million new users are added to the pool of funding!”
“26 million registered members to be exact. They're an anime-themed community with very active and popular forums, in addition to some great games.” Gaia Online Signs With Virtual Piggy - Virtual Piggy
““We wanted a way to allow our younger users to safely purchase Gaia Cash,” said Chris Castagnetto, Director of Sales & Business Development at Gaia Online. “Virtual Piggy was the perfect solution, and allows all of our users access to all aspects of our online experience.”
“We are extremely excited about this agreement with Gaia Online, which brings our technology to 26 million new users,” said Virtual Piggy Founder and CEO Dr. Jo Webber. “Younger gamers want access to virtual currency too and on Gaia Online they’ll now be able to obtain it with their own funds in a safe online environment.”” Virtual Piggy Signs Agreement with Gaia Online - Yahoo Finance

“The old crowd is starting to get fed up and leave-” -
http://traffic.alexa.com/graph?w=660&h=350&o=f&c=1&y=t&b=ffffff&n=666666&r=max&u=gaiaonline.com& - Website Graphs & Charts Alexa Daily Traffic Rank Trend Graph (Max Years), current events and WorthOfWeb.

“What does it cost for Gaia to run a year? About $25 million”
“"We spent $35 million to get started and an average of $25 million on an annual basis to maintain Gaia," said Gaia Online CEO Craig Sherman.” - Gaia Costs 25 Million - Virtual World News
“When you take a look at the casual-focused Gaia Online, you probably don't think that the community-central site has been costing around 25 million each year […]They're reportedly starting to see deals in the higher six figures range.” Gaia Online Costing About 25 Million a Year - Massively Joystiq

“Gaia Online had raised $11 million in a third round of funding to merely complete 'zOmg!'.”
“Gaia Online, a virtual world targeted at teens, on Monday said it has raised $11 million in a series C round of financing from Institutional Venture Partners. The round brings its total financing to more than $32 million. Its previous investors include Benchmark Capital, Redpoint Ventures, and Time Warner. […] Gaia said it will introduce a casual (and free) Flash-based massively multiplayer online game, or MMO, that has been in development since last year.” “Gaia raised a second round of funding from Time Warner in January. The amount wasn’t disclosed.”
Gaia Online raises 11 million to finance massively multiplayer online game - Venture Beat
Teen virtual world Gaia Online raises $11 million - CBS Interactive Inc. News

“Quests on Gaia are now dedicated to profitable promotional purposes. Granting items related to sponsors.”
“Craig Sherman, CEO of teen virtual world Gaia Online. said they were very careful about inviting the right companies into the community to interact with residents — and that strategy paid off when they did the right promotions.“ “We [wanted] sponsors that made the world better,” he said.”
Marketers Grapple with Giving Teens More Control Online - Public Broadcasting Service (PBS)

[Oyayubihime]

I sign. I'm not buying Gaia cash anymore, I'm not even going to earn it.

[civiIization]

they got rid of the banner ?

[Apollos Liar]

from love to pain

UPDATE
Well, I was officially kicked out of Club Verge today, so go me! xD

We're working our way up to 900 signatures, so keep spreading the word and telling your friends!

Other than that, I plan on working on my letter to Gaia soon. In that letter, I really want to represent the voice of this thread, so I'll start asking you guys some questions so I can make notes of what to mention.

First one: What changes would Gaia have to make for you to feel comfortable buying GC again?

You were kicked? For what?

To answer your question: the site needs to be fair again. Right now, the site only panders to people with money. This Halloween event is a perfect example of how they're making things incredibly difficult to people who don't pay and giving out easy access and "cheats" to people who put down cash. They're destroying the value of gold and then turning around and blaming us for it. They have to stop insulting us and balance the site out already. Only then would I even consider the idea of buying it again. They've crossed too many lines for me to invest any time soon.

[Ratgod]

-l- bby gurl -l-

I think it should be illegal for any site to be able to ask/require anything more than 50$ on site. The only other thing that should be aloud to be asked cash for, should be things you can physically own forever. I think it should be against the law and prosecutable if I paid 1000$ for a halo (I didn't I've spent 10$ on gaia since I was 12 i'm 18 now) and the site shut down, or I got banned w.e the case may be, that is a lot of money to be out on because of gaia's stupid decisions. That is enough for rent where I live!!! I think if gaia wants to ask for 500-1000$ for something, it better show up in a nicely wrapped box on my doorstep as well as a virtual copy for my avatar. That would warrant that kind of asking price. There is no virtual item that costs 1000$ to make and sell on a virtual website and these items people are paying that much for are disposable at best. There will come a time and place where that 1000$ could do a lot of good! People can live on 1000$, maybe not well but it's something. If gaia wants to ask for more than 50$ it should have to be a physical item you can forever keep, and a virtual equiptable item for your avatar that is disposable as this site is. Otherwise, nothing should EVER EVER exceed 50$ and if it does, you have something to show for your money if the site crashes and burns.

pending real cash of digital items you cant even own as a computer program for your offline use is stupid. for 5 bucks I can buy stuff I will real have and real keep for my life time and thats something. I got keychaisn and lil paraphenalia at low cost that decorate my homes shelves and I know that anything not physically owned is loaned. and loaned porperty is debt. debt is money, look up this vid. that vid tells you all you need know about a corrupt world.- one more reaon besides ww1 ww2 and prolly ww3 and chernobyl and fukushima to hate mankinds so called civilisation and all it creates; goddamn primates and ******** mammonites all of them bastards; wheres a ******** giant space rock asteroid when you need them? im very disappointed about no apocalyspes from outer space;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mII9NZ8MMVM&NR=1&feature=fvwp

i rest my case. nothing else is needy of being said;