Review of Halloween Pumpkin Carving Contest

Luda · #1 10-25-2010, 03:13 AM

The Pumpkin Carving contest on Unholy Nation is probably one of the worst events I've ever participated in. The contest was to create a pumpkin and the prizes were described as "either a broom, a hat ticket, a special limited edition Halloween hat, or possibly other prizes." The voting for the competition took place for around 20 minutes in an unannounced night, which I thought was weird, but from what I heard there wasn't much participation. My entry came in second place, with Aeko getting first place and Rufus getting third.

I logged on the next day, Nike (The guy who is/was in charge of the contest) had given me a hat ticket. Busy with stuff IRL, I logged off right after. I log back on the next day and my hat ticket has been removed, I PM Vicious the head of Player Relations, Nike and the Manager Absolut_Crono and received no reply from either about my situation. Nothing is happening, so I decide to log off again.

Today I log on and ask Crono about my prize, he replies by asking me what I would like to choose for a prize. I said that I would like my hat ticket back, the one they teased me with winning. He said no because Aeko was given a hat ticket as first place winner. Cool, ok. I'm fine with that. Now I have a choice of a broom NPC which I already have and would be pointless or a limited choice of I think 5 Halloween-related hats. During the time I was offline earlier, Rufus (third place winner) had chosen a hat because he also has the broom NPC. I bring up to Crono that second place winner should have a priority over third by giving me two choices out of the limited hats (in case anyone is wondering, a hat ticket on Unholy Nation allows you to choose any hat that is already uploaded onto the server, Aeko would still have a priority over my choices.) which he seems to disagree with and has now decided to not give me a prize at all due to stubbornness of not believing in fairness.

Apparently second and third place are equal. I think the entire thing has been handled pretty terribly.

P.S. I've already chosen one of the hallowen hats from a different contest that I had won.

Clockwork · #2 10-25-2010, 03:19 AM

o.o... Sorry? D:
I think the voting should have at least lasted a day or more, as I logged in earlier and nothing was happening, logged in again later and found it had started and finished and I'd won first o.o.. I didnt even get to see the others, and only the top 3 are still shown.

I agree though that they should have the patience to understand your situation and give you the prize you deserve.

Fulg0reSama · #3 10-25-2010, 03:22 AM

Yeah they have been unfair to you if what you've said is 100% accurate which I believe it is. I hope one of the three decide to post their reasoning, perhaps share a bit of the conversation to us to give us more of an understanding because If this had happened on N-Pulse you better believe whoever did this would have been fired.

MysticX2X · #4 10-25-2010, 03:31 AM

I was surprised at how quick the voting had went (not to mention I didn't like the voting gui as I like typing my votes). But Luda should have deserved 2 halloween hats if the 3rd place winner received one.

Mark Sir Link · #5 10-25-2010, 03:39 AM

how many people even got to vote in the contest, 3?

Seeya · #6 10-25-2010, 05:43 AM

Pretty ridiculous. Just shows you the respectfulness of UN Staff to paying customers.

fowlplay4 · #7 10-25-2010, 06:09 AM

Heaven forbid the winners get to choose any hat on the server.

DustyPorViva · #8 10-25-2010, 06:44 AM

lol.

Also, as far as I know it was voted during off hours(I woke up VERY earlier and apparently the voting was finished).

Crono · #9 10-25-2010, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fowlplay4

Heaven forbid the winners get to choose any hat on the server.

that wud ruin the delicate un economi :<

Fulg0reSama · #10 10-25-2010, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crono

that wud ruin the delicate un economi :<

What Economi? :<

James · #11 10-25-2010, 08:18 AM

xnervNATx · #12 10-26-2010, 05:32 AM

we had a pumpkin carving contest?

Absolut_Crono · #13 10-26-2010, 10:19 AM

The situation was a lot worse than how Luda explained it. Regardless, it just doesn't make sense to me that second place would get 2 hats while first place got one, regardless of the spectrum from which hats are chosen. Before we could come to an agreement, it became more of "let me bombard you with personal attacks till I get what I want" than a real discussion. The biggest issue I have, is that the players all entered the contest knowing full well if they win the broom it is practically like winning nothing at all. My suggestion would be either to sell your current broom for a profit (if possible), or take the EP value of the Broom you won. 2 of the Halloween hats are worth more than the 1 broom, as is the hat ticket so those options aren't available.

As far as the voting goes, that was handled awfully. By the time I had known the voting began it was over already. From what I understand, Luca was the one who handled the specific voting. Regardless, I am not here to point fingers. Future contests will be outlined in much greater detail from the start to finish than this was, including periods from which you can vote (lasting at LEAST 2 days to be reasonable), Specific prizes like Door had (no "Or other things" that was added in there after Nike sent the post), etc.

On a side note @Luda, I don't know what those "other things" Luca promised were, but there is a possibility you can choose from that list of items when I find out what they are. If you would like the EP Value of the broom (Roughly 200ep) that would be fine as well.

MysticX2X · #14 10-26-2010, 11:17 AM

Take the ep luda

Rufus · #15 10-26-2010, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Absolut_Crono

The biggest issue I have, is that the players all entered the contest knowing full well if they win the broom it is practically like winning nothing at all.

Entering a contest where the prizes are listed as, "either a broom, a hat ticket, a special limited edition halloween hat, or possibly other prizes!" suggests that you are not going to be lumbered with a Broom if you have one already. There is a large sense of leeway (and uncertainty) in what was advertised, so I don't see how the players who entered can be blamed for anything. The biggest issue you should have is that people were asked to participate and prizes weren't even organized for the potential winners, even now.

In addition to that you seem to be ignoring the core of Luda's issue here: Are second and third places really so similar that they'd receive the same prize? Perhaps you should have given him a bigger choice of hats, which would equate to larger than what I was offered, but smaller than what Aeko was. Would make a lot more sense, and probably have avoided a lot of trouble. It's really not hard to propose this kind of happy medium to smooth things over, but as a player, it's not Luda that should be expected to do it.

Fulg0reSama · #16 10-26-2010, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rufus

Long Statements

No one else could have stated that better

Absolut_Crono · #17 10-27-2010, 08:05 AM

This was not a hat contest, nor was it a contest in which only a hat was supposed to be the prize. Saying I should broaden the range of hats would be pretty silly. What would be the defining factor in order to set where his bounds are? What I feel is Halloween related? He won the broom, so he got the option of taking the broom, or EP Value of the broom, or the third place prize. The reason the third place prize is offered is BECAUSE second place is better than third place, so he deserves at least that much. To say we need to double third place's prize is absurd, and to say we should broaden the range of hats to choose from is not only more complex than the competition itself, the value of the hat itself may fall either above or below the value of the broom. The only prizes to be given away were a broom, a hat ticket and a Halloween hat, the rest of the "or other prizes" was supposedly added on by Luca, who did not run the event. You say we should offer a happy medium, but when you are told "I want 2 hats or a Hat ticket" it's not so simple. That being said, I offer the exact EP value of a broom, which is 200EP.

Take into consideration, a contest you enter in which you can win an XBOX 360, PS3, or a Wii. If you already have a 360 and you win one in the contest, can you ask for a PS3 instead? What about 2 Wiis? I agree that the prizes were not clearly spelled out 1st, 2nd and 3rd place prize, but it's not like Nike said "You can win anything you like!". Also note "possibly other prizes" not "additionally other prizes", though as I said before, I am not sure what these prizes may be, as Luca added that portion personally.

Moving on, I did not offer anything else to Luda at the time other than the broom and 3rd place prize, because by the time we got halfway through the conversation of him telling me he wants 2 hats or a hat ticket only, he began acting very poorly, so I felt it was a waste of time to sit and reason with him further at that point in time. I'm willing to explore some other options, but it likely wouldn't be related to hats.

Fulg0reSama · #18 10-27-2010, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Absolut_Crono

I am not sure what these prizes may be, as Luca added that portion personally.

Perhaps you should be more aware of what they'll do in said contest. How could you not know about it seriously?

Crono1508 · #19 10-27-2010, 08:16 AM

I can't believe that I'm saying this, but if Streety was in-charge of the hat contest, it would've gone a lot smoother. He seems to be on his A game when Halloween is around.

Absolut_Crono · #20 10-27-2010, 08:17 AM

Luca has news posting rights, while Nike does not. Therefore, anything Luca wanted to add into Nike's post could be done without consent. Luca probably planned to have more things completed for the event, but alas, that is the story of Luca.

Like I said, Luca was not involved in the actual running of the contest, so if Luca truly added that portion as Nike claims, then perhaps Luca had something else in mind.

Luda · #21 10-27-2010, 08:18 AM

I really don't see how 200 EP is reasonable, some of that hats that the third place winner could choose are worth way more than that. I only asked for the hat ticket at the beginning of the conversation because I was given it by Nike then he had it removed from me within the next day. You said no, and I agreed. Quit making it seem like I was asking for one throughout the whole time we spoke. Getting another 360 wouldn't be replacing my current one, I would have the option of playing both. If a broom was given to me on UN, it would replace my current broom and 200 EP instead of the broom really isn't reasonable it as I stated above.

I find it funny that after making a thread to show the public what had happened has now lead to you allowing me to have a prize because I remember you saying these exact words, "Sorry, you will have no prize then. Thank you for your participation."

Absolut_Crono · #22 10-27-2010, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crono1508

I can't believe that I'm saying this, but if Streety was in-charge of the hat contest, it would've gone a lot smoother. He seems to be on his A game when Halloween is around.

Door as well. Door handled her contest very professionally, and thus her contest went over with no issues as far as I know. Organization is key in a contest like this, and Nike learned that the hard way, whereas Door was already prepared for it. As long as Nike learns from this mistake, and makes sure his post is copied word-for-word, he should have no future issues.

Absolut_Crono · #23 10-27-2010, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luda

I really don't see how 200 EP is reasonable, some of that hats that the third place winner could choose are worth way more than that. I only asked for the hat ticket at the beginning of the conversation because I was given it by Nike then he had it removed from me within the next day. You said no, and I agreed. Quit making it seem like I was asking for one throughout the whole time we spoke. Getting another 360 wouldn't be replacing my current one, I would have the option of playing both. If a broom was given to me on UN, it would replace my current broom and 200 EP instead of the broom really isn't reasonable it as I stated above.

I find it funny that after making a thread to show the public what had happened has now lead to you allowing me to have a prize because I remember you saying these exact words, "Sorry, you will have no prize then. Thank you for your participation."

You literally asked for a hat ticket the entire time. The PM before me saying that was something along the lines of "I will take my hat ticket or 2 hats then". You making a thread to the public has little to do with you being "allowed" a prize, so much as I was waiting for you to rationalize what you were asking for. As far as hats being worth more than 200EP, none of the hats given away were worth more than 200EP, and if they were, would choosing that hat not be a viable solution? You simply want more than what Rufus got, not a second place prize it seems. Alas, as I said I would be willing to consider other things, but 2 hats or a hat ticket are not on the table at this time. It would be unfair to the winner to give you 2 hats.

Mark Sir Link · #24 10-27-2010, 08:40 AM

Not even sure why the prizes wouldn't have been predetermined, even if it was 1st place gets hat ticket, 2nd gets broom or a hat, and 3rd gets a hat.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kia345

So is anyone on the same page, or do you just all run your own servers?

Luda · #25 10-27-2010, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Absolut_Crono

You literally asked for a hat ticket the entire time. The PM before me saying that was something along the lines of "I will take my hat ticket or 2 hats then". You making a thread to the public has little to do with you being "allowed" a prize, so much as I was waiting for you to rationalize what you were asking for. As far as hats being worth more than 200EP, none of the hats given away were worth more than 200EP, and if they were, would choosing that hat not be a viable solution? You simply want more than what Rufus got, not a second place prize it seems. Alas, as I said I would be willing to consider other things, but 2 hats or a hat ticket are not on the table at this time. It would be unfair to the winner to give you 2 hats.

I am looking at the PM history right now, a few PM's in and I have agreed to not receiving a hat ticket. If you really were waiting for me to rationalize about it then you should of stated it, this isn't some stupid mind game. It's not that I want more than Rufus, I want something that is of greater value. Do you play your own server? Do you not realize how easy it is to get 200 EP? Two common hats instead of one seems reasonable to me.

Absolut_Crono · #26 10-27-2010, 09:27 AM

One second you call the hats common, the next you say they are worth more than 200EP. Regardless, though, the Broom's value is what you would receive, which is 200EP. 200EP or less would be things you could choose from, since that is the value of the broom.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Sir Link

Not even sure why the prizes wouldn't have been predetermined, even if it was 1st place gets hat ticket, 2nd gets broom or a hat, and 3rd gets a hat.

They were predetermined, but they weren't listed in a way in which the players knew the prize order beforehand, and "possibly other prizes" eludes to there being other choices, or perhaps other winners. That seems to be the big issue, as players assumed they could get a variety of things, when in actuality the only variety would have been getting a hat ticket, since you can get any hat on the server, or sell it for a substantial amount of EP/Items to players.

jorollychu · #27 10-27-2010, 10:42 AM

All I see is bad planning,corruption and damage control. If it was up to me, you would all be banned from UN for being brats (managers too)

Fulg0reSama · #28 10-27-2010, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jorollychu

All I see is bad planning,corruption and damage control. If it was up to me, you would all be banned from UN for being brats (managers too)

Good thing I don't play UN anymore huh?

jorollychu · #29 10-27-2010, 11:55 AM

Well I didn't mean you, you aren't even a part of the argument, boy.

xXziroXx · #30 10-27-2010, 12:13 PM

Reading this thread is like trying to make a brick wall read you a bed time story.

Crono · #31 10-27-2010, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xXziroXx

Reading this thread is like trying to make a brick wall read you a bed time story.

And how is that?

Fulg0reSama · #32 10-27-2010, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jorollychu

Well I didn't mean you, you aren't even a part of the argument, boy.

you all includes me too bro.

papajchris · #33 10-27-2010, 03:36 PM

The fact that a hat ticket was given at first would in my opinion warrant him to keep it. It's not his fault un staff made a mistake, and it's time to correct it. I do not understand what the big deal is over some hat. Then again I do not play un.

xXziroXx · #34 10-27-2010, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crono

And how is that?

Meant to say forum, not thread. It just seems to be the same posts over and over again from both "sides" involved in every discussion.

kia345 · #35 10-27-2010, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by papajchris

I do not understand what the big deal is over some hat. Then again I do not play un.

Underage girls expose their bodies for hats on UN. Go figure.

Fulg0reSama · #36 10-27-2010, 05:37 PM

mosquito teets.

Crono · #37 10-27-2010, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xxziroxx

meant to say forum, not thread. It just seems to be the same posts over and over again from both "sides" involved in every discussion. X_x

<3

Cosss · #38 10-27-2010, 10:59 PM

we should make a movie 3 cronos 1 cup

Imperialistic · #39 10-27-2010, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cosss

we should make a movie 3 cronos 1 cup

what the **** is wrong with this guy.

Crono · #40 10-28-2010, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cosss

we should make a movie 3 cronos 1 cup