I totally agree with you. I'm part of players who pay for official swag with no problems, for example I've traveled from my hometown (Lyon, France) to the NL-1331 stop in Liege, Belgium. It was a 14h round trip in a single weekend.
I've already been to 2 Anomalies in foreign countries, 1 in France (and obviously I was in the orga and participated to Myriad Lyon), and I'll go to Umbra Antwerp. That's not a problem to travel to all those places and pay the swag available on-site.
But yes, having to pay to participate to the Anomaly is a big no. Those who just want to play and participate won't come anymore. Anomalies are described in the FAQ as free events.
Please change your decision, and give us back free tickets.
I wasn't sure if i was ready to post anything in regards to this, because I have been in such a negative mood since it has come out. As someone who is participating in the organization of one of the Umbra Anomalies, the last 18 or so hours have been absolutely terrifying, enraging, and disappointing in so many ways.
It is because of the blood, sweat, and tears throughout the years to, not only completely populate your POI database, but also help you understand what users want in an ARG, that you, Niantic are in a position of having BILLIONS of dollars in revenue. Every anomlay site puts in countless hours and, more importantly, financial investment to develop and maintain these team games. For you to drop something like this less than a month away fromt he anomalies, where YOU KNOW, that planning has been underway, and hotels, flights, trains, rentals have all been blocked off by each sites orga teams, and YOU put those reservations in jeopardy but such ill will being created before the anomaly, you have engendered no good will from a large group of your most ardent players.
You guys have done some stuff over the years, but this takes the cake. You're lack of understanding of timing and your community is absolutely amazing.
Not to mention, its been 18 hours of basically a dumpsterfire caused by this, and NOT ONE NIANTIC REPRESENTATIVE HAS SAID A WORD TO THE COMMUNITY. Promises broken already Brian Rose et al.
@claudija said what I am to angry to say, and in a much more eloquent way than I ever could. Thank you Claudi!
Yes, agree. I was really pleased when I read about events and noticed that the are free if I don't want the supporter kit. Actually we were planning to go at anomaly this October, but now when you have to pay for the event we maybe won't participate this event. I understand that NIA as a company has to earn money someway but I think it isn't necessary to make anomaly paid event - I think many agents bought some of paid kit and it's nice to make anomaly available for everyone. Or you could change the price - in my opinion is the price too high.
You say that we still can participate the amomaly without paying anything but when our score didn't count to total score it's pretty useless to go there for us and for other from our faction as well.
I really like this game but I don't like the decision of having events paid (why to change something that already works). In my point of view it is not necessary.
In simple words, that because of previous, accurate disagreementseith a spoofer, abusive cheat on here, I have a warning that lasts basically until I'm dead..
I will say it anyway, niantic, you are screwing the player base that helped to build you, and those that have joined it to help build your cash cows.
Goodbye, God bless. May the future support the employees, but literally, and sincerely, I hope the trading name dies.
I'm not a big spender, 8nhave though encouraged many over the years to sign up and contribute. I now regret this.
As a former organizer of events, there is a huge difference between a free event and a paid event. The legal requirements & responsibilities drastically change. These do not fall upon the shoulders of the local agents who have spent hundreds of hours and their own money to front what is needed for the event to be enjoyable for the agents spending money already for travel expenses to attend the event. These are the responsibilities of Niantic.
When you pay to go to a concert, the company who organizes the event has a list of legal requirements to jump through for the event to happen. None of those are done by Niantic currently for anomalies or "required" as a free event.
I have paid for swag packs at events to help support the event and to get something for my money. Being required to pay to participate then be nickel and dimed on top of that for digital swag is not acceptable.
I understand the need to make money. However to spring pay to play requirements so soon after hotels and travel have been booked months ago is a trap.
It's bad business to slap your community in the face with this. There are already agents who are looking to quit with only Prime. We have been working to keep agents. Now they have more reason to walk away.
Fix it.
Breaking laws and opening yourself up to lawsuits will hurt all 3 communities.
Spare a moment of thought for all the POCs undergoing massive amounts of stress related to these changes. They've been backed into a corner and I feel horrible for them. Stay strong guys 💙💚
Bummer that you didnt tell people that you will ask payment to enter the party, not cool nia. Not cool.
It's clear that this will not stop at 15 hahahahah I also sense that you are planning to **** factions enl.rocks and will.be.blue(whatever) because you cant expect free work for your pricey events. We ARE these factions. Lets see how will you keep up the hype.
Add my +1 to this letter. Everything that has happened with monetization in ingress over the past couple of months could have been done in a completely different way that would not have upset the already hyper small, and quickly dying playerbase.
Thank you for the comment Claudija, as someone who worked with Niantic and Local Ingress Agents on the Cassandra Prime Anomaly in Linz, Austria, I know first hand how much work and passion Ingress Agents put into those events. And that communication between Niantic and the community has a lot of room for improvement. I know how much work (&money) Niantic put into the Cassandra Prime Anomaly (actor, camera crew, location, etc.) in Linz and 15 Euros would have been a fair price in my opinion.
I think the whole process of preparing for the anomaly is flawed, it has turned into a competition for community and that - in my view - also causes a lot of trouble and puts incredible pressure on local POCs and communities. Resistance and and Enlightend do not work together on a lot of areas that they could achieve much more, if they would work side by side. One example? - sharing information on GDPR issues (EU General Data Protection Regulation). GDPR Its a pain in the **** and to this day, I can't get my head around why both factions would rather spend hours and hours to get everything right by themself rather then working together on such an issue. I don't event want to go into Swag, or working with local sponsors...
I observed as the Cassandra Aanomaly in Linz basicaly became three events - one organized by Niantic, one by the RES-Agends and one by the ENL Agents. Most of the amazing things the local community (RES and ENL) achieved where never asked for or expected by Niantic. Each faction had their own designed logo, swag, etc. Sure - those local thinks make the anomaly amazing, but at what cost? I think the pressure on local communities stems from the local community wanting to "give back" - not so much from pressure that Niantic puts on local communities.
Reason 4 and 4.1 - I can only speak for the Linz Event - everything that Niantic organized - they oranized it through a paid local event agency. And everything officially organized by Niantic (and the local agency) was reported to the local authorieties and permissend. However - the local community organized events by themselfs and for those events - the local community was responsibly for making sure it was according to Austrian law.
POC/Orga for 4 anomalies, 3 mission days, and 1 portal luminance project here.
I still look forward to one day growing this game again.I don't think the way this all happened was a positive step in that direction.
And lately that's been what we have all seen - **** of player base by a thousand cuts: The poor quality of the Prime scanner that's been public for a year, the sudden store changes, increasingly unpopular "cooperative" challenges with quirky arbitrary rules, suddenly announced anomaly fees long after people have made travel plans for anomalies.
But talking about Ingress isn't playing Ingress, so I'll see you all out on the playing field where our actions count. Let's play the game while we still have it, making the playing field the way we want it. It's time to move, agents.
As a FS Organizer I paid triple the amount for prices - so it is not about the amount but rather the way it gets communicated that really alienates me and others in your player base.
This game has brought me back into the world. It has introduced me to a large family of both Resistance and Enlightened agents. While its slowly being destroyed from within i want to point out that yes while you do still have pogo and wizards unite...many agents play all 3 and will leave all 3 on general purpose. Also what does this show other businesses that you want to support you? Nobody is going to want to sponser special items in a game that doesnt care or support its playerbase. Bad decisions are being made and someone needs to fix it ASAP! To all the volunteers, pocs, vanguards, community leaders, and every agent out there playing...THANK YOU
Very well done. While I don't mind paying, there are a lot of issues that arise with a paid event and you can't throw this on the awesome dedicated POCs 30 days beforehand.
Additionally and unfortunately, when I click the payment button it does nothing. I have spent nearly $3000. to go to an anomaly and I can't get a badge or have my participation count.
They should after so much comments just let this years anomalies be free to attend, and then next year make this change i dont understand why they just couldnt let it run the year thats left without any change and announce it later on before end of year instead.
Also many probably will have a hard time putting out money when NIA wont even be present at any anomalies so again they need to offer more to their dedicated players and actually try to communicate a little better and give a better heads-up before they announce anything important out of the blue..
I expect that if you charge me a ticket yo play, I want security, medical assistance, and being organice by your employes. Ir you hoy offering that. YOU CAN'T EXPECT MONEY FROM ME.
Comments
Thanks @Claudija !
I totally agree with you. I'm part of players who pay for official swag with no problems, for example I've traveled from my hometown (Lyon, France) to the NL-1331 stop in Liege, Belgium. It was a 14h round trip in a single weekend.
I've already been to 2 Anomalies in foreign countries, 1 in France (and obviously I was in the orga and participated to Myriad Lyon), and I'll go to Umbra Antwerp. That's not a problem to travel to all those places and pay the swag available on-site.
But yes, having to pay to participate to the Anomaly is a big no. Those who just want to play and participate won't come anymore. Anomalies are described in the FAQ as free events.
Please change your decision, and give us back free tickets.
I wasn't sure if i was ready to post anything in regards to this, because I have been in such a negative mood since it has come out. As someone who is participating in the organization of one of the Umbra Anomalies, the last 18 or so hours have been absolutely terrifying, enraging, and disappointing in so many ways.
It is because of the blood, sweat, and tears throughout the years to, not only completely populate your POI database, but also help you understand what users want in an ARG, that you, Niantic are in a position of having BILLIONS of dollars in revenue. Every anomlay site puts in countless hours and, more importantly, financial investment to develop and maintain these team games. For you to drop something like this less than a month away fromt he anomalies, where YOU KNOW, that planning has been underway, and hotels, flights, trains, rentals have all been blocked off by each sites orga teams, and YOU put those reservations in jeopardy but such ill will being created before the anomaly, you have engendered no good will from a large group of your most ardent players.
You guys have done some stuff over the years, but this takes the cake. You're lack of understanding of timing and your community is absolutely amazing.
Not to mention, its been 18 hours of basically a dumpsterfire caused by this, and NOT ONE NIANTIC REPRESENTATIVE HAS SAID A WORD TO THE COMMUNITY. Promises broken already Brian Rose et al.
@claudija said what I am to angry to say, and in a much more eloquent way than I ever could. Thank you Claudi!
/signed
Vedorian
First thought this was a joke when reading those news in the morning. You hit the spot Claudija, I totally agree with your letter!
Yes, agree. I was really pleased when I read about events and noticed that the are free if I don't want the supporter kit. Actually we were planning to go at anomaly this October, but now when you have to pay for the event we maybe won't participate this event. I understand that NIA as a company has to earn money someway but I think it isn't necessary to make anomaly paid event - I think many agents bought some of paid kit and it's nice to make anomaly available for everyone. Or you could change the price - in my opinion is the price too high.
You say that we still can participate the amomaly without paying anything but when our score didn't count to total score it's pretty useless to go there for us and for other from our faction as well.
I really like this game but I don't like the decision of having events paid (why to change something that already works). In my point of view it is not necessary.
Niantic, if you're actively trying to drive away players, well done. /slow_clap
In simple words, that because of previous, accurate disagreementseith a spoofer, abusive cheat on here, I have a warning that lasts basically until I'm dead..
I will say it anyway, niantic, you are screwing the player base that helped to build you, and those that have joined it to help build your cash cows.
Goodbye, God bless. May the future support the employees, but literally, and sincerely, I hope the trading name dies.
I'm not a big spender, 8nhave though encouraged many over the years to sign up and contribute. I now regret this.
Yes, a lot of agents ask for more inventory space and ready to pay for it, but no reaction.
15$ (half of AAA game) just for badge for rechargers, you really think people are gonna be interested in this ?
Not just here, also no reply to the POCs. 😉
Yes girl!!! 🙌🙌
Thank you for this! I hope they will hear you and do something about it!!
Thank you for compiling and writing this.
As a former organizer of events, there is a huge difference between a free event and a paid event. The legal requirements & responsibilities drastically change. These do not fall upon the shoulders of the local agents who have spent hundreds of hours and their own money to front what is needed for the event to be enjoyable for the agents spending money already for travel expenses to attend the event. These are the responsibilities of Niantic.
When you pay to go to a concert, the company who organizes the event has a list of legal requirements to jump through for the event to happen. None of those are done by Niantic currently for anomalies or "required" as a free event.
I have paid for swag packs at events to help support the event and to get something for my money. Being required to pay to participate then be nickel and dimed on top of that for digital swag is not acceptable.
I understand the need to make money. However to spring pay to play requirements so soon after hotels and travel have been booked months ago is a trap.
It's bad business to slap your community in the face with this. There are already agents who are looking to quit with only Prime. We have been working to keep agents. Now they have more reason to walk away.
Fix it.
Breaking laws and opening yourself up to lawsuits will hurt all 3 communities.
Thanks for this great compilation of valid arguments @Claudija - completely agreed and highly appreciated.
I see, the community is united and annoyed, but I don't expect NIA to change their road to ruin for Ingress.
@RedSoloCup
Spare a moment of thought for all the POCs undergoing massive amounts of stress related to these changes. They've been backed into a corner and I feel horrible for them. Stay strong guys 💙💚
Bummer that you didnt tell people that you will ask payment to enter the party, not cool nia. Not cool.
It's clear that this will not stop at 15 hahahahah I also sense that you are planning to **** factions enl.rocks and will.be.blue(whatever) because you cant expect free work for your pricey events. We ARE these factions. Lets see how will you keep up the hype.
Cheers & ty Claudi
So why dont they just announce this on friday 13th? Oh wait they did...
Thats just offensive now isnt it?
And did i read correctly that the cost is 13$ + 2$ administration fee?
And you need to hack 13 on-site portals to secure your badge?
Am i going beautiful mind here or is this just a big joke? (Read: funny coincidence)
Cancelled my plans for going to Antwerp just to be safe.
Fully agree.
Add my +1 to this letter. Everything that has happened with monetization in ingress over the past couple of months could have been done in a completely different way that would not have upset the already hyper small, and quickly dying playerbase.
Claudija
Your honesty and openness is wonderful. The detail is amazing.
I wish Niantic would now listen to you and so many others.
Paying via mobile is not something my parents advocate. It's not as secure as a laptop. My mum has said to always pay via PayPal if possible.
I don't know if she will be ok with me using my debit card to pay for an online transaction that will also add a Non Sterling Transaction Fee.
I'm wondering how changes the responsibility of the volunteers who participating in the fullfillment. Just because the event is subject to charges.
Thank you for the comment Claudija, as someone who worked with Niantic and Local Ingress Agents on the Cassandra Prime Anomaly in Linz, Austria, I know first hand how much work and passion Ingress Agents put into those events. And that communication between Niantic and the community has a lot of room for improvement. I know how much work (&money) Niantic put into the Cassandra Prime Anomaly (actor, camera crew, location, etc.) in Linz and 15 Euros would have been a fair price in my opinion.
I think the whole process of preparing for the anomaly is flawed, it has turned into a competition for community and that - in my view - also causes a lot of trouble and puts incredible pressure on local POCs and communities. Resistance and and Enlightend do not work together on a lot of areas that they could achieve much more, if they would work side by side. One example? - sharing information on GDPR issues (EU General Data Protection Regulation). GDPR Its a pain in the **** and to this day, I can't get my head around why both factions would rather spend hours and hours to get everything right by themself rather then working together on such an issue. I don't event want to go into Swag, or working with local sponsors...
I observed as the Cassandra Aanomaly in Linz basicaly became three events - one organized by Niantic, one by the RES-Agends and one by the ENL Agents. Most of the amazing things the local community (RES and ENL) achieved where never asked for or expected by Niantic. Each faction had their own designed logo, swag, etc. Sure - those local thinks make the anomaly amazing, but at what cost? I think the pressure on local communities stems from the local community wanting to "give back" - not so much from pressure that Niantic puts on local communities.
Reason 4 and 4.1 - I can only speak for the Linz Event - everything that Niantic organized - they oranized it through a paid local event agency. And everything officially organized by Niantic (and the local agency) was reported to the local authorieties and permissend. However - the local community organized events by themselfs and for those events - the local community was responsibly for making sure it was according to Austrian law.
Just one idea of many great ideas that could bring the desired revenue while keeping players happy:
+1
+1
POC/Orga for 4 anomalies, 3 mission days, and 1 portal luminance project here.
I still look forward to one day growing this game again.I don't think the way this all happened was a positive step in that direction.
And lately that's been what we have all seen - **** of player base by a thousand cuts: The poor quality of the Prime scanner that's been public for a year, the sudden store changes, increasingly unpopular "cooperative" challenges with quirky arbitrary rules, suddenly announced anomaly fees long after people have made travel plans for anomalies.
But talking about Ingress isn't playing Ingress, so I'll see you all out on the playing field where our actions count. Let's play the game while we still have it, making the playing field the way we want it. It's time to move, agents.
I agree, +1!
Thanks for writing this Claudija
As a FS Organizer I paid triple the amount for prices - so it is not about the amount but rather the way it gets communicated that really alienates me and others in your player base.
Sad.
This game has brought me back into the world. It has introduced me to a large family of both Resistance and Enlightened agents. While its slowly being destroyed from within i want to point out that yes while you do still have pogo and wizards unite...many agents play all 3 and will leave all 3 on general purpose. Also what does this show other businesses that you want to support you? Nobody is going to want to sponser special items in a game that doesnt care or support its playerbase. Bad decisions are being made and someone needs to fix it ASAP! To all the volunteers, pocs, vanguards, community leaders, and every agent out there playing...THANK YOU
The future of anomalies? I don't know.
Niantic could make much money with merchandising but. Where was/is it? *- insert Vincent Vega meme here -*
Niantic doesn't need change to P2P anomalies, only offers more and better merchandising.
(Abstenerse de comentar las fotos originales porfa 😂 Las he usado solo porque me venian al pelo para esto y las tenia frescas en la memoria 😉)
Very well done. While I don't mind paying, there are a lot of issues that arise with a paid event and you can't throw this on the awesome dedicated POCs 30 days beforehand.
Additionally and unfortunately, when I click the payment button it does nothing. I have spent nearly $3000. to go to an anomaly and I can't get a badge or have my participation count.
They should after so much comments just let this years anomalies be free to attend, and then next year make this change i dont understand why they just couldnt let it run the year thats left without any change and announce it later on before end of year instead.
Also many probably will have a hard time putting out money when NIA wont even be present at any anomalies so again they need to offer more to their dedicated players and actually try to communicate a little better and give a better heads-up before they announce anything important out of the blue..
I expect that if you charge me a ticket yo play, I want security, medical assistance, and being organice by your employes. Ir you hoy offering that. YOU CAN'T EXPECT MONEY FROM ME.