Aunty Alianore's Corner: Volume I, Issue 1: Game Gifts

For my first editorial, I would like to address an issue that has been writing itself in my head for a few months...the asking and giving of in-game gifts.


As is the case with many online games, the player is sorely tempted by the offerings in a premium shop.  In these shops you find ultra-cool weapons that will slay any foe, clothing that makes other players exclaim "where did you get that, you look awesome!," and other various power-ups and abilities.  In this aspect MilMo is no different.  With gold coins found in game, a player can save up and buy all manner of really excellent stuff.  There have been several complaints that in the game Cash Shop--in a game is targeted toward younger players--that it is "unfair" that some of the cool stuff requires actual cash to purchase.  Aunty A has some things to say about that, but look for that editorial later...

The ability to gift other players within the game Cash Shop is such a nice feature to tell your friends, and maybe family, that you want them to have something special.  Added to the the nice feeling you can get from gifting, you also can earn game medals for being a generous soul.  Double bonus!  

Still needing to be a bit more generous!

But as with all good things, there are downsides and with gifting in MilMo there are two from my perspective.  One, even though a Cash Shop item can be purchased by a player for gold coins, some items require actual cash to purchase; and, two, when sending a gift, an item that can purchased for one's self with gold coins requires a cash purchase.  Now bear in mind, these are downsides NOT complaints.


Thus, we need to advance to the heart of this editorial...asking other players to gift you items.  I am regularly asked by players (at least once a day) if I could gift them something from the Cash Shop, usually a membership or a weapon.  Unless it is my daughter asking, my response is either "sorry, I do not send gifts" or "lo siento, no regalos."  Even the child I love above all other things will get a response such as, "I just fed you and bought you a toy/doll/electronic gizmo, no you cannot have that now."  Hopefully, I will receive a pleasant, "Oh, ok, I understand" or some similar variation.  Unfortunately, there are the players who do not take a decline of their request with good grace and may proceed to wheedling, begging, or trying to make you feel bad that their parents will not give them the money for what it is they want to have.  Likewise, I have seen players who have been asked by others for gifts and have responded with less than nice declines.  


Thus, as we sit here in Aunty A's Corner (me in my rocking chair with the lovely crocheted blanket on my lap, and you on the padded, needlepoint covered stool near my feet), I will like to pass on a few pointers/suggestions about game gifting:

• If you are asked for a gift from another player and are not inclined to be generous, decline with a firm, but pleasant statement.
• If you are turned down by your request for a gift, accept the decline and move on to something else, like playing the game!  Endless PMs attempting to cajole another player does not endear you to them, and may very well result in others not wanting to create/continue an in-game friendship.
• Remember that gifts cost money, the real stuff!  
• Just because another player has a membership or is wearing/carrying a Cash Shop item does not mean that they have cash to spend on another...those items might have very well been a gift they received and/or it was their personal choice to spend money they had for the item.
• If you do not have money of your own (you do not have a job or a parent who has...gasp...not given you free access to their credit card), all of us celebrate various gift-receiving events like holidays and birthdays.  Maybe ask that relative who hands over moolah as a gift to purchase you a Facebook Credits gift card (if that is your playing format) or a cash card that you can spend however you please.  While every good cash-giving relative hopes you will spend the money on something edifying like a book, they know you will be spending it on something frivolous...so why not a virtual weapon?