06 August, 2021

I don't know if I can open up, I've been opened enough (part VIII)

Continuing from the Death Row Designs chat capture:
[10:59] nxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I'm personally going to miss gacha; the ability to wrap it in a giftbox around the holidays anyways.
[11:00] Sxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: good point [Axxxx]
[11:00] Txxxxxxxx Axxxxxx: I will miss gacha but I have lost so much money by just 'one more time' attempts
Me too. And if I have it to throw away, it still hurts a little, but if I don't--yeah, I'm not a compulsive gambler, and I've fallen into that trap.
[11:01] Sxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Your not alone lol
[11:01] axxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx had some good deals from resellers on MP, never cared to 'play' it though, prefer to pay an agreed price. But that's just me. If others enjoy it and flogging the spares on MP gets a substantial part of their money back i don't really see how it hurts anyone. It was gonna get legislated against sooner or later though - not because of SL but because of loot boxes in kids' cellphone games
[11:06] Cxxxx Fxxxxx: I wonder if they will bring that in for breedables too, as people have no idea what is going to come out of those vendors too......same thing, various items, depends if you get a rare or common etc. Could be a slippery slope for a lot of businesses
[11:07] vxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Yes, I am angry about that decision
[11:08] Bxxxx Dxxxxxx: I hope DRD puts their gachas out for individual sale or fatpacks
[11:08] Txxxxxxxx Axxxxxx: I really hope it's not only fatpacks because I own so many bits and pieces of sets
[11:08] Txxxxxxxx Axxxxxx: I couldn't ever justify getting a fatpack when I own over half the set already
[11:09] Txxxxxxxx Axxxxxx: I'd prefer breedables were removed simply because of the hellish lag they produce
A lot of us have said that, for years.
[11:09] exxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: what is the news about gachas?
[11:09] kxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: LL is banning them
[11:09] Txxxxxxxx Axxxxxx: removed from SL starting aug 31
[11:09] exxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: wtf? why?
[11:09] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): Change in EU's law
[11:10] kxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: "gambling"
[11:11] pxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: OMG and what if we ain't in the EU that's so not fair !!!!!
[11:11] kxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: agreed
[11:11] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): Well, it's that, or get sued by an entire continent
[11:11] pxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: No wonder we Brits got out of the EU .... gggrrrrrr
[11:11] kxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: suing wouldnt happen. EU would ban SL
That's exactly it. If the Lab wants to avoid SL being banned by specifically Germany, but also, by other countries as more countries in the EU pass similar laws--this is a step they have to take.
[11:12] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): Which is worse
[11:12] Kxxxx Bxxxxxx: no official reason was actually given... it helps to actually read the blog post and not just believe random people's claims :o
So, I did read the actual blog post. Yes, they cite it as "regulatory" changes. But if you look at current EU law, lootboxes and other gambling mechanics employed in games is directly the reason for that regulatory change.
[11:12] Jxxxxx Nxxx: The reason was "the regulatory climate"
[11:12] pxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: .... ok ... ty
[11:12] kxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: reading it or not....the bottom line is the same. LL is stupid.
The bottom line is the same, and Linden Lab is preserving it--it's proactive, not stupid.
[11:12] Jxxxxx Nxxx: It's the very first sentence.
[11:13] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): "Due to a changing regulatory climate" was what was said. They're not being stupid, they're being proactive. But, it's going to cause upheaval.
[11:13] Kxxxxx Bxxxxx: LL is located in CA.... do we need to say more
[11:13] sxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I fear the day that they prevent you from converting Lindens into real money. Because that's what happened to IMVU in the past.
[11:14] sxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I'm concerned it's a matter of time
[11:20] Lxxxxx Qxxxxxx: That sucks!
[11:41] dxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx:
DRD had already decided last years gachas would be its very last one. we had decided this year for halloween all the items will jsut be for sale, so for us it comes at a good timing, my personal opinion is that gachas has run its course, we will keep you guys informed about what happens to our sets and when they will be available for regular purchase and on the MP( but this might take a while lol ). i feel bad for the gachas markets, resellers etc but like i said on the forums, every ending has a new beginning there will be other things in the future , the gambling scene found a way around it. it might be that machines get edited so ppl can see what item is "up next" cause the policy is that ppl have to see what theyre getting , there will be some version of this probably is my guess.
[11:41] Jxxxxx Nxxx: That is great to hear.
[11:41] Mxxxxxxx Gxxxx: I for one am not fussed at all about gachas going... honestly. I have spent waaay too much in the past trying to get the one item I wanted, my inv is full of useless junk form them lol. I much prefer to buy something for a set price
[11:42] Kxxx Ixxxxxxxx: FREEEEDOOOOOM FROM GACHAS
[11:42] mxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: mooooood
[11:42] Kxxx Ixxxxxxxx: REVOLUTION! THROW THEM IN THE TRASH!
[11:45] Fxxx Exxxx: OMG I've been away from SL for like 5 days and Gachas are gone??
[11:45] Axxxxxx Axxxxxx: Woo! Gacha Death Party!
[11:45] Dxxx Exxx: all i gotta say is if the policy is see what you get, why are they still selling grab bags of mixed candy to children for a dollar across tiny stores everywhere
[11:45] Mxxxxxxx Gxxxx: death to alll but gachas!! Oh wait....
[11:45] Axxxxxx Axxxxxx: They'll be banned after August.
[11:45] Kxxx Ixxxxxxxx: THE END OF NO-COPY, THE END OF STALLS
Oh, now that's just laughable, Mm. K. There will always be merchants wanting to make no-copy items.
[11:45] Axxxxx Sxxxxxxxx: *laughs* Auntie xD
[11:45] Fxxx Exxxx: So no more Arcade or Epiphany *cries*
[11:45] Axxxxxx Axxxxxx: They can still do their events, just not with gachas
[11:46] Mxxxxxxx Gxxxx giggles, couldnt resist heh XD
[11:46] Mxxx Yxxxx: I am terrified, I was born as a gacha, what will happen to me now?
[11:46] Fxxx Exxxx: Seeing as they are gacha events I don't see how LOL
[11:46] Axxxxxx Axxxxxx: *poof!*
[11:46] Mxxx Yxxxx: oh [sh*t]
[11:46] Zxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I am glad. Gacha's made a lot of things a pain like LL reluctance to grant legitimately needed rollbacks out of fear of duplication
[11:46] Cxxxxx Fxxxxxxxxx: ha, you can still sell no-copy items, we just get to buy the specific item we want is the new rule
[11:46] Mxxx Yxxxx is offline, courtesy of Linden Labs.
[11:47] Axxxxxx Axxxxxx: They're discussing it in their own chats. You can go see what their ideas are there, but they're not shutting down.
[11:47] Cxxxxx Fxxxxxxxxx: so no game of chance
[11:47] Fxxx Exxxx: Ok thanks :) I feel so out of touch LOL
[11:47] Dxxx Exxx: funny how this comes, pretty sure the selling of sex is illegal in more than 1 country but lookit the lindens coinin it off that,n before u say they make nothing, who pays for the afk sex sims? still sims the lindens get revenue from noone bats a damned eye
[11:47] Cxxxxx Fxxxxxxxxx: well that is cuz those work on tips, legal grey area
[11:48] Mxxx Yxxxx: afk sex sims? o.O
Don't ask.
[11:48] Axxxxxx Axxxxxx: Maybe they see that as akin to selling romance novels and adult videos. No actual sex was had, it's all just creative writing and animations.
[11:48] Cxxxxx Fxxxxxxxxx: yep
[11:48] Jxxxxx Nxxx: Pretending to have sex isn't the same thing as having sex.
[11:48] Bxxxx Dxxxxxx: I think it's a combination of customer complaints and CA's recent rules making it even stricter, so SL had to act since they are based in CA
[11:48] Jxxxxx Nxxx: I mean... that should be obvious.
[11:48] Cxxxxx Fxxxxxxxxx: there is all sorts of strange stuff when you go looking into the Adult section
[11:48] Fxxx Exxxx: strange? That's putting it modestly LOL
[11:49] Mxxx Yxxxx: Well [Jxxxxx], if that is the case explain to me why ageplay and other taboo sex stuff in SL is against the law?
You really have to ask? I mean, granted, when SL started there were a lot of things going on that wouldn't fly now. There were nine-year-old prostitutes. There were open Dolcett play sims. There was a well-advertised castle where people could go and do pretty horrible things with kid avatars. (Oddly, the infamous ageplay incident that got all ageplay banned in SL? Had to do with none of the more well-known examples, but simply a dating couple who wanted to walk on the wild side--and someone snapped a pic. And posted it on a social forum in Germany.

And Germany hit the ROOF. SCREAMING. On FIRE.
[11:49] Lxxxxx Qxxxxxx: Oh! It's a Cali thing?
[11:49] Cxxxxx Fxxxxxxxxx: cuz images of porn [Mxxx]
[11:50] Mxxx Yxxxx: I know but it makes his statement moot, it isn't about pretending to have sex
[11:53] Dxxx Exxx: a woman makes a human avatar, she then pays for a slot within an afk sex sim, random strangers then enter and pay linden, to bang her,which she transfers thru lindens exchange to real money, prositution without all the sticky after moments much
[11:53] Jxxxxx Nxxx: It doesn't make what I said moot.
[11:53] Jxxxxx Nxxx: Some polices are made to enforce government regulations but not all.
[11:53] Cxxxxx Fxxxxxxxxx: yeah, it isn't so much about if it is real or not, it is about the laws of the countries they operate in. Porn is a revenue stream, and that is how they treat it. But that is why there is also the no age play rules. Believe it or not I joined SL when there was no sex in SL.. we were struggling to get functional furniture :D much less do anything to anyone.
[11:54] Jxxxxx Nxxx: The owners of SL likely find ageplay to be 1.) Distasteful and 2.) Likely to attract negative public scrutiny.
That's probably true. Because it does attract negative public attention. Because also, let's keep in mind, actual children cannot

1. consent
and
2. be on SL without tacitly stating they're sixteen years of age or older.
[11:54] Mxxx Yxxxx: well, it is and it does
[11:54] Jxxxxx Nxxx: Hence why it's not officially allowed.
[11:54] Jxxxxx Nxxx: You answered your own question there.
[11:55] Mxxx Yxxxx: And [Dxxx], thanks for the explanation, I had no idea something like that exists in SL, lolol
[11:55] Dxxx Exxx: it does, and in the end, every sims rent is paid to. the lindens
[11:55] Dxxx Exxx: so theyre saying ok we gna follow this law, but sweep that other one, under the rug cuz it makes us way more money
[11:55] Mxxx Yxxxx: [Jxxxxx] :agreed, you'te right
[11:55] Jxxxxx Nxxx: Same reason hate speech isn't allowed on most social media platforms. Hate speech is technically legal in the US. But allowing it hurts the brand so much that it is banned to protect the business' reputation.
[11:56] Cxxxxx Cxxxxxxxxx: it is the difference of production of regular pron vs child pron [Jxxxxx], that is where the legal line is for LL.
[11:56] Kxxx Ixxxxxxxx: It APPEARS that the US Infrastructure Bill introduce in a clause on Gambling
So, the Build America Act of 2021 bill, which has passed the Senate, I don't know if it's yet passed the House, has no direct gambling clause that I'm able to find.
[11:57] Mxxx Yxxxx: From gachas to child porn....now how did I manage that, lol
[11:57] Cxxxxx Fxxxxxxxxx: really? restricting it I assume based on the gachas
No, I still think this is mainly an EU statutes thing.
[11:57] Dxxx Exxx: its a talent lol
[11:57] Mxxx Yxxxx: XD
[11:59] Dxxx Exxx: really tho, whole things just, well, im sorry, fcked
[11:59] dxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: idk only in this group its possible. every other group is still going bananas over the gachas, then i look in drd and its porn...
[11:59] dxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: -okay
[12:00] dxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: *facepalms*
[12:00] Axxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: i like boobies :-)
[12:00] Mxxx Yxxxx helps DRD and facepalms him too cause she is nice like that
[12:02] Cxxxxx Fxxxxxxxxx: DRD we like to keep things interesting?
[12:02] dxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: uhu lol
[12:08] Txxxxxxxx Axxxxxx: I saw some red plastic looking shelves on a sim that were listed as by DRD -- but the name had been removed because they ahd been unlinked so it was just 'object'. Anyone know what items these might be? They looked like cheap supermarket shelves (not the metal grocery shelves) and were kind of rounded slightly and grubby af
[12:14] dxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: umm sec i think i know
[12:14] dxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: i gotto check tho lol
[12:43] Sxxxxxxxx Bxxxxxxxx: {heart}
[12:43] Xxxxxxxxxx Txxxxx: :(
[12:44] Axxxxxx Bxxxxxxxx: awwwwwww
[12:48] Cxxxxx Fxxxxxxxxx: As someone who is just reselling to get rid of my spares, it is a lot of work. so I am happy for the change. I rather buy my fatpacks and be done with it.
Yeah, I mean, buying piecemeal sometimes saved me more in the long run, but...yeah, listing spares is a royal pain.
[12:50] oxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: i never was to much in to gacha. because i cant afford it. only buy gacha sometimes on marketplace. when it was under pull prize. most people just want minimum double or make higher prizes with it [12:52] rxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I honstly liked the idea some times of giving some of it out as gifts that was nice, even that I hate the no copy part, for the most part get fatpacks.. so over all I thnik I am kind of glad of this as long as all the good creators do take out fatpacks for stuff and we don't lose awesome items as of this
[12:56] Lxx Gxxxxxxxx: I give them as gifts all the time
[12:56] Lxx Gxxxxxxxx: I search for the odd and curious pieces and there are some wonderful creators out there
[12:58] Pxxxx Exxxxxxx: I foresee a rush on the DRD gacha exchange machines
[12:58] Kxxx Ixxxxxxxx: I'm not rushing it
[12:58] Pxxxxxx Oxxxxxxxx: me too
[12:58] Kxxx Ixxxxxxxx: If DRD wants to survive they need to release the items as copy/notrans bundles
[12:59] Kxxx Ixxxxxxxx: else it would really dent their reputation in my eyes
[12:59] Qxxx Rxxxxxxx: uh, that policy change is not gonna affect DRD :)
[12:59] Pxxxxxx Oxxxxxxxx: yeah not in the slightest
[13:00] Qxxx Rxxxxxxx: we have ALL the gachas available as fatpacks as is, and we haven't made a single gacha release since last halloween
[13:00] Sxxxxxxxx Bxxxxxxxx: ^ that
[13:00] Kxxx Ixxxxxxxx: great
[13:00] Pxxxxxx Oxxxxxxxx: believe it or not there was a time in sl when gachas didn't exist heh
[13:01] Kxxx Ixxxxxxxx: I've been advocating for the banning of gachas for years now, LL finally listened at least
[13:01] txxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: what are they killing gachas?
[13:01] Wxxxxx Zxxx: yes
[13:01] Cxxx Cxxxxxxxx: And remember, gachas are still going to be a thing (in a way). Just not the machines. As long as they aren't gambled away by chance, they are fine. It's the gambling aspect that's banned, not the no copy aspect.
[13:02] Pxxxxxx Oxxxxxxxx: heh
[13:02] Pxxxx Exxxxxxx: why do you want to advocate for banning them? If you don't approve of them don't use them
I still don't get the people arguing against banning gachas--that ship has sailed. That ship has sailed so far out they docked at the next port and were able to sail back.
[13:02] dxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: im sure there will be some form of this popping up soon with a " next up" setting or something
[13:02] Pxxxxxx Oxxxxxxxx: I had fun playing gachas... but I did spend more than I should... most times heh
[13:03] Wxxxxx Zxxx: same
[13:03] oxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: gacha is a gamble. and it is for everybody free to play it or not. even a lottery. for me what is nice with gacha is you can buy cheap items. that was a win for me. how ever i rarely played gacha. cant simply afford. it. but everybody is free to play it or not.
[13:03] Vxxxxx Cxxxxxxxxxx: Gambling means you can loose the money you play with. Gachas were clear. You would get a random item per play. No one held a gun to anyones head. Rares would often spill out and a common would be the hard to find even on a secondary market. Leave it to sore losers to gripe about how they lost their money and have all those commons to show for it. Right.
[13:04] Pxxxx Exxxxxxx: and I'm sure the SL owners loved us spending more than we should - this is going to hurt their revenue
[13:04] dxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: And here we see the average goombler cope in chat
[13:04] Cxxx Cxxxxxxxx: Gacha machines are classed as gambling because you get a random item per play. You are *not* aware of what item specifically you will get per purchase, so LL has banned them. That's the policy.
[13:04] oxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: the creativity in cagha was really awesome. i totally agree with that
True. And some of those makers may not wish to extend to the higher-end items past this point, which is a shame.
[13:05] Pxxxxxx Oxxxxxxxx: so lets ban all gumball machines cause you didn't get a red gumball with your quarter
This demonstrates a shocking incomprehension of gambling. One, no one is addicted to the "rush" of winning whatever with gumballs. 90% of all gumball machines do, in fact, give out gumballs that, while perhaps not the same color, are the same flavor. 8% of the remaining machines mix gumballs with something else--bouncy balls, a capsule toy, whatever. The final 2% would probably qualify as gambling, because you have a chance of getting a gumball (your highest likelihood), a toy (uncommon), or the special whatever shown in the insert card (which, nine times out of ten, is in a container too big to go into the drop slot, or is already gone and has not been replaced.

That, on its simplest scale, is gambling mechanics--pitting one's desire to win against the odds. And in nearly every instance where gambling is in a curtailed environment, the house nearly always wins.
[13:05] Cxxx Cxxxxxxxx: In RL, gambling is permitted, [Pxxxxxx]. That has nothing to do with LL and any regulatory bodies that may have influenced this decision.
[13:05] Vxxxxx Cxxxxxxxxxx: I was very aware I would get one of how ever many items were in the set for each play. The only difference with the gacha sets in SL and the gumball RL is that there was no running out.
[13:05] dxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Nice strawman [Pxxxxxx]
[13:06] Pxxxxxx Oxxxxxxxx: how is it a strawman?
[13:06] Pxxxxxx Oxxxxxxxx: that is what a gacha machine is at it's very core.. it is a gumball machine
[13:06] Pxxxxxx Oxxxxxxxx: you geta guaranteed item
[13:07] Pxxxxxx Oxxxxxxxx: may not be the one ya want
[13:07] Pxxxxxx Oxxxxxxxx: but it is guaranteed
And again, Mr. P, through either ineptitude or willful denial, you have it wrong: the problem with gambling mechanics used in lootboxes and gachas is that it's not guaranteed. The odds are not fixed; they can be manipulated, machine to machine, depending on scripting. But above all that, it's that the very mechanic that makes them work is what's being regulated: because that level of desire for the shiny skin, or weapon, or vehicle, or, in SL, the ornate dress, or house, or hair, hits the human dopamine receptors in a way that most people cannot immediately defeat. This goes beyond "just don't play gachas" or "just don't buy lootboxes". This is considered essentially predatory behavior, especially when it's directed at those of an age that cannot legally give consent to be manipulated.

And I quote, from a short essay written by Rick Benson of Algamus:
"Gambling stimulates a 'thrill' which triggers the reward system to release up to 10 times more than the amount natural rewarding experiences would produce. This could suggest that the motivation to gamble [may be] somewhat determined by this inability to predict reward occurrence.

"Over time, one can develop a gambling tolerance, this is when the brain has become accustomed to dopamine and it ceases to produce the same 'thrill' as it did originally. Compulsive gambling overstimulates the brain, it triggers a boost in the brain's defensive reaction which weakens the reward system eventually reduces the level of 'pleasure' the individual experiences. The brain becomes conditioned and yearns for more dopamine to trigger its reward system."
Just as some of our patterning responses go back to the days when we as potential prey needed to quickly, and accurately, determine what was grass and what was predator, and thus, need sometimes extraordinary efforts to break through those instincts, gambling hits on the dopamine receptors, which in modern society are already significantly overstimulated, because so many corporate interests have discovered that's exactly how to hit humans to make them eat the food or drink the drink or buy the car.
[13:08] Mxxx Yxxxx: So a gumball machine is a gamling device too, that sheds a new light on chewing gum!
[13:08] Vxxxxx Cxxxxxxxxxx: I always thought the real fun would be to put a machine out that had a limited number of items inside..lol. Ever empty one for a child to get the one they wanted? Yeah.. many a parent has done just that. Silly as it may seem. Watched many an adult do the same with no child in sight. Again. No gun involved. No arms twisted. Their money to play with, spend as they please.
And again, I'd refer to the above. No gun is needed, no external pressure, when our brain itself is the thing pushing us to play. This is what the EU restrictions are intended to curtail, give the consumer of games at large the ability to make better choices.
[13:08] Pxxxxxx Oxxxxxxxx: pretty much... some states in the US consider em as such and they are banned
[13:08] Pxxxxxx Oxxxxxxxx: heh
[13:08] oxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: the most gacha i bought was from DRD. and under pull prize
[13:09] Vxxxxx Cxxxxxxxxxx: Like those grabbing games..lol.. some kids figured out they could just crawl inside and get what they wanted.
[13:09] Pxxxxxx Oxxxxxxxx: the claw?
[13:09] dxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: something i agree with said on the forum : 2. To anyone who thinks this will cause another mass exodus of SL residents: my guess is that LL weighed the odds and determined that mass exodus through gacha ban avatar genocide though country ban..
[13:09] Vxxxxx Cxxxxxxxxxx: Yes, [Pxxxxxx]
[13:09] Pxxxxxx Oxxxxxxxx: that's usually too weak to even lift the items?
[13:09] Pxxxxxx Oxxxxxxxx: lol
[13:09] dxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: and in my country we were the -first- to get rid of lootboxes in games so i belong in that mass. so blame it on our country -> Belgium
[13:09] axxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: is the sky falling down again?
[13:09] Mxxx Yxxxx: Hello neighbour!!
[13:10] Mxxx Yxxxx: NL
[13:10] Vxxxxx Cxxxxxxxxxx: Yeah, those claws are a gamble, you can loose your play. But did you have fun trying for it? Guess this is the end for games at county fairs too
[13:10] oxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: NL
[13:10] Vxxxxx Cxxxxxxxxxx: Is it gambling when you pay for darts to throw at balloons? lol
If you're doing it at a setting where the game's a fairly level playing field, not really, but if you're doing it at most carnivals? The game's rigged from go. The largest prizes never move off their shelf, and the darts are either deliberately blunted, or (the more usual trick), the balloons are only partially inflated so that at best, the darts impact, but there's enough give that they just fall harmlessly away.
[13:11] dxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: You're kidding right? Gachas are, essentially, worse lootboxes.
[13:11] dxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: its not the same but the RL policies are not going to lighten up , it will only get stricter everywhere
[13:11] dxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: You typically don't even know the %chances for a rare, let alone an ultrarare.
[13:12] Vxxxxx Cxxxxxxxxxx: Personally I loved that many started offering the full set at a price. Those that wanted to play, could. Those that didn't want to play could buy the full set.
Sure, and while expensive, that was a good advancement. But why did people start doing that? Not because they just spontaneously decided to, for the most part. No, because makers of gacha items listened to Lindens, who were watching advancing EU law, and that was the first move that was contemplated so they wouldn't have to go this far.

Then EU law changed, and now they do.
[13:12] dxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: At least lootboxes and gacha games were required to tell you the % chance and had pity mechanics in place to make sure you got the banner/rare stuff.
At least in SL, they're really not.
[13:13] Vxxxxx Cxxxxxxxxxx: I played enough to take note that commons would often be the true rare.
[13:13] dxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: tis what it is . gachas will adapt in some way just like the gambling places did
[13:13] Pxxxx Exxxxxxx: ya [Vxxxxx] - the rare 'commons' annoy me :D
[13:13] dxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: and like [pxxxxxx] said, there was a time in sl before gachas
[13:13] Vxxxxx Cxxxxxxxxxx: The only time I complained is when the creator made a mistake and the set had dupes inside or one item was missing.
[13:14] Vxxxxx Cxxxxxxxxxx: The way they addressed that either resulted in more plays from me or never again.
[13:14] Wxxxxx Zxxx: Ive messed up gachas so many times, was happy to fix it asap, and the people were always nice about it XD
[13:14] cxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Will drd just sell the items copy/ mod or will they sell them as transfer?
[13:14] Vxxxxx Cxxxxxxxxxx: DRD was -is- awesome for allowing trade ins for copyable sets
[13:15] Vxxxxx Cxxxxxxxxxx: I can't say that for many creators that just wouldn't dream of allowing that at all.
[13:17] Pxxxxxx Oxxxxxxxx: thing is, I don't know why everyone always has to try and police others choices, when in truth those actions aren't hurting anyone... what I do with my money, my body and my property is not anyones business but my own... unless I am doing something harmful to you, leave me the fuck alone to do what makes me happy...
Okay, sure, let's talk about that. Your right to do what you want with your money, your body and your property ends when:
  • it involves physical harm to another
  • it involves financial harm to another
  • it involves other things declared crimes--theft, personal violence, or--as we've addressed earlier--manipulative sales techniques that are difficult, if not impossible, for you to avoid
I'm as much against the 'nanny state' as anyone, and sure, I do think in some regions we are over-regulated, but look at the harm that was done in one single area in the US alone by the last president:
  • lead restrictions were lifted, when we already had an existing issue with lead in water and in construction materials
  • lead is proven to cause both short term and long term health effects and bodily damage
  • among the many issues that lead exposure can cause both developing fetuses (as lead crosses the blood-brain barrier in pregnant persons) and born children we find multiple sclerosis, lowered intelligence and permanent mental retardation, most of which are not reversible
  • all because it interfered with someone's ability to profit directly without no setbacks. Profit was the only motive in this particular case--not 'burdensome' restrictions, not misunderstood science, not short-term ill for now. leading to longer-term good (not that that generally works, anyway)
And if that's something that's able to happen on a whim from a government that is supposed to be regulating the truly harmful substances--how much more free do you think those who've looked into the science of dopamine rewards for gambling tend to be? Some restrictions are needed on predatory behavior.
[13:17] Vxxxxx Cxxxxxxxxxx: How dare you wish to be happy! The nerve!
[13:17] dxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: DRD will sell everything seperatly like we would sell our other normal releases (and a fatpack), how this will effect fatpack prices we arent sure yet but we will keep everyone well informed. but you all also know our gachas are HUGE and have a [f**kton] of [sh*t] so it will take us a while 30 day grace period is um not enough
[13:18] Sxxxxx Bxxxxxxxxx: it will solve a lot of problems for those who are addicted to gacha. Same as normal real gamblers.
[13:18] Vxxxxx Cxxxxxxxxxx: Like in... buying stuff we never truly own?
[13:18] Pxxxx Exxxxxxx: be careful what you wish for - there are those who believe we all need to be saved from our addiction to Second Life
[13:19] dxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: we want to offer pieces seperatly for ppl who have not completed their set so theyre not forced to buy a full pack , and also for new residents
[13:19] Axxxx Sxxxxxxxx: I like that way^^
[13:19] Sxxxxx Bxxxxxxxxx: DRD always has fantastic Gacha's. how ever i rarely played gacha. I cant simply afford it. It was nice to buy DRD gacha under the pull prize on marketplace.
[13:20] Pxxxxxx Oxxxxxxxx: to ban something for the sake of a possible addiction is a dangerous slope
[13:21] Pxxxxxx Oxxxxxxxx: how many are addicted to their computers? -raises hand-
[13:21] Vxxxxx Cxxxxxxxxxx: There was a time, gacha players had a rule of thumb : Commons for pull price and rares for 10X pull. Then that changed. Commons would end up priced like rares. Fewer playing meant for less items on the secondary market. Supply and demand kicked in... like RL.
[13:21] Pxxxxxx Oxxxxxxxx: your phone?
[13:21] Vxxxxx Cxxxxxxxxxx: a slippery one at that
[13:21] dxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: christ im already getting invites for like 3 goobye gacha events. we will need to think about that i dont particularily want to do a gacha sale right before theyre banned but i'll talk it over with the rest of drd
It's a hazard, currently. Right now there's no "one" way to deal with the issue until gachas go away.
[13:21] cxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: So DRD will sell individual items copy/ mod/ no transfer?
[13:21] dxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: yes [cxxxxx]
[13:22] cdxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: thank you
[13:22] Sxxxxx Bxxxxxxxxx: well that was a long time ago. most sellers do it double pull prize or more.
[13:22] Sxxxxx Bxxxxxxxxx: and that is sad
[13:22] dxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: but not on sept 1st cause we will NOT make that lol
[13:22] Vxxxxx Cxxxxxxxxxx: LOL@invites... went to play a last round... second pull was a rare... oh poor me for playing and spending my money.
[13:22] Sxxxxx Bxxxxxxxxx: some even ask 30 times more as pull prize.
[13:22] Vxxxxx Cxxxxxxxxxx: Some things are just fun while they lasted.
[13:23] Vxxxxx Cxxxxxxxxxx: Well then... you decided if it was worth it to you?
[13:23] Pxxxx Exxxxxxx: well the gougers on MP will lose out because if creators are going to sell previous gachas as copy/mod collections no one will need to get anything from MP
[13:23] Vxxxxx Cxxxxxxxxxx: again.. no gun to the head.
Again, you completely fail to comprehend the situation.
[13:23] Sxxxxx Bxxxxxxxxx: because they want to lost money back. lol. i wish you could get your money back from the lotery. lol.
[13:23] Vxxxxx Cxxxxxxxxxx: Better off handing a dollar to a teacher if you want that money to go towards education.
[13:24] Vxxxxx Cxxxxxxxxxx: How have you lost money if you played 10 times and have 10 items?
[13:25] Vxxxxx Cxxxxxxxxxx: I played extra just to get dupes of many gacha games.
[13:25] Sxxxxx Bxxxxxxxxx: that can be interesting [Cxx]. Belle Epoque is doing that. all items 25 linden. she started with that couple of months ago. it is nice for those as me who cant afford to play gacha
[13:26] dxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: our items will be set for sale at regular DRD prices, the people reselling will still have it up cheaper and wont lose many sales , our exchange will stay up for over a year orso.
[13:26] Vxxxxx Cxxxxxxxxxx: Good to know :)
[13:27] Axxxx Sxxxxxxxx: neither can I but thats my problem ^^ it means my wishlist on MP will be even longer and checked off more slowly *shrugs*
[13:28] Sxxxxx Bxxxxxxxxx: it will be sad for the creators. i saw awesome creations in cacha's
I'll miss that too. Some makers, like Walton Wainright of Contraption, will continue to make highly intricate, involved items simply because they wish to make them. But many will move back to easier to make/easier to script items, simply because it is easier.
[13:28] dxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Just because gachas are gone doesn't mean they can't sell them normally :P
[13:29] cxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: [Cxx] why would a creator devalue their own work? If a reseller can get 10 x a pull spin then the item is worth 10x a pull spin... I understand the machines might be reduced, but eventually we have to pay for the quality we receive
If by "reduced" you mean "entirely gone from the grid from those makers paying attention, and left out by those makers who either think the new rulings don't apply to them, or who haven't been paying attention, and who will then be fined, temp banned, or perma-banned for violating the new rulings"...then, sure.
[13:29] Pxxxxxx Oxxxxxxxx: {heart} the DRD team, yer my heroes!
[13:35] dxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: :)
[13:36] Qxxx Rxxxxxxx is a mini-hero too then *flexes* ahahaha
[13:37] Vxxxxx Cxxxxxxxxxx: LOL!
[13:37] Qxxx Rxxxxxxx: [Jxxxx] is like a bottle of chill-pills... for me anyway... just saying.. lol
[13:39] dxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: resellers seething lmao
[13:39] Qxxx Rxxxxxxx: so... everyone having a good day? Looking forward to the new release?
[13:39] dxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Yea it's a great day after the news. :)
[13:40] Lxxxxx Qxxxxxx: So this is all because of Belgium and the EU?
[13:41] dxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I know we started it lol , belgium was the first to bann lootboxes
[13:41] dxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: it kinda sucked watching my game buddies open their loot and i couldnt xD
[13:41] Sxxxxx Bxxxxxxxxx: i never did lootbox. you never know what you get
[13:43] dxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: but it was exciting. untill u got a sad weapon again
[13:48] Lxxxxx Qxxxxxx: wow, bad chat lag!
[13:54] Qxxx Rxxxxxxx: I think DRD needs to put a sad weapon up for sale sometime..
[13:55] Sxxxxx Bxxxxxxxxx: lol
[13:57] Qxxx Rxxxxxxx: and a tombstone... R.I.P. Gacha
[13:57] Qxxx Rxxxxxxx: lol
[14:01] Vxxxxx Cxxxxxxxxxx: There used to be an event where everything offered was in a limited number. Sold out meant just that. Not transferable items either. People complained. People will always complain. Even if they had everything they ever wanted, they would complain about not having enough hours in the day to play with it all.
If I'm remembering correctly, that was Equal10. That's still running. That won't change. Why? Because that specialty limited item was known. The amount was listed--fifty, one hundred, one thousand, five thousand. That many, and no more, of that particular color/style/shape.

That's not gambling. That's an advertised and posted limited edition, where people can see exactly what they're getting.
[14:02] Pxxxx Exxxxxxx: I wish to complain about having more things in my inventory than I can manage!
Well, most of us do that.
[14:02] Vxxxxx Cxxxxxxxxxx: tada!
[14:04] Qxxx Rxxxxxxx: I love my inventory... it has a vast abyss inside it... that abyss is an eerie scary place, lots of monsters lurk in it's depths, thousands upon thousands of things swirl around in spooky labyrinths of fearsome darkness.... it's always fun to toss the net in and see what I pull out
Usually I'm just baffled--"When did I get this?! Why did I get this?!"

More to come, as I slowly edit.

I don't know if I can open up, I've been opened enough (part VII)

From Death Row Designs:
DRD had already decided last years gachas would be its very last one. my personal opinion is that gachas has run its course. We will keep you guys informed about when our sets will be available for regular purchase and on the MP, the full sets will stay up for now (listing around 3000 items will take a while). i feel bad for the gacha markets, resellers etc, but every ending has a new beginning and i'm sure there will be some other policy approved form of this in the future. hope this clears so
And on the heels of that:
[10:50] Cxxxxxxxxx Cxxxxxx: https://community.secondlife.com/blogs/entry/8586-policy-change-regarding-gacha/
[10:50] Dxxx Exxx: my soul alrdy died
[10:51] Jxxxxx Nxxx: YESSS!
[10:51] Jxxxxx Nxxx: Awesome! FinallY!
[10:51] Qxxx Rxxxxxxx: I think it sucks... I liked having the option to play that and see what I'd get
[10:52] Sxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: will you all be retiring your gacha items as well?
[10:52] Jxxxxx Nxxx: I like being able to simply trade currency for an item.
[10:52] Dxxxx Rxxxxxxx: all will have to be retired
[10:52] Jxxxxx Nxxx: Rather than gambling for it. This is great news.
[10:52] Exxxx Hxxxxxxxxx: I agree
[10:52] lxxxx Dxxxxxxx: it is a good thing :)
[10:52] Fxxxxxxxxxxx Jxxxxx: wow
[10:52] Cxxxxxx Rxxxxx: well, none of it has to be retired. They just need sold as any other item.
Technically true, but...some stores have thrown up their gacha items as free fatpacks, everything for nothing; some have done the same, but only for group members; some have declared after the end of the month, NONE of their gacha items will exist. Some, like this particular maker, are tearing their hair out, because their gachas featured dozens of individual items, all of which now have to be repackaged and set out.
[10:53] Dxxx Exxx: gambling entails u pay to play, and risk getting absolutely nothing, gacha isnt gambling, its a 50cent grab bag like candy in a corner store
[10:53] Cxxxxxx Rxxxxx: just can't play the gacha games
[10:53] Qxxx Rxxxxxxx: [Dxxx]... I agree 100%
[10:53] Zxxx Bxxx: I prefer to choose and get what I want ... and not hoping. Beside of that, a couple of shops offer some items only on Gatcha, ... you might have the chance to get something you want for a low price ... or get a lot stuff you maybe not want/need.
[10:54] sxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I think its because to many karens complaining
No, this one's far more straightforward. It's EU law. Specifically, German EU law, but Denmark is contemplating similar legislation, so it may soon be adopted throughout the EU.
[10:54] Jxxxxx Nxxx: It's designed to get you to pay more for the one thing you actually want.
Name of the game, yes.
[10:54] sxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: and thats whats wrong with the world people have this since that life is always fair and cant handle it when its not
[10:54] Jxxxxx Nxxx: Or to get the full set of something.
[10:54] Zxxx Bxxx: I might more guess, it's about (RL) regularity against "Loot boxes" or how they are called, in games.
[10:55] Jxxxxx Nxxx: I'm super happy. I hated that stupid system.
[10:55] Txxxxxxxx Axxxxxx: it has nothing to do with people complaining or unable to handle shit....gambling isn't just all or nothing either damn
[10:55] Sxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: i think its because you try to buy gacha items in marketplace and end up getting emtpy boxes at times
[10:56] Lxxx Oxxxxx: and pay ridiculous prices for MP gachas
[10:56] Txxxxxxxx Axxxxxx: I bought a DRD rare off the marketplace and instead got a set that was ripped apart with only the floor remaining :')
To be fair, this has happened to me, too. Not with DRD, but I've bought avatars off the MP and opened the voucher card, only to be told it's already been used.
[10:56] sxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: i often get very good buys on the mp for the one piece of a set that i don't have from a gacha. i will miss this.
There's that, too. Preliminal Cottage, after all, in Stormhold, is that cottage because I lucked into a price I could afford for the entire set.
[10:56] Sxxxxxx Rxxxxxx: alot of the time market place is cheaper if you really want one item lol
[10:56] sxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: okay i guess you never gambled , which is fair ,gambling you get nothing for the spin a gatcha each time you are giving an item ., so when you leave you do have items , you have something for your money [10:56] Txxxxxxxx Axxxxxx: fam gambling isn't all or nothing there are types of gambling
[10:57] Cxxxxxx Rxxxxx: Gachas are still gambling. I have an inventory full of duplicate commons if you think otherwise : )
[10:57] Jxxxxx Nxxx: Clearly regulatory bodies disagree with you.
There are types of gambling. For example, some forms of underground martial arts are illegal in many places. Cock fights and dog fights are illegal in a lot of places. And sure, a lootbox isn't in the same category as someone spending a thousand to try and get a winning lottery ticket.

The difference: children. Any time children are involved, people get up in arms. So in this case, if the under-eighteen set was at risk for stealing Mommy's credit card and charging five thousand of in-game items to it (which happened), the parents stand up and say this is predatory, and it needs to STOP.
[10:57] Txxxxxxxx Axxxxxx: you can bet on a race horse and get some money but not the most money -- or even get less money. is that not gambling either?
That's a really specious--and ridiculous--example.
[10:58] Txxxxxxxx Axxxxxx: you can do a lotto ticket and get 3 dollars or nothing or a million like ffs
[10:58] Jxxxxx Nxxx: Right.
[10:58] Sxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: i think its selling gacha items on marketplace issues. people been selling empty gacha boxes on there for ages
This is also a problem.
[10:58] sxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: i think this will reduce gacha playing and they will make less money
Thank you, Captain Obvious.
[10:58] axxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx subtly trolls all present by declaring her lack of feeling one way or the other about gacha
[10:59] Jxxxxx Nxxx: It will eliminate gatcha altogether.
[10:59] Jxxxxx Nxxx: And I say good riddance.
[10:59] Jxxxxx Nxxx: Gonna be a good week!
Splitting this into (at least) two parts because this chat capture was long...

05 August, 2021

I don't know if I can open up, I've been opened enough (part VI)

Then a bit of saved chat from Apple Fall:
[10:40] Kxxxx Axxxxxx: Well Apple Fall was ahead of the curve.... https://community.secondlife.com/blogs/entry/8586-policy-change-regarding-gacha/
[10:41] Exx Rxxxxx: exactly
[10:41] Exx Rxxxxx: lol
[10:41] Kxxxx Axxxxxx: Now if Apple Fall would be so kind to unretire all gachas as regular products... LOL
[10:42] Jxxxxx Dxxxxxxx: Sorry but that will never happen.
[10:42] Jxxxxx Dxxxxxxx: Even more reason not to now lol
[10:42] Exx Rxxxxx: which seems unfair to those who bought them as gachas
[10:42] Kxxxx Axxxxxx: I know [Jxxxxx]
[10:42] Jxxxxx Dxxxxxxx: grins.. always worth a shot I know lol
[10:42] Kxxxx Axxxxxx: [Exx] they did a trade in
[10:42] Jxxxxx Dxxxxxxx: It wont happen [Exx] dont worry
[10:43] Exx Rxxxxx: oh I know [Jxxxxx] :)
[10:43] Exx Rxxxxx: Apple is always fair
[10:43] Exx Rxxxxx: I would love GM to reissue a 63 vette but i know that will never happen either.
[10:43] Exx Rxxxxx: hehe [Exxx]
[10:43] Exx Rxxxxx: the sexy years
[10:44] lxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: its a very sad day...
[10:44] Axxxxxxx Qxxxx: well I am sad BUT that will save me a fortune LOL
[10:48] Kxxxx Axxxxxx: The only issue is rezz days, birthdays, and yule it is back to gift cards for all.
[10:48] Exx Rxxxxx: no kidding
[10:48] Axxxxxxx Axxxx: I know gacha never sat right with Apple, so yeah he was ahead of the times!
[10:49] Exxx Pxxxxxxxxx: Be sure to go visit your favourite gachas and get plenty of copies before the 31st!
[10:49] Exx Rxxxxx: true that
[10:49] cxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: some gachas can be still found on MP by resellers.
[10:49] sxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Reselling is fine because you know what you're getting for the price.
[10:50] cxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: exactly
[10:50] sxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: It's the RNG element that they're cracking down on from the machines.
[10:51] Jxxxxx Dxxxxxxx: Taking away the gamble element
[11:07] Kxxxx Axxxxxx: Having thrown 9k into one for 1 ultra rare... then having to sell the other itms and hope I make some of my money back... honestly I am over gachas
[11:07] Zxx Bxxx: What was it you were after?
[11:08] Cxxxxxxxx Mxxxxxxx: good riddance gachas are a scourge
[11:08] Txxxxx Dxxxxxx: seems like Apple was ahead of the curve on this one....smiles
[11:08] Txxxx Mxxxxxxx: I like gachas, I play a few pulls then go find what I want on Mp
[11:08] Sxxxxxxx Sxxxxxxxx: I hate having ONE chair that is no copy, then hunting down 3 more etc. I never liked gachas
[11:08] Vxxxxxxxxx Dxxxxxx: see I thought of this like grab bags
[11:08] Cxxxx Mxxxx: Horrible idea
[11:09] Cxxxxxxxx Mxxxxxxx: they are technically loot boxes, and governments around the world are cracking down on them
[11:09] Cxxxxxxxx Mxxxxxxx: so I am sure LL is getting ahead of that before they have issues with laws
[11:10] Txxxx Mxxxxxxx: Never thought of gacha as gambling, but more like a gum ball machine
[11:23] Exxx Hxxxxxxxx: will the perk day be going too ?
[11:24] Wxxxx Sxxxxxx: why would it? It's not a gambling event
[11:24] Zxxxx Yxxxxx: it is gambling. you never know what you get. all gacha players always hope for the rare. to ask the high bingo prise for it
[11:25] Apple Pancake: Since you're not paying anything to participate in Perk, perk is staying. That's just a giveaway :]
[11:25] Ixxxxx Axxxxx: yay
[11:26] Apple Pancake: Nothing will change at the store since I discontinued gachas some time ago. You can still find people reselling individual items or collections on the marketplace
[11:26] Axxxx Lxxxxxxxx: yay!
[11:30] Kxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: and we love you for it:)
[11:31] Kxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: now, about a cloisonne lamp...
[11:31] Kxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: ;D
[11:34] Xxxxxxx Axxxxx: Any chance Apple will hold another exchange for those of us taht missed the last one he did??? 8(
[11:42] Yxxxx Yxxx: FIRE
[11:42] Kxxx Ixxxxxxxx: FREEEDOOOOM
[11:42] Kxxx Ixxxxxxxx: HOLY SHIT I NEVER THOUGHT I'D SEE THE DAY
[11:42] Yxxxx Yxxx: that won't clear the store
[11:44] Dxx Dxxxxx: lol dropped in to make a landmark .. hanging around to see whats goin on ...?
[11:45] Yxxxx Yxxx: can't get in :(
[11:45] Apple Pancake: Monday Perk is active, so you just need to visit the store and get pinged by the tracker. You're entered then into a giveaway which happens weekly for L$ or store credit
[11:45] ixxxxx Rxxxxxxx: what freedom [Kxxx]? you were in jail? :)
[11:45] Dxx Dxxxxx: idk why its this crowded .. ill leave after i find out xD (omg i have fomo!)
[11:46] Dxx Dxxxxx: oh lord ppl just hanging out then :D
[11:46] Apple Pancake: Store can get congested on Mondays but it will ease out in a little bit
[11:46] Kxxx Ixxxxxxxx: freedom from gambling
[11:47] Lxxxx Axxxxxxx: Can we just have these items as fatpacks pleaseeee
[11:47] Kxxxx Axxxxxx: THANK YOU!!!!!!!!
[11:47] Ixxx Mxxxxx: You guys are so awesome. I know it was a shock for you all.
[11:47] sxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: So grateful!
[11:48] mxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: oh that is just wonderful
[11:48] Jxxxxx Dxxxxxxx: Read the attached notecard guys. Remember the procedure from before. Please be sure to follow all the instructions via the notecard for the exchange xx
[11:49] Lxxxxxxxx Fxxxxxx: in tears of greatfullness of you always so kindness to all ..what a kind beyond kind thing to do thank you xoxox lady
[11:50] Lxxxx Axxxxxxx: I hope in the future we can just have these sets as buyable options :/ i suck with gachas
[11:51] Axxxxx Cxxxxxxx: Did you see that SL will be banning gachas?
[11:52] Lxxxx Axxxxxxx: Yes.
[11:52] Jxxxxx Dxxxxxxx: this is the gacha exchange offered again for existing items you have in your inventory already folks !!! The gachas themselves will NOT be returning to store so we are offering the exchange from no copy to copy versions as we did before :)
[11:52] Apple Pancake: Just to note the gachas won't be returning, if you have any no copy gacha items or collections, we have reopened our exchange programme so you can trade them in for copy/mod versions
[11:53] Apple Pancake: Yes :]
[11:53] ixxxxx Rxxxxxxx: to buy whole sets is extremly expensive! as they sell them now for 4000k+ ,not many would afford that!
[11:53] Jxxxxx Dxxxxxxx: Oops sorry boss.. heheh
[11:53] sxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Thank you AP ♥
[11:54] Apple Pancake: You can exchange single items or incomplete sets, whatever you have and want back in copy/mod
[11:55] Apple Pancake: If you have duplicates, send them to friends to exchange them so they can enjoy it too. Thoughts ^^
[11:59] pxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: good to know ^^
[12:05] Bxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: ♥
[12:11] Lxxxx Axxxxxxx: Can the gacha sets be re-released as non-gacha items? I would rather just buy the whole set. I'll pay for it @Apple
[12:15] KKxxx Ixxxxxxxx: I would pay also for the whole sets, would love that more.
[12:15] Lxxxx Axxxxxxx: Yesss. The demand is there please make it real!
[12:18] Apple Pancake: I get requests about it I personally feel a way about changing the terms of sale after the fact. I don't in any way want anyone who bought the gacha when it was in gacha form to feel like they were duped if it were sold as a mod/copy collection
[12:18] sxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: ♥
[12:18] Apple Pancake: I know it would be popular I just can't align myself with it. I'm sorry :[
[12:19] cxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: So...if I've bought gachas in the past.....what do I do now? *easily confused and late to the party*
[12:19] cxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: nevermind! lol
[12:19] Apple Pancake: If you own any Apple Fall gacha items as mod/trans, you can box them up and send them to Elvi for mod/copy versions 1:1
[12:19] cxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: *as I finally read the notecard*
[12:20] cxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: thank you! that's wonderful. I didn't even know there was a swap in Feb.
[12:23] Krxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Apple Fall is my favorite furniture store ever
[12:25] Lxxxx Axxxxxxx: So... these sets will never be purchaseable sets.
[12:25] Lxxxx Axxxxxxx: -_- wish gachas never existed
[12:26] Sxxxxxxxx Bxxxxxxxx: if you're lucky enough to find apple fall gacha in the mp or at a gacha yardsale, you can trade-in for a mod/copy, but that's about it
[12:26] Sxxxxxxxx Bxxxxxxxx: to clarify*
[12:29] Sxxxx Bxxxxxx: Is it possible to trade the English Folly for copy?
[12:30] Axxxx Rxxxxxxx: if it was a gatcha, you will be able to trade it in for copy/mod
[12:31] Apple Pancake: Shopping habits have changed in SL and it's one of the things I picked up on amongst many other things which led me to originally discontinue gachas as-is in 2019. They are what they are now, but I am thinking of some concepts to try and bridge that gap that some of you recent joiners may be experiencing
[12:33] Sxxxx Bxxxxxx: How do I go about swapping?
[12:39] Lxxxx Axxxxxxx: I may have to attempt these machines before they vanish but knowing my luck I will end up with 87 of the same 3 items
[12:40] Axxxx Lxxxxxxxx: :D
[12:40] Axxxx Lxxxxxxxx: you're not wrong.....
[12:40] Lxxxx Axxxxxxx: That's why I avoid them in the first place
[12:40] Axxxx Lxxxxxxxx: same
[12:41] jxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: They must have been some Gachas
[12:41] Lxxxx Axxxxxxx: I see a lot of stores worried that they will lose customers by not making gachas. But look at apple, there hasn't been gachas for years at apple fall and do we not all flood the store for every release?
[12:42] jxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: you know if it is a complete set, something you can turn key a room with, 4K isn't that bad.
[12:43] Lxxxx Axxxxxxx: huh?
[12:43] jxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I know I've dumped over 6K in some rooms
[12:43] jxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I was talking about 4K gacha sets
[12:43] jxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: as a collection
[12:43] jxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: (cost in Lindens)
[12:44] jxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: not that I would ever gamble with a gacha.
[14:36] lxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Does anyone know where the most expensive clothing store is? Im just bored and curious to see heheh
[14:37] Wxxxxxxxxxx Sxxxxxx: im pretty sure it isnt at Apple Falls...
[14:37] rxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: not something we here in a furniture store would know about lol
[14:38] Pxxxx Rxxxxxx: honestly i do not know :) they are all pretty even
[14:38] Wxxxxxxxxxx Sxxxxxx: [clicked for non AF related chat]
[14:38] oxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: look at market place
[14:38] txxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: the most expensive clothes on SL are the good male's stories because they are so few ;)
[14:38] Pxxxx Rxxxxxx: you are no doubt right there Pharaoh :)
[14:39] Sxxxxxxxx Bxxxxxxxx: depends on whether it's "value for money" or those mega packs I hear so much about
[14:40] txxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: women's good stores are many stores, so there is a price competition .. but men's are less than a hand
[14:41] Sxxxxxxxx Bxxxxxxxx: if you say so~
[14:41] txxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: i am not talking about full packs .. a one color shirt for men in stores starts with 350 Ls
[14:42] txxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: plus, we have NO gifts nor sales .... haha
[14:42] Sxxxxxxxx Bxxxxxxxx: sales are your friend :3 have gotten some good deals for my male partner for 50L
[14:43] Txxxx Dxxxxxx: Use the MP they have filters that deal with price, try there they might can help
[14:43] txxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: would love to know from where *rests a hand on your shoulder*
[14:44] xxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: i can photoshop 'supreme' on a plain white tee, and sell it to you for 3000L is you like :P
[14:44] Jxxxxx Dxxxxxxx: Maybe take that chat to private folks please :) This is Apple Fall chat after all {heart}
[14:44] Sxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: do we know the reason? seems like it's because it's unknown, like a gambling thing...?
[14:44] Sxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: ohhhh sorry
[14:44] txxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: i do that all the time Tru, but not good stuff .. i am so picky and for a good texture, a good fit
[14:44] Sxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: wrong convo
[14:45] txxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: and i was simply comparing between men's and women's market in general
[14:46] txxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: LOL @ Holloe ... why you don't give me 10% of the 3k and i will announce in other groups .. lol
[14:46] xxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: lol
[14:47] xxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: i'll just photoshop you announcing it and keep the full 100% :P
[14:47] txxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: sorry Jessie ... it started that Apple fall is one of the good stores ;)
[14:47] Pxxxx Rxxxxxx: LOL you guys are too funny :D did you all see the Notice that just went out ? if you missed the trade in last time for Gacha's of Apple Fall , [Exxx] is offering that service again !!!
[14:47] sxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: and clothing is related how to Apple fall? I mean, he is a good looking avatar, so maybe he is interested in a new style
[14:47] Pxxxx Rxxxxxx: so if you have any that you want to turned into copy items make sure to Grab the Notecard
[14:48] sxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: thanks for the update, Pilar.
[14:48] Sxxxxx Exxxxx: oh... we can exchange for copy versions of our gachas?
[14:48] Jxxxxx Dxxxxxxx: indeed you can [Sxxxxx] ;)
[14:48] Pxxxx Rxxxxxx: yes :D please see Notices and grab the Notecard for instructions
[14:49] Sxxxxx Exxxxx: awesome....
[14:49] xxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: thats very useful, i always end up deleting things by accident
[14:49] Pxxxx Rxxxxxx: i have been known to do that a time or two , [Hxxxxx]
[14:50] xxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: usually when changing my house or decor
[14:50] Pxxxx Rxxxxxx: same
[14:51] Sxxxxx Exxxxx: i use my gachas in decoration/ interior design.. this is a boon for me.. also.. I spend way too much on gachas...
[14:51] xxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: a 'this is no copy' warning would be useful, not sure if theres a setting to add that
[14:51] Pxxxx Rxxxxxx: there is if you are deleting something normally get a pop up :D
[14:53] Exxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I think that gacha is a great scam, it's good that SL wants to liquidate it
[14:53] Pxxxx Rxxxxxx: and we will not comment on that further :D thank you so much
[14:55] Hxxxxx Lxxxxxxxxxx: >:(
[14:56] sxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: lol, HAL - you are the first person who came to mind when I read the gacha notecard! :)
[14:57] sxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: SL'S Gacha queen
[14:57] Hxxxxx Lxxxxxxxxxx: I don't really have much to say at the moment to be honest.
[14:57] Hxxxxx Lxxxxxxxxxx: 3 years of building it up
[14:57] Hxxxxx Lxxxxxxxxxx: I just feel numb.
[14:59] Fxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I'm sorry [Hxx]. ♥
[15:01] Hxxxxx Lxxxxxxxxxx: Its not me I feel bad for! I furnish newbie homes for free with my stock, it was my favorite hobby.
[15:02] Fxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I know. You have offered me before. Fan smiles.
[15:09] dxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: what is going on with gachas?
[15:09] Pxxxx Rxxxxxx: Mr Apple and [Exxx] have opened up the exchanges again for those that missed it :)) you can turn your no copy AF ones into copy
[15:10] Pxxxx Rxxxxxx: there is a notice in group with a NC attached :) make sure to grab the NC for information
[15:10] dxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: :O
[15:10] dxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: ty pilar for the info ♥
[15:12] Pxxxx Rxxxxxx: you are most welcome Heather ♥
[15:14] exxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: thats why i said do a pic
[15:15] exxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: you dont need much skills
[15:16] Lxxxx Axxxxxxx: so where are the gacha machines that are out for a limited time?
[15:16] Pxxxx Rxxxxxx: there are none out :))
[15:17] Lxxxx Axxxxxxx: I saw it in the notice that they would be-
[15:17] Pxxxx Rxxxxxx: for a limited time you can trade in what you have if you missed the last trade in :))
[15:17] Lxxxx Axxxxxxx: Oh. I didn't even get to play them last time when they were out. welp
[15:17] Lxxxx Axxxxxxx: guess it'll be some apple stuff i don't have
[15:24] Lxxxx Axxxxxxx: also how do we know if we are up to date everything apple. I think i have the newest release... is flickr or instagram the way to go
[15:26] Pxxxx Rxxxxxx: personally i follow flickr :)) https://www.flickr.com/photos/80288053@N02/page1
[15:26] Sxxxxxxx Bxxxxxxx: Does anyone know if the Gatekeeper's Lodge is part of the approved tradables?
[15:26] Pxxxx Rxxxxxx: that will have the latest releases :) also at the store the floor you land on has all the newest releases :))
[15:27] Cxxxx Dxxxxxxx personally follows Flickr
[15:27] Pxxxx Rxxxxxx: yes [Sxxxxxx] :)) it is on the NC and exchangeable
[15:27] Pxxxx Rxxxxxx: lol [Cxxxx] !
[15:27] Sxxxxxxx Bxxxxxxx: yay thank you :D
[15:27] Pxxxx Rxxxxxx: grab the attached NC from notices :D has the list you can do
[15:28] Sxxxxxxx Bxxxxxxx: i missed the first time you guys did this so i was excited when you said you were doing it again
[15:28] Pxxxx Rxxxxxx: yayyy for you :D
[15:28] Pxxxx Rxxxxxx: make sure to grab the NC so you know the process of how :D
[15:28] Sxxxxxxx Bxxxxxxx: yep :D
[15:43] Pxxxx Rxxxxxx: also if you are on our Discord :D [Exxxx] has opened a room up for all of you that are still looking to trade to complete your collections :)) you can't sell it in but certainly trade :))
[16:16] Pxxxx Vxxxxxxx: wow i just discovered teh out door and garden center - hadn't been here before
[16:17] Pxxxx Vxxxxxxx: there are a couple things i want to buy but don't have price tags
[16:17] Pxxxx Rxxxxxx: say it isn't so [Pxxx] !! i am surprised !!
[16:17] Hxxxxx Hxxxxxxx: right click and see if they're the gift items.
[16:17] Sxxxxxxxx Bxxxxxxxx: bless your cotton socks ^^ ... maybe it's not rezzed yet?
[16:18] Bxxxxxxx Cxxxxxx: There are some freebies up there
[16:18] Pxxxx Vxxxxxxx: Apple Fall Large Terracotta Urn
[16:18] Pxxxx Vxxxxxxx: Apple Fall Olive and Daisy Planter
[16:18] Pxxxx Vxxxxxxx: IKR [Pxxxx] - i have most everything
[16:19] Pxxxx Rxxxxxx: the Terracotta Urn is on MP for 75L
[16:19] Pxxxx Vxxxxxxx: oh i just found it here
[16:19] sxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: We're so spoiled!
[16:20] Pxxxx Rxxxxxx: i know you do [Pxxx] ! that is why i was surprised you hadn't been out there :))
[16:20] Pxxxx Vxxxxxxx: last time i was in the garden was when the store was on ground level
[16:20] Pxxxx Rxxxxxx: ahhh before the revamp :D
[16:21] Pxxxx Rxxxxxx: oh yes and remember it is Monday Perk Day :D make sure to visit the store
[16:23] Pxxxx Vxxxxxxx: psst. pilar i found the olice and daisy planter - it doesn't have a group discount
[16:23] Pxxxx Rxxxxxx: the ones that dont have a group discount normally refund you what it would be :D
[16:24] Pxxxx Vxxxxxxx: ahh - well it did very good
[16:34] kxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: can i have telport to garden centre
[16:35] Pxxxx Vxxxxxxx: walk straight back from the landing point in the store
[16:35] Pxxxx Vxxxxxxx: and walk out the door you will be magically transported there
[16:35] Pxxxx Rxxxxxx: walk through the door at the landpoint :D
[16:38] kxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: did u say it was free
[16:42] kxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: i can make all this stuff
[16:42] sxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx grins
[16:43] sxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I'd love to see your work, [Axxxxxxxx]
[16:43] Pxxxx Rxxxxxx: please discuss anything like that in IM
[16:44] sxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: My apologies, [Pxxxx] ♥
[16:44] kxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: im incapable of makin a store
[16:44] Pxxxx Rxxxxxx: no worries [Sxxxx] :))
[16:44] sxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Ty so much ♥

I'm the Mephistopheles of Los Angeles (part CXXXII)

(Roleplay entry. Continued from part CXXXI.)

There was a saying that the people who own Los Angeles were members of one club downtown, and the people who ran Los Angeles were members of this club.

Hiro-at-the-club1

Hiro sat at a table in the large dining room, drinking coffee. Waiters in white jackets moved attentively to the spread-out dinners. He sat quietly reading the Wall Street Journal. The markets were down again. An issue with the recovery in Europe, and the war continuing in North Asia. The Japanese excavations at Tunguska were generating more headlines. It was hard to trust the stories. He saw the doctor approaching. He was tall, dark eyes, fair skin. He didn't smile; he sat down.

"Mister, uh..."

"Stonelevel, H.S. Stonelevel," Hiro lied. He handed over a calling card.
Stonelevel and Sons
Antiquities and Manuscripts
43 Cavendish Square, London
"Ah, yes. The buyer..."

Hiro waited. The doctor swallowed.

"I am sorry, I have nothing to sell."

"Are you buying, Doctor?"

"Well, that depends..."

"We have several things that might interest you. A completed folio of the King in Yellow, a French copy of the Ordinances of the Sphinx, a Latin copy of Ose and Hiram, and a guide to Gallifreyian Tantra."

The Doctor paused. "None of those are in Los Angeles?"

"Of course not."

"The Ordinance of the Sphinx--how can you be sure it isn't a forgery?"

"They are not."

Hiro looked at him steadily. After a pause, he continued. "I have some transcriptions. I understand you may have a copy of the Codex?"

"I have access to one, yes--"

"We could compare the Cyphers to validate."

The doctor looked troubled. "Oh, I am not an adapt, I wouldn't..."

Hiro waited. Understanding crossed the Doctor's face.

"I see. You would authenticate."

Hiro nodded. Hiro smiled.

"I have to speak to my business partner, he actually has a copy of the Codex. How can I reach you, sir?"

Hiro held out his hand. After a moment, blinking, the Doctor gave him back the business card. He wrote on the back and returned it. "This agency will know my whereabouts."

"Elwood Clark, Private Investigations?"

"Security precautions."

"Of course," the Doctor said, smiling. "I'll be in touch." He stood and began to leave the dining room, stopping to talk to two men at a table close to the door.

Hiro finished his coffee, reading about the ancient artifacts the Japanese claimed to be extracting from the Tartarian crater. He folded up the newspaper, left the club, and found a different hotel.

The phone in room 201 rang in the afternoon. He was in the Hotel Daniel on Hollywood Boulevard.

"Hello," Hiro said calmly.

"It's Clark. He called."

"Okay."

"Wants to you come to his house in Los Feliz on Thursday night. Something about proving a point?"

Hiro wrote the address on the note pad next to the phone.

"Also, I looked into the actress, Elizabeth Short, and her boyfriend, 'The Turk'. A lot of people know her, very social in town. Connected in various, discreet circles..."

"Of course."

"This 'Turk' is harder. People have heard of him, but no one knows him. Not LAPD, not Micky Cohen's crew, not even the Italians. I called a buddy down in the Harbor division in San Pedro. Nothing..."

"That is odd."

"I'm going to drive down there and check it out. I have to stop over at Hughes Aircraft anyway, on a different case."

"Thank you, Mr Clark."

“You're welcome." There was a short pause. "My bill..."

"Let's meet at Muso and Frank's for a drink tomorrow. I'll bring cash."

"Always a pleasure."

The phone went dead.

The AI’s voice filled the small Hotel Room. "This Doctor strikes me, that he sounds like a man who had slept well and doesn't owe too much money."

"And you strike me as someone who has been reading too much Raymond Chandler."

"How else was I to get ready for this timeline, and when were you going to brief me?"

Hiro had shifted back to his Leopard form. He was sitting on the small hotel bed, the neon of Hollywood illuminating the darkness.

"I wasn't ready. When you hit the wormhole you must have downloaded coordinates from the Station's singularity lab. Why here, why now?"

"In most timelines, the Codex, if found, has an impact in how fast events play out."

"The thing in Japan, Tunguska?"

"Siberia."

"What about it?"

"Tunguska is in Siberia."

"So why are the Japanese digging up the artifacts?"

"In this timeline, they didn't surrender. Hiroshima didn't happen. The Allies tried a Thaumaturgic weapon. Obviously, it didn't work."

"Well, it didn't work in Japan. It worked in Germany. Anyway--what have you found?"

"Beth Short is the key to this. Can't calculate why. But I did find something. Look--"

Hiro-at-the-club2

The AI projected a hologram of a black and white photo. A smiling Elizabeth Short dressed in a burlesque-like dress, sitting in the lap of an older man. They were in a chair in front of a circus tent and wagon. She was smiling. The wagon was painted 'Berthan Mills Circus'. In the distance a marquee with two canvas banners advertised a magic act and what appeared to be a spider with a woman's head.

"This photo was taken in 1928."

Hiro felt sick. He was looking at the Circus.

"in the current time line?"

"Yes, and most adjacent."

"Who's the guy?"

"Allen William Wood? His nickname is...'The Turk'."

"So, twenty years, no one ages? This is an error? A flaw in calculations?"

"Remember our deal? I do the homework, you run the ops?"

Hiro grunted approval. He was hoping the AI had an answer for this. He knew it didn't. He wasn't sure he did, either.

(Continued in part CXXXIII.)

04 August, 2021

I don't know if I can open up, I've been opened enough (part V)

Grab bag of random reactions for the new policy.

From Teegle:
Concerning the future of Gachas:
Mon, Aug 02 2021 11:58:29 AM PDT

As some of you have probably heard, Linden Labs will be ending gachas at the end of this month. Though this will have very little effect on Teegle, unfortunately this does mean that the few gachas Teegle does have will be discontinued by the end of August. Teager is still deciding what she wants to do with them afterward. We will be keeping you posted!

Official Announcement:
https://community.secondlife.com/blogs/entry/8586-policy-change-regarding-gacha/

From Apple Fall:

Hello everyone,

In light of the recent news, we have decided to open gacha exchanges for a limited time for those who missed out on the exchange in February 2020. These gacha exchanges is a chance for you to swap your no copy items to copy/modify. Please read attached notecard.

Thank you.

The attached notecard:
Apple Fall Gacha Exchange

How does it work?

☛ Send a notecard to Elvi Peppermint. In this notecard: Please include your name, your username only (calling card will be better). You do not need to list any of the gachas you want to exchange, this will only matter when you are contacted. Please allow up to two weeks to be contacted, we will go in order of the notecards received.

☛ In the mean time, while you wait to hear back from Elvi. Please prepare a folder of the items you would like to be exchanged for the copy/modify. If it is a full collection, please make sure they are in a sub-folder of the folder you have created with the collection name. We will appreciate organized folders much more and will help speed up the process.

☛ You will be contacted via notecard called: Apple Fall Gacha Confirmation. What to do now? We ask that you please read the notecard, follow the instructions and make sure everything is correct. Otherwise it will be returned to you. We will check the items to make sure they are by Apple Fall, and make sure it matches the item name. We do check everything.

☛ The following sets are exchangeable:
  • Barber Shop
  • Christmas 2013 Dining set
  • Christmas 2014 with Holly
  • Christmas Bake-Off
  • Dolly
  • Farmhouse
  • Gatekeepers' Lodge
  • Homme
  • Kitschmas
  • Laundry
  • Mayfair
  • Pantry
  • Paris Loft
  • Petit Ami
  • Robin Buffet
  • Stature I
  • Stature II
  • Tea Time
  • Tiffany's
All other sets are not available for exchange, so it will be returned to you if you send it in. Only Elvi is handling the exchanges so please do not chase Apple Pancake or Elvi for your sets to be returned. We will be going in first come, first serve order.

Gacha exchanges will be accepted till 30th of September 2021. This is the final time we will do this.
From Contraption:
Dear Contraptioneers,

We've long moved away from gachas since 2019, and they only continue to exist in the back of the store to remain fair.

However, for the musical machine collections currently sold, they will be packed mod/copy for a high price. This price is to cover the UNUSUALLY HIGH PRODUCTION VALUE they exceed.

You have until Sept 1st to roll the musical gachas before they get packed into high priced (5k+++) fatpacks.

(The less complex ones will range 1.5-3k).

Love,
Walton

From AII:

As of August 31st Gacha’s will no longer be allowed within second life, source - "https://community.secondlife.com/blogs/entry/8586-policy-change-regarding-gacha/"

Aii and Ego Gacha Discontinued Date - August 20th 2021

Since this change is being made we've decided to leave our gachas up until august 20th after this date, we'll be canceling the gachas and they will no longer be acquirable. We may consider re-releasing some of the gacha items again as regular products in the future.

Continued in part VI!

03 August, 2021

I don't know if I can open up, I've been opened enough (part IV)

Some additions from various group chats. (This comprises part IV.) Note the times in comparison to posts I, II and III from yesterday.

We start off with the rest of the Backbone chat (actual names anonymized):
[16:47] Vxxxxx Cxxxxxxxxxx: I can think of a few Amazon sellers that are going to need to pay attention. LOL when you buy an item and it tells you they will send you one random color. Only a matter of time before even that is considered gambling.
[16:48] hxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Amazon offers free returns and refunds
[16:48] hxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: so nope
[16:48] Mxxxxx Sxxxxxxxx: pff
[16:48] Exxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: It's also not a blight on amazon as it is on SL
[16:48] Sxxxx Mxxxxxxx: Gatchas needed to be banned
[16:48] Mxxxxx Sxxxxxxxx: closing this
[16:48] sxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: that's not the issue [Vxxxxx] it's because the items can be resold for money and cashed out
[16:48] Lxxxx Sxxxxxxx: *monches on popcorn* [16:48] Sxxxx Mxxxxxxx: besides it dosent stop retailers from actually selling the product normally just cant be a gatcha
Exactly. Fatpacks are still a thing. It just has to be something where someone can see what's on offer. It can't be randomized 'you may get this thing or get this other RARE thing' mechanics.
[16:48] Lxxxx Sxxxxxxx: HEY ADMINS! :D
[16:48] Vxxxxx Cxxxxxxxxxx: People need to breath...
[16:49] Rxxxxxx Pxxxx: I dont even see how thats gambling
[16:49] cxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: good grief.
[16:49] Sxxxx Mxxxxxxx: you want x color you must give lindens and hope you get x colors
[16:49] Lxxxx Sxxxxxxx: Yall ain't smarter than regulators. Yall aint smart enough for this. Decision's made. I ain't smart nuff neither.
[16:49] sxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: it's also cos of things like Everquest though, the laws are tightening on that sort of thing
Everquest? Did they mean EA? Does Everquest have a lootbox system? (Does Everquest still exist as a current game??)
[16:49] Txxx Mxxxxx: pay money, pull lever, get item that is worth a value of said money. aka a slot machine.
[16:49] Lxxxx Kxxxxx: hi hi... :) I hope everyone is willing to take a big breath. This kind of paradigm-shifting change is stressful for people who put a lot of eggs in that basket so please be understanding of where they're coming from. Maybe we should let it be in this chat--the only thing that matters is the law and that's what LL is following. We have to get with that like it or not.
Also not wrong.
[16:49] Sxxxx Mxxxxxxx: or go to the market place and sell out 5x the price lol
[16:50] sxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: agree [Lxxxx]
[16:50] Cxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: AMEN change happens in life.
[16:50] Sxxxx Mxxxxxxx: Ether was gatchas can still be sold just as normal products now so if anything i think the revenue will..most likely stay the same if retailers jack up the price from 75 to whatever htye think its worth
[16:51] mxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: QwQ my gachas ahhhh!!!!
[16:51] Txxx Mxxxxx: From a shopping perspective, it'll be nice to just be able to see a spiffy thing and buy said spiffy thing for a set price with one click.
[16:51] Rxxxx Uxxxx: I must have missed it... did they ban gachas?
Yep.
[16:51] cxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Agreed. Plenty of things I've wanted to buy, but never got to because resale prices were WAY too high
[16:51] Sxxxx Mxxxxxxx: from my perspective i can finally buy some of the gatchas i want in black with out it being rare lol
Maybe, but for the next month, we're still in the land of play the machines or pay on Marketplace, assuming the spiffy item we want is actually listed. Or on the Gachaxchange site. (Which, btw, I am really liking--it's easier to set up on than Marketplace, you can just link image URLs from Marketplace for their service, and I've already made sales.)
[16:52] cxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: They're banning Gacha in a month
[16:52] Rxxxx Uxxxx: YAY!
[16:52] Sxxxx Mxxxxxxx: or 5k
[16:52] mxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: is not about the price, is about the experience, this try your luck thing, friend's competition to see what they get it will be lost forever
[16:52] mxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: just because people who doesn't buy gachas doesn't like people to buy them
[16:52] Lxxxxx Uxx: No. That's not the reason.
No, that's definitely not the reason. It's all tied up in EU regulations. As far as I'm able to ascertain, it specifically relates to a set of laws passed in Germany in March. See also similar restrictions in place or soon to be in Spain, Belgium and Holland. But of all of these, Germany is the worry, because Germany absolutely does not play in arenas it considers illegal. They are far likelier to simply ban anyone in Germany from playing SL, period, and--the Lindens do not want that to happen.
[16:52] mxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: wth oh my
[16:53] mxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: i know is not LL thing, but is still sad, is one experience killed
[16:53] sxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: it's LEGAL stuff and as [Lxxxx] said it's upsetting for many
[16:53] Lxxxxx Uxx: The reason is because LL is just trying to comply with global laws restricting games or any online platform from having any sort of gambling aspect. LL is just one out of many games to have adapted this.
Yet more nanny-state lawmaking, in a sense, but it is meant to be a protective measure in large part.
[16:53] Txxx Mxxxxx: could still do that [Mxxxxx]. just don't use Lindens for it.
[16:53] cxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Its not really something killed, just not available here
[16:53] Sxxxx Mxxxxxxx: i bought gatchas off the MP cause i didnt like the chances but i like now i just dont need to shell out 5k lindens for something in a color i want that costs...less than that lol
[16:53] mxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Is there infol I missed somewhere?
[16:53] Sxxxx Mxxxxxxx: https://community.secondlife.com/blogs/entry/8586-policy-change-regarding-gacha/
[16:53] Wxxx Axxxx: 30 days!
[16:54] mxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Thanks :)
[16:55] Sxxxx Mxxxxxxx: There are more scummy ways around that policy i can already think of one off hte top of my head
[16:55] jxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Maybe it was an image problem, they might have called them something other than "Gatcha" you fool
[16:55] Lxxxxx Uxx: It wasn't image.
[16:55] Lxxxxx Uxx: It's things being sold by chance.
[16:56] Sxxxx Mxxxxxxx: coulda been another name the fact that its gambling woulda slammed it ether way
[16:56] Axxxx Ixxxxxxxx: oh my I'm going to have to get my christmas shopping done early this year. transfer items used to be soo expensive before gachas became a thing
[16:56] mxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: thats good that they ban this gatcha stuff , and hope they ban other things where you not know what you get for the price :)
Then the AII group chat weighed in:
[11:00] Cxxxxxxx Vxxxx: Group Notice Sent by: [Cxxxxxxx Vxxxx]
Regarding Gacha's and SL TOS (Important)
As of August 31st Gacha’s will no longer be allowed within second life, source - "https://community.secondlife.com/blogs/entry/8586-policy-change-regarding-gacha/
Aii and Ego Gacha Discontinued Date - August 20th 2021

Since this change is being made we've decided to leave our gacha's up until august 20th after this date, we'll be canceling the gachas and they will no longer be acquirable. We may consider re-releasing some of the gacha items again as regular products in the future.
[11:01] cxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: YAAAAY Ding dong the gacha witch gacha witch! Ding dong the gacha witch is DED! :D
[11:02] Sxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxx: What?
[11:02] cxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: We should celebrate the DEATH of SL gachas! :D
[11:02] Axxxx Ixxxx: Gachas just got the axe from LL
[11:02] Sxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxx: How, when, why..i need details
[11:02] Sxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxx: That is amazing!
[11:02] txxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Gachas are banned from SL starting on the 30th~!
[11:02] Pxxxxxx Sxxxxxxxxx: HAH
[11:02] Pxxxxxx Sxxxxxxxxx: GET REKT GACHA SUCKS
[11:02] Pxxxxxx Sxxxxxxxxx: G G
[11:02] Axxxxx Rxxxxxxx: lols
[11:02] Axxxx Ixxxx: https://community.secondlife.com/blogs/entry/8586-policy-change-regarding-gacha/ [11:03] cxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: YAY! Gachas are like how mobile games are getting banned in other countries
Virtually sure that's due to microtransactions, but I haven't found anything that specifically points to new law.
[11:03] Lxxxxxx Exxxxxx: stupid
[11:03] Pxxxxxx Sxxxxxxxxx: ^ what?
[11:03] cxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: we gotta celebrate guys! anyone got a good place to party?! :D
[11:03] Pxxxxxx Sxxxxxxxxx: yeh but it's 1000L per person to enter
[11:03] cxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: this means gacha exclusives may one day be sold publicly :D
[11:03] Bxxxxxxxx Cxxxxxxxx: This sux
[11:03] Pxxxxxx Sxxxxxxxxx: GACHA SUCKS
Still the two main reactions.
[11:03] Pxxxxxx Sxxxxxxxxx drops mic and dips out
[11:04] lxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: true uwu
[11:04] sxxx Rxxxxxxx: Ayyy
[11:04]cxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: eyes-squinched-shut-emoji guys this is GOOD news. Gacha dead so limited no copy exclusive stuff may now be sold to us all soon shocked-disappointment-emoji-transparent
[11:04] cxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: come on we gotta celebrate. anyone know a good place to party in SL? :Oshocked-disappointment-emoji-transparent
[11:04] uxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: areeeggggg nuuuuuu i love the Neko Neko gacha i play it lots just to get tails to pass out to everyone!!! [11:04] txxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Here's to hoping this nudges folks towards making more stuff modifiable as well.
Yes, please, let's definitely have more things moddable on SL. The modding community would be overjoyed.
[11:05] kxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: ^that
[11:05] cxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: hehe that'd be the day
[11:05] cxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: let us hope
[11:05] cxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: but still very-angry-emoji-transparent party? Dx c'mon this is a momentous occassion
[11:05] txxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: "Oh, damn, that looks nice- Oh, [f**k] that then, can't even tint the damn thing..."
[11:26] Pxxxxxxxxx Wxxxxx: aw maaan, I love gachas!
[11:27] Axxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: i do too side-eyed-unhappyface
[11:27] Axxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: cant afford most stores otherwise
[11:29] Bxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Oxxxxxx: you want to depend on chance for something good?
[12:06] Lxxxxxx Kxxxxx: Mon, Aug 02 2021 10:49:59 AM PDT
Hi all - as gachas will be banned in SL from August 31

Read more here: https://community.secondlife.com/blogs/entry/8586-policy-change-regarding-gacha/
[12:09] kxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: but i have many gacha from aii, they stay in my inventory right?
[12:09] Kxxxxx Kxxxxx: yeah
Yes, we can still own gacha items; we can still trade them or sell them; we just have to have a picture on the vendor that does so.

Though this does bring up another point--there's a LOT of gacha items being sold on Marketplace, and now seeing it on Gachaxchange, where there's no picture. Will that be struck by this ban as well?
[12:09] kxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: fiiuu
[12:09] kxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: XD ty
[12:09] kxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: i love them
[12:14] Zxxx Ixxxxxx: I think they'll just stop doing them in the future
[12:14] Axxxx Ixxxx: Yep all this change means is in the future you get to know exactly what you're buying. No more taking a chance on getting the wrong color or item or what have you, just pay for what you want.
[12:15] Zxxx Ixxxxxx: Can't wait. I did that anyway, just found it on MP
[12:16] Axxx Fxx: thats the thing, i'd rather pay 500 for an item i actually want, than 75L x ???? pulls to try and get it
So would many of us.
[12:16] Axxxx Ixxxx: That might just be one of the biggest benefits, no more having to remember to check "exclude limited quantity" to get rid of the gacha hell when searching on MP :P
[12:17] Axxx Fxx: and no more getting an orange left shoe, a lime green sleeve, a poop brown jacket, and still missing the ultrrare pants
[12:17] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): That, I won't miss leaving
[12:18] Zxxx Ixxxxxx: lol
[12:18] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): Though I do search a LOT on MP for gacha items, simply because it's usually easier to buy what I want THERE
[12:18] Axxx Fxx: yeah i do that too, its like "oooo i like that gacha" ... i hate that the creator made it a gacha, so i'll give my money to resellers instead
[12:19] Zxxx Ixxxxxx: unfortunately true
[12:19] Zxxx Ixxxxxx: I'd rather reward talented creators but let's not be rediculous.
[12:19] Bxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Oxxxxxx: yes
[12:19] Axxx Fxx: while giving the creator the big middle foam finger for being greedy with gachas
[12:23] Bxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Oxxxxxx: the resellers are the ones that are hurt the most tbh
[12:24] Lxxxxx Uxx: not just resellers.. but stores that are strictly gacha only
Or events that are largely relying on the draw of gachas for traffic, or bigger events like the Arcade, Epiphany, and Gacha Garden, whose sole trade is gacha designers...
[12:24] Lxxxxx Uxx: or make the most out of selling gacha's vs regular releases
[12:25] Cxxxxxxx Vxxxx: It's about equal, if not more on a creator part, Resellers can still re-sell gacha's infact it may drive value up for them since 'supply' + demand. they can still resell there items at lower prices than what I might imagine some fatpacks, or re-releases will end up costing.
[12:25] Axxx Fxx: see now stores that are gachas only kinda deserve whats coming, gachas should never have been a 100% sales method
[12:27] Lxxxxx Uxx: I with you on that one. I know a lot of store owners are currently in panic mode. I've seen a few "I might shut down posts" on facebook from creators that are almost gacha only
[12:38] axxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: tbh i never liked gacha because it was an excuse to put subpar content with good content to get more L
[12:39] axxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: i only really spent L on gacha that i was happy with 90% of outcomes when playing
Coming up: part V when I have more time to edit!

02 August, 2021

I don't know if I can open up, I've been opened enough (part III)

So part three of the first part (continued from part two)!
[10:50] Axxxxxxxx Txxx: It comes down to forbidding it because an x amount of people in society have gambling addiction issues. So those who do not have these issues are faced with the same consequence.. And so we slowly slide into a society of "If they can't have it, nobody can have it. If they don't like green pants, nobody can wear green pants". Nobody made you do anything, nobody forced you to participate in the gacha machines. Of course the discussion will be "but it's gambling" well, I bet more people lose a lot more money on lottery tickets than gambling on gacha's, (In 2016, people spent $73.5 billion just on lottery tickets) just a thought.
[10:50] axxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: this is not realy something LL can ignore. its the new European Gambling Laws and thers now ay to exlude europ users from using the mashines xD so GG.
[10:50] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): And I'm wondering if the "skill-based game" sims are going to get hit next--No Devil, Zyngo and the like.
[10:50] rxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I guess it's a new law that also affects loot boxes in games
[10:51] axxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: yep
[10:51] rxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: that's the best news ever
[10:51] axxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: ArchAngel, gambling is still legal, there's just additional regulations that need to be followed because gambling is inherently predatory at it's core.
[10:51] Dxxxxx Dxxxxx: anyone have the gatcha garden lm
[10:52] rxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: can delete that now ! XD
[10:52] rxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: lol
[10:52] axxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: blame EA And activision for pushing gambling in games. xD
[10:52] Dxxxxx Dxxxxx: cant we play this month?
Until the 31st of August, yes.
[10:52] Cxxxxxxxx Mxxxxxxxx: DOOOOM!
[10:52] axxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: The only reason "lootboxes are gambling" is being fought is because companies know that kids are super susceptable to said predatory practices, but gambling means ratings that aren't kid friendly.
[10:52] Cxxxxxxxx Mxxxxxxxx: i say !
[10:52] Cxxxxxxxx Mxxxxxxxx: DOOOOOM!
[10:52] Jxxxx Nxxx: Yes it does not go into effect until September 1st technically
[10:52] rxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: sure! or wait for the stuff to go on sale and just buy wat you want next month
[10:52] Jxxxx Nxxx: gachas are allowed til August 31st
[10:53] Dxxxxx Dxxxxx: can we still sale them on MP after that? or do I have to pull all my stuff?
[10:53] pxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: At least the resellers will still be able to sell their items
[10:53] Dxxxxx Dxxxxx: oh. ok
[10:53] Axxxxxxxxxxx Lxxxxxxxxx: thankfully
[10:53] axxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: You can still sell them, [Dxxxxx], you aren't selling the chance at possibly getting something. That's the issue.
[10:54] Cxxxxxxxx Mxxxxxxxx: i say we hold a death to Gatcha party at epifiny
[10:54] Dxxxxx Dxxxxx: kinda sad but I understand why they are doing it. I live in one of the states that I cant get into the gambling sims.
[10:54] Cxxxxxxxx Mxxxxxxxx: ill bring gasoline
I mean, look, the hatred for gachas has its place, and it's a place I entirely understand, but also--this level of vindictive rejoicing? Is that necessary?
[10:54] Sxxxxxx Uxx: Gacha is still inherently predatory in nature regardless of what is said
[10:54] axxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: "Ding dong, the witch is dead" on repeat XD
[10:54] Cxxxxxxxx Mxxxxxxxx: yessssssssssssss
[10:54] rxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: XD
[10:54] Jxxxx Nxxx: [Dxxxxx] - you should be able to - because in that case they know what they are buying.
[10:54] Dxxxxx Dxxxxx: I always wondered why this was not considered gambling
[10:54] rxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: gacha is just greed
[10:54] Jxxxx Nxxx: it is not a "gamble" at that point
[10:54] Mxxx Bxxxx: yes, you can resell gachas
[10:55] Dxxxxx Dxxxxx: Right.. Thank you.
[10:55] Mxxx Bxxxx: only using gacha machines will be against tos
[10:55] Dxxxxx Dxxxxx: You guys are so helpful and thank you for not getting upset at this not being about backbone stuff
[10:55] Mxxx Bxxxx: or other pay and get random item things
[10:55] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): That's what I'm mainly worried about--the Arcade, Epiphany, Gacha Garden, nearly ALL of the Evil Bunny events on that section of their sim--it's ALL gacha.
[10:55] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): Entire events will never happen again.
[10:55] axxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: It has dodged the "gambling" title for so long because they were abusing the "it's not real items, and you technically always get something, so it's not gambling" grey area. That's being closed and companies are furious.
And legitimately so. The US is still fighting the battle that the EU's mostly settled; the only reason it's hitting Second Life is Linden Labs wants their game to continue to be played internationally. To keep that open as an option, they have to make this change, or I doubt they'd be doing it, flat out.
[10:56] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): Oh, I can imagine.
[10:56] Dxxxxx Dxxxxx: Yeah. still sad.. I had fun with them.
[10:56] Dxxxxx Dxxxxx: good luck normally wheni didnt want the rares i got them to sale all the time LOL
[10:57] Mxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Hm, it seems gacha is being outlawed now at the end of august.
[10:57] Mxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: LL Is banning the use of gacha machines it seems
[10:57] axxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Hehe, that's what we've been discussing [Mxxxxx]
[10:57] Mxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Oooh, i have notifs turned off so i didnt see!
[10:57] axxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Yeah, they are banning cause its considered gambling
[10:57] Cxxxxxxxx Mxxxxxxxx: ding dong ding the witch is dead!
[10:58] axxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: it wasn't me!
[10:58] Jxxxx Bxxxxxx: damn
[10:58] axxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: so wait where did you find out about Gachas being banned?
[10:58] Cxxxxxxxx Mxxxxxxxx: https://community.secondlife.com/blogs/entry/8586-policy-change-regarding-gacha/
This was all day long for me. Group chats kept popping open with this link, the shrieking began, and then every ten minutes or so someone would post the link again.
[10:58] Sxxxxxx Uxx: About 20 minutes ago for me
[10:58] Lxxxxx Bxxxxx: I have a charity alt that sales donated gacha's which in turn i send $ to the charity...this is very unfortunate...not good news for me. It was my way of giving back to an organization that saved my life :(
She's talking about her Sistercare store on Marketplace, so--at least until September 1st, I'd urge support of that shop, at least, so she can give what she can to the charity.
[10:59] Sxxxxxx Uxx: From the SL blog
[10:59] axxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I've only rarely come across something I really wanted but it was in a gacha, that said I really dislike the things on principle.
[10:59] Cxxxxxxxx Mxxxxxxxx: i always got them from a reseller if i wanted
Yeah, that's how I've largely operated. It's generally been cheaper, and less frustrating, to just track things down on Marketplace.
[10:59] Txxx Nxxx: Japan banned complete gachas almost a decade ago. Seems like it was only a matter of time before the rest went.
[11:00] axxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Considering a gacha in SL is just a lootbox, I figured their days were numbered
[11:00] Jxxxx Nxxx: They are not for everyone - thats correct - but they were also a large part of many creators livelihoods, so I see both sides of the coin. As i myself have spent way too much on them in past.
[11:00] Jxxxx Nxxx: So there will defintely be some marketing shifts in Sl in the near future for all merchants I am sure.
[11:00] Axxx Bxxxx: ^ I get the cute stuff from her when she goes gacha craze
[11:00] axxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: that means epiphany and arcade ect might end up closing too?
[11:01] axxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Probably, yes
[11:01] rxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: or start hosting normal sales events
[11:01] Jxxxx Nxxx: [Qxxxx] - yes or shift to full sets only or something.
That would be interesting. And pricy.
[11:03] axxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I can see Epiphany maybe being repurposed for normal sales... but not Arcade cause Arcade was based on Arcade games and the area looked like an arcade.
[11:03] Jxxxx Nxxx: I cannot speak for those organizations - however I'm sure their marketing teams will make some sort of strategy for the direction they wish to take.
[11:03] Lxxxx Axxxxxxx: Why are they banning gacha machines?
[11:03] Mxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Considered gambling
[11:03] axxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Gachas are gambling/lootboxes
[11:03] Txxx Nxxx: Upcoming EU regulations.
[11:03] axxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Because its considered gambling
[11:03] Lxxxx Axxxxxxx: That's just... they are only now doing this?
Yep.
[11:04] Jxxxx Nxxx: Last day to use gacha machines is Aug 31st.
[11:04] mxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: https://community.secondlife.com/blogs/entry/8586-policy-change-regarding-gacha/ [11:04] axxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Honestly, I was expecting it to happen sooner
[11:04] mxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: there is all the info
And boy, this is not the end of today's reactions. This separated out into ten entries by the end of it. So there will be a part IV.

I don't know if I can open up, I've been opened enough (part II)

And now we're on part two (of part one)!
[10:41] Mxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: you are awesome
[10:41] rxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I'm sure I'm not alone in that opinion
[10:41] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): You know what you're getting with lucky chairs/MM boards/et cetera.
[10:41] Xxxx Xxx: right [Rxxxxxx]
[10:41] Sxxxxxxxxx Lxxxxx: No [Kxxx] because you know what you get, it's not a mystery what pops up, you're not gambeling
[10:41] Lxxxxx Yxxxxxxxx: some people might make token gachas to work around it.. buy some gacha machine tokens... then use those to play or something like that
[10:41] Lxxxxx Yxxxxxxxx: loopholes will be around fast
[10:41] Fxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: so much for the Epiphany event and the gacha garden. gacha resellers are also going to b e screwed
See, I don't think so, at least until their stock runs out.
[10:42] Cxxxxxxxx Mxxxxxxxx: we need to make a pile of burning gatcha machines
[10:42] Mxxxx Sxxxxxxx: OMG Yes [Bxxxx]
[10:42] Txxxxx Wxxxxx: Gachas are bigger than Yisus
[10:42] qxxx Rxxxxxxx: I love the diversity in SL... gachas are a fun part of SL for me... but alas, it is going to go away... nobody ever forced me to play any of them, but I did because I loved doing so
[10:42] Cxxxxxxxx Mxxxxxxxx: giggles
[10:42] Oxxx Exxxxxxxxx: i wonder if they will enforce anything on things like powderpack aor the madpea furniture thing...where you pre-order a mystery box, as technically falls into the "dont know what your getting" region
Yeah, likely Mystery Boxes fall under the same ruling.
[10:42] Cxxxxxxxx Mxxxxxxxx: its more the gambling aspect
[10:42] Kxxxxxx Cxxxxxx: someone will think of new exciting ways to take our money ... never fear
[10:43] Cxxxxxxxx Mxxxxxxxx: i have dispised those things sensee they came out
[10:43] pxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Yeah Subscription packages
[10:43] Kxxxxxx Cxxxxxx: i don't have good look with them
[10:43] Sxxxxxx Uxx: So LL is going to make gacha against TOS by August 31st
[10:43] Sxxxxxx Uxx: https://community.secondlife.com/blogs/entry/8586-policy-change-regarding-gacha/
[10:43] Txxxxx Wxxxxx: mistery boxes
[10:43] Txxxxx Wxxxxx: oh wait...
[10:44] rxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx): Best news I got all year :)
[10:46] xxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: yes but it is a form of gameling and pepole loose money ALOT of money on it LL should have done this along time ago
[10:46] Jxxxx Axxxx: SOme people abused it, made odds to high etc
[10:47] Sxxxxxx Uxx: Its about time they removed the whole gambling BS from SL
[10:47] pxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: it is a choice that ppl make. no one was making them play,. Most ppl buy of the MP and some just like to play the game.
[10:47] Jxxxx Axxxx: like I shouldn't need to spend 1k L on a 50L item and never get a rare
[10:47] rxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Gacha just ressembles one of the most greedy sales methodes in SL , I hate them with a passion
[10:47] Sxxxxxx Uxx: Its not just about people making choices, its also gambling laws in certain countries
[10:47] Sxxxxxx Uxx: Either they put a stop to it or risk SL being entirely banned from a whole country
[10:48] Mxxx Bxxxx: Gacha would be fine, but for minor stuff like idk, a hair flower... not entire outfits with 5 different rares and a super rare
[10:48] Mxxx Bxxxx: and you need all 5 rares to form full outfit
[10:48] Mxxx Bxxxx: because 1 rare is the shoes, 1 is the dress, 1 is accessories, etc
[10:48] rxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: 1 good item hidden in a box of turds, and the commons never the colours that you want
[10:48] Mxxx Bxxxx: and the commons are only stuff like "wand", "ribbon", "hair bow"
[10:49] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): Gacha became popular originally because they had gotten so huge in Japan. Flat out. And in Japan most gacha machines are already in open gambling parlors.
[10:49] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): It was always a dodge, it was just a dodge that the Lindens looked the other way on. I'm wondering which specific regulation changed recently, though.
Still haven't tracked that down, though I did find this .pdf from January of this year, and this country by country rundown from June. It at least gives a general idea of the restrictions the EU is working within.

And this got REALLY long, so splitting it into three parts, part three (of the first one) will be posted soon.

I don't know if I can open up, I've been opened enough (part I)

Well, this was unexpected:
Due to a changing regulatory climate, we've had to make the difficult decision to sunset a very popular sales mechanism for content in Second Life. It's widely known as "gacha", and is defined by a chance-based outcome as a result of a payment.

We know that creators plan their content releases far in advance and will need to re-tool their products, so to mitigate the impact to those affected, we are giving a 30-day grace period, until midnight SLT on August 31. After that time, selling content via gacha machines will no longer be permitted in Second Life. Enforcement won’t start until September 1; after that date an Abuse Report for "Gaming Policy Violation" will be the preferred method of reporting this content to Linden Lab.

We will continue to allow any sales where a payment is given for a known item, which means that items that had been purchased as "gacha" will be allowed to be re-sold as long as the buyer knows in advance the item and quantity they will receive. We will, of course, still allow fatpacks, and any other currently-allowed distribution mechanisms.

We did not make this decision lightly and we understand that it will impact creators as well as event organizers and certainly the shoppers! We look forward to fun creative ways of engagement that will come instead.

We realize that this announcement may leave the community with questions. This forum thread is going to be monitored and we will answer any related questions in there.
I'll just bet that thread's going to be monitored.

So, people are already screaming over this...This was the first reaction I saw:
[10:36] Mxxx Bxxxx: So.... Gachas are against TOS now... https://community.secondlife.com/blogs/entry/8586-policy-change-regarding-gacha/
[10:37] sxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: o.0
[10:37] xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: ????????
[10:37] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): Wait, what?
Because that was the first thing I saw, so I clicked the link.
[10:37] Txxxxx Wxxxxx: yup just read that
[10:37] pxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: lol
[10:37] Mxxx Bxxxx: "we are giving a 30-day grace period, until midnight SLT on August 31. After that time, selling content via gacha machines will no longer be permitted in Second Life"
[10:37] Jxxxx Hxxxxxxx: Tbh its not surprising, it's essentially unregulated gambling
[10:37] Sxxxxxxxxx Lxxxxx: Yeah
And it always has been, it just slid under the wire as the players got something, always. Maybe not the rare, maybe not uncommons, but it was one flat price for all items. The gambling aspect, I'd assume the EU saw as similar to lootboxes in video games--without clear knowledge of what one is paying for, one is essentially 'gambling' to get something desired, and is thus incentivized to buy more to get the main object of desire. Hence, gambling addiction, hence, what the EU is striving to prevent.
[10:37] xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: damn
[10:37] Sxxxxxxxxx Lxxxxx: You can still sell individual items on mp
[10:37] xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: no gacha nomore
[10:38] nxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Where is the Las Vegas of SL??!!
Oh, that went away a LONG time ago, when actual gambling parlors existed on the grid. Now all that's left of that end of things are 'skill-based games' like Zyngo, No Devil, and 'tournament' rounds.
[10:38] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): Wow. That's huge.
[10:38] Cxxxxxxxx Mxxxxxxxx: [F**K] YES!
[10:38] uxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: WAIT WHAT ?!?!!?
And that's been, overall, the main two reactions: "Oh, thank the GODS" and "NOOOO WHYYYY".
[10:38] LxxxDxxxx Mxxxxxx: guess the feds should outlaw those toy quarter machines in grocery stores too
[10:38] Cxxxxx Cxxxxxx: to be honest, that's nothing i will miss
[10:38] uxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: NO MORE GACHAS EVER?!?!
Ms. P seems very upset, but that's the decision, yes. Unless the EU reverses their decision on gachas being gambling, and...I don't see them doing that.
[10:38] Mxxx Bxxxx: I wonder what will happen to gachas by creators that arent around to update it anymore
[10:38] yxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: nope
[10:38] Cxxxxxxx Mxxxxxxx: [Mxxx] that is all gachas?
[10:38] uxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I LIVE FOR GACHAS!!
[10:38] Sxxxxxxxxx Lxxxxx: They can be sold as fatpacks
[10:38] Cxxxxxxxx Mxxxxxxxx: Cheers and starts to throw a party!
[10:38] Mxxx Bxxxx: Yes, but i imagine, already-won items from gachas can still be sold
[10:38] uxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: =[
[10:38] Mxxx Bxxxx: The creators will have to sell them as normal items
[10:38] Mxxx Bxxxx: or remove them
[10:38] LxxxDxxxx Mxxxxxx: they cant sell them in gacha machines...those that we have can be sold as known items
I imagine there will be sales on Marketplace of gacha items, for a bit--as that's always been known item, specific price, for the most part. What is going to have to stop is 'random pull' listings, where you pay the fee and get sent a "random" item from their gacha.
[10:39] Bxxxxxxxx Cxxxxxxxx: so now we done geet to have fun cries
[10:39] uxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: OMMMGG
[10:39] Sxxxxxxxxx Lxxxxx: Yes they can [Mxxx]
[10:39] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): They'll be penalized if the machines are still out, it sounds
[10:39] Bxxxxxx Dxxx: you throw away to much lindens messing with gachas,,
[10:39] uxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: NOOOO!!!
[10:39] Cxxxxxxxx Mxxxxxxxx: as long as the person knows what they are getting
[10:39] Cxxxxxxxx Mxxxxxxxx: No more rando BS
[10:39] Lxxxxx Yxxxxxxxx: THose Gacha events like arcade and epiphany will be.. hurting lol
[10:39] Txxxxx Wxxxxx: will be dead
Pretty much. Arcade, the Epiphany, Gacha Garden, the lot of them....after September 1st, all gone, unless they convert to another type of event.
[10:39] axxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I dont do gacha stuff anymore personally... too much money wasted
[10:39] Sxxxxxxxxx Lxxxxx: Gacha Garden just opened too
I know. The organizers must be tearing their hair out.
[10:39] Cxxxxxxxx Mxxxxxxxx: yelp
[10:39] Mxxx Bxxxx): F
[10:39] Cxxxxxxxx Mxxxxxxxx: they get to close
[10:39] Sxxxxxxxxx Lxxxxx: Was going to head there, not worth it now
Oh, I still plan to head there. Why not support the gacha designers we can, as long as they're running? They won't be past the end of the month.
[10:39] Txxxxx Wxxxxx: F
Very F, yes.

FMA-Press-F
[10:39] Bxxxxxxxx Cxxxxxxxx: yeah and the resale of said gachas is ?
[10:39] Cxxxxxxxx Mxxxxxxxx: ok
Perfectly allowable. One item vended, one item paid for. Fatpacks, said the announcement, are perfectly allowable. Just random items sold randomly are not.
[10:40] Dxxxxxxx Gxxxxxx: if creators are allowed to sell gatcha items then Rares are worthless
That entirely depends. How many makers are going to just not sell their rares? Thus, anyone with them will have a VERY limited edition item.
[10:40] Sxxxxxxxxx Lxxxxx: resale is allowed still
[10:40] rxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Yaaaaaaay ! no more Gacha!
[10:40] LxxxDxxxx Mxxxxxx: collecting sets helps appease my anxiety and has kept me sane these past 2 years
[10:40] Cxxxxxxxx Mxxxxxxxx: as long as the person knows what they are going
[10:40] rxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: That's he best news I ever heard
[10:40] Cxxxxxxxx Mxxxxxxxx: to get
[10:40] Txxxxx Wxxxxx: Reselling market is going to hurt of course
[10:40] Sxxxxxxxxx Lxxxxx: Better go spend my Epiphany points
Yeah. Any event that relies on built-up points for specialty pulls? That mechanic is going away too.
[10:40] Cxxxxxxxx Mxxxxxxxx: We will continue to allow any sales where a payment is given for a known item, which means that items that had been purchased as "gacha" will be allowed to be re-sold as long as the buyer knows in advance the item and quantity they will receive. We will, of course, still allow fatpacks, and any other currently-allowed distribution mechanisms.
[10:40] rxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: They should have banned that stuff years ago
[10:40] Cxxxxxxxx Mxxxxxxxx: yes
[10:40] Kxxx Sxxxx: Next will be lucky chairs. Those chance letters.
Have you ever seen a Lucky Chair/board/whatever that didn't have a picture of what was on offer? I've come across three that I can remember. Didn't sit in any of them. So those will likely have to be corrected, but as it stands, Lucky boards, Midnight Mania boards, and all of similar ilk will still be legal.
[10:41] LxxxDxxxx Mxxxxxx: thats your opinion [Rxxxxxx]
[10:41] Txxxxx Wxxxxx: Imagine if this was real world the unemployment that this would cause
[10:41] Txxxxx Wxxxxx: haha
Yeah, but this at least is a constant in all worlds. Coal came along; gas sellers had to upgrade. Nuclear and hydro power plants were built, coal miners saw a lot of the mines close down. Markets change. It's the way of things.
[10:41] Cxxxxxxxx Mxxxxxxxx: We know that creators plan their content releases far in advance and will need to re-tool their products, so to mitigate the impact to those affected, we are giving a 30-day grace period, until midnight SLT on August 31. After that time, selling content via gacha machines will no longer be permitted in Second Life. Enforcement won’t start until September 1; after that date an Abuse Report for "Gaming Policy Violation" will be the preferred method of reporting this content to Linden Lab.
[10:41] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): Actually, reselling market is going to do just fine--there are very few people actually using gacha mechanics on MP
[10:41] LxxxDxxxx Mxxxxxx: others enjoyed them
[10:41] Mxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: GUYS!
[10:41] Txxxx Kxxxxxxx: you don't pay for Lucky chairs...
[10:41] Fxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I happen to like gachas and think they are fun
A lot of people do. A lot of people hate them. Opinion is most definitely mixed.

And thus ends the first part. Part two (of part one) to come!

so, where is the Duke, anyway? (part CXXXI)

(Roleplay entry. Continued from part CXXX.)

Hiro-in-Hollywood1

The neon sign on the top of the Roosevelt Hotel across the street lit up the darkened room. Hiro sat quietly listening to the traffic below on Hollywood Boulevard. The double-hung windows opened to allow some relief from the oppressive Los Angeles summer night, the hum of the ceiling fan on full speed.

On the desk a mahogany box--that looked a little like a radio--spoke. "The airframe of the shuttle is hidden in the lake. The superstructure is out past Mojave."

Hiro poured some of the whiskey in the lone bottle into his glass. His second one. Neat.

"Are you sure this is the focal point?"

"75% probability according to our models. Mickey Cohen will buy the Codex or attempt to take it. In several time lines he sells it to Parsons and/or JPL."

"And the FBI?"

"In every timeline, Hoover is obsessed with stopping 'Commies' and breaking up sex cults."

"And he thinks our friend Jack is both. Who has the Codex now?"

"A second-tier smuggler down in San Pedro. Locals call him the Turk. Seems to have picked up the Codex from some other contraband in the port. There is a doctor in Hancock Park to whom he sold the book. But he hasn't delivered it."

There was a pause. "The Turk is seeing a woman, who knows a little about the Codex. And, well...you need to know her name, Hiro. She is a complication."

"Oh?"

Hiro-in-Hollywood2

"Her name is Elizabeth Short."

Hiro sipped his whiskey. A siren sounded from the boulevard below.

"Seems vaguely familiar, how is she a complication?"

"She is the Black Dahlia victim."

Hiro finished his whiskey. He had shapeshifted into a human form a few hours before. The sweat on his neck glistened. He stood up and reached for his white cotton shirt on the back of the chair. He stopped and paused. His muscular back tensed, in a sweat-soaked tank-top undershirt.

Hiro-in-Hollywood3

"You have to be [f**king] kidding me. Of all the broads in Hollywood, she's close to the Codex?"

"In all timelines," said the GSU William Gibson AI.

Hiro sighed. "How much time do we have?"

"Three days. Hiro..." The ship's mind said patiently, "Hiro, you can't get into this fight. As tempting as it is. All this drama, bad characters who need to be vanquished, innocents saved...you can't do this. You need to get the copy of the Codex and get back to Gearhaven."

Hiro-in-Hollywood4

"But is her...is her situation related to the Codex?"

"Likely, but not sure...we need to start systemically. We need to figure out what the principals really know."

Hiro finished fastening his cuff links and adjusted his suspenders. "Okay, you're coming with me. Need to put you in the big briefcase."

"Really, I am okay here..."

"No, I need your help in real time."

Hiro-in-Hollywood5

The AI sighed. "Okay, my advice is, we start downtown. The doctor drinks at the Jonathan Club on Thursdays, and plays cards before heading out for other activities."

"J-Club huh? High-end place, right?"

"Highest end, I have forged a letter of introduction from the Seville Club in London as a reciprocal connection to get you inside."

"Think that will work?"

There was a pause. "I do doubt it Hiro; as we have seen in Caledon and elsewhere, you are...as they say...'unclubbable'..."

Hiro thought about tossing the AI into the street and having nothing to do with this storyline. But he knew he would be stranded in this reality bubble if he did.

"Okay, let’s go see this doctor."

Hiro closed the large leather briefcase after placing the ship's mind into it. "Try to be quiet in there..."

"Try not to kill anyone too quickly, sir..."

"Let me run the ops, you do the homework, buddy."


(Continued in part CXXXII.)

01 August, 2021

the Devil wears a suit, he lives in our town (part CXXX)

(Roleplay entry. Continued from part CXXIX.)

"Prometheus to Grown Up Conversation. Inbound air pirates, a chicken-shaped assault ship and three dreadnaught."

Grown Up Conversation: "Acknowledged. Can you slow them down long enough for me to get the kittens on board?"

"With pleasure..."

In its dark, clockwork-driven consciousness, Prometheus felt the clicking of the Gatling gun safety locks. The fighters' radios reporting the gunfire, the buzzing of aircraft engines as they opened fire on the decks of the pirate airships. Intellectually, they understood the targeting of the dirigible gas chambers. Holes ripping in the canvas lining of the airships. The pirates would not move fast enough to endanger the kittens. Prometheus speculated on slow leaks and the loss of altitude. The human pirates, seeing the price of kidnapping the next generation of Gearhaven royals floating away from them. Prometheus would not allow it. They would make sure the attempt failed. Loyalty and fidelity were older values, from a different era. To some they were by design, and they were predictable...like clockwork.

The Prometheus 1 had retracted the runway, to move at full speed toward the nursery. The small pirate balloon brushed against the side of the climbing steamlands ship. In later memories (Prometheus reconstructed), it can see the two southern pirates climbing the ropes. A young woman--from her movements an artificial girl--and an older man (or woman, it was difficult to tell.) It remembered the bundles of dynamite being tied to the engine casing. As the props spun at rapid speed, they climbed to rescue innocent kittens from the dark future predetermined by the high council of the vile pirates. The blast of the second and third engines would not have caused pain in the real sense. There was a sense of loss, of a lack of fullness suddenly. Glass shattering, brass and iron twisting.

Prometheus 1 was aware it was falling, quickly, toward the earth. At the same time, it was aware of the screams of a few foolish raiders that had met the Grown up Conversation. The wireless reported the sound of greeting that was abrupt and deadly. Heat seeking Torpedoes, taking out airframes instantaneously. No survivors. Prometheus assumed The kittens slept. Except for Athena; she would likely watch it all with detached amusement.

Prometheus 1 was burning as it spiraled the 120-meter fall to the ground. It would be some time before the ship's mind--a clockwork AI, with gears and springs--would be aware again. The last memory it would recall as it spiraled was one of fear--not for itself, for what will be was preordained--no, the fear was for the Duchy. Would it escape the blight and the delusion that It had hoped to control? It seemed cruel to Prometheus that humans and the neko and the Fae thought they had some influence over an outcome. An outcome which was pre-ordained, programmed, biological, magical, digital--all the same. Programs and patterns.

Prometheus 1 wished its limits were not so entrenched. It would warn them, or calculate all the variables to guide them. They could not change the outcome, so would creating awareness of the inevitability be kind or cruel? The ethical dilemma of a clockwork deterministic AI kept the mind occupied--until the ship crashed into the Dark Sea and disappeared.

(Continued in part CXXXI.)

there's nothing but chains around me

Allll right then. Let's talk about (hopefully) this year's haunt, Neon Ascendance. (Which needs a better name.) So the first hic...