The New Features

Okay, so it seems we've been ignoring this little space for awhile. Not intentional, but sometimes life takes over. When I have to choose between blogging and playing TT, well...

There's been tons of changes to TT, so let's break 'em down!

The new 'chat plus' system: Overall, most everyone would agree a GIANT PLUS. It's especially helpful during bad lag. Most people can type faster than navigate the speed chat menu, so running with randoms goes smoother, arranging gags in battle, etc. It generally promotes good toon relations. It's nice to not have to wonder as much why a toon isn't picking gags (such as, the doorbell rang, phone rang, whatever), and to know when we should wait for the wayward toon. As with anything, some use it to berate others, but I suppose that's what the 'report' feature is for. The only annoying aspect to this new feature is toons trying to annoy you into being their friend.

The alt+enter chat feature: LOVE LOVE LOVE it. For the uninitiated (I've been asked about this), this feature enables you to say something to all blue friends in the general vicinity at once. Not all conversations are for public consumption, and typing and whispering the same message to each person was a pain.

Boarding Groups: A stroke of brilliance, Disney! This has really alleviated elevator shuffle in the boss battles, factory, mints, DA & cog golf courses. The only drawback is that it encourages laff & suit snobbery. Overall though, since many toons arrive with a group of friends, this is a wonderful addition to ensure you are with your friends, which is usually the point anyway.

Toon Parties: While the toon parties aren't something I would be into per se, the kids love it. For that it gets a thumbs up. It keeps them from congregating in the playgrounds. Due to it's design, there is less competitveness for the kids, such as in the trolley games. Really great addition for the young set!

And You Thought We Were Bad?

This is unbelievable! This World of Warcraft addict, only known as 'Prepared' has 36 WOW accounts and plays them simultaneously. The story can be read here. The pictures above are of his computer setup. He spends $5,711 a year in subscriptions. WOW, indeed!

Moving a toon... DENIED!

So, I have 4 yearly accounts with TT, yet I still cannot move one toon from my son's account to mine. Ain't that S-P-E-C-I-A-L?!?!?!?

BRADLEY:Hello Pam.
PAM: Hi Bradley
PAM:is the toon transfer working yet? I haven't checked in a month or so...
BRADLEY:I see that you would like to request a Toon transfer. Is this correct?
PAM:Yes, please.
BRADLEY:Yes, but only for certain circumstances.
BRADLEY:Unfortunately, we are unable to process any Toon transfers in live chat between accounts at this time. However, this feature should be available again within a few weeks, so please check back soon. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, and appreciate your patience. However if there are extenuating circumstances behind your request, such as if you are purchasing or cancelling a second account, you are welcome to e-mail your request so that it may be considered by our engineers.
PAM: What in the world? Why is it STILL not possible to transfer a toon?
PAM: "check back in a few weeks" was months ago
BRADLEY:It is possible to move a Toon.
PAM: Ok. So you'll move my toon then?
PAM:From my son's account, to mine?
PAM:Or not, because I'm not cancelling an account?
BRADLEY:However it is only available under certain cicumstances at the moment.
PAM: I'm sorry, but that's ridiculous.
PAM: I pay for 4 accounts yearly
PAM:you get a ton of money from me each year
PAM:plus I've given 2 yearly gift subscriptions to friends
BRADLEY:I understand this can be frustrating.
PAM:yet, I can't move a toon
PAM:Oh hon, you have no idea.
BRADLEY:I do, I really do.
PAM: This has been going on for months.
BRADLEY:Let me give you the information on how to proceed with this request.
PAM: Ok.
BRADLEY:I understand.
BRADLEY:Submit your request, and your reason for the Toon transfer.
BRADLEY:To forward your transfer request to our engineers for consideration, please send your request to: Toontown@Disneyonline.com We will need the following information to complete the transfer: - Reason for the transfer (opening a new account, etc.) - Account name where the Toon in question resides - The name of the Toon to be moved - Account name where the Toon will be moved to - Does the Toon have any True Friends (Yes/No) We will also need at least three of the four verification questions below answered for each account: - Date of birth registered under - Last payment date - Payment type (Visa, American Express, PayPal, etc.) - Billing address
PAM: Ok
BRADLEY:We are working on getting this feature back for everyone, but in the meantime it is being done on a case by case basis.
PAM: It seems silly to hold this up simply because of the new emotes.
BRADLEY:That is not the only reason.
BRADLEY:There are a couple things going on with the Toon transfers.
BRADLEY:Also for your reference you will receive a transcript of this chat session in your E-mail when we are done.
PAM: Ok, I'll take your word for it.
PAM:Thanks for your help.
BRADLEY:I do apologize if this is an inconvenience.
PAM: It's been an inconvenience for quite some time now.
PAM:But hey, guess I'll have to continue to wait.
SERVER:PAM has closed the chat Session
BRADLEY:It appears that you are no longer active in this chat session. If you would like further assistance, Live Chat is available from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Pacific time, Monday through Friday. Thank you again for choosing Toontown Chat Support, and have a Toon-tastic day!

Changes We'd REALLY Like To See...

Expanding the free-account players' access to all the neighborhoods was a smart move (IMHO) on Disney's behalf. The trade-off is that free accounts cannot enter buildings, factories or boss battles (VP, CFO, CJ, CEO). That's fair and equitable. Free account toons can now 'see' more before they buy, while leaving enough there to be worth buying. The new 'nametag' thing isn't very captivating though. I can't see the benefit to it. Reading the messageboard reveals two things:

1. Most toons aren't wild about the change. They think it is silly to 'buy' how your toon's name is written, because really nobody cares. Many don't really like the 'new' font and are considering buying the 'basic' back. BUT...
2. Many won't buy it back because they don't know how the free account toons will be perceived now that it will be obvious at a glance.

What Disney has really created is another avenue of prejudice. Not conducive to the friendly, team-player atmosphere it would like to promote.

One of the things we do while playing TT is toss around cool ideas of things we would like to see:

• A new acting lesson: my suggestion is the eyeroll. It would be accompanied with a big visual sigh. I would use it a lot.
• SHOES: An array of shoes would be a cool addition to the Cattlelogue! Elf shoes around Christmas, boots, sneakers, sandals or flats would be a cute idea!
• A new gag track: With the option of adding a new track to our arsenal. We've tossed around ideas for what that would be. Still working on that, but it sure would be fun.
• Outdoor Cattlelogue items: Imagine putting your cake slide outside? Playground equipment? Maybe a picnic table with an umbrella? Lounge chairs? More options than flowers and a statue, please!
• Mounted Cog Heads: They already have certain fish 'mounted' that you can buy to put in your house, but Cog heads would be much more interesting.

As more viable ideas flow, I'll post them.

Toontown is down for maintenance...

You'd think with all the 130+ laffers running around, that there would be NO COGS left to throw a wrench in the system... However, it's been down since 4pm EST on 4/30 and it's still not back up at 2:30AM EST on 5/1. Hmmmmmmm...

Open Letter to Snotty Toons

Obnoxious and snotty behavior has always occurred, but lately it seems as though it's exploded. Here are some GIANT HINTS for any toon who thinks they are 'too big' to treat someone of less laff/gag skill points with decency.

Toontown is a smaller universe than you realize. Each toon has 5 others attached to it. Who these toons are and how they are related are a mystery to you. There are players with 2, 3 and 4 accounts, multiply that times 6. Maybe you need to think about that before engaging in your haughty behaviors.

Most large toons have 'baby' toons. You can learn this the pleasant or unpleasant way. But rest assured if you treat us like garbage when we're playing the baby toon, you can bet when the big toon comes out to play we won't help you. On the other hand, being nice can have good results. A friend of mine was playing his baby toon not long ago, and someone jumped in to help *gasp!* for the sake of helping! They didn't need it for a task, and quite frankly my friend was grateful for the assistance. What that helping toon did need was the nearby 4 story building. So my friend told them he'd be right back and to wait. He brought out his big toon and exchanged the favor. One hand washes the other.

Many large toons are adults. We often have children in our lives. And we often have multiple accounts. It's a big treat to a little kid to play alongside their parents, grandparents, aunts or uncles. Don't think we'll take you messing with our kid lightly. Recently my husband brought our young son into the factory, and a 34 laffer hopped on board. Not a problem, until the random spent the entire factory trying to kill off my child. Mama hopped into the driver's seat for a confused 5 year old while Mr. Bully got his lesson. What was to be a fun time ended in a difficult conversation with a little kid that some people just mean to be mean.

The point is, you never really know who you're messing with. In a game that largely depends on teamwork, it's wise practice to treat everyone as you would like to be treated.

Real Toons of Genius: Elevator Chickens

Today our friend Princess Maxie Featherfidget will max her VP. In honor of this event, our first installment of Real Toons of Genius will be:

Today, we salute you, Elevator Chicken Man. (Elevator Chicken Man...)

Five Hollywoods aren't enough for you. So you jump off, and for some reason little toons follow you. (Follow me, now.)

Whisper to those 100 plus toons (Please be my friend!)

Who cares you need a toon-up and forgot your gags. Everyone wants to run with you for your snappy name and snazzy clothes.

So continue to make the 30 second boarding of the elevator and hour event. (on and off, on and off, whoo!)

Because we know what you really need, elevator chicken, is to jump off. (Elevator Chicken Man.)

Supergloop Entertainment Group