Sulake CEO slips truth about fansites!

[nathanb48]

Mr PaulLaFo, the "wonderful" guy who took over Sulake has spoken on twitter about his actual feelings on fansites.



http://screensnapr.com/e/p59DI5.png


Now if we try and decode what PaulLaFo is trying to say here, it basically means "I am not going to get my staff team to waste their time on trying to go around word filters, just so you can promote your fansite and gain listeners for your radio, sorry."


The conversation didn't just start there, infact earlier it begun because Habbo_iAlex got banned for standing in a giverway giving out the url to get people tuned in. What we clearly would say is a moderator error (which happens a lot), PaulLaFo disagreed.



http://screensnapr.com/e/Dk1tUw.png


Now, he wants Habbo's to stop navigating away from the site. So that means he wants fansite traffic to decrease? I don't think Paul understands the importance of fansites, and also takes them as an advantage. It's clear that Habbo Fansites are no longer what they use to be, which now all goes down to the official owners view, and clearly it's not a good one.



What are your views on this?
Does Habbo even deserve a fansite community?
Does this question the fansites scheme future?

Tweet @PaulLaFo with your opinions and feel free to tag me @HabboPanez

Thread moved here by Bolt660 (Forum Super Moderator): From 'Habbo News and Rumours'

[Michael]

Not really news lol, should be in the 'Bobba' section

Edited by Bolt660 (Forum Super Moderator): Please leave the moderating to the moderators, thanks!

[nathanb48]

Not really news lol, should be in the 'Bobba' section

It's a rumour that the fansite scheme is decreasing and could be took off?

[Lewis]

Well, lets remember the facts. Ever since the mute and this new chat thousands of users have left, there used to be ten thousand on at a time and now only three thousand. Perhaps Paul is doing this because they have lost A LOT of proffit.

However, it really disgusts me Paul would say that - it really does. But I kinda understand WHY at the moment, but it if it continues, then I dont know...



ALSO added by Michaeel - forgot to add
Because users are also getting hacked and trying to make money from fansites.

[Michael]

Well, lets remember the facts. Ever since the mute and this new chat thousands of users have left, there used to be ten thousand on at a time and now only three thousand. Perhaps Paul is doing this because they have lost A LOT of proffit.

However, it really disgusts me Paul would say that - it really does. But I kinda understand WHY at the moment, but it if it continues, then I dont know...

Probably because a lot of users are being hacked due to visiting fansites that get hacked a lot, and some fan-sites using the 'Habbo fansite' status to get popular and make money.

[Jarkie]

The way he is talking, its like he is thinking about removing the fansite system. If he does there will be outrage from so many users and even staff members (like Jason).

[Lewis]

Probably because a lot of users are being hacked due to visiting fansites that get hacked a lot, and some fan-sites using the 'Habbo fansite' status to get popular and make money.


Yeah, plus that... i will add that.

[nathanb48]

Well, lets remember the facts. Ever since the mute and this new chat thousands of users have left, there used to be ten thousand on at a time and now only three thousand. Perhaps Paul is doing this because they have lost A LOT of proffit.

However, it really disgusts me Paul would say that - it really does. But I kinda understand WHY at the moment, but it if it continues, then I dont know...

I understand what you mean but why should the fansites be taken an advantage of when we have supported them through-out all this time? I don't think Habbo deserves a fansite community, if this is how we're treated!

[geo]

i'm pretty sure fansites have kept so many people actually playing. i know so many people that would have quit habbo by now if it wasn't for fansites. fansites are doing habbo a favour with events, the radio, rare values and all the other departments. they're communities in a big community. don't see why he has to be such a **** about it..

[lawrawrrr]

It's too difficult to moderate which ones are legit links and which ones are similar. I don't think he's saying 'we dont care any more', he's saying it's too much of a security risk. One thing at a time, jesus.

[Jarkie]

I really don't understand what is up with this Paul bloke, He joins sulake back in late 2011, and now he seems to be slowly killing everything that actually made habbo. I know there are other staff in the dissension making, but due to him being the CEO, I'd imagine he would have the last say.

He says he does't want people to leave the site; But then advertises to people to use Twitter and Facebook.. its like erm what? There are loads of fansies on the list at the moment, Perhaps if Jason had a good look at some and removed some that are pointless they'll be easier to manage, Perhaps?

Even if he does kill of the fansite system, many many users will still use fansites, he cannot completely kill of what still keeps most users going on Habbo.

[nathanb48]

Probably because a lot of users are being hacked due to visiting fansites that get hacked a lot, and some fan-sites using the 'Habbo fansite' status to get popular and make money.

Habbo have already gone far into preventing hacking. This new safety lock? You now can't add new habbos? Hacking isn't as much of a problem now I bet. There is other precautions Habbo can take also, but like they listen to the users. It's all about the money...

[Richie]

He's an idiot. He hasn't been around long enough to understand how effective habbo fansites have been and how much they have actually helped keep habbos tuned into the game. I would have left the site in 2006/7 if I didn't join habbox. I have always been a strong believer that habbo fansites have been the ones forming a 'proper' community. What he doesn't get is, yes, fansites get their users from habbo but them users wouldn't stick around in the long run if there wasn't some reason for them to stay, we give them that reason. He shouldn't bite the hands that feed him and I hope what he tweeted kicks him right in the arse, silly fool.


Oh and since when did Paul start protecting his tweets? Looks like he can't take the heat or in other words, the truth. I hope sulake end his bloody contract, it's people like him that are hurting the community not helping it. I always said I wouldn't like someone to lose their job as in reality, its what feeds them but if he is going to prance around acting like a *REMOVED* moron he can **** off and work for burger king to feed his family for all I care because he doesn't deserve the opportunity to be a ceo. This isn't a hate speech, I've disagreed with staff decisions in previous years but this is just taking the biscuit. I say out with Paul.

Edited by Lee (Forum Super Moderator): Please don't avoid the filter.

[nathanb48]

It's too difficult to moderate which ones are legit links and which ones are similar. I don't think he's saying 'we dont care any more', he's saying it's too much of a security risk. One thing at a time, jesus.

This won't be the full case. I understand where you're coming from, but even with this new word filter which stops us saying the bad sites? Fansites still need promotion, they know which ones are on the list, they should allow them lot to be clicked on. But he doesn't want to waste his money because that's all they're focused on.

[lawrawrrr]

This won't be the full case. I understand where you're coming from, but even with this new word filter which stops us saying the bad sites? Fansites still need promotion, they know which ones are on the list, they should allow them lot to be clicked on. But he doesn't want to waste his money because that's all they're focused on.

That's exactly why 'Habbox' is on the chat whitelist. It's good enough advertising, you really don't need actual links. It just invites trouble.

[Michael]

Habbo have already gone far into preventing hacking. This new safety lock? You now can't add new habbos? Hacking isn't as much of a problem now I bet. There is other precautions Habbo can take also, but like they listen to the users. It's all about the money...

Im sure you can add new Habbos lol :P

[Jarkie]

He's an idiot. He hasn't been around long enough to understand how effective habbo fansites have been and how much they have actually helped keep habbos tuned into the game. I would have left the site in 2006/7 if I didn't join habbox. I have always been a strong believer that habbo fansites have been the ones forming a 'proper' community. What he doesn't get is, yes, fansites get their users from habbo but them users wouldn't stick around in the long run if there wasn't some reason for them to stay, we give them that reason. He shouldn't bite the hands that feed him and I hope what he tweeted kicks him right in the arse, silly fool.


This is so true, He hasn't been around at all, too really understand the Habbo community, he comes from a background of Disney users (which is mostly younger users) so for him to join a TEEN game, he has no idea how we all work. Aye I'm the same, if it wasn't for fansites, such as Habbox, I would of gotten very bored and just left the site completely.

Hopefully he will wake up and see what he is slowly doing to us OLD, Loyal users.

[Abdicators]

Could just be because letting users of the site is a risk, moderation isn't as strong on other sites and personal details may end up being compromised. Habbo is a young teens product, you've got to remember that.

[nathanb48]

That's exactly why 'Habbox' is on the chat whitelist. It's good enough advertising, you really don't need actual links. It just invites trouble.

He doesn't want that, he clearly doesn't even want fansites. He wants no traffic to go off Habbo to other fansites. He is clearly taking an advantage of what we use.


Im sure you can add new Habbos lol :P

Positive?
http://screensnapr.com/e/Wut30d.png

[Richie]

Could just be because letting users of the site is a risk, moderation isn't as strong on other sites and personal details may end up being compromised. Habbo is a young teens product, you've got to remember that.

This comment would make sense if habbo fansites weren't allowed to advertise from day one. Fansites have been advertising in game for around a decade with no problems so I'm confused to what difference it makes today.

[edible]

Not surprised with what Paul has said. I don't think he, or wider, Sulake realise how many people only really use the client due to fansites.

Also, about the adding account issue, I believe if you have one or more banned accounts on any ID, you're unable to add new accounts to that ID.

[lawrawrrr]

He doesn't want that, he clearly doesn't even want fansites. He wants no traffic to go off Habbo to other fansites. He is clearly taking an advantage of what we use.




This is just you reading into a tweet and blowing it up completely out of proportion. Until you can show me a tweet of Paul saying 'i don't want any traffic to go off of Habbo onto fansites' then I'm not going to listen to this really. He's not taking advantage, he's trying to stop innocent children from being harmed. Who knows what moderation exists on these semi-'fansites' which started 2 days ago? He's just being careful.

[Michael]

This is just you reading into a tweet and blowing it up completely out of proportion. Until you can show me a tweet of Paul saying 'i don't want any traffic to go off of Habbo onto fansites' then I'm not going to listen to this really. He's not taking advantage, he's trying to stop innocent children from being harmed. Who knows what moderation exists on these semi-'fansites' which started 2 days ago? He's just being careful.

Totally agree with this. Paul is just saying he isnt going to allow links to ALL fansites. You can still say habbox.com so thats good for us.

[Tom]

He's an idiot. He hasn't been around long enough to understand how effective habbo fansites have been and how much they have actually helped keep habbos tuned into the game. I would have left the site in 2006/7 if I didn't join habbox. I have always been a strong believer that habbo fansites have been the ones forming a 'proper' community. What he doesn't get is, yes, fansites get their users from habbo but them users wouldn't stick around in the long run if there wasn't some reason for them to stay, we give them that reason. He shouldn't bite the hands that feed him and I hope what he tweeted kicks him right in the arse, silly fool.


Oh and since when did Paul start protecting his tweets? Looks like he can't take the heat or in other words, the truth. I hope sulake end his bloody contract, it's people like him that are hurting the community not helping it. I always said I wouldn't like someone to lose their job as in reality, its what feeds them but if he is going to prance around acting like a *REMOVED* moron he can **** off and work for burger king to feed his family for all I care because he doesn't deserve the opportunity to be a ceo. This isn't a hate speech, I've disagreed with staff decisions in previous years but this is just taking the biscuit. I say out with Paul.

Pretty much this.

The 3,000 users that use Habbo right now will soon be depleted to about 1,500 if fan sites went away (or there about). He needs to actually open his eyes and listen to the users that send him tweets. I guarantee at least 95% of the tweets he receives are from Habbos that are a part of a fan site. Where would his twitter account go if he gets rid of fan sites or just severs links between Habbo and the fan site community?

[Abdicators]

This comment would make sense if habbo fansites weren't allowed to advertise from day one. Fansites have been advertising in game for around a decade with no problems so I'm confused to what difference it makes today.

New management make new rules.

[Pigperson]

Fansites are the reason I actually continue to play Habbo tbh :S

Will

[Tom]

New management make new rules.

When new management make new rules like this though, it's not going to be a great success for Habbo is it? Slowly fan sites are being killed of Sulake and that's not going to turn out great for them :P

[Grig]

i wouldn't even come close to Habbz if it wasn't for Habbox... so it really begs the question on where his management skills came from. Surprised Playhouse Disney is still existent after his stint there.

[lawrawrrr]

They're not exactly killing fansites, bit of an overreaction there. They're stopping links because otherwise they are responsible for the children that follow links within their site to unmoderated (or undermoderated) outside sites....

[dbgtz]

i'm pretty sure fansites have kept so many people actually playing. i know so many people that would have quit habbo by now if it wasn't for fansites. fansites are doing habbo a favour with events, the radio, rare values and all the other departments. they're communities in a big community. don't see why he has to be such a **** about it..

Yep, I would have gone a long time ago without them.


It's too difficult to moderate which ones are legit links and which ones are similar. I don't think he's saying 'we dont care any more', he's saying it's too much of a security risk. One thing at a time, jesus.

No it's not, they just chose to go down a cheaper route employing incapable in hope for a larger revenue.


He's an idiot. He hasn't been around long enough to understand how effective habbo fansites have been and how much they have actually helped keep habbos tuned into the game. I would have left the site in 2006/7 if I didn't join habbox. I have always been a strong believer that habbo fansites have been the ones forming a 'proper' community. What he doesn't get is, yes, fansites get their users from habbo but them users wouldn't stick around in the long run if there wasn't some reason for them to stay, we give them that reason. He shouldn't bite the hands that feed him and I hope what he tweeted kicks him right in the arse, silly fool.

Oh and since when did Paul start protecting his tweets? Looks like he can't take the heat or in other words, the truth. I hope sulake end his bloody contract, it's people like him that are hurting the community not helping it. I always said I wouldn't like someone to lose their job as in reality, its what feeds them but if he is going to prance around acting like a *REMOVED* moron he can **** off and work for burger king to feed his family for all I care because he doesn't deserve the opportunity to be a ceo. This isn't a hate speech, I've disagreed with staff decisions in previous years but this is just taking the biscuit. I say out with Paul.

Agreed.


This is just you reading into a tweet and blowing it up completely out of proportion. Until you can show me a tweet of Paul saying 'i don't want any traffic to go off of Habbo onto fansites' then I'm not going to listen to this really. He's not taking advantage, he's trying to stop innocent children from being harmed. Who knows what moderation exists on these semi-'fansites' which started 2 days ago? He's just being careful.

It pretty much does say he wants people to stay on the client at all times. And besides, they never cared before until the media started to bring a **** storm Habbos way.


Totally agree with this. Paul is just saying he isnt going to allow links to ALL fansites. You can still say habbox.com so thats good for us.

What about new fansites, the ones who should essentially take the place of older fansites that close; how will their site be promoted?

[Thetyler]

Fansites are a massive part of habbo as it gives people something to do, listen to, and also feel part of a certain community.

I think if they get rid of the fansite scheme, fansites will still be around but it won't be as easy to advertise them

[Richie]

New management make new rules.

That's something that could be easily said for fansites but we aren't talking about a 'teen hang out area' this is an actual company, real jobs, real money so realistically as a company sulake shouldn't just let someone swoop in and make change as they please. Change is good and that's his job, to make habbo better, but only if it's positive change like adding badges, games and other cool features. Removing something that advertises their product is just mind boggling.

[GommeInc]

Seems fair, Habbo have more important things to be doing at the moment than allowing fansite names into the filter - it's the problem with relying on a useless white list filter rather than putting resources into real-time moderation and a black list, which is the common sense approach (of which Paul La Fontaine has nought).

Besides, Habbo gave up on fansites years ago and the sheer lack of fansites these days is testament to this.

[Red]

That's disgusting. I don't think he realises how important fan sites are. They are what keep the long term users on habbo. I sure wouldn't be using it if I didn't have habbox.

[Kyle]

Habbo isn't a game for children and never has been. They're taking the right precautions for the time being by disallowing outside links but my worry is that they have no plans to bring it back in future. Yes, paedophiles are able to lure people away from habbo and have their way with them on other sites, but this type of thing also penalises all those innocent habbos that just want to keep in touch with their friends. Some middle ground needs to be established or even more users are going to leave.

I am all for disallowing links and I don't think there should have ever been clickable links in the first place, but when people are persecuted for advertising sites like habbox - which has been open for nine years and never really put any of its members in any serious danger - it makes me a little bit mad.

Fansites have been a large part of habbo since the very early years of its development and have helped it to stay alive by retaining many of its older members. Sulake needs to take a look at the age range of those that have played the game for years, not people who sign up for a couple of days or weeks then drift off back to bin weevils, clubpenguin or neopets.

Old fansite system worked. A public list of approved sites which have of a mixture of original content and good moderation (which is more that can be said for habbo...) is the right way to go. This new system of allowing any Tom, Richard or Harry to submit their fansite and receive a badge to show that it's 'legit' pretty much right away is flawed. Sure, it's more inclusive than the previous one, but there was a reason that fansites needed to be approved beforehand... Some of the people wearing this fansite owner badge really don't deserve it... Back in the day fansite owners would have been encouraged to take every safety precaution possible to keep their site and its users safe but now you see fansites being hacked every few weeks lol.

My suggestion would be to bring back official fansites like last time. Gold, silver and bronze. Bronze would be all fansites that have been submitted and vetted by staff members (Jason + someone else at the very least) to make sure they fit a certain criteria. Silver would be sites that have earned their place with original content, strong user bases and good moderation and gold would be the same, just a higher calibre. All these sites, once approved, would have the right to advertise themselves in client and if one was to be found to breach the fansite way could be reported and subsequently removed.

As a company that makes millions you'd think they would be prepared to throw some money into improving a feature that if anything, makes them even more money. I really wonder what they're spending their money on (other than Paul's countless homes overseas, no doubt!) since they seem to be saving so much by outsourcing moderation and customer support and using automated systems rather than real life people.

[karter]

The way he is talking, its like he is thinking about removing the fansite system. If he does there will be outrage from so many users and even staff members (like Jason).


pretty sure it will not outrage jason, his job would be changed and he wouldnt give a damn

[Richie]

http://i.imgur.com/8VVHW.png

[tm]

In actual fact what Paul has said is that he doesn't want ANY external linking from Habbo or even talk of anything that takes conversation away from Habbo. This includes twitter, youtube, google, facebook, ALL other websites and even the outside world (he may have been joking on the last one).

https://twitter.com/PaulLaFo/status/227478078727811072
https://twitter.com/PaulLaFo/status/227477089929003009
https://twitter.com/PaulLaFo/status/227476128107991040
https://twitter.com/PaulLaFo/status/221298665057304576
https://twitter.com/PaulLaFo/status/224891396287508482
https://twitter.com/PaulLaFo/status/224891937210105856

Enjoy^

[Red]

Well thats the point. He can block other links but fansites shouldn't be lumped together with Facebook or anything else.
Fansites don't take discussion away from habbo anyway. :S

[Aaron]

Habbo have already gone far into preventing hacking. This new safety lock? You now can't add new habbos? Hacking isn't as much of a problem now I bet. There is other precautions Habbo can take also, but like they listen to the users. It's all about the money...

Yeah I remember speaking with one of the developers of Sulake and he said they were removing the 'Add' feature for adding new Habbo Users to your account as it was too time consuming for them to move them between ID's and for safety ect ect. Although Nathan, if you're forgetting Sulake is a company trying to make a profit.. obviously it'll be about the money, it's a Multi-Million euro company..

[Lee]

Thing this is an over reaction and Paul can't admit his moderators were wrong so alternatively decides to turn against fansites...