[DISCUSSION] Should Habbox Managers be able to win large Habbox events/competitions?

[Mathew]

Another thing - is it right for managers to be winning furni and putting it back into Habbox (like Matt did), don't get me wrong of course I ******* love it when this happens, but is it right?

Mike has also touched on something above, which is to do with chance. The chance of a Habbox Manager winning is slim anyway. When you consider the amount of department managers and the fact you need three of a certain colour in monopoly (and it's all random!) - it's a very slim chance of a Department Manager winning the throne.

But then we must consider - does it really matter if a manager wins the throne? I hope that you choose the right people for your management positions here, Oli, and so they'd be full of dedication, new ideas and commitment; so then they'd put it straight back into Habbox. As I said, it's the principle and the general annoyance of restricting those people who put so much dedication in to the site. If they win, that's fine, because it was done FAIRLY and without leaving anyone out.

If I was you, I'd feel a lot happier about a competition if I knew every person on the site had an equal chance at winning, rather than knowing I may have upset some people by leaving them out.

I don't really have an opinion on this matter, but does your post here mean you think as the General Manager of Habbox I should be able to enter a 200c competition, and win that 200c? Because going by your "Department managers put a lot of time in etc", I also put a lot of time in. Just interested to hear your response, as I said I don't have an opinion on the managers thing yet as I see both sides of the argument, however I certainly would disagree with the principle of me winning 200c.

Indeed, I would also disagree with you winning 200c because the fact is that you've proven yourself to be such a dedicated member of this site and therefore you'd put it straight back into Habbox. To be fair Oli, I think it would be perfectly fine for you to enter but on the slim chance that you won, I would think you'd be committed enough to turn it down and ask for another winner to be chosen. You have every right to claim the 200c, but I think there's a certain point when you hit General Management and your primary focus is to provide for the Habbox Community as opposed to claiming riches.

[Alex3213]

No I understand that and believe it's a fair argument. Another thing - is it right for managers to be winning furni and putting it back into Habbox (like Matt did), don't get me wrong of course I ******* love it when this happens, but is it right?

Well yeah I say it is fair. This is the situation:

Someone/more than one person donates for a huge competition -> Competition occurs -> Winner is chosen

Once that winner is chosen, they will receive the furniture. They can then use it for whatever they want, if it includes giving it back but for something else (for example a HabboxLive prize could go to help the comps dept) that's their choice. If it means making a room out of it, that's their choice. If it means trading it for credits, it's their choice.

In addition yes, managers should be allowed to participate. I've always thought as long as it's not related to their department its fair enough for them to enter (apart from events and I would say hxl but Jess doesn't enter anyway I don't think because most of the time they actually give it back anyway and it's a bit of fun) because they're members too. Cooldude921 (on hxf of course, not rs anyone who's a smart guy) is allowed to participate as much as Mathew in a competition to win a throne. Mathew doesn't have anything to do with the comps dept, he hasn't shaped it together (although he shouldn't be allowed to win cards from weekly events which is what's happening) and therefore he is allowed that chance to win a throne as much as anyone else.

However, following that principle, General Management should not be allowed to win big events. As I said, I feel that as long as they're not anything to do with the department, they should be allowed to enter. General Management have two words: general meaning covering all and management meaning those in charge of running an area. They are in charge of covering all of the area- in this case hxf. Everything has to be approved by them and thus they should not be allowed to enter big events as they are part of managing the big event.

God knows if that made sense, I am currently tired.

[Zak]

I think everyone should be able to take part. I trust management not to scam people here, I don't even think for a second that you Oli or Dan, or majority of people high up here at Habbox would do that. That's partly because though, I believe the vast majority of staff are past caring about gaining furniture on an online game

I don't ever enter competitions anyway but I do see how some people who don't use Habbox could be persuaded that Habbox scam, just because they don't know what it's like here. Like if i put 100c into entering a competition, then the winner was the event host or like his best friend. I'd be like wtf?

[Grig]

I think managers, if they are not from the department organizing it should be able to. Like anywhere they are part of Habbox and if want to have every right to be part of the community and partake in such events. They can win fairly and squarely without cheating or anything and it will be fair does to them. I got beaten out by Martin in numerous quizzes and stuff, but apart from a few jokes here and there it was a good game and he won fairly and deserved it. If you bring this argument up, you might as well just bring that staff can't enter comps and all those arguments in a chain.

So yeh, I see no problem what so ever in it. If a member moans about it, they can't accept defeat in the face and need to learn a lesson in life, that you loose out more often than not.

[redtom]

No they shouldn't, it creates the wrong image and is unprofessional. Nor should anyone else in the department.

Maybe you could have a rule that if a member of Habbox staff won a prize at an event in there department or a higher ranking member of staff then the prize would be put into a lottery or given to 2ed place and not the member of staff. This means you would avoid any bad publicity without stopping these people joining in with the events.

[nat965]

Like many people have said, if they are a manager of another department or haven't participated in the making of the event/competition, they should be allowed to.

[nvrspk4]

I don't think they should be allowed to. For a long time, Habbox Staff weren't even allowed to enter competitions - obviously that changed and I think that's ok.

For big competitions, especially the ones that are hyped up where people are competing hard for it, and then a manager wins, its kind of like a "really?" type reaction. You will never be able to shake the appearance of bias - even though I agree that in most cases its not there. Then again, its hard to prove either way.

That said, a lot of the time that managers win things they put it back into Habbox or their departments - I think that the argument that managers do it for greed is misdirected. Still, it gives off a really bad image, especially to those who aren't as closely connected to Habbox. People who are already fans are probably more willing to believe that its not rigged, but outside people will probably be more suspicious. And one big advantage of the larger events is their ability to attract outside users - especially if a non-Habbox user wins the prize, we are much more likely to retain that user.

[Catzsy]

I don't think they should be allowed to. For a long time, Habbox Staff weren't even allowed to enter competitions - obviously that changed and I think that's ok.

For big competitions, especially the ones that are hyped up where people are competing hard for it, and then a manager wins, its kind of like a "really?" type reaction. You will never be able to shake the appearance of bias - even though I agree that in most cases its not there. Then again, its hard to prove either way.

That said, a lot of the time that managers win things they put it back into Habbox or their departments - I think that the argument that managers do it for greed is misdirected. Still, it gives off a really bad image, especially to those who aren't as closely connected to Habbox. People who are already fans are probably more willing to believe that its not rigged, but outside people will probably be more suspicious. And one big advantage of the larger events is their ability to attract outside users - especially if a non-Habbox user wins the prize, we are much more likely to retain that user.

Whilst I always respect your views I think on this occasion I disagree. Why single out the managers?
I think the same could be said if I won a prize or any member of the staff. The decision was made to allow staff to enter competitions and it has to be remembered that they are also active members of Habbox as well as staff and are volunteers not employees so the fact that companies do not allow employees to enter really does not apply. Personally I feel that being able to enter the competitions provides an incentive to them as well to keep up with all the hard work they put it each and every day. Obviously how the prize is won has to be completely transparent but if anybody was 'rigging' which I would find hard to believe would ever happen, could easily still happen e.g. the member of staff could make sure a member won and share the proceeds. Most of the competitions are a game of chance and if you put the effort in then you should be entitled to some of the rewards should you be lucky enough to win.

[Hecktix]

Whilst I always respect your views I think on this occasion I disagree. Why single out the managers?
I think the same could be said if I won a prize or any member of the staff. The decision was made to allow staff to enter competitions and it has to be remembered that they are also active members of Habbox as well as staff and are volunteers not employees so the fact that companies do not allow employees to enter really does not apply. Personally I feel that being able to enter the competitions provides an incentive to them as well to keep up with all the hard work they put it each and every day. Obviously how the prize is won has to be completely transparent but if anybody was 'rigging' which I would find hard to believe would ever happen, could easily still happen e.g. the member of staff could make sure a member won and share the proceeds. Most of the competitions are a game of chance and if you put the effort in then you should be entitled to some of the rewards should you be lucky enough to win.

I am inclined to agree with your argument here. I have tried to remain as impartial on this topic as I can as I recieved quite a few complaints following Mathew's win on Saturday. I am of a strong opinion that Habbox Staff (which includes managers) are nothing more than Habbox members who help out in an official manner. Those of you who have said "staff shouldn't be able to win if they are involved" - don't worry this has always been the case .

I put this up for discussion both in the managers meeting and here because it's clear that some people aren't happy with managers winning, discussion is the best way to gain both sides of the story and following posts in this thread I think I have reached my conclusion (although if there's outrage in this thread to what I say perhaps it won't be the action taken).

I think it would be unfair to remove the right of managers uninvolved in these large competitions to participate on the grounds that they are Habbox Members.

General Management will still be refused permission to participate in any competition/event that is not regular (i.e. something special). General Managers can win rounds in regular Habbox Events, however when I have seen this happen (including when I have won myself) I have asked for the prize to be given to the second place finisher, I'm sure this is something Martin, David and Dan would also do.

Further to this, I would like to state that although we will not remove the right to participate as this is quite Nazi-ish, I do expect Habbox Managers to have a notion of care and commitment to Habbox to moderate such activity in the interests of Habbox. Large prizes are often given out as an incentive for people to join or remain at Habbox, I would like to think that managers do not need large prizes as an incentive to stay around, I'd like to think that their commitment would be enough. So, whilst I will not impose a restriction I would urge managers to act in the interests of Habbox, and that is not saying do not participate in such competitions but to moderate such participation in Habbox's interests.

I do not think I can be any fairer than trusting my managers not to take advantage and act in the interests of Habbox.

[Mathew]

Seems fair enough to me Oli, but I don't think there will be much change as I'm sure that it's something which is probably done already. If Management happen to win a prize then I see no major problem as there's a high chance of it being put straight back into the site. It's also worth mentioning that I won the HxL competition for having the best entry. You had to give a description of your perfect room on Habbo, outlining all the different items of furniture and reasons for it being there. It just so happens that my entry was chosen as the best and therefore rewarded.

Pretty much a mountain out of a molehill here but hey, interesting discussion.