slots game ad

[LCAHEARTS]

Is "gambling games" or simulated "gambling" games alowed for kids over 14 years old in the USA?? Where I live is not until past 18 years old. I belive TL games are for "14 years and up" or so I read on this web site.....I am confused???? Last time I lived in USA and I was under 18 I could not even smell a casino or any place with slots machine (not even on a cruise boat) .plus I had too be 21 for alcohol.....I travel veeeery often and I belive (nop I am sure) it is the same......maybe it does not apply for "web world"???? LOL.....

You're highly correct. Most casinos require you to be 21 or older [not 18] because there is alcohol and they like to only have to ID you once. Some states have specific gambling laws when it comes to gaming, but none of them as far as I know/have research say it's okay to do what TL is doing. Enough of us just need to start reporting away.

[tobyscientist]

I just spent about half an hour trying to find where it says that players of these games are supposed to be 14 or over. I finally found it buried away in a link down the bottom. But that is after getting the app from the Australian app store, where it is listed as being suitable for ages 4+. So I don't think TL is making it clear that these Story games are not intended for children. I think they are targeted at children and that TL is covering themselves legally by having the TOS hidden away somewhere. They are full of cute characters, animals, furniture and a range of other cute and cuddly things. And as a parent I think they are positive games for children - children have to cooperate, save, be generous, tip, plan, and use their literacy and numeracy s****s. I, my husband, and three of our children playing either bakery story or restaurant story, and we now find ourselves considering stopping because of gaming ads that are inappropriate, shameless, and opportunistic. Please TL just offer a paid version of the app that is ad-free. You will certainly get more money from this family than you would otherwise as we have never paid for gems and never will. But we would happily pay for an ad free app.

[hornhonker]

So is anyone from Team Lava senior management actually reading these posts? All we have so far repeated back to us is a weak, evasive and basically dismissive response from TL representatives stating that all players should be 14 years or older - which apparently is in some Terms of Service document that is buried away on their website somewhere, and which is NOT conveyed to any potential player at the point of app download, which would be the logical place to do it.

All this is a distraction from the real point, which is that all the games in the X Story series are clearly aimed at younger players (arguing the toss over whether they should be 7 or 14 or 18 is moot) and that saturation advertising of a gaming application is HIGHLY inappropriate. I have spoke to our local Consumer Advocate organisation here in Australia, as well as our state Department of Consumer Affairs, and they both agree that TL is in clear breach of a number of consumer laws here, and needs to smarten up its act promptly.

So TeamLava management, over to you. What's your response going to be? Are you going to continue this path that will result in a lose-lose-lose outcome for players, TL and advertisers, or admit that this was a poor decision and 1) immediately remove the gaming ads and 2) stop the new practice of repeated ads popping up at random during play that make the game so unenjoyable to play?

Thankyou.

[mingboo]

So is anyone from Team Lava senior management actually reading these posts? All we have so far repeated back to us is a weak, evasive and basically dismissive response from TL representatives stating that all players should be 14 years or older - which apparently is in some Terms of Service document that is buried away on their website somewhere, and which is NOT conveyed to any potential player at the point of app download, which would be the logical place to do it.

All this is a distraction from the real point, which is that all the games in the X Story series are clearly aimed at younger players (arguing the toss over whether they should be 7 or 14 or 18 is moot) and that saturation advertising of a gaming application is HIGHLY inappropriate. I have spoke to our local Consumer Advocate organisation here in Australia, as well as our state Department of Consumer Affairs, and they both agree that TL is in clear breach of a number of consumer laws here, and needs to smarten up its act promptly.

So TeamLava management, over to you. What's your response going to be? Are you going to continue this path that will result in a lose-lose-lose outcome for players, TL and advertisers, or admit that this was a poor decision and 1) immediately remove the gaming ads and 2) stop the new practice of repeated ads popping up at random during play that make the game so unenjoyable to play?

Thankyou.

are you saying that if TL refuse to change their stance, then we will not be able to play any TL games in the land down under???

[LCAHEARTS]

are you saying that if TL refuse to change their stance, then we will not be able to play any TL games in the land down under???

I'd assume so. As in, officials in Australia if brought to their attention on a big scale, could prohibit the game somehow. Or they could take the easier route and publish their findings with Apple/Other app markets who would take it from there. I'm in the USA. I spoke to local officials [actually, one is a state official] and was told something very similar. In fact I was told that I need to report the violations I've observed along with my screen shots [which I had to bring with me to talk to them to begin with] within 30 days if TL has not taken action. I think that's what the funny part is for me....TL doesn't even realize the lawful issue here. They think they can just shove us over to their TOS but that doesn't match their app, or their affiliates app. My job allows me to easily get a hold of these officials, it didn't take much for me to get a quick 5 minutes. They read that particular TOS part TL is so excited to put out there...I can't quote their words as meetings are confidential...but lets just say for them that was the nail on the coffin.

I do think it's important for TL to at least look into things and give us a clearer explanation. This reminds me a lot of the food quantity change months ago and the outrage that became. It took forever for TL to care enough to fix it. I sadly don't have forever to give them, I have 25 days and counting.

[sweetsucess]

I'd assume so. As in, officials in Australia if brought to their attention on a big scale, could prohibit the game somehow. Or they could take the easier route and publish their findings with Apple/Other app markets who would take it from there. I'm in the USA. I spoke to local officials [actually, one is a state official] and was told something very similar. In fact I was told that I need to report the violations I've observed along with my screen shots [which I had to bring with me to talk to them to begin with] within 30 days if TL has not taken action. I think that's what the funny part is for me....TL doesn't even realize the lawful issue here. They think they can just shove us over to their TOS but that doesn't match their app, or their affiliates app. My job allows me to easily get a hold of these officials, it didn't take much for me to get a quick 5 minutes. They read that particular TOS part TL is so excited to put out there...I can't quote their words as meetings are confidential...but lets just say for them that was the nail on the coffin.

I do think it's important for TL to at least look into things and give us a clearer explanation. This reminds me a lot of the food quantity change months ago and the outrage that became. It took forever for TL to care enough to fix it. I sadly don't have forever to give them, I have 25 days and counting.

Why to go and power to the people. I don't know who I should contact to file a complaint. I did send an email to the BBB.

[Rachael98]

All App Store ratings are 4+. This is based on in-game content, not Terms of Service.
The ToS can be found here.
A link is clearly displayed on the TeamLava Website, and a link to the website clearly displayed at the bottom of the App Store page - with the developer's name.

With regards to the actual game...

A word about Slots: it's made by Shark Party, LLC and although they haven't announced anything yet, I believe it's actually a Storm8 company - so they're just advertising their own new game.
If you want proof, their Terms of Service and TL's Terms of Service are suspiciously similar.
Their Forums are also set up similarly using vB.
I wasn't planning to say anything until it was announced by them, but I wanted to point out that they probably don't have a Shark Party contract with themselves, and probably don't make money from advertising their own product.

[bobbyrae]

Well the ads are gone from my game now, so they are listening. Thanks TL.

[Rachael98]

Well the ads are gone from my game now, so they are listening. Thanks TL.

Awesome. I'm just playing the game (I actually like it!)

[hornhonker]

Yep, they have now finally gone (thank goodness) on our four iDevices here. You need to ensure you reload the app, otherwise the Slots adware will persist.

Just double-tap your home button, hold your finger on the Restaurant icon until it wobbles, then press the red X in the corner. Press the home button to exit again. Launch the app as per normal. Bingo, your Slots {} is gone! Another massive bonus is that those really annoying ads that popped up in the middle of play have gone too. The games become playable once more.

Not sure if this is TL finally listening to their customers, or the week-long deal with Shark Party expiring, but if it's the former, thankyou TL.

Regardless of the reason, please TL don't ever do this again - you have seen the amount of player revolt this has caused and this will happen again with the same level of passion should there be a reoccurance.


HornHonker.