The Alphaville Herald

51 Responses to “Interview with Ian, from SimoleansPlus”

1. 

   Managersspecial
   

   Mar 3rd, 2004
   

   Great article. Ian is the best person in game that I know. Im happy to hear his simolean business is going well.
2. 

   RB
   

   Mar 3rd, 2004
   

   Strangely enough i don’t remember this person. And the site is fairly crude. Tho come to think of it, ive seen this guys name on ebay before.

   I know just about everybody, tho i don’t include ebay because of the 100′s of people it’s very impersonal. Know mainly everyone from websites and TSOE.

   Also that is so true, “do gooders” will moan, but open ya wallet and see how many put thier hands out. lol.

   Envy inspired hypocrisy is alive and well.

   - RB
3. 

   the guy from tsoe
   

   Mar 4th, 2004
   

   lol.. think back RB… you may know him from TSOe.. think
   neat interview… dont know why you interviewed ian , but eh? not my site ;P
4. 

   urizenus
   

   Mar 4th, 2004
   

   Ian said something, and then decided it was snippy, and then asked me to cut it down. (Just in case you saw something that is no more).

   But let me take this opportunity to note that Ian’s trial acct site is up and plug it: http://www.tsotrials.com
5. 

   Kyrsten
   

   Mar 5th, 2004
   

   Aww Ian, you don’t consider me on the big guys in simolean selling…that hurts….but even us girls can hang, and in many cases better than some of the guys
6. 

   that guy from tsoe
   

   Mar 5th, 2004
   

   lol krysten

   who would by trail accounts when you can make them FREE at http://www.fileplanet.com just make a new account and ask for a code!
7. 

   Nick
   

   Mar 5th, 2004
   

   That..let’s keep it a secret..or better yet..let’s tell everyone in TSO..yeah thats it. Hmph..poopybutt (lmao) >:|
8. 

   Ian - who isn't afraid to reveal him self
   

   Mar 5th, 2004
   

   that guy from tsoe is obviously an idiot, because he a) he wont say who he is b)too afraid to say who he is when he bashes me and c) he is telling everyone the file website…

   Why dont you stop being a little crybaby and reveal yourself. And your jealously flatters me, thank you.
9. 

   TBT
   

   Mar 6th, 2004
   

   I agree with Kyrsten there are way more sellers that have been around longer, much longer then tsorealty/leadarchitect that probably earned quite a decent living the past year. Examples: Kyrsten, simsbanker, onlinemoneygame aka simbucks, coregame, ruready2play, simoleanstore aka simoleans4less, realsims, simoleansales, i could go on the list is long .

   As for the file web site heck it’s posted on most cheat/guide/gamer web sites right now i’m sure and fileplanet is no secret.. i don’t see what all the hoopla is about as its not like they’re stealing anything from anyone and u can still provide a service ian. i’m ure there are many sims out here that don’t want to go through all the trouble of getting the tso codes.

   It’s a fact of life that no matter what you do or say there is always going to be individuals who oppose you or feel what you do is inappropriate… stop taking all this so seriously, its a game and life will go on! You sem to feel that everyone is against you ican’t see how or where this tsoe person has bashed you? All they stated was for someone to think back that they should know you and they asked why would someone buy free trial accounts as heck the name says it all “free trial accounts” lol

   Where is the bashing in that?
10. 

    RB
    

    Mar 6th, 2004
    

    *gasp* TBT has made it over to AVH finally. =O

    =D

    Hey would you know why TSOE has been down for about 3 days??

    Uri, you must interview TBT, he is very much worth it =)

    - RB
11. 

    bob the tomato
    

    Mar 6th, 2004
    

    Geez uri…. where the hell do you keep dragging up these parasites, making a living at the expense of other people’s fun?

    BLT
12. 

    urizenus
    

    Mar 6th, 2004
    

    Well Bob, if you would rather not know what is happening, stop reading the blog.

    And you know, not to take sides or anything, but these people have argued that they are making the game funner for many people by allowing them to, for example, build nice houses instead of pound gnomes or work in the idiotic robot factory. There are lots of people on TSO and not all of them are playing the same game. In particular, not all of them want to play *your* game, nor would they find your game particularly fun.

    The point is the TSO is not a game, but is rather a platform in which thousands of people get together and invent all kinds of games and activitites. God did not decree that there is one official game, and if God has the good sense not to tell people other people how to play, perhaps you should follow His/Her lead.

    If you don’t like the way other people play on TSO, don’t play with them. It’s all very simple.
13. 

    TBT
    

    Mar 6th, 2004
    

    “Geez uri…. where the hell do you keep dragging up these parasites, making a living at the expense of other people’s fun?

    BLT”

    Ok if all these people that urizenus interviews are parasites then what do you call the major corporations such as EA, Maxis that create these games that cost consumers $30 – $50 to buy and then an additional $10 per month to subscribe? They aren’t sucking your money? These so called “parasites”/TSO Sellers are only doing it at the players requests, not because the players are forced to use or buy their services, there’s a major difference.. You DON’T have to buy what they offer, but players choose to do so and you can’t blame the sellers for what people want and pay for.

    Might I ask what you do for a living or who’s expense is it that you making a living?

    RB who’s to say I haven’t been here, I have looked on occasion If you’re still having trouble at TSOE send me an email the forums were redone recently, but the links to them should be working..
14. 

    Ian
    

    Mar 6th, 2004
    

    two really good posts TBT, i am justg looking to put all that shit behind us?

    But Ea is the real scammer
15. 

    BLT
    

    Mar 6th, 2004
    

    Not that its actually anyone’s business, but as you asked I work for a large charity that does practical work to help the homeless and disadvantaged… supported by voluntary donations, so its at nobody’s expense.

    Most people fund the lame practice of payouts by simoleans bought from these people – which remember the use of these bots is AGAINST THE RULES; so therefore an illegal practice is pushing honest players down the charts.

    BLT
16. 

    urizenus
    

    Mar 6th, 2004
    

    >AGAINST THE RULES

    Well, whose rules? Yours? Why should people play by *your* rules? You shouldn’t confuse the TOS and the rules of the game. They are two different things. If someone is violating the TOS that is between them and EA, and none of your business. Furthermore, so far as I know, simolean buyers are not in violation of the TOS anyway.

    >therefore an illegal practice is pushing honest players down the charts.

    “Illegal practice”? Please either identify the laws that have been broken or stop making these accusations.

    “honest players” The people on Stratics that complain about this are among the most dishonest people I have ever encountered in my life. Your charge of “illegal practices” is but one case in point.
17. 

    Ian
    

    Mar 6th, 2004
    

    Uri, don;t even waste your time on fools like that. He is probably bidding on simoleans as we speak lol. There is nothing illegal what botters are doing. IF YOU READ THE TOS…it says “unattending macroing”…and most people are not unattended macroing
18. 

    Ian
    

    Mar 6th, 2004
    

    Uri, don;t even waste your time on fools like that. He is probably bidding on simoleans as we speak lol. There is nothing illegal what botters are doing. IF YOU READ THE TOS…it says “unattending macroing”…and most people are not unattended macroing
19. 

    urizenus
    

    Mar 6th, 2004
    

    I just wish that people would make the distinction between breaking the law and a breach of contract.
20. 

    Cocoanut
    

    Mar 6th, 2004
    

    Uri, if you had a better understanding of the rules of this game, you might still be playing it. Legally.

    TSO is a game, and it is a game with rules. You are right in saying that God did not decree that there is one official game – one official TSO. EA/Maxis did. EA produced the one official game that is TSO; EA created the rules for it; and law backs them up.

    You asked another poster “whose rules” people should play by? The answer: THE rules. Of the game. When people enter into a game of any kind – poker, a tennis tournament, Dark Age of Camelot, a TV game show, Scrabble, you name it – they enter into it with other people, and all agree at the start on the rules of the game. Those who break those rules are not engaging in fair play. Breaking the rules is considered cheating.

    So yes, people should play by “my” rules when “my” rules are actually EA/TSO rules, which we all agreed to when we signed up for the game. The TOS and the rules of the game are not two different things; they are one and the same. They are not “my” rules as opposed to “your” rules. They are the rules of the game.

    Here, from the Terms of Service, are the rules in question here:

    Regarding bots:

    [It is against TOS to] “Use or distribute ‘auto’ software programs, ‘macro’ software programs or other ‘cheat utility’ software program or applications.”

    “The use of machines, computers, scripts or any automated system on EA Online is strictly prohibited and may result in criminal liability under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, Section 1030 of the United States Code.”

    Regarding simoleon, etc., selling:

    “You may not exploit EA Online, or any games or services offered on EA Online for any commercial purpose. Any violation of these provisions can subject your EA Online Account(s) to immediate termination (or result in revocation of Guest status, if you are a guest) and further legal action.”

    coco
21. 

    TBT
    

    Mar 6th, 2004
    

    ian i’m not rehashing anything I was just stating some simple facts that in a public forum not everyone is going to agree with what we say..

    ……………………

    BLT

    If honest players go to those who sell the simoleans then you can’t blame the seller for players who seek their services. Not all simolean sellers use exploits and programs either… Yes as hard as it is to beleive there are some honest simolean sellers out there, not many but some.

    BTW I compliment you on your job its sounds like a perfect a setting you must be very happy and that’s good for you

    …………………..

    Coco

    Also in the TOS it states:

    “It is not a Terms of Service violation to sell TSO items via eBay or through any other 3rd party vendors. However, it is considered a Terms of Service violation for players to advertise ANY items in the game or on the TSO message boards in exchange for real world goods.”

    That means they accept users selling TSO items, but do not tolerate in-game adverting that they do..
22. 

    Cocoanut
    

    Mar 6th, 2004
    

    (thought I posted this already, but apparently it didn’t go through)

    Could you post the link to that, TBT, as I have never seen it in the TOS.

    Yes, there are some Simoleon sellers who sell what they make from working their Sim butts off. I personally don’t see anything wrong with that (as opposed to using cheat programs), but what I personally think is beside the point if something is against TOS, and I have never seen it said to be acceptable in TOS.

    coco
23. 

    urizenus
    

    Mar 6th, 2004
    

    Coco, you know full well that I had no links to anything in either my bio or property descript when my acct. was terminated, so I’m not clear on how “knowing the rules” is supposed to have helped.

    But again, you have confused “terms of contract” with “rules” and “laws”. The terms of contract are just that. Terms governing a contractual relation between EA and customer. It has no normative claim over what the rules of the game are supposed to be, and frankly I find it troubling that people like you have confused a contract with some sort of moral code and then appointed yourselves as the only true interpreters of this alleged moral code. I can’t decide if if is yet more troubling or just plain comical that you don’t even understand the TOS as it relates to simolean dealers (as TBT observes). In any case, TSO is not a game, but a platform in which many games are played, and people are free to establish the rules as they see fit to enjoy those games. You are not the arbiter of the right way to play, no matter how morally superior you may feel yourself to be.
24. 

    TBT
    

    Mar 6th, 2004
    

    Coco,

    My plreasure! Here it is and it’s VERY long, lol

    LINK

    That IS EA/Maxis own “rules”, as you say, on selling TSO items so in fact is is absolutely permissable.
25. 

    TBT
    

    Mar 6th, 2004
    

    Urizenus you can edit those posts the urls didn’t turn out as i anticipated will try the url link in the info instead…

    Thanks!

    TBT

    [TBT, I replaced the URL with a single link to the site --Uri]
26. 

    Cocoanut
    

    Mar 7th, 2004
    

    Thank you very much, TBT! I stand corrected on my interpretation of “commercial gain”. That let’s the “honest” Simoleon sellers off the hook, and for that I’m grateful, as I never considered them to be doing anything wrong anyway.
27. 

    RB
    

    Mar 7th, 2004
    

    Ive never met TBT before outside of the internet but he frequently says what im more or less thinking along the lines of. lol. it’s creepy.

    So here is my usual reply:

    “I agree with TBT”

    =D

    - RB

    p.s , like any blackmarket it does not exist without the BUYERS. the BUYERS are at fault alot here too. the BUYERS CREATE the market for this. no BUYERS equals no sellers.
28. 

    Cocoanut
    

    Mar 7th, 2004
    

    Uri, I didn’t see your post up there before I answered TBT.

    As regards your own case, I take your word for it that you had no links at the time of your termination. However, had you known the rule, you would not have been reported for that violation in the first place.

    You say you were terminated after you complied with the rule and removed the links, and I accept your word on that. EA could, of course, terminate you anyway (and basically at any time for no reason at all), and EA did imply on several occasions that there were other strikes against you as well.

    In any case, I was, at the time, arguing for compasion on your behalf due to the fact that you did not know of that rule in the first place. I, too, think it is not very just to go ahead and terminate someone after he has complied, if indeed that was the only thing they are holding against him.

    So, had you been clear on the rules in the first place, you would never have posted that link and your enemy would not have reported you. That is how “knowing the rules” would have helped.

    Now, as for the rest of what you say, I sure would like to know what universe you live in. You can talk rings of gobbledy-gook about this not being a game and it having no rules, but your arguments would get you nowhere either in a court of law or in the court of public opinion, and virtually everyone reading this knows that.

    It is a game; it does have rules; and people can get kicked out for not abiding by the rules. You can define it as an artichoke for all I care, but few would agree with you, much less use the rejection of the term “game” as an argument that it thus has no rules to be broken.

    Yes, there is freedom of play and players can establish all sorts of rules for themselves – on their own lots, for instance, or in order to run a game of Survivor or something. But these rules – ALL self-imposed rules and ALL game play – must be within the context of the TOS rules of the game. Otherwise you may find yourself out on your ear.

    More important, because most people consider this to be a game and the TOS to be its rules, many players don’t think very much of people who cheat on the rules. Few would toss the TOS out on the basis of the fine distinction you are trying to make between “contracts” and “game rules.” Most expect the TOS to be upheld, and rely on that for fair play.

    I find it troubling that people like you (and I do mean “like you,” rather than like any of your admirers who post here, in that you are a professor) can’t recognize these simple and obvious verities.

    Now if you want to talk about morals: I’m hardly taking a self-righteous or morally superior stand by rejecting bot-users and manufacturers. You might as well argue that if we were playing Scrabble and you kept sneaking in extra q’s and u’s from your pocket that I would be acting morally superior if I objected to that.

    In fact, I am a reasonable arbiter of the right way to play, as are all players of any game, insofar as we wish to see the agreed-upon rules adhered to by all players. Those who play a game fairly and without cheating are morally superior, in terms of game-playing, to those who cheat.

    But even worse than cheating, I think, is wearing blinders to the point where you don’t even recognize cheating when you see it. I have more respect for cheaters who intellectually honest enough to at least acknowledge that they are, for whatever reasons, cheating.

    coco
29. 

    TBT
    

    Mar 7th, 2004
    

    I’m a cheater, He’s a cheater, She’s a cheater, Wouldn’t you like to be a cheater too?

    Sorry couldn’t resist! ;-p
30. 

    Ian
    

    Mar 7th, 2004
    

    I dont feel like scrolling up to see who said this…But whoever said “buyers create a market for this as much as sellers” they are absolutely correct. So Coco, if your against this, please bitch and moan at the buyers too.
31. 

    RB
    

    Mar 7th, 2004
    

    Those comments would be mine. =D

    3 posts up from bottom including yours.

    - RB
32. 

    Scrambled1
    

    Mar 8th, 2004
    

    wow… lol
    as for the trial accounts… you can visit thesims.com and see that they have it posted in their news that the “Free TSO Trials are Back!” and linked directly to Fileplanet.com and even at fileplanet there is a giant thing saying that the trials are back! so dont go saying that noone knows … if they dont then they must live at a one, single website…
    and coco.. seriously… whats with these long, giant posts?… you spend too much time here! lol
    and I would like to add.. there are major sellers on TSO… holding up to 60 accounts (I know someone who is getting alot more..) and thats (add it up guys!) 600 a month.. which is near 7,000 a year given to TSO … now just thing… say one of every 10 accounts are owned by a simolean seller… now if they left.. then there would be a drastic change in the population of tso and the amount of money going to maxis to keep their servers running and up to date is going to decrease.. well that would mean a shutdown of servers untill there is a few, or none that are still activated… so give the sellers a hand… they are playing a big role in keeping your game alive
33. 

    Ian
    

    Mar 9th, 2004
    

    scrambled, that isnt all of the secret, any fool can go ahead and download the game and go threw the steps. sigh, think before you post.
34. 

    urizenus
    

    Mar 9th, 2004
    

    a’right, let’s save the snippiness for the Stratics boarders.

    I assume the advantage of the trial account supplier comes in when you want 100 accounts for some purpose or other. Am I wrong about that?
35. 

    Ian
    

    Mar 9th, 2004
    

    uri, honestly any sale is…$20,000 for one is great….seeing that 1mill now goes for $50-60…… 100k would be around $6….20,000 is 1/5 of 100k…so that is like $1.30 per code….And we, Yes WE have made over $10,000,000 in 12 days of trial account selling… 10 x 50…500$…lol…You all can continue to mock what I do, but the profit margin laughs back.
36. 

    scrambled1
    

    Mar 9th, 2004
    

    “but the profit margin laughs back”
    sounds like TBT >;)
    anyhow… whats this WE.. you made 10mil or you combined with the other goobers selling the accounts?
    Really… dont go getting all pissy at people cause they give away how to do something when you did the exact same to someone on the TSOE forum… pah… and whats this goign throught the game and following steps?… i never said anything about the game… o_O
37. 

    RB
    

    Mar 10th, 2004
    

    Rubbish, Utter cogswallop. 10 million dollars my ass. rofl. =D

    I find such claims lurdicris to the extreme.

    10 grand, maybe more. that’s somewhat reasonable if the success is there.

    And yes Scrambled, It does sound like TBT. =D he does say things like that. hehe. =)

    - RB
38. 

    TBT
    

    Mar 10th, 2004
    

    Scrambled and RB I think you’re misreading what ian says… I admit at first I misread it and thought he said he made 10k in RL $ too and though “BS Noway!”, but that’s not it at all…

    He sells his codes for simoleans so what he is saying is that he sold 10 million in simoleans worth of codes @ 20,000 each.. So basically he sold 500 codes for 10 million simoleans which equals about $500.00 in RL dollars..

    I’m sure it was mainly the mafias who bought them up they love those 14 day trials ..

    That to me sounds very doable
39. 

    urizenus
    

    Mar 10th, 2004
    

    that’s how I understood Ian too.
40. 

    RB
    

    Mar 10th, 2004
    

    Thanks for the clear up TBT =D yeah i see it now. quite possible too.

    =)

    - RB
41. 

    Ian
    

    Mar 10th, 2004
    

    This WE is me and my real life friend……
42. 

    Scrambled1
    

    Mar 11th, 2004
    

    Oh, I thaught you were a scytsophrenic
    Yes, That does seem doable.. I dont think i read that part.. just scanned over it all
43. 

    Mick Lite
    

    Mar 11th, 2004
    

    Just to clear something up I saw on this post… I am not onlinemoneygame. SimBucks aka OnlineGameBucks is me.
44. 

    Ian
    

    Mar 11th, 2004
    

    scrambled1: You mean schizophrenic?
45. 

    TBT
    

    Mar 11th, 2004
    

    Sorry Mick, too many similar sounding names lol
46. 

    Scrambled1
    

    Mar 12th, 2004
    

    Well thats for being my spell checker ian… you sarcastic lil kid
47. 

    Ian
    

    Mar 14th, 2004
    

    Calling me a sarcastic little kid, atleast I can spell. And Atleast I do not fill up the TSOE forums with “lol” and “lmao” and some stupid crap like you, who provides no helpful information. You just do it to get “post” points. You say nothing useful, so please, don’t bash me when there are many faults within you.
48. 

    Scrambled1
    

    Mar 21st, 2004
    

    Really ian? i just post LOL and LMAO?

    Do I?

    Ask anyone there, you will find out that I have been as much help to the people on TSOE as they need… I dont see you doing that…

    I might not spell everything correctly… but its not your job to proofread and check my spelling… you get the point i make… you dont need to say something about it… man ian, you really need some counseling (sp ian) because you have some messed up mental problems you need to get checked… sheesh… and you act all “buddy buddy” on nyks forum for gir..
49. 

    urizenus
    

    Mar 22nd, 2004
    

    I should say in defense of Ian that he asked me to cut that post down a couple days ago, scrambled1, cuz he had straightened stuff out with you. Notice that the post is a week old. I told him he couldn’t, but that he could post a retraction if he wanted.
50. 

    ian
    

    Mar 23rd, 2004
    

    i would of posted a retraction but it was a couple days old and i really didn’t care…this is a “blog”…not real life..if you don’t like what i have to say…then suck on an egg because honestly i couldn’t give two shits what you think about me…mental problems? LOL…*sigh* this is too much of a joke for me to continue even writing this pointless post…
    ~thanks uri

Leave a Reply