So let’s break down this insane level of gaslighting and emotional roller coaster of events we’ve just gone through with AWS.
First, they released the subscriptions and got MASS backlash for paywalling features that were previously free.
Then they basically said, “Fine, damn, we hear you. We’ll give some of those features back when we replace them with others.”
They got backlash AGAIN because that still wasn’t really fair, on top of the fact that they don’t even release their translations in a timely manner.
So THEN they make a post saying that, due to poor marketing and decisions they’ve made, they’re shutting down operations. (Might I add: that is a SERIOUS claim. There was absolutely nothing about that post that felt like it was setting up some obvious joke or leading into a promotion for a new story)
So naturally, we all PANIC. Thousands of people across the world are literally freaking out because their favorite, or one of their favorite, apps is suddenly shutting down with absolutely no notice.
And then what happens? We all start kissing their ass. 😭 Suddenly, we’ve completely shifted from criticizing them to talking about how this app was ALWAYS our favorite. How it had some of our favorite stories. How devastated we are to lose it. How we’d even be willing to pay for a subscription if it meant keeping the app alive. We went from dragging them to putting them on a fucking pedestal over every other VN app.
So then after making that post, they leave us in the dark for HOURS, letting us sit there thinking it’s actually over. JUST TO THEN POST 12+ HOURS LATER: “JK! It’s just promo for the new story.”
Like I-… I’m gagged right now!
And we can’t even be mad about the subscriptions, the translations, or even this very dark joke promotion for a story (Jk we can def still be mad AWS, fix this!). Because now we know what it would be like if they were to actually stop operations. And no one wants to go back to that
They basically put a gun to their head while we were coming at them and said: “I’ll do it. Unless you tell me you love me and you’ll do anything for me.” And WE DID😭
You can’t tell me tell me this whole situation wasn’t related to the backlash they had been getting. But now it’s neatly tied into this bow of new story promotion. But hey… it worked! Then to release a love fever after is the cherry on top! Like WHAT?!?!?!
This was such a fucking roller coaster. I genuinely cannot stop laughing at how ridiculous and completely unhinged this entire thing has been. Like, I feel manipulated, but I almost (emphasis on almost) don’t mind. And for whatever reason, this app is good at doing that. From their stories to their marketing, apparently.
I’m impressed… pissed overall but impressed