Another Survival Update

February 20, 2021 11:17 am

Hello! It is I, your humble staff member here to update you on Survival 2021.

I know in my last news post, I let y’all know that quite a few of us on staff were dealing with weather issues that made getting the holiday done hard. We’re still sort of in that position, unfortunately. While I’m not personally under a lot of snow anymore, my internet connection is either the pace of a snail or just trying its very best to connect. Which really makes it hard to add the really cool items we have in store for Louis and Skitters!

So instead of risking losing one of those items or spending half the day adding things, I’m here to express my regret that we’re going to have to push Survival back a bit more. Before you get too upset, hear me out!

Some things to look forward to:

Survival will still be the same length it has been in previous years, roughly 15 days.
We’ve decreased the time between stages for a skin by hours! You’ll surely get more skins for your collection this year… also that sounds very gross.
This year’s skins have fewer stages than previous years, so hey! You’ll get them even quicker!!!
We’re going to try very hard not to use the word ‘virus’ or ‘infection’ when the holiday starts, because of the actual real-life pandemic. Gunner has to do some rebranding but it’s fine!

I’m really sorry that this holiday has been pushed back so much when I know so many of y’all enjoy it.

February 20, 2021, 1:38 pm by

We're not going to change the entire holiday to cut out viruses or anything, just we're going to avoid using the words too much! Gunner is going to just do some sassy post when he brings about the holiday. :)

February 20, 2021, 1:36 pm by

Just stay safe and mentally sane. Life is tough enough right now to stress over the virtual. Thanks for letting us know though. :)

February 20, 2021, 1:31 pm by

I just want y'all to be safe. ❤️

February 20, 2021, 1:29 pm by

Thanks for the update

February 20, 2021, 1:28 pm by

I don’t get why some people keep calling the event Pandemic rather than Survival. As far as I’m aware, the Great Pandemic was only ever used to refer to the first year of the event with subsequent years going with Survival instead?

For the record, while I wouldn’t have been bothered with “virus” and “infection” still being used, I still think not using them is a better decision at least for this year. Better safe than sorry (or whatever phrase works better).

February 20, 2021, 1:21 pm by

Thank you staff for the update. It will be enjoyable no matter when it happens. The important thing is that you are all safe and warm. That goes for users too.

Be safe everyone.

February 20, 2021, 1:20 pm by

I didn't used to have a problem with the word "Pandemic" but 2020 made me hate that word. I don't like that there are still people calling this event The Great Pandemic, it's always been just Survival to me.

February 20, 2021, 1:19 pm by

Hmmm... guess we'll have to see what changes before I can update my post template and pet profile. I'm guessing you don't want to reveal any of the rebranding ahead of time?

February 20, 2021, 1:17 pm by

Please take care of yourselves and know that we appreciate your hard work and letting us know.

February 20, 2021, 1:16 pm by

Glad you‘re all trying your best to stay safe, and considering all the obstacles being thrown our way I’m on board with shortened viruses this year.

February 20, 2021, 1:14 pm by

Hey, it's fine! We're still getting an event at the end of the day! Just be safe out there~!

February 20, 2021, 1:14 pm by

I am personally offended that you guys are re-branding this unique, one-of-a-kind, Subeta only traditional holiday "PANDEMIC" into something other due to RL overdose.

We come to Subeta to escape the the humdrum of RL, please don't alter our Subetean experiences due to RL issues.

PS: also looking forward to a fun & functional Pandemic, so take your time...

February 20, 2021, 1:13 pm by

Of course real life concerns come first! Stay safe and good luck to everyone struggling with the weather or anything else.

I do want to second an opinion I've seen a few other comments - I'm not sure I understand the need to avoid the use of the word 'infection' etc. Of course the pandemic is an extremely serious situation, but this is a zombie-themed event -- clearly the context is different. COVID has been terrible, but that doesn't make 'virus' a dirty word. What's more, the holiday is literally called Survival - why not use it to acknowledge what everyone's been through in the past year, and what hope there is for the future?

I'll be happy to see whatever you come up with, and I appreciate that you're trying to be sensitive - I just wanted to throw my two cents in because it struck me as odd.

February 20, 2021, 1:11 pm by

:) I appreciate all the hard work the Subeta team has been doing on this. Stay safe and warm guys! <3

February 20, 2021, 1:07 pm by

ditto for you.

Moving on, staff, you're the best of the best! Thank you so much for keeping us updated on the midst of what sounds like a frankly stressful and horrible week/month/year. I can only speak for myself here, but I'm fine with any delays or changes, your safety and well-being come first. I'm excited to see what y'all have in store! Can't wait to update my skin-collection (yeah, there's no way for that not to sound creepy)

February 20, 2021, 1:05 pm by

Thanks for keeping us updated and stay safe! Excited to hear the event will still be the normal length of time and for the decreased stage times/fewer stages for the strains this year.

February 20, 2021, 1:03 pm by

oh bugger off. It's a wise decision and one that speaks to their credit as a thoughtful and proactive group of people. At its most basic, it's the most logical course in order to mitigate the risk of offending someone or stumbling into misinterpretation. Also, as someone who has had family die because of this lame, soyboy virus, I'm one of those snowflakes that gets triggered by the word I guess, sorry I'm so cringe. ¯_(ツ)_/¯

February 20, 2021, 1:03 pm by

I dunno, why not change "virus" to parasits? Like, instead of calling these things just use 'hoast' or something like that? I think it's pretty neat imo

February 20, 2021, 1:01 pm by

Thank you Amber! ❤️

February 20, 2021, 12:57 pm by

it sounds good, i prefer a steady event. i dont agree with avoiding general terms like virus and related stuff.... eye roll

February 20, 2021, 12:53 pm by

i would certainly rather have a functioning, fully accessible holiday than an on-time holiday! you all do what you need, we'll be fine. <3 i also don't entirely see the point behind rebranding due to the actual pandemic happening, but i see that some other people appreciate it. it doesn't matter to me either way tbh.

February 20, 2021, 12:44 pm by

I totally get the push back but I don't get the reason for the added sensitivity? Skitters is a zombie and the skins are mutations from classic zombie bites. I don't understand how anyone can be offended by using normal genre terms.

I'm not offended by the pandemic. If anything you could've just used this as a little bit of a reachable moment with the items (a wash your hands sticker, maybe more mask variants?)

I don't think Subeta needs to exit from these words because they aren't inherently malicious. There is a time and place for sensitivity and we cannot shield from everything.

February 20, 2021, 12:44 pm by

This all sounds fabulous, especially if it comes with all ya'll being/staying safe. Anyone who begrudges this needs to reassess their priorities...

February 20, 2021, 12:42 pm by

Dude, I'm just glad you guys are safe. Hang in there, and we all know the event's going to be baller when the forces of nature aren't conspiring to keep it from happening.

February 20, 2021, 12:38 pm by

Less time for skins sounds exciting! VIP = Very Important Progressors (just a suggestion, and not sure of spelling, because you progress through the skins.)

I personally can't wait to see what's in store for items and skins this year. I'm sure all good things come to those who wait. Thanks for the update. :)

February 20, 2021, 12:36 pm by

I'm definitely looking forward to Survival, but it wouldn't be fair to start it until most people can be assumed to have power again. I'm glad to know it's coming, and really glad to hear I might be able to get more skins! Stay safe and thanks for all your hard work.

February 20, 2021, 12:34 pm by

Controversial opinion incoming: I don't think we should be avoiding those words due to real life issues. Zombie games haven't stopped being made/marketed because of the pandemic so why should we, a niche petsite, avoid using these terms for a make-believe holiday? One that subetians treat like a costume change (as if it isn't.) It's not as if rebranding it as "experimentation" or "mutation" is going to be any less insensitive to the current crisis' because people in poor countries have been used for experimentation and the virus has mutated several times over to the point where the vaccines may not be effective so... I don't see how we can avoid this. Like, sure, that one spotlight win was insensitive as all get-out, but it was also racist so that's a legit reason to boot it from existence. This holiday, however, has been going on for over a decade and was made despite the SARS epidemic still being a thing 2004 and didn't cease for the swine flu of 2009 and bird flu of 2013 so.... yeah, it seems a bit late to try and be sensitive now. Better late than never, I guess???

February 20, 2021, 12:33 pm by

Happy for the news that Survival is still coming, but also hoping that it won't affect the length of Masquerade which comes after it, as that is my absolute favorite Subetan holiday. In the meantime... do your best to stay warm and safe out there everybody! We're going to make it through all this craziness. It's been subzero temps most of the past week and a half here but today... today is sunny. We're gonna get there!

February 20, 2021, 12:33 pm by

Glad to hear there will be updates to be sensitive to the current real life pandemic!

February 20, 2021, 12:32 pm by

It was such a hectic week I barely noticed it was the 20th already... looking forward to Survival :)

February 20, 2021, 12:23 pm by

Yay!! Thank you, Amber for finding a way to keep survival for us, even with all of the chaos that we all call life now ❤

February 20, 2021, 12:20 pm by

Stay safe. ❤ I mean maybe the zombies would like to be a part of Masquerade? I'm so sure many love to dance.

February 20, 2021, 12:18 pm by

Wait, if you're going to avoid using the word "Infection", does that mean the VIP can no longer be called the VIP? Or will you find a way to keep the acronym?

February 20, 2021, 12:15 pm by

I'm honestly not even worried about it, I just hope you all are safe and unharmed. Whatever you guys want to do to keep any part of this holiday going is good with me. I know and very much appreciate that you're all trying your best in very difficult situations.

February 20, 2021, 12:11 pm by

Take care!

February 20, 2021, 12:08 pm by

Whatever works best. Glad to hear the same length of time for it, less hours and less stages for the skins. My main thing about survival is seeing how many skins I can collect, so all this sounds good. Thanks for the update.

February 20, 2021, 12:06 pm by

Although it is pushed back, I am glad it is still going forth. All the work you and staff do to make our experience here is so worth it. Especially these updates. Gives me something to look forward.

February 20, 2021, 12:04 pm by

Thank you. Who knew we would have an actual pandemic? I appreciate the sensitivity ❤

February 20, 2021, 12:03 pm by

I'm so glad survival isn't canceled! I was worried it would be due to the pandemic.

February 20, 2021, 12:03 pm by

Thank you for the updates! I'm very excited at getting more skins this year, I still need a bunch in my wardrobe, so being able to add more to the collection is very much appreciated. :)

I also can't wait to see what this year's new skins will look like, along with all of the new items. I'm sure it will still end up being a great event, even if it's delayed. Be sure to take care of yourselves, safety is more important than internet games. Sending love to all of my fellow players in Texas as well, it's been very bad here. <3

February 20, 2021, 12:03 pm by

I just hope we get better L'amour items than we did last year. I don't actually mind BDSM items but why were they all blue? I can't even use them because the 'black leather' is actually blue

February 20, 2021, 11:59 am by

Thanks for letting us know, and assuring us that it won't be shortened. And I'm excited for the faster progressions, that was one of my biggest complaints about Survival, especially that one year where most of us lost our strains and had to start over (yes I know we had an extension to make up for it but it was still tedious). I'm actually more concerned about the skins and the technical issues than I am about the new items, I don't know exactly where it is that lives or if he's being affected by the weather too.

Do you think we'll be seeing something else happening later today? For example, a new challenger, or a new item being added to a certain shop?

February 20, 2021, 11:57 am by

Thank you for keeping us up to date! I know you are trying your best but also safety first. :)

February 20, 2021, 11:57 am by

Thank you for the update. The situation is completely out of anyone's control. Sending out all the good vibes that this family and everyone's RL families are safe and warm.

February 20, 2021, 11:57 am by

Take your time, do all the things you need to first. Your real life safety and needs come way before this game you guys. <3

February 20, 2021, 11:52 am by

All this ice is the perfect weather for Hoarfrost to come out and play.

February 20, 2021, 11:50 am by

that is wonderful Keith gives everyone a chance to do some, like me, for example, I have been stuck in my room in the house that has no computer..lol only two rooms in my whole house can be warmed, and it got down to 3* here. only wish the weekend quest could be ongoing and trade up for a while....but you can't have everything..lmao stay strong and don't worry I am sure everyone understands this. :)

February 20, 2021, 11:49 am by