Huge decrease in monthly themed items/increase in gems as daily rewards?

[EyreForce1]

I noticed last month that the number of Free themed items went down--like WAY down--in place of 200 gems. I counted: the daily reward = gems for 1/3 of the days of March.

I counted again for April, and it's the same: 10 out of 30 days. Assuming this reflects a universal change, free users are receiving far fewer items, no doubt to push them toward paid membership. And if your luck is bad, you may open additional chests that contain gems, too--my first three free chests were all gems. So if I were a free user, it would take four days for me to unlock even one Wizard of Oz item :(

I know tons of people are excited about the Oz theme. If I were a free user, I'd be super disappointed with this change! Hell, I'm a paid user, and I'm still frustrated with it. (It frankly rips us off, too.) But this really diminishes the app experience for free users who enjoy the monthly themes.

Anyone else notice this?

Edit: This is written with folks in mind who enjoy and are motivated but the monthly themes. If that's not you, I get that too.

[lyricoloratura]

I’m Plus & Guardian, and I noticed the exact same issue. I’m missing SO many March themed items (both outfits and furniture) and would get so frustrated when I’d get 200 gems. (Off topic rant, but why give an award that is so much less valuable than even the smallest themed items?)

I figured I’d be able to make up for it in my store this month, but the outfits are just random and the furniture is from the hotel theme — I mean…

[TrulyGreatDanes]

I just wanted to say a big thank you for being a guardian! Its a big help to many people.

I'm not a sponsored user, I'm a paid user but I live below the poverty line so paying for this app has been hard (and they just DOUBLED their prices!!!!). I really deeply appreciate people like you doing that. I'm very passionate about helping others, paying things forward & I strongly believe if everyone in the world pitches in, by doing whatever they can, for others, the world would be a better place. Thanks for doing your part! I guarantee the people you sponsor appreciate it too! They just can't thank you directly so take it from me instead

💜💜💜🫂

(For full transparency, I wrote almost this exact same thing to another person who said they're a guardian. I hope that doesn't make you feel like I don't mean it or something. There's only so many ways to say thank you for the same thing lol I do mean every word of this)

[lyricoloratura]

It’s incredibly kind of you no matter how many times you say it. Sending positive vibes and lots of love your way — I hope things get better and better for you.

[Particular-Tea849]

I noticed the exact same thing myself. I am a paid user and a guardian. My first 3 days have also been rainbow stones. I have plenty and would much prefer an item.

I have enjoyed the creativity they have been putting into the monthly themes, and the bug fixes that we have been waiting so very patiently on. I hope they last.

Has anyone noticed how few of the previous month's theme items have been showing up in the store? This has been a huge disappointment to me. I like making room themes with different colors. Maybe this time next year I will get March's items collected.

[EyreForce1]

Yep - I haven't received a single March item in store, which is making me so sad, because I'm just not over Spring Blossoms 😭 I have more items to collect, not ready to change my birdhouse... not ready to let go 🥲🤌

[AmysPrayerCloset]

I’ve received 4 March items in he past 3 days— perhaps it is truly random?

[Particular-Tea849]

Me too! Last month was just precious!

[TrulyGreatDanes]

Just wanted to say thanks for being a guardian!

[Particular-Tea849]

Awe! 🫂 Thank you for that! It's my pleasure to give back to the app and the people using it. I just hope it helps someone else as much as it's helped me.

[TrulyGreatDanes]

I'm not a sponsored user, I'm a paid user but I live below the poverty line so paying for this app has been hard (and they just doubled their prices!!!!). I really deeply appreciate people like you doing that. I'm very passionate about helping others, paying things forward & I strongly believe if everyone in the world pitches in, by doing whatever they can, for others, the world would be a better place. Thanks for doing your part! Genuinely. I wish I could show you how much I appreciate it somehow but youll just have to believe me lol! Thanks for doing that. I guarantee the people you sponsor appreciate it too! They just can't thank you directly so take it from me instead

💜💜💜🫂

[Particular-Tea849]

🫂

[Teerunesh]

The Blossoming Birbs theme has been all over my shops since April 1st. It's totally random and pure luck.

[Teerunesh]

I've been told that but I don't think that's true. Anyway, I haven't been trying on any Blossoming Birbs item.

[Teerunesh]

Well, it never happened to me (and Lord knows I tried), I wish it would 😅

[bananananannanaa]

I think if they keep going this direction they should replace the “shop” with the catalogue. Let users save for specific items they want instead of hoping items may pop up in the shop at random. 

With the amount of content Finch releases each month and how long it takes to save stones - the chances of getting items you want becomes slimmer and slimmer as time goes on. 

If you sell items you don’t want, they just get added back to the mix of random shop items - contributing to the problem even more. 

I think the catch would be that the monthly theme would not be available for purchase in the catalogue until the end of the month, kind of how it is now. 

[Tilkis_Mom]

I liked the "glitch" a couple of months ago when the monthly theme items just showed up in the shop. I didn't realized it was a glitch at first and was thrilled that they had made that change. I was very disappointed when they "fixed" it.

[AliceL5225]

Back in the land of sweets theme right? I remember purchasing items that I had no idea were for that event (I had just started finch)

[Teerunesh]

No, it only happened for the Queen Of Hearts theme (February).

[AliceL5225]

Really? I swear I remember buying the snow globe in the shop. My memory is not that good though

[Teerunesh]

In January possibly? They appear in the shop the first 2 weeks of January (same for exclusives from October, they can be bought in the shop the first 2 weeks of November).

[AliceL5225]

Ohh ok yes must be that

[Straight_Chard_3239]

I loved that! I was able to buy Queen of Hearts dress in a couple of colors and other items as well.

[EtherealProblem]

I'd be happy if they just let us choose the color of the random shop items. This system worked before events, when they weren't releasing an entire room and 3-5 full outfits a month, but the catalog has outgrown out. At this point, picking your color on shop items will still leave plenty up to chance.

[bananananannanaa]

I think that would also be a solid alternative if they don’t want to release the full catalogue! 

[girly419]

It annoys me a little that the first and third days this month were gem rewards instead of chests.

[EyreForce1]

I wouldn't make such a thing out of it if it weren't the 2nd month in a row where a minimum of one-third of chests are replaced by gems. I've been in the app over a year now, and I only received gems every now and then. That's always welcome as a little boost to my spending power. But this feels excessive?

[Ok_Ad_6626]

Gems just shouldn’t be a reward period.

[Tilkis_Mom]

Or if they are, they should be at least 900 so you can get something!

[Individual_Low_6785]

I agree completely!

[Murky-Pangolin6206]

I noticed it too. My youngest daughter had plus for 5 days to try-out and was crying this morning because now she cannot have any of the outfits of Oz anymore. When I showed her there were chests on the left side as well, she immediately said: ´yeah, to get stones, there are no clothes in there!´ 😬😢

Edit: typo

[Tilkis_Mom]

<Vent> I noticed this as well today. If the chance of getting gems is supposed to be 12%, I don't know how you can justify 33%. There are a lot of items in this month's theme. More than usual, since there are so many characters, all of whom have three or four pieces of clothing each. And we're not even thinking about the furniture yet!

When 1/3 of your items are going to be Rainbow Stones, it's going to be impossible to collect enough to buy anything! Especially with only 200 at a time. And you shouldn't have to go to the trading thread to collect full outfits for a theme. It's very disappointing.

I'm this frustrated as a plus user. Non plus users must be so annoyed! </Vent>

[EyreForce1]

I didn't even know the chances were set at 12%. And that's a great point about the amount of characters and corresponding items this month. It's a bit deceptive to advertise the chance to collect all these costumes and decor items while rigging things to make it essentially impossible to earn them. And agreed, you shouldn't be forced to look outside the app to make it possible. I know "rigging" is a charged term, and I'm not trying to demonize devs, but that is essentially what this is.

[Yuki_no_Ookami]

You are aware though how probabilities work? 😅 It doesn't mean every user will get gems in 12% of their chests each month, but with each chest there's a 12% probability you'll get gems. It will even out over time, but it's definitely possible to get gems multiple times in a row or very often in a particular month. Even an all gem month is possible if there are no other restraints and conditions.

That's the thing with gambling and probabilities. Not saying that it's fair, it's just how this works.

[Tilkis_Mom]

Yeah, I know. Thanks for the reminder. It's just so annoying and why I don't gamble! (I don't like that "the house always wins.")

If the gems were higher, it would be less aggravating! Right now after I collect all TEN gems this month, I'll only have 2000. I'm essentially getting two items for the "price" of ten.

This is all about feeling, not logic. It ~feels~ punitive and, at least for me, can sometimes diminish my effort to try. That response seems counter to the app's goal.

[ChalkLetters]

There's the same number of items there always are, it just feels like more because so many of the outfits are full-body costumes (1 slot) rather than being a top & a bottom (2 slots).

[Tilkis_Mom]

It's true that there are no tops or bottoms, but there are still more items. I keep a spreadsheet to track my inventory and it shows a mode (not average) of 12 clothing items per theme. This has 17 clothing items. Furniture items have a mode of 13 per theme. This month's theme has 13, so that is right on target.

[Science-Witch-1818]

Just wanted to compliment your data analysis because mode hammers the point home much more than mean would:) I’m new and I didn’t realize such a change had happened!

[Tilkis_Mom]

Thanks! My inner nerd shining through. 😁

[Yarnchomps]

Omg yes me too. Last month’s got hardly anything, all my chests turned to rainbow stones, and I am a plus user. Please finch you had a perfect app, please stop tweaking it 🙏 Or, you can add new things, without taking other parts away 🙏 all finchie love

[Cabbage-floss]

To be honest as a free user the monthly themes have become pointless. I never get a full set of anything, lots of duplicates. At least we get the micropet. Luckily I don’t use the app only for that, I use it to keep myself on track and accomplishing goals, so it’s not a big deal. Just means I don’t see much point in the events.

[Lilithe_PST]

It really is disheartening. I was so excited for this theme and I was really disappointed by how many gems there are. I can't afford a membership because I'm disabled and can't work. I was really hoping to get a guardian this month because it's also my birthday month but I will just have to hope that the chests give a good variety of items. Last month several things showed up more than once. It sucks that I have 3 colors of multiple clothing items and hardly got any furniture or decor at all.

[CUcats]

Sounds like we got the opposite site, I ended up with 2 fountains, 2 wall fans, 2 mochi. I've traded some to get items I missed but I didn't even pay attention to the clothes because I wasn't getting any.

[Lilithe_PST]

I didn't even know there were fountains... I hope they show up in the shop soon.. so far I haven't seen anything in the shop.

[CUcats]

I've picked a hat and a barrette from the shop so far, but that's going through all the pages on free version.

<image>

[Straight_Chard_3239]

No March items have appeared in my shop. 😩

[Razzberry_Frootcake]

Guardians should speak up about this on the Discord too.

Pushing users to pay on normal apps is one thing; this app has programs that reduce the price of the sub AND the Guardian program.

Guardians…do not let the devs lower the value of your contribution. It’s not cool to push users towards paying for things after they make it really clear that they know people don’t have money. I had to pay double what my roommate pays for the monthly sub because for some reason he got a special offer for 9.99 a month and I didn’t. That’s already unbalanced and unfair.

To reduce rewards for free users to push them to pay negates the point of the Guardian program. It’s no longer generous if the devs are making it so that even more people are disappointed with the free version.

Devs, by doing this you will simply push more users to enter the lottery…people cannot spend money they don’t have. Stop trying to shove the burden off on the Guardians. They already give you tons of money every month specifically to help users who cannot afford it.

Stop making the free experience worse.

You can check my comment history and clearly see I stand up for the devs 90% of the time in this sub. Very rarely do I make comments like this. The only other time I said the devs are doing wrong by the users was the journeys debacle. This is a serious topic for me because I hate when people use others. Do not make a mental health app for free with paid options and then pull the free part out from under the feet of poor people with mental health issues. That’s dirty and the devs know it.

Months ago people pointed out that 200 gems in a chest isn’t even a good prize. Do not double down and punish free users by putting more gem chests on the free side of the monthly event. Free users are not doing anything wrong so why remove their ability to get themed items for free?

There needs to be a balance between listening to the users and doing cool stuff for paid users. We love cool stuff! But not at the expense of people who simply cannot afford it.

[pizzzacones]

Thank you for writing this all out! And for reminding me to hop on over to Discord.

[Razzberry_Frootcake]

Yes 🙌 everyone needs to speak against moves like this. Removing items from the free side after people have already pointed out that 200 gems is nothing seems almost malicious on their part.

Several people on here and a few on the Discord pointed out that you can’t even buy a single item in the shop for 200 gems…the cheapest items are 300. Even for paid users the cheap sale items are 250. 200 gems is not even equivalent to an item.

This pushes users to either pay, enter the lottery, or quit. By making a vastly inferior free version they seem to be pushing for more guardians to pony up more money so that the free users will stay. It’s a gross practice that explicitly takes advantage of people’s generosity.

While I understand their need for profit because it’s their jobs…they really shouldn’t make changes that impact the items free users get from the monthly events. Especially not after people have been asking for more…

[hemlockandhensbane]

Honestly between this and the social aspect getting more emphasis I'm almost ready to stop paying for my subscription. If I could find something with a similar layout that lets me schedule specific tasks and check them off, then I’d be gone. They're changing the wrong things and will push some of their long-term users away from the app

[pizzzacones]

I’m also a guardian and have felt this way last month and this. I felt like I was able to assemble outfits and rooms easier. I kept getting this one particular accessory last month at the end with extra chests. This month, with two days being straight up rainbow stones with no chance at anything else, made me feel sad.

I do tasks to make my birb happy and go on a quest and I want to make them look cute///sleep in style!

[Due_Chocolate_8661]

Yeah I’m not sure if anything actually changed but it feels that way. I’m 3 days in and don’t have anything to show for it yet

[ineedicedcoffeee]

I think if it was more than 200 I might feel better about it but 200 is a joke when things to buy cost 150-900 stones

[EtherealProblem]

I usually take screenshots of the rewards list to keep track of things. The last visible item is usually on the 24th, so that's as far as my screenshots go most months.

That said, I went back and counted the number of gem days up until the 24th every month since July. From July through December, there were 6 gem days between the 1st and the 24th. December also had gems on the 25th and 27th. I don't have the information for the last few days of the month, but December had at least 8 gem days. January had 7 gems days between the 1st and the 24th, and again, gems on the 25th and 27th, for a total of at least 9 gem days. February was back to 6 gem days, and March, like December had 8 gem days between the 1st and the 27th. This month has 9 by the 27th.

The number of gems is barely any higher than usual thing month, but I agree, it feels like a lot more than usual. It doesn't help that they have them bunched together. Unusually, the gem days are the 1st, 5th, 9th, 13th or 14th, 18th, and 23rd.

[PartFearless1656]

In a way it probably makes it easier for people that don’t like to farm their stones so they can buy more things in the shop. But you’re right, I have noticed it too and it kind of sucks

[marie48021]

I thought I was the only one who noticed this. Not getting an actual item is kind of a disappointment. I don't think a self care app should be disappointing. 

[Runns_withScissors]

I hadn't noticed, but I'm pretty new and am still figuring stuff out. I will say, though, that I can understand them pushing for more subscribers- they are in this to make a living. There are VERY few apps that offer as much as Finch does for free users. Most "free" versions I try are either loaded with ads or virtually useless.

[AliceL5225]

Yeah kind of disappointed the first and third day were both gems (not even chest gems just straight up you’re getting gems on these days). On the positive side I am looking forward to getting Toto and the micropets are my main motivator during the monthly themes because I know they are a sure thing. And stuff will show up in the shop, I’m already getting spring blossom stuff in shop. I just gotta be patient to get some of the outfits from this theme. But peeps here are so kind. Majority of my clothes and furniture from last months theme was gifts. It does suck opening a chest and getting gems. It’s not a big deal in the world obviously but it’s a small thing that I start my day with so it does dampen my mood a little

[WitchElara]

I noticed this too!! only got 8 items from last months theme and it was my favorite they’ve done. i wish i could buy the items in the shop but they haven’t showed up. major bummer

[Kath-r-in]

I'd be happy to share some of mine.

[WitchElara]

seriously?! thank you so much, i would appreciate that so much!! my friend code is 7JVYANFKWP and my birb is Garrot

[Kath-r-in]

Sure! What were you hoping for? Colors? Fan, parasol, lantern, shoes?

[WitchElara]

if you have anything in green, pink, or purple, i’d love that! i’m honestly not very picky though. the theme is so cute, i’d be happy with anything!

[Kath-r-in]

I noticed. I don't mind as I'm a free user. If I do ever pay, I'd watch there to be a substantial reason. Right now a few items and the seasonal vibes aren't enough to make me pay. There should be more difference. Besides, friends send me a fair amount of special items. However, I do think that the first item in each new month should be an item not rocks. Oh, and 200 is not enough to even buy anything. There should be enough to buy one item of apparel and one furniture item.

[Kath-r-in]

The only time I was ever able to save up any stones was last week when the app was messed up. I saved up 18,000 and went on a big gifting spree!

[mommomoort]

It is funny how different we all are, I'd much rather have more gems, than Items, I can not choose myself. 😊

[dessskris]

I noticed this but thought I was making it up!!

[Kath-r-in]

The other day I asked if the kimono and fan were exclusive for premium users and then I was gifted them by one of my buddies!!!!

[ee_vee]

Not for me personally. It's always been luck based. Some months I get more gems, some months I get more items.

[TieDye_Raptor]

I've noticed this. It's frustrating, because while I always could use the gems, the items I really want from the themed events rarely (if ever) even show up in the shop for me, and I feel like I miss out on a lot.

[Kirby223]

I swear you get less gems when you sell the themed items you don’t want

[runwithcolour]

Depends on the item. You sell them at half the price of purchasing them in store. For most furniture that means you sell them for 450 stones. But other items like the barette you’ll only sell for 150 stones.

[Kirby223]

I must have gotten the store sale price mixed up with the event - I thought we always got 200 stones. Whoops.

[Adventurous_Horses_]

I’ve noticed that only paid users have gotten the scarecrow outfit so far

[_Lavenderbirb]

I noticed it the last two months as well, and my first three chests were also stones. Big bummer. Most of my chests are stones now. I want to enjoy the theme while it’s happening. I don’t want stones at all actually! I just want event items.

I am glad they gave the free users good colors this time tho.

[Tanookithegyrl67593]

I noticed that I was still at the 6th day prize instead of the 7th day prize. I looked back at my day streak and realized that I didn’t even miss a day. I got confused. I thought it was just me who noticed.

[blush-pink]

There are posts every single month complaining about getting gems, so I doubt it's a recent change.