This will be the official and only thread that you may post regarding the recent announcement that VMK will close it's gates forever on May 21, 2008. Inside this thread you will find current and up-to-date information on what is going on- including ways that you may help.
In the effort to help keep VMK alive we here at Be "Tween" Talk Forums will be allowing you to help in the support in the current VMK fan campaign known as
'Save VMK Today!'.
This site includes: (click links within the following to visit that section):
- Multiple online Petitions to keep save VMK, which already has thousands of signatures.
- Campain page which includes information on how you can help and who you can contact by e-mail, fax, phone, etc. (Please get permission from a Parent/Guardian first)
- VMK Fan page, which includes a place to submit your VMK pictures, videos and letters to share your many VMK memories.
- Artwork section which includes VMK Player-made banners, avatars, ribbons, and much more to show your support.
- General Information regarding VMK itself, but many are aware what it is I am sure
Be "Tween" Talk forums will be allowing you to use the following artwork that the 'Save VMK Today!' provides to show your support in the effort to save VMK and keep its gates open.
We will only be allowing you to have the following support artwork as your avatars and/or signatures until May 22, 2008 (possible extension to be granted). I will personally be removing these items from the site for you if you do not do it by the designated date.
Also a final friendly reminder that you must remain within the Be "Tween" Talk Forums rules at all times when posting. This would include staying with the Avatar/Signature guidelines and Advertising rules. The 'Advertising' rule will be exceptional to an extent regarding 'Save VMK Today!' - if you go too far with this you will be notified from a BBT Moderator or Administator and possibly lose privileges to show your support.
If you have any questions or concerns please contact me via Private Messaging for answers.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Response from WDIG (Walt Disney Internet Group) regarding VMK's closure:
Quote:
> Thank you for contacting The Walt Disney Company and VMK.
>
> We have received an outpouring of feedback regarding our decision to
> close VMK. We are overwhelmed by the responses and enthusiasm of our
> guests, but unfortunately our decision to eventually close VMK is set.
> We have explored many different options, including a pay to play model
> but have decided to focus more of our time on our new virtual worlds
> coming soon, which we are sure that you will love as much as VMK.
>
> Deciding to close VMK was a very difficult decision for us because we
> loved creating VMK just as much as you loved playing it. But in a
> company that encourages innovation and creativity we have decided to
> "keep moving forward" and exploring where the future takes as, because
> in the words of Walt Disney, "We keep moving forward, opening new doors,
> and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading
> us down new paths."
>
> Thank you for being part of this journey with us, and we hope we
> continue to see you at Disney.com enjoying what we imagine next!
>
> Sincerely,
>
>
> Your friends at VMK
|
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Yavn Speaks Update 4/10/08
'
Yavn's got an update to the recent announcement about the future of VMK.
Hello again.
So it's been a difficult past few days for all of us. I know many of you are upset – some upset with me, some upset with the company, and lots of you just plain upset. Many of you are still struggling to understand the decision we made to close Virtual Magic Kingdom. We hear you and we share your concern and sorrow.
We have received an incredible outpouring of emotion regarding the decision and wish we could respond to each of you. Unfortunately, it's impossible to respond to you all individually. But please know, we're touched by your concerns and feel your heartache.
We hear you and we share your concern and sorrow.
In addition to the concerned and upset players who have contacted us, many of you have called or emailed to thank us for running the product as long as we did. We're glad that you have had a chance to enjoy it and will continue to do so for these next few weeks.
Please know that the decision to close VMK was not made without a great deal of thought and discussion – because we loved creating VMK just as much as you loved playing it. We considered many options prior to closing but ultimately determined that VMK had accomplished its goal and then some. VMK was a valuable part of the Disneyland 50th Celebration, but it was never meant to live on forever. It's now time to focus our resources on our new virtual worlds.
Our company encourages innovation and creativity – as Walt said, "We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths." That's what we plan to do now, and we really hope you will also continue to join us.
I know many of you are upset that you'll be losing your friends, and we hear you. To that end, we're working on a way for VMK players to be able to recognize other VMK players while visiting on Disney.com and playing in our other virtual communities. Stay with us for news about that in the coming weeks.
While I'm on that topic, please remember that during this time you will see other sites that pop up – some that look very much like VMK – asking for your email and character name to support an effort to keep the game alive. These are not Disney sites and are in no way affiliated with or endorsed by The Walt Disney Company. You are putting your online safety at risk (not to mention getting an inbox full of spam) by sharing personal information like your email with these sites.
Please enjoy VMK while you can, and let's all be thankful that we got to enjoy the game for as long as we did. We thank you for being part of this journey with us! And we hope we continue to see you at Disney.com and in our other online worlds enjoying what we imagine next!
Hey, we've still got a month and a half left to run the game, and we still have plenty of magic left. Let's enjoy it!
See you in the game,
-Yavn |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by FAQ's regarding VMK Closing
Questions? We've prepared this Q&A:
Why is this happening? Why are you closing Virtual Magic Kingdom?
As Yavn mentioned in the Newsletter, VMK was created and launched as part of a promotion to celebrate Disneyland's 50th Anniversary.
The game/promotion has ran well beyond the original time it was intended to.
When is the last time I can play? The game will close at 10:00PM PST, Wednesday, May 21st, 2008.
Will I still be able to buy cards and pins in the Parks?
Yes, you can still buy VMK Cards and Pins at Disneyland and Walt Disney World Parks while supplies last but after May 21st, 2008 the codes will no longer work in the game.
What will happen to the game and the website?
The website will remain up for a few weeks to let people know what has happened, but you will not be able to log into the game after May 21th, 2008.
What will happen to all my virtual stuff in VMK?
Since the virtual items live only in VMK, you won't be able to access your VMK items or take them with you to another Disney Online Virtual World.
|
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please do not give up hope. Many VMK Players are still contacting other people and media places. It's the thought that always truly counts so keep trying to at least say we never gave up.
**More and up-to-date information will be posted within this thread as it comes out. Check back for updates!
Be "Tween" Talk