Virtual Magic Kingdom
Virtual Magic Kingdom, also known asVMK, was a massive multiplayer online game by Disney created as part of theHappiest Homecoming on Earth promotion, celebratingDisneyland's 50th anniversary. The beta version was released on May 23,2005. The lands online at the time of launch wereMain Street, USA,Adventureland, andFantasyland, whileTomorrowland,Frontierland, andNew Orleans Square opened later. It was in operation daily between 10:00am - 1:00am EST/7:00am - 10:pm PST, operating only in Californian daytime hours so it wouldn't go unmoderated at later hours. The game shut down on May 21,2008.
In the game, players could chat and play together in a virtual version of Disneyland.
The game was developed by Sulake Corporation with Macromedia Shockwave.
A new player began the game by registering an account at VMK.com. The player then set up a character (an avatar) and selected the character's gender and appearance (shirt, shoes, pants, hair, hat, face, and colors for skin and hair). The player typed in a name, but until the VMK staff approved the name they requested, their name would be Guest, followed by the number of player that they are (E.x. Guest7402548). If the name was not approved the VMK staff would let them create another name.
A player could also choose from a list of randomly-selected adjective-adjective-noun names presented to him or her; if they chose one of these names, it required no approval from VMK staff.
The player also selected a "guest room", his or her own themed area which could be decorated with furniture, posters, game items, or other material. One room was provided for free, and additional rooms could be purchased later with in-game credits.
The player could enter a few lines of text, known as a "(signature)", which would be displayed in the character's publicly-visible profile. The character was then given a few tradable items (mostly T-shirts), and was placed in the game.
Disneyland andMagic Kingdom visitors were able to create accounts at special VMK kiosks located in those parks.
Games[]
The following minigames were available to play throughout the lands in the Virtual Magic Kingdom:
- Magic Checkers: A game of checkers with the ability to use magic tricks to help you win.
- Pirates of the Caribbean: Features two separate games.
- Capture the Flag: Bring the opposing team's flag to your base before the other team takes yours.
- Ship Battle: Blast opponent ships with cannon balls.
- Jungle Cruise Photo Safari: Take photographs of animals you see. The better your aim, the more points you receive.
- Castle Fireworks Remixed:
- Street Party Music: Members perform music mixes they created. Themed toPleasure Island atDowntown Disney atWalt Disney World.
- The Haunted Mansion: Catch more ghosts than the other team and receive credits for each one caught.
Tomorrowland Arcade[]
- Airlock Escape: Similar to theSega Dreamcast gameChu Chu Rocket!, players must help a diver get through a series of obstacles. If a player completes all 15 levels, they win a diving suit, but without the matching helmet.
- Blast in Space: Similar to theAtari arcade gameAsteroids, players can pilot either aFlying Saucer,Astro Orbitor, orStarSpeeder 3000. If the player completes all 16 levels, they win a space suit.
- Hyperspace Mountain: Collect parts to fix your spaceship. Scores of 25,000 points will award a Space Mountain guest room
Player-created games[]
Members could create their own games in their guest rooms, such as mazes, races, "falling furniture," and trivia game shows.
Items[]
In VMK, you could purchase furniture and posters for your guest room, and pins to trade with other members. For a list of all the items DisneyWiki members have found, go toList of VMK items.
Most items were found in shops. There were six shops in the game:
- Emporium: Main Street, USA
- VMK Central: Main Street, USA
- Main Street Magic Shop: Main Street, USA
- Shrunken Ned's: Adventureland
- Golden Horseshoe Mercantile: Frontierland
- "it's a small world" Imports: Fantasyland
- Inner-Space Shop: Tomorrowland
Magic Pins[]
Magic Pins were pins that players could buy in shops, win from games or events. For a list of all the items DisneyWiki members have found, go to List of VMK pins.
- Pirate Costume Pin: Kelloggs Cereal Box Code
- Buried in Treasure Pin: Kelloggs Cereal Box Code
- Cursed Storm Pin: Kelloggs Cereal Box Code
- Invisibility Magic Pin: Pirates of the Caribbean game/VMK Insider Tour
- Teleportation Magic Pin: Tomorrowland In-Park Quest
- Magic Carpet magic Pin: So far unknown
- Fireworks Magic Pin: Fireworks Game
- Dance Inferno Magic Pin: VMK Giveaway
- Snowman Magic Pin: On sale in the Emporium
Gallery[]
