Dear Dawn,
I apologize for the length but I hope you will bear with me.
A few short weeks ago I was happily visiting a virtual room belonging to HOST_Phinny, when I first saw the words...VMK is closing! What!!?? I asked the host if it was true and she confirmed the horrid rumor. I stayed logged in for a few more minutes then, dejected, signed off.
I didn't really return for almost 2 weeks. Every time I started to sign on I felt this little panic start to build within me and I just could not do it. I was honestly shocked by my reaction. I'm a 43 year-old woman, who just sometimes needs a break, for Pete's sake! Why was the closing of this little game so hard to take? I will tell you.........
VMK is a magical cyber place where people go to escape their everyday lives. Where everything is in vivid color and the virtual relationships become real. It is a place where fun, diversity, innocence, and creativity prevail! Most important, in VMK, people truly care about each other. VMK has become a 21st century realization of Walt's dream in which age is not a factor in determining who gets to have the fun and who must sit on the sidelines and watch. "Parents and children can have fun together!"
Now, the powers that be tell us that this little venture called VMK was only a promotion for
Disneyland's 50th Anniversary and that we should simply accept that it has run its course. I find that a very bitter pill to swallow. The game has now been with us for 3 years! That's one heck of a commercial!! The amount of time, energy, and talent that has continued to be expended on the development and improvement of VMK does not jibe with the sudden hard line they have taken.
From a business stand point: Disney is directing us to their other pay-to-play games. Fairies (young girls), Cars (young boys), Penguins (young kids), Pirates (I play, but it is violent, not fully developed, and definitely not for young kids).
The quality of those games does not begin to compare with the level of imagination, innovation, and global demographic appeal that exists in VMK.
Any company out there, in the big world, could create a generic fairy, car, pirate or penguin game!! Only Disney has the power to bring the magic of the Disney theme parks into our homes!! They are carrying a unique business playing card that trumps all other brands and they are tossing it, and its loyal "guests", aside without a second glance. Does it not make sense to add VMK to the list of pay sites? It is already established and loved by a huge following! It can only get better from here, for both sides. Players can continue doing what they love and Disney gets to keep an incredible cross-marketing tool!
Disney may see the closing of the Virtual Magic Kingdom as just another day at the office but, to the real people who have played, created, formed bonds, and invested real time and money in this mini happiest place on Earth, it simply feels like cyber-genocide.
On Wednesday, our Avatars, creations, and a piece of our hearts, are scheduled for execution, and will cease to exist, unless we get a "stay". We are willing to pay for that stay, and more, in the future. Win~Win!
