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Introduction
The Virtual Magic Kingdom, also known simply as VMK, is a free massively
multiplayer online game run by Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Online. It is a
virtual representation of the Disneyland and Magic Kingdom theme parks, and
contains areas and games which are based on real park attractions.
A VMK player can chat with other players (though the vocabulary is
restricted—see Dictionary below); customize the appearance of his character;
explore the areas in each virtual "land"; visit other players' guest rooms and
decorate his own; purchase and collect virtual pins, shirts, posters, and
furniture and trade them with other players; make and play quests; play
minigames (see Games below); and search for "Hidden Mickeys" (see Hidden Mickeys
below). Items in the game have no "real-world" significance, and are purchased
with in-game "credits" which have no connection to real money. The game's rules
and staff make an effort to keep the game safe for children by preventing
players from learning each other's real-life identities, but there are fan web
sites which allow players to make contact with each other.
The game is in operation daily between 10:00am and 1:00am EST (7:00am-10:00pm
PST, 2:00pm-5:00am UTC).The beta version opened publicly on May 23, 2005 with
Main Street, Fantasyland, and Adventureland available to players. The "beta"
designation was removed on June 27. The Tomorrowland game area was made
available on October 5, and Frontierland opened on December 10. The rest of
Tomorrowland opened on April 4, 2006.
The game engine uses Macromedia Shockwave. Virtual Magic Kingdom was created by
Sulake Corporation, the company that also created the online multiplayer game
Habbo Hotel, and it bears several similarities to that game.
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