Virtual Family Kingdom?

[mickeynuts]

The fact that their website featured a very badly edited picture of a vmk room took away any legitimacy it might have appeared to have elsewhere. If these are game developers they could have drawn their own room or at the very least done a decent job editing the picture they stole from vmk. And now the room picture they have replaced it with is one I could draw in about 5 minutes. I wouldn't touch this site with a ten foot pole.

[Chescat]

I don't think this site will last long. When we saw the copyright information that Yavn had submitted on VMK application, it is very strict about what people can do or make look like VMK. Disney I'm sure will shut down any look alike virtual land that they see. I'd be very careful.

[terri.m]

Not that this means anything but a friend of Ty's (who i also know and know is an adult) says he knows the owner and it is totaly legit. Ty did apply, against my wishes, and will be a beta tester. I guess we'll wait and see but they won't be getting MY cc#...

[*tinker_belle*]

I'm surprised that so many of you are willing to sign up for this site. It seems like a bad replica of VMK. The characters and rooms look like cheap graphics too. No way am i getting near it.

[mickeytinkerbellprincess]

Meh. Paying is a turnoff for me, really :P The home page isn't all that impressive; it's not the legendary VMK replacement that everyone is hoping for, I bet. I would wait until beta is over, if it lasts that long, if anybody wants to join. At least by then beta testers can post their opinions about the website, but everyone should be careful.

[jjramsey]

The comments about the lack of quality at VFK have truth to them, but from another aspect, these appear to be parents that see the value in a place like VMK was and is abdicating. These are a group of privately funded people that see an opportunity, not a multi-billion dollar corporate entity.

What puzzles me is why Disney has pay-to-play on club penguin, but says no to the pay-to-play on VMK. VMK has the quality look and feel you expect from Disney. Club Penguin seems to be well below that level. Club Penguin has a look I might expect from a small group that is attempting to break into virtual world market!

As for VFK, 'if' they can:
- Over time create a decent virtual world
- create a fun history learning experience
- bring families together in a single program
- be affordable for all from one to a large family
- make a buck (yes make a buck). It is called see a niche, fill a niche and make a living. Isn't that what Disney does?

...then kudos and more power to them Let's give them time to sink or swim. A I mentioned earlier, if Disney chooses to abdicate the field, then it falls to somebody else to pick up the torch and run. Since the disney parks and themes are copy protected, then I feel it is a good marketing move to go at it from the historical angle.

[GrumpyFan]

As for VFK, 'if' they can:
- Over time create a decent virtual world
- create a fun history learning experience
- bring families together in a single program
- be affordable for all from one to a large family
- make a buck (yes make a buck). It is called see a niche, fill a niche and make a living. Isn't that what Disney does?

...then kudos and more power to them Let's give them time to sink or swim. A I mentioned earlier, if Disney chooses to abdicate the field, then it falls to somebody else to pick up the torch and run. Since the disney parks and themes are copy protected, then I feel it is a good marketing move to go at it from the historical angle.

Agreed, if Disney chooses not to captalize on the investment they made with VMK, and someone else can, than Kudos to these guys. It will be interesting to see how well they do, but they've got some awfully big shoes to fill.

I just think it's a REALLY BAD MOVE on Disney's part, and could even cost them some loyalty "points" with some fans. Bad show Mr Iger, or whoever made this decision. It would've been much better if they had said the free VMK is over, or new accounts will cost money, or new features would require a subscription, but to just up and close something so popular sounds so Scrooge-like.

[WDWfanatic742]

As a heads up, beta 2 registration has now started.

We are so happy to be involved in creating your new virtual world!

We have completed our review of server and bandwidth requirements for our beta phase and we are reasonably confident that we can support a larger beta program. So, we are accepting more beta pre-registrations so that you can reserve your favorite character name.

The Virtual Family Kingdom will be Free! This includes all the features you have come to love in a virtual world!

We are going to be highlighting the new rooms and settings starting tomorrow. You will have a chance to vote on the room style you like the best and help determine how the virtual environment of your new world looks.

Although they have added this on the front page, they still have the line in the Privacy Policy about credit cards and that fun stuff.

[chrisb26]

I have signed up! Figure it can't hurt although if VMK stays I'll totally stick with it but on the chance it doesn't I need something to go to and not really liking the Penguin Game.

[jjramsey]

Yes, I noticed the info about free vs. what is in the privacy policy. I am looking at it as beta (free as it should be) then either a charge basis after full release toward fall or maybe even have tiered capability with a free low end account and with subscriptions that add capability.

I also figure that either the privacy policy is just boiler plate style or they are leaving wiggle room just incase they need to raise money to keep it open...or forbid ...make a profit on what has to be a huge investment in time! After beta, I would rather a reasonable membership fee than the possibility that they get so cash strapped that this world could also implode.

[jjramsey]

I have signed up! Figure it can't hurt although if VMK stays I'll totally stick with it but on the chance it doesn't I need something to go to and not really liking the Penguin Game.

I agree, we are working under a similar assumption...better safe and play than sorry and down all summer!

[Chescat]

I just signed up and talked Genie into it. Its a better place to find each other.

Its a better place I think then Penguin since Figgie didn't like it there. I did use an email that's not my primary one, just in case and Genie did the same.

[JPL]

I signed up for Beta today

[mickeytinkerbellprincess]

Same here, just did also. I used missbrittany_doll for my character name

[terri.m]

Wherever you go I will follow. Signed up too...

[wizardmickey]

Ice was sitting on a small glacier contemplating what to do, when suddenly his phine rang and he was greeted by Chescat! Knowing what a busy fellow I am, she was kind enough to alert me to this thread and the VFK Beta registration; so if my name is accepted, then the flyingiceman shall continue to rock the virtual world!

As an aside, I wholeheartedly agree about CP... Yawn! And although I love the idea of being a pirate and the graphics there are wicked cool, it still slows down my computer to a crawl and some of the tasks are a bit over my head. It's a great place to visit, but dunno if I could live there!

[Chescat]

I just got a hold of Queen, she's going to sign up her and BrerFan. Nachocat said she signed up. Left messages for DisneyDreamin and SparkleMeTink, and going to talk to Varcity. Need to find Fluffies.

Ice you know you like the hacking and slashing on Pirates and also the swinging over to the flagships. Admit it!

[chrisb26]

I signed up but never got a response in my email which I did find strange since most of the time when you sign up for things they email you with a confirmation so I sent them a message to contact us and they sent me a response and it only took about 4 hours so used to a black hole it was nice.

Here is the response I got:

Hi Chris,

Thank you for your question. No, we do not send an email confirmation, if
you received the confirmation page after registering you have successfully
pre-registered for our beta program!

Thanks,

Sara
Virtual Family Kingdom

[Jeremy]

Hello all.
I have a question.
I don’t understand, If you dont mind me asking
Are you joining a new place?

[terri.m]

Yes Pirate alot signed up for the beta program. If we lose and VMK closes I'll be trying VFK instead of the other games disney is offering.