Newsletter 16 April 2007
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Yavn Speaks!
Community Reminder
From 13 MarchRemember, it's against the VMK Values to create or open ANY type of 'relationship' room (rooms that include words like 'meet,' 'pick,' 'get,' 'find,' 'have,' 'taken,' etc.) in VMK. You'll be warned and possibly banned for opening any type of room that promotes this activity.
For more information or a reminder of what's acceptable in VMK refer to the VMK Values page.
Event Info
Dark Ride-A-Thon April 27, 28, 29th
VMK Racing Days April 15th and April 29th
Room Makeovers Every Tuesday and Thursday
Check the Community Calendar for more events, details and event times.
Dark Ride-A-Thon
Celebrate the arrival of Peter Pan's Flight and Alice in Wonderland to VMK.
More details coming soon.
VMK Racing Days!
Strap on your helmet and kick those tires, it's the start of the race season and VMK is going to get your motor running! Join HOST_Sparky on select Saturdays and Sundays during the racing season for special VMK racing events!
These special racing games like Chase Race and Race to the Finish will take place during a real auto race - so you can watch the big race and race in VMK at the same time! And only on VMK Racing Days can you win the VMK Racing '07 Pin. Keep an eye on the Event Info box and the Community Calendar for more updates and a schedule of race events.
The next VMK Racing Days are April 15th and 29th.
Room Makeovers
Top 5 FAQs
This week's Top 5 Frequently Asked Questions
For more answers to other Frequently Asked Questions, please visit the VMK FAQs.
1. I clicked on a piece of furniture in my Guest Room and I noticed a new button called 'Item Info' - what does it do?
By clicking the 'ITEM INFO' button you can display additional information about the item such as item name and status of the item, like if it's tradeable.
2. I've heard guests can now move my furniture? Is this true? And what items can be moved by my guests?
Guest can ONLY move furniture if you allow them to do so by setting the option on the item. They can't take or remove anything from your room, or take any item and put it in their own inventory. Only furniture and posters that are placed in a room can be moved by guests – and then ONLY if the Room Owner has allowed that item to be moved.
By default, furniture and posters can't be moved by guests, the Room Owner must select which items he/she wishes to be moved by Guests before they can move them. (To do this make sure the box beside the words, LET GUEST MOVE THIS ITEM is checked in the 'Item Info' window.)
3. My Trading Window looks different now - what did VMK change?
To address some trading concerns, we added new features to make trading easier. Now when you click on an item, information about the item is displayed on the right hand of the window. The information displayed includes the item name, the type of item it is (Furniture, Magic Pin, Single-Use Magic Pin, Clothing, etc.), who owns the items, whether or not it's tradeable, and the magic word you need to active the item (if a Magic Pin is highlighted).
In the Trading Window you can now view additional information about the other player's item. Simply, select the item and you'll receive information about it. (Now you'll know that Dancing Inferno really has as many stars as they claim by clicking on the pin in the offer window!)
4. How do I get the Fantasyland dark ride track pieces and furniture?
We're currently working on a release schedule for dark ride track pieces and select number of furniture pieces from both rides. Check the VMK Newsletter to stay up-to-date with new item releases.
5. I've sent in a problem using Contact Us but no one has replied - why haven't I heard from anyone?
We respond to every email we get within 24 hours - but some email providers (like AOL.com, Hotmail.com, msn.com, Comcast.net, Cox.net, rr.net and Earthlink) block our responses.
If you use any of the email providers listed above, or haven't gotten a response from us, this is the reason.
Some email providers have Spam Filters that automatically block email from an unknown source and you have to tell the program (the email application) to allow email from that source. To get email from VMK, go into the preferences for your mailbox and allow mail from: [email protected]. (Please note, this email address DOES NOT receive email except via the Contact Us form.)
You also have the option to submit an alternate email address in the 'Contact Us' tool (this option is under the Send Details box) if your provider won't take our replies. We suggest setting up another email account, like yahoo.com to get our replies.
Yeti's Tips & Tricks
You've got questions, Yeti has answers.
Can't figure out how to get that sword out of the stone? Are you stuck trying to create a Quest? Need some VMK gaming tips? Well, you came to the right place, heeeeeere's Yeti!
Greetings, one and all! It is I, the abominable snowman - but my friends just call me Yeti. Are you enjoying the new Fantasyland Dark rides? They're awesome, and so are the other new Fantasyland features, speaking of which...
How do I get the Sword in The Stone Single Use Magic Pin?
Well, you can trade the Yeti for it – JUST KIDDING, the pin is not tradeable. But you can get one, and here's how: First you will need to head on over to the new Fantasyland Courtyard. To do that, click the location on the Fantasyland Map:
The Fantasyland Map.
Ahhh… Fantasyland. Hey! Is that a churro cart I smell? Sorry about that, Yeti's stomach became distracted… Anyway, the rides here in the Fantasyland Courtyard - Alice in Wonderland and Peter Pan's Flight - cost 10 credits to ride. To get the Sword out of the Stone, you'll need a Sword in The Stone Single Use Magic Pin. The only way to get one of these Pins is by riding one of these rides - but you won't get a Pin every time you ride, no sir, you see the Pin is given out randomly.
If you're lucky enough to get a Pin after riding one of the rides, a window will pop-up telling you that you've won a Pin! Next you will need to go to your inventory (this is the CHAIR icon/button at the bottom of the VMK interface window) and locate the Sword in The Stone Single Use Pin.
Now click on the Sword in The Stone Single Use Magic Pin and select WEAR. For the Magic Pin to work, you will need to stand next to the Sword in the Stone and click on the Magic button (that's the button with the Magic Wand on it). Now select the Sword in the Stone Single Use Magic Pin or simply write 'Draw!' in message bar at the bottom of the VMK window.
Now your character will attempt to pull the Sword out of the Stone.
Remember – not every attempt will be successful. If you aren't able to pull the Sword from the Stone, a pop-up window will appear that reads, 'Nice Try! You didn't have quite what it takes to pull out the Sword. Keep on trying!' Once you use the pin however, you'll have to ride the rides again to get another one, since it is a Single Use magic Pin.
However, sometimes when you use the Pin you will release the Sword!
Great! You've done it!
As a reward for releasing the sword you'll win a prize – and a pop-up window will appear letting you know what you won. Congratulations!
How do I create/quit a Quest?
CREATING A QUEST
Questing is lots of fun. It's even more fun to create your own Quest that you and your friends can play. In order to create a Quest, you'll first need to purchase a Quest Kiosk from the Inner-Space Shop. To do that, you'll need to go into the shop and look under 'specials.' (I told you how to get to the Inner-Space Shop last week - remember?)
Once you're inside the Inner-Space Shop click on the SHOP button at the bottom of the VMK user interface window. Now select 'Inner-Space Shop' and then 'Specials.' (Oops, forgot to mention, you'll want to have your bank built up, because the Quest Kiosk costs 30,000 credits!)
Once you've purchased the Quest Kiosk, head back to the room where you want to place the Kiosk. But be aware, you can only place the Quest Kiosk in a room you own. Click on the CHAIR button and locate the Quest Kiosk in your inventory. Now click on the Quest Kiosk and click PLACE to position the Quest Kiosk in your room.
Now that you have your Quest Kiosk placed in your room, double click the Quest Kiosk and this window will pop-up:
From here you have three options: Add Task, Add Prizes, or Change Settings.
Selecting 'new task' will make this window appear:
From this list you choose what you want the task (or objective) in your Quest to be.
There are lots of options to choose from, including 'change clothes' to 'acquire an item' to 'play a mini game.' Once you choose what task you want you guest to do, you can write a clue to correspond to the task you selected.
For example, if you choose the task 'Visit an NPC,' (NPC stands for Non Playable Character) a window will pop-up with a list of the NPC's. Choose the NPC you want the players to visit – like me, the Yeti. Then in the hint you could write something like 'Visit the NPC who's covered in fur and lives in the cold.' You can also add my picture from your photo album to correspond with the clue. ;-)
Once you finish the instructions for that task, you can choose 'New Task,' or if you are finished adding tasks click CONTINUE, and the PRIZES page will appear.
Select your prizes.
In the Prize window you decide what prizes the winners of your Quest will receive. You can choose items from your inventory, as well as credits. All prizes are pulled from your personal inventory, as well as credits – so make sure it's stuff you really want to give away.
Now choose the item you want to give to the first place winner and double click on that item to place it in the prize area on the right. You can choose how many winners there will be for your Quest by selecting 'Click here to add new winner' until you have the amount of winners you desire.
After you're finished selecting the winners and their prizes, choose CONTINUE to reach the CHANGE SETTINGS window. In this window you can decide when your Quest will end. This is either when all your prizes have all been given out or when the timer has run out. This is also the window where you name your Quest and provide the description.
Change your settings here.
Once you've filled out all the information, you can choose either 'Finish This Later' or 'Test This Quest.' If you decide to finish the Quest later, all you have to do is double click the Quest Kiosk. If you are ready to test the Quest, click 'Test This Quest.' When you click this button you will test your actual Quest to make sure it's playable. Once you do a test run and everything is ready, your Quest will be ready for people to play!
QUITING A QUEST
If you ever want to quit a Quest you are playing – either a player created Quest or VMK in-game Quest just click the red QUIT QUEST button in the Quest window. It will allow you to do exactly that – quit the Quest!
It's been a few weeks since I watched Snow White, but I'm pretty sure Snoozy was not one of the Seven Dwarfs...
Quest Courtesy
Yeti loves Questing! Here are a few tips on creating and playing a Quest:
- Make sure the hints for your Quest tasks are easy to read and understand and if you can, have a friend play your Quest before you open it up to the community.
- When setting scores for mini games, set them so guests can achieve them. No one wants to play an impossible Quest.
- Finally, when placing hidden items for your Quest, put them in places that are easily visible to other players. Don't place items behind furniture or stack furniture on them. And please, be courteous to other players – don't stand on Quest items or hide them from other players.
Ok, now let's go enjoy those dark rides and make some cool Quests! Have fun and good luck!
Push's Trash Trivia
Top Players
What makes a Guest Room award-worthy?
Guest or Game Rooms that stand out show originality in concept and design. It could be a use of conventional furniture in unconventional ways, the use of a theme or color, or humor.
Game rooms that get the nod offer a new game idea or a new twist on an old favorite. In all rooms we look for room owners who welcome everyone with a smile and show a willingness to answer questions about their room.
Check out this week's Best Guest Rooms and Best Game Rooms.
Best Guest Rooms
Best Game Rooms
Best Player Quests
Players who have been previously recognized for their design talents will receive the VIP award.
VMK Cards
The first card from Series 3 is here!
Get the Animation Viewer by playing the Animation Quest at Disneyland or Walt Disney World – redeem the code on your card for this cool virtual prize.
Check out the VMK Rewards Card Checklist and make sure you have all the VMK bling! What cards do you have in your collection?
Scam Alert
DO NOT loan out your items!
It's not a good idea to have ANYONE, hold your stuff for you. If you want to set up a trade, but don't have enough room for all your items in the trade screen, set up two trades.It's always safer to keep all your items in your own (virtual) hands.
If you promise Players a prize - you must award it!
If you're running a game in your room – play fair. If you promise an item to a winner, you must award that winner the item. Failure to do so is considered a scam by VMK Staff and you will be BANNED for this type of activity. If you're a player that was supposed to win an item and didn't receive it – use the HELP button and report the scam.
Remember, if you are ever have a question about fair play you can always check the VMK Values or the FAQs – your question will probably be answered there.
Staff impersonation is NOT allowed in VMK!
Impersonation is never allowed in VMK. If a player says they are VMK Staff, make sure they're wearing the orange Mickey Pin and wearing either red (for Staff and HOSTS) or blue (for QA) Mickey ears.
VMK Staff will always wear the orange Mickey Pin.
You can always spot STAFF and HOSTS because they wear red Mickey ears.
You can identify a Community Leader by the 'CL_' at the beginning of their name and their blue wizard hat pin.
Remember, VMK Staff will never ask you to trade any items. If you have other questions check out the FAQs page!
Safety Corner
Enter 'pay to play' rooms at your own risk!
In some rooms you must 'pay' the room owner to stay in that room. If you choose to do this, you are doing so at your own risk. Once you 'pay' (credits or give items to the owner) – if you're booted from that room – VMK will NOT be able to get your stuff back. Why? Because you entered the room at your own risk and you (not VMK) are responsible for your actions while in the game.Adult subjects are NEVER appropriate in VMK!
Adult subjects are never allowed in VMK. If you need a reminder of what is and isn't acceptable, read over the VMK Values.
If you spot a player in VMK that is not following the VMK Values and guidelines (especially if they're using adult subjects in chat) – report them. This also applies to players chatting about violence and/or engaging in a violent act – report these players (and any who violate the rules) immediately!
VMK does not tolerate violent language of any type. Engaging in this type of behavior is inappropriate and will get you banned, in most cases permanently. Help keep VMK a safe and fun virtual place for everyone! :-)
Keep your information private in VMK!
Never, under any circumstances give your VMK user name and password to any other player or post it on a forum on another website.
Some surveys have been going around on the internet claiming they have free offers if you give out your VMK information – this is a SCAM!
Never give your information to these surveys or anyone else, and always keep your password private. VMK will never ask you for your information unless you contact us about a problem with your account. Keep your VMK, and all the great items you've earned, safe!
Please spend some time reviewing the VMK Values, and remember to keep your information private.
Quests
In-Park Quests!
PLAY THE DISNEY ANIMATION QUEST!
Play the latest VMK In-Park Quest now at The Magic Kingdom® and Disneyland® - put your knowledge of Disney animated films to the test!
Going to Disneyland® Park or Magic Kingdom® Park? Play the in-Park Quests! Learn more here.
<strong>High School Musical Quest</strong>! Watch the movie, visit the Parks and answer all the questions to win cool stuff!
Get the <strong>Thrill Seekers Ques</strong>t for the Walt Disney World® Resort here!
The Tomorrowland Quest is still available: Download it here.
Contact Us Tips
Problems? Contact Us!
When you use Contact Us to ask a question or report an issue, please be aware of the following:
If you use AOL or EarthLink for e-mail, you won't receive our response, as AOL e-mail filters block our replies. Please provide an alternative e-mail in the Contact Us form where it asks for your e-mail address.
Some Spam Filters will automatically block e-mail from an unknown source unless you tell the program to allow it: To get email from VMK, allow mail from [email protected]. (Please note this email address does not receive e-mail except via the Contact Us form.)