7/20 – Guess who's back? Back again! Yavn's back! Tell your friends!This week, Yavn's got news on a NEW mini-game, a NEW snack cart, what the theme is for August and the NEW VMK Communicator! And now celebrating summer as VMK turns 2, live and direct from VMK Central, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, hereeeeeee's Yavn!
Hello! Hello! Hello! Well here we are smack dab in the middle of the summer! Is everyone enjoying themselves? Anyone camp out for an iPhone? Too bad you can't play VMK on 'em – now that would be cool!! It's been a few weeks since I last caught up with you, so it's time once again for an update!
VMK Turns 2!As many of you know, VMK turned 2 this week! And in addition to the Birthday Pin sold earlier in the week as a gift to you, we also launched the VMK Communicator! This snazzy little gadget is easy to download and install - and once the VMK Communicator is running on your computer you'll get Newsletter, Calendar, Screensavers and more delivered right to your computer's desktop in real time.
In fact, some of you may be reading this from the Communicator right now! In the future, the VMK Communicator will deliver more exclusive information about VMK as well as Screensavers and VMK Wallpapers.
Get the VMK Communicator now on the Downloads page!
And One to Grow on...I know a lot of you have asked why we don't make a bigger deal about our birthday and that's simple: we're always looking forward and focusing on what's on the way, for instance, for VMK's 3rd year we have some huge things in store.
A few weeks ago you may remember I mentioned something about a new mini-game? Well it's in the final phases of testing and we're planning to announce and launch this cool addition in early August! It will be launched from VMK.com as an external mini-game (meaning you will play this outside of VMK), speaking of August, based on your feedback, our theme for August will be… drumroll please… Tiki! Yes indeed, and we've made some cool new clothing items just for the occasion. So be ready to pick up that Surf Cowboy Hat as well as some other cool stuff very soon
Surfs up, cowboy!
Moderation ProgressAs I've said several times now, we're well into the process of adjusting our VMK Moderation Policies. Some of you may have noticed some changes already – like replacing the 2 hour ban in favor of a 24 hour IP ban. We're also strictly enforcing our rules about PII (personally identifiable information) and abusive language.
Over the coming weeks, you'll see more and more adjustments to moderation and the VMK Values. So make sure you follow the VMK Values, we want to make VMK a safe and fun place. We're not trying to be mean, our goal is to make VMK a better place for everyone… ok I'm stepping off the soapbox!
The Return of the Snack Attack!So you liked that Churro Cart did you? But you're still hungry for more?!? Perhaps you just prefer salty snacks? Well we have just the thing to add a little "Pop" to your room
Ladies and gentleman meet VMK's newest star… the Popcorn Cart!
Yavn: So what should I call you? Popcorn Cart? Mr. Corn? Or just Pop?
Popcorn Cart: "Pop!"
Yavn: Butter or salt, which do you prefer?
Popcorn Cart: "Pop!"
Yavn: Ok. So what's the best place to find you? A Disney Park or movie theater?
Popcorn Cart: "Pop!"
Yavn: Hmmm… OK, so one last question before we have to go, Turkey Leg cart and VMK? Good idea?
Popcorn Cart: "Pop!"
Well there you have it folks – Popcorn Cart has spoken! Expect to see him "popping up" (sorry couldn't help that…) on Monday July 23rd in the Emporium Specials! Be sure to "pop" in and pick one up!
Yavn's MailbagIt's been a while since we've done a Yavn Q&A, so what do you say we reach into the old mailbag and see what questions you have – well how about that, by far most of the questions are about me, well let's answer your questions.
Q: Dear Yavn, before you were posting a new column every week, now we're lucky to get one a month. What's up with the long periods between Newsletter updates?
A: Well, I guess you could say I've taken the summer off from the Newsletter. But honestly, for the last few months I've been spending more time doing behind-the-scenes work for VMK. Between adjusting moderation, building new content (including a new game, the VMK Communicator and other surprises) and some travel I've been super, super busy.
So bear with me, for the time being I'll update monthly and move back to a more frequent schedule during the fall. In the meantime, don't forget to check out the other Newsletter sections that are updated weekly. Besides my column, and in addition to Yeti and Push Trivia, there's lots of great information on the Newsletter page (did you notice the NEW Dateline Disney section? Cool huh?)! So be sure to always check out the Newsletter even if you don't see me updating, Safety Corner, Event Info, and the other sections – these change often and there's always new announcements and new info. Hey, you can even check it out using the NEW VMK Communicator!
Q: How about adding more words to the dictionary?
A: More words? Not a problem. In fact, we're adding more words all the time, and will make some major adjustments very soon. Remember though, safety is always our top priority so don't expect numbers or places to ever be added.
Q: I'm a new player and I love VMK, but I missed many of the cool costumes that were on sale before I joined the community, will any of them come back? Specifically Princess??
A: Not to worry, we'll be brining them back very soon, in fact, since you mentioned it how about some Princess stuff next week??
Q: Yavn, can you PLEASE (please, please, please) make Buried In Treasure and Cursed Storm Magic tradable?
A: Sure why not, Caffdawg can you please make it so!
Q: Are you still going to Hong Kong and Japan?
A: You bet. Although those trips won't happen until September / October time. I should also mention I'll be off to visit our European offices very soon, and hopefully I'll have some time to spend at Disneyland Paris!
Q: Yavn, I have a technical question: After I log out of VMK, my character is still in the game. What's going on? What should I do?
A: This is nothing to be alarmed about, we're aware of an issue with Firefox that sometimes does not log you out correctly when you close your browser. To help fix this always use the EXIT button when you finish playing. This will ensure you've logged out correctly.
Q: What happened to the Yeti, the YetiVision game I mean, I can't find it.
A: Mr. Yeti (YetiVision, rather) is currently undergoing some routine maintenance, he and his furry adventures should be back soon.
Q: When are those Peter Pan ride items gonna be on sale?
A: Expect to see those start rolling out in the fall.
Q: Ok Yavn, it's been 2 years now and still no Magic Carpet. What's the deal?
A: Please don't ask about that…
Q: That's not a good answer…
A: I know… hmmm, how about a Turkey Leg cart instead??? Come on now! Who doesn't like a good turkey leg (aside from the turkey and vegetarians!!)?
Don't forget to complete your Nemo Pin collection… Emporium Specials!
Testing 1, 2, 3…
Alright, that about wraps it up for the time being! Now I need to get back to playing, uh, testing that new mini-game! Oh yeah! I almost forgot, we're working on a plan for a revised CL program but that is a few more weeks away and then I'll have details I can share with you. Until then we will not be adding any more CLs.
Next time I'll tell you all about the new mini-game as well as a few other surprises we have in store for you. Finally, don't forget to take advantage of the Summer Fun Days, they're your best way to get fast cash for the Pop Corn Cart as well as more Alice Ride items that are on the way. Now I need to start saving my lunch money for that iPhone!
Until next time, I'll leave you with a sneak peek at something you'll see next month…
See you in VMK!
Yavn
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Topic: VMK Newsletter 7/20/07 (Read 9548 times)