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|ratings = {{vgratings|}}
|ratings = {{vgratings|}}
|platforms = Windows 98/2000/XP/Vista, Mac OS X v10.1+ and variations of Linux
|platforms = Windows 98/2000/XP/Vista, Mac OS X v10.1+ and variations of Linux
|media = http://www.smallworlds.com/
|media = Join at http://www.smallworlds.com/?invite=josuejiarblackburn
|requirements = [[Web Browser]], [[Adobe Flash Player]], 512mb of [[RAM]]
|requirements = [[Web Browser]], [[Adobe Flash Player]], 512mb of [[RAM]]
|input = [[Keyboard (computing)|Keyboard]], [[Mouse (computing)|Mouse]], [[Microphone]]
|input = [[Keyboard (computing)|Keyboard]], [[Mouse (computing)|Mouse]], [[Microphone]]

Revision as of 14:47, 19 August 2010

SmallWorlds
File:SmallWorlds White.JPG
Developer(s)Outsmart
Platform(s)Windows 98/2000/XP/Vista, Mac OS X v10.1+ and variations of Linux
Genre(s)3D Virtual Reality

SmallWorlds is a virtual world aimed at users over the age of thirteen. It has over 3,000,000 registered users. The website is owned and operated by Outsmart 2005 Ltd, a privately owned company based in Auckland, New Zealand [1][2]. The virtual world runs inside a web browser, without the need to download or install any other software. SmallWorlds combines media, web content, and casual games inside a 3D virtual world.


SmallWorlds integrates YouTube, Flickr, SoundCloud, iMeem, and a number of other Web 2.1 services. The website updated to version 2.2 in January 2010. The site is aimed at the teen and adult markets, and is designed to be more casual than Second Life.[3]

After 18 months in development, SmallWorlds launched in Beta in June 2008, and launched Version 1.0 in December 2008, and launched Version 2.2 in january,2010.[4]

In October 2009 SmallWorlds was voted top prize in the Social Computing category and getting most addicts category of the Adobe MAX Awards 2009.[5] [6][7]

Gameplay

In SmallWorlds, gameplay centers around social activities including playing casual games, and decorating spaces. Users can also create their own missions which consist of a series of role-playing tasks for other users to complete. In August 2009, game arenas were added, allowing users to play team-based games such as Space Jump, Tombstone and Magma Core. On odd occasions the space Epic Magic Fight Arena is opened, where users can use their magic and weapons in a role-playing war activity.

Role play

SmallWorlds is an online community where roleplayers can act out certain actions and scenarios. Each user has a home space which they can decorate according to their tastes by purchasing furniture and other items. They can also purchase other spaces. A large number of role-playing spaces have been created, including hospitals, bars, clubs, hotels, recreation centers, etc. This aspect of the virtual world was enhanced in August 2009 when a Groups facility was added, allowing users to create their own community groups where members are specified and spaces can be secured to only allow access to those members. Messaging and alerts can be group-based.

VIP Subscriptions

The site offers special VIP subscriptions which allow the user gain special benefits like exclusive looks and clothing options, accessing exclusive spaces and much more. These packages are bought through Paypal, UltimatePay, credit card, Ultimate game card or Zong. You can also buy VIP using the SmallWorlds currency Gold.

Casual Gaming

SmallWorlds caters for the casual gaming community by providing a number of in-world games. As well as team-based arena games, users can play pool, miniature golf, Fast Draw, and many arcade-style games. In September 2009, wagering was added to gameplay, allowing users to challenge their friends to games and place wagers on the outcome of those games. Wagers can be placed in either of the two SmallWorlds currencies, Tokens or Gold.

Art

A large proportion of SmallWorlds users create their own artworks by painting on Graffiti Canvases. These canvases can then be sold. SmallWorlds is unique among the browser-based virtual worlds for having a large number of online art galleries in which users can browse and purchase art, all of which has been created by other users.

Currency

There are two currencies in SmallWorlds. Tokens is the achievement currency which can be earned by doing missions or playing games in Smallworlds. SmallWorlds Gold can be purchased or earned through completing offers with the many offer providers affiliated with SmallWorlds.

Monetization

SmallWorlds is free to play, however it generates revenue with virtual item sales, premium subscriptions, advertising & sponsorships.[4]

Partnerships

SmallWorlds partnered with Hi5 in June 2009. The partnership provides full integration of SmallWorlds into the Hi5 Games channel, with Hi5 Coins serving as SmallWorlds's virtual currency in the version of the game that runs on Hi5's OpenSocial platform. Unlike versions on other social networks, the Hi5 version of SmallWorlds does not need to be manually installed by users. Instead, users are able to run it directly from the Hi5 Games channel.[8]

Social Media Integration

In February 2009, SmallWorlds launched embeddable versions of its application that integrate with Facebook, MySpace and Bebo. This allowed SmallWorlds users to enter the SmallWorlds virtual world using their social networking applications and to link their social networking profiles to their SmallWorlds account.[9][10]

Levels

Levels are a big part of Smallworlds. The 6 levels are Social, Artist, Explorer, Gamer, Arena and Farming. Arena and Farming were only brought out on March 23, 2010. The main way of getting up your levels is through Missions. Also many objects (including Tvs, Guestbooks, Stereos, Graffiti Boards and Arcade Machines) will aid you with getting up levels.The higher your level, the better the wearables which include wings, Jet packs, Costume Heads and Capes. There are also Citizen Levels, which you can get up by purchasing VIP, or inviting friends to play. The higher your Citizen level, the more tokens and xp you earn from doing missions, and also you can buy better boards, skates, weapons, and carpets.

Educational

Australasia's first completely virtual school is currently being established in the Clutha district using SmallWorlds.[11]

See also

References

Small Worlds Brings Innovative Lifestreaming to the Virtual World"], Lifestream Blog, April 23, 2009.

Small Worlds' virtual world blows away Second Life limitations"], Scobleizer TV, March 4, 2009.

SmallWorlds Brings a Third Dimension to Web 2.0"], TechCrunch, May 21, 200

Notes

  1. ^ Crunchbase Web Directory
  2. ^ Outsmart Website
  3. ^ TechCrunch, May 21 2008
  4. ^ a b SmallWorlds Media Resources
  5. ^ Adobe Max Awards 2009 Finalists: Social Computing
  6. ^ Reuters: 2009 Adobe MAX Awards Winners Announced. Wed Oct 7, 2009
  7. ^ Dreamweaver Extensions Blog. October 12, 2009
  8. ^ Virtual Goods News. June 02, 2009
  9. ^ SmallWorlds Turns Facebook Into a Virtual World. February 12th, 2009
  10. ^ SmallWorlds Launching on Facebook and Bebo. February 10, 2009.
  11. ^ Micheal Forbes - The Southland Times: Clutha gets first fully virtual school. October 16, 2009

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