Joshua
02-19-2007, 06:53 PM
Yavn Speaks
2/19 – EPCOT comes to VMK! Plus room make overs and all about magic! Get ready to party it's National Yavn Speaks Day!
Greetings one and all! Welcome to another installment of Yavn Speaks! Did everyone have a good Valentines Day? How about Lincoln's Birthday? I celebrated by putting on my stovepipe hat and playing with Lincoln Logs.
It's great to celebrate a special holiday and this week we've got a slew of them! Presidents Day is the 18th, National Chocolate Mint Day the 19th, National Sticky Bun Day the 21st, and the ever popular National Banana Bread Day is the 23rd. But I think it's safe to say that every day is a holiday when you play VMK! (OK, so I'm filling the blog with obscure holidays to make up for a slow news week – but keep reading anyway!!)
EPCOT comes to VMK
If you're looking for serious news, I'm pleased to announce that by the time you read this our first of several Epcot in-game Quests will be up and running! Did you catch that? I said Quests! Yes, this is your chance to win up to 4(!!!) Epcot Guest Rooms! Here's how it works, each Monday for the next 4 weeks we'll launch a new Epcot Quests, complete the Quest and you'll win an Epcot Guest Room. Since these in-game Quests will run through March 18th you'll have plenty of time to complete them all. Not an Epcot Expert? Then check out the official Epcot website , cause you don't want to miss your chance at winning those cool rooms!
http://avmk.disney.go.com/avmk_v0300/en_US/media/calendar/YavnSpks-2007-01-22-epcotroom.jpg
It's called Spaceship Earth and it's really cool.
National VMK Room Makeover Month
Last week we launched our first VMK Room Make-over. Here to tell you all about, Le Caffdawg. Take it away Dawg!
Le QA_caffdawg
Bonjour! Our first VMK Room Makeover was Tuesday, February 13th! Since this was the first day for makeover, HOST_Sparky and I randomly selected a Guest Room from the Navigator. At first, all hope was lost, mainly because we kept stumbling into Game and Trade Rooms – but then we found giutargirl. This VMK'ers Briar Patch Room was a bit, well, bare (a table a few chairs and velvet rope do not a room make). Confused, giutargirl asked why VMK Staff were in her room. I kindly asked her, "Hey, would you like a room make over?" Of course, she was thrilled, and immediately answered, "Yes! Please!"
http://avmk.disney.go.com/avmk_v0300/en_US/media/calendar/YavnSpeaks-2007-02-19-le_caffdawg.jpg
I started walking around giutargirl's Briar Patch, thinking, "What to do… what to do…" Even HOST_Sparky was doing his best Winnie the Pooh expression, saying, "Think, think, think…" Then we asked her, "What are your favorite colors?" she replied, "Red and green!" We said, "PERFECT!"
http://avmk.disney.go.com/avmk_v0300/en_US/media/calendar/YavnSpeaks-2007-02-19-giutargirl_before.jpg
The Briar patch before…
http://avmk.disney.go.com/avmk_v0300/en_US/media/calendar/YavnSpeaks-2007-02-19-giutargirl_after.jpg
And after! Now this is a Laughing Place!
Suddenly, like magic, Red and Green PhilharMagic chairs lined the walls! A Tiki Fountain was placed in the center of the room and surrounded with Red Heart Chairs! Our idea was to create a room that was both a cool place to hang out in and she could create her own Falling Chairs game within it! Then I added a couple of Tron Arcade Cabinets so her friends could play some games while in her room and to please the Tiki Gods, we also added some fire around the fountain and laid some Bamboo Floor Carpet. Some Parrot Palm Trees were also added for shade (waitaminute, isn't this Briar Patch underground?) as well as a water cooler and a Penny Press. That cozy–ied the place up nice and quick! And of course for a finishing touch we tossed in a Bear Rug to make the place really feel like Home Sweet Home! giutargirl was very pleased and thanked us many times. Our work done, I and HOST_Sparky headed off into the Kingdom to find other eager Rooms in need of a makeover.
Until next time! - QA_caffdawg
Thanks for that report Dawg! Next week, we'll be randomly selecting a VMK Room Makeover submission – so if you want your room to get a makeover (or request to have a friend's room get one), send in a VMK Room makeover submission from Contact Us. A nice story why you would like the makeover would go great with the submission but it's not necessary.
It's National Talk About Magic Day!
So we've been getting a lot of questions from new players about how you get Magic Pins - well, right now you can earn Deep Sea Diving, Racing and Inner-Space Magic Pins by completing our Tomorrowland Quests. Teleportation Magic is available from both of the Tomorrowland in-Park Quests (which you can play at Disneyland and The Magic Kingdom). Coral Magic (single use) can be won by playing Level 3 of the Pirates of the Caribbean game here on VMK (you'll find it randomly in the Gold Chest). We have also sold some Magic Pins from time to time, like Snowman and Turn Into A Bat, but currently none are for sale. But stay tuned, we are always adding more magic and ways you can get them.
http://avmk.disney.go.com/avmk_v0300/en_US/media/calendar/YavnSpeaks-2007-02-12-infernomagic.jpg
It's on fire! The coveted Dancing
Inferno Magic.
That's a Wrap!
Well it's time to wrap this up, before I leave the office today I need to mark National Eat Churros and Donuts Day on the calendar… Oh yeah, one last thing… I know last week I mentioned we'd start new multiple Park Quest Rewards with the Winter Mickey Window card, but many of you expressed concern that you wouldn't have time enough to get it before Spring, so what do you think about starting our new Park Quest Rewards with the Spring card, the Mickey Mouse Carpet instead?
http://avmk.disney.go.com/avmk_v0300/en_US/media/calendar/YavnSpeaks-2007-02-19-MickeyFurn2.jpg
Winter or Spring? The Mickey Mouse Carpet.
It's just a thought, but we want you to know we listen to your comments and since we're getting closer to Spring (despite all the snow in the East Coast) by the time we are ready to launch it may be Spring anyway! Well, we'll have more info on this topic very soon, so stay tuned!
See you in VMK!!
Yavn
Scam Alert
Beware of "free" rooms
2/16– There are some players that advertise their rooms as "free," but when you enter them, they force you to pay up or get booted from the room. Beware of these types of rooms and report players who engage in this activity.
Close your room when you leave
If you are going to be away from your computer for awhile don't leave your room open - close it. Why? When you leave your room open, you're leaving it open to players that may be confused when they enter and don't know where the owner is. Sometimes confused players who find ownerless rooms will use the Call for Help tool and this takes away valuable time that Staff could be helping players in need.
Don't loan items!
It's not a good idea to have anyone, even Community Leaders, 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 best to keep all your items stored safely in your own (virtual) hands.
Pretending you're Staff is a NO-NO!
Impersonation is not allowed in VMK. If a player says they are staff, make sure they're wearing the orange Mickey Pin and wearing either red (for staff and hosts) or blue (for QA/testers) ears. You can identify a Community Leader by the "CL_" in the beginning of their name and their blue wizard hat pin. Remember a real VMK Staff member would never ask you to trade any items.
VMK Email Scam
If you get an email from anyone claiming to be from VMK Player Support asking for your VMK user information, such as your character name, password, birthday, etc., DO NOT REPLY to the email. This is a scam to get your login info.
VMK will NEVER send unsolicited email asking for your password or user information.
The only time you would get an email from VMK regarding this information is if you are having a login problem and have already sent us an email requesting help with this problem through the 'Contact Us' link on the website.
Any email from VMK will include your original email in the reply.
Remember your login and password information should never be shared with anyone.
Do you have a friend in VMK you trust?
Even if you think you can really trust another player in VMK, it's not a good idea to loan people your items since some people won't give them back! If someone asks you to borrow one of your items – just say no. Because if you decide to trade an item and it isn't given back, we can't help you recover it. Why? Because you knowingly entered into the trade – remember you're responsible for your character's actions in the game, no matter what.
Safety Corner
Using violent language in VMK will get you banned!
2/16 – If a player in VMK refers to violence and/or a violent act while chatting – report them immediately! VMK does not tolerate violent language of any type. If you or another player are using violent language or threatening other players (even jokingly) YOU WILL GET BANNED, in some cases – PERMANENTLY.
Follow the VMK Rules for reporting someone!
Please make sure to follow the VMK rules when reporting someone. Someone cutting in line or asking you to be their friend is not ground for reporting. Use the Call for Help system wisely. VMK Staff needs to spend their time helping people are who are seriously in need of assistance.
However, if a player keeps doing something to annoy other players (repeating words to fill up the screen, blocking, etc) please use the Contact Us section on the website to report your issue - don't forget to be detailed (include harasser's name and event details) when writing in.
Get Help!
To get emergency help at any time while you're playing the game, simply Call for VMK Staff by clicking on HELP in the bottom right of the game screen. VMK Staff will then either send you a message or come and see you.
VMK 911
The Call for VMK Staff option is VMK's 911 service, so please only use it in emergencies – if another Player is hassling you or making you feel uncomfortable. For general questions about the game, take a look at the FAQs.
Don't get banned for bad behavior
Resist the urge to use bad language in VMK it's not allowed. Using inappropriate words in the game will get you banned. Also, misusing words in the dictionary (example: putting two acceptable words together to make one that isn't acceptable) can also get you banned.
Keep your information private!
Never, under any cir###stances 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!
Push's Trash Trivia
2/16 – Name 3 Disney attractions in the U.S. that have a 'presidential' presence?
Know the answer?
Send your answer using Contact Us at the bottom of this or the main VMK webpage. Be sure to have your VMK registration info with you and select Push's Trash Trivia from the drop down menu.
Out of all the correct answers, three players will be randomly drawn as the winners and sent a cool prize. But hurry! Only entries submitted by the close of game on Friday will be accepted.
Here's the answer to last weeks Trash Trivia question:
Question: What provided the inspiration for the castle at the Magic Kingdom?
Answer: European castles, mainly Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, Germany.
Did you know: The castle was designed by Imagineer Herb Ryman and he drew his inspiration from several famous European castles and architecture. Among the many castles that Ryman was influenced by, the one that stood out most was King Ludwig II's Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, Germany.
Neuschwanstein (German for 'New Swan Stone'), like Cinderella's Castle at Walt Disney World, incorporates several architectural styles – for example the base is similar to a 13th century medieval fortress, while the upper half of the building looks more like a regal Renaissance palace.
Neuschwanstein was also used as reference when the Imagineers were designing Sleeping Beauty's castle at Disneyland.
Congratulations to the 3 lucky (and randomly picked) players that sent in the correct answer for last week's question!
katrun
LadyDooley
FarStar
Your prize is on its way
Best Guest Rooms 2/19
Best Guest Rooms
Pirate ghosts haunt the hidden hallways of this week's Best Guest Room. CL_Percius amazes with his creative Pirates Water Garden room. Can you find out how to make your way to the top of Pirate Falls?
Best Game Rooms
Shoreboy wants us to follow our hearts! In his game room, Follow Your Heart Races, you start on a heart chair, go through a door, and ride a track lighting candles. First one to finish and sit on the ice, wins!
Best Player Quests
It's time to get Goofy! BlueSorcerer tests our knowledge of The Goofy Movie in The Goofy Movie Quest. Answer the questions quickly and you may just win a goofy prize!
2/19 – EPCOT comes to VMK! Plus room make overs and all about magic! Get ready to party it's National Yavn Speaks Day!
Greetings one and all! Welcome to another installment of Yavn Speaks! Did everyone have a good Valentines Day? How about Lincoln's Birthday? I celebrated by putting on my stovepipe hat and playing with Lincoln Logs.
It's great to celebrate a special holiday and this week we've got a slew of them! Presidents Day is the 18th, National Chocolate Mint Day the 19th, National Sticky Bun Day the 21st, and the ever popular National Banana Bread Day is the 23rd. But I think it's safe to say that every day is a holiday when you play VMK! (OK, so I'm filling the blog with obscure holidays to make up for a slow news week – but keep reading anyway!!)
EPCOT comes to VMK
If you're looking for serious news, I'm pleased to announce that by the time you read this our first of several Epcot in-game Quests will be up and running! Did you catch that? I said Quests! Yes, this is your chance to win up to 4(!!!) Epcot Guest Rooms! Here's how it works, each Monday for the next 4 weeks we'll launch a new Epcot Quests, complete the Quest and you'll win an Epcot Guest Room. Since these in-game Quests will run through March 18th you'll have plenty of time to complete them all. Not an Epcot Expert? Then check out the official Epcot website , cause you don't want to miss your chance at winning those cool rooms!
http://avmk.disney.go.com/avmk_v0300/en_US/media/calendar/YavnSpks-2007-01-22-epcotroom.jpg
It's called Spaceship Earth and it's really cool.
National VMK Room Makeover Month
Last week we launched our first VMK Room Make-over. Here to tell you all about, Le Caffdawg. Take it away Dawg!
Le QA_caffdawg
Bonjour! Our first VMK Room Makeover was Tuesday, February 13th! Since this was the first day for makeover, HOST_Sparky and I randomly selected a Guest Room from the Navigator. At first, all hope was lost, mainly because we kept stumbling into Game and Trade Rooms – but then we found giutargirl. This VMK'ers Briar Patch Room was a bit, well, bare (a table a few chairs and velvet rope do not a room make). Confused, giutargirl asked why VMK Staff were in her room. I kindly asked her, "Hey, would you like a room make over?" Of course, she was thrilled, and immediately answered, "Yes! Please!"
http://avmk.disney.go.com/avmk_v0300/en_US/media/calendar/YavnSpeaks-2007-02-19-le_caffdawg.jpg
I started walking around giutargirl's Briar Patch, thinking, "What to do… what to do…" Even HOST_Sparky was doing his best Winnie the Pooh expression, saying, "Think, think, think…" Then we asked her, "What are your favorite colors?" she replied, "Red and green!" We said, "PERFECT!"
http://avmk.disney.go.com/avmk_v0300/en_US/media/calendar/YavnSpeaks-2007-02-19-giutargirl_before.jpg
The Briar patch before…
http://avmk.disney.go.com/avmk_v0300/en_US/media/calendar/YavnSpeaks-2007-02-19-giutargirl_after.jpg
And after! Now this is a Laughing Place!
Suddenly, like magic, Red and Green PhilharMagic chairs lined the walls! A Tiki Fountain was placed in the center of the room and surrounded with Red Heart Chairs! Our idea was to create a room that was both a cool place to hang out in and she could create her own Falling Chairs game within it! Then I added a couple of Tron Arcade Cabinets so her friends could play some games while in her room and to please the Tiki Gods, we also added some fire around the fountain and laid some Bamboo Floor Carpet. Some Parrot Palm Trees were also added for shade (waitaminute, isn't this Briar Patch underground?) as well as a water cooler and a Penny Press. That cozy–ied the place up nice and quick! And of course for a finishing touch we tossed in a Bear Rug to make the place really feel like Home Sweet Home! giutargirl was very pleased and thanked us many times. Our work done, I and HOST_Sparky headed off into the Kingdom to find other eager Rooms in need of a makeover.
Until next time! - QA_caffdawg
Thanks for that report Dawg! Next week, we'll be randomly selecting a VMK Room Makeover submission – so if you want your room to get a makeover (or request to have a friend's room get one), send in a VMK Room makeover submission from Contact Us. A nice story why you would like the makeover would go great with the submission but it's not necessary.
It's National Talk About Magic Day!
So we've been getting a lot of questions from new players about how you get Magic Pins - well, right now you can earn Deep Sea Diving, Racing and Inner-Space Magic Pins by completing our Tomorrowland Quests. Teleportation Magic is available from both of the Tomorrowland in-Park Quests (which you can play at Disneyland and The Magic Kingdom). Coral Magic (single use) can be won by playing Level 3 of the Pirates of the Caribbean game here on VMK (you'll find it randomly in the Gold Chest). We have also sold some Magic Pins from time to time, like Snowman and Turn Into A Bat, but currently none are for sale. But stay tuned, we are always adding more magic and ways you can get them.
http://avmk.disney.go.com/avmk_v0300/en_US/media/calendar/YavnSpeaks-2007-02-12-infernomagic.jpg
It's on fire! The coveted Dancing
Inferno Magic.
That's a Wrap!
Well it's time to wrap this up, before I leave the office today I need to mark National Eat Churros and Donuts Day on the calendar… Oh yeah, one last thing… I know last week I mentioned we'd start new multiple Park Quest Rewards with the Winter Mickey Window card, but many of you expressed concern that you wouldn't have time enough to get it before Spring, so what do you think about starting our new Park Quest Rewards with the Spring card, the Mickey Mouse Carpet instead?
http://avmk.disney.go.com/avmk_v0300/en_US/media/calendar/YavnSpeaks-2007-02-19-MickeyFurn2.jpg
Winter or Spring? The Mickey Mouse Carpet.
It's just a thought, but we want you to know we listen to your comments and since we're getting closer to Spring (despite all the snow in the East Coast) by the time we are ready to launch it may be Spring anyway! Well, we'll have more info on this topic very soon, so stay tuned!
See you in VMK!!
Yavn
Scam Alert
Beware of "free" rooms
2/16– There are some players that advertise their rooms as "free," but when you enter them, they force you to pay up or get booted from the room. Beware of these types of rooms and report players who engage in this activity.
Close your room when you leave
If you are going to be away from your computer for awhile don't leave your room open - close it. Why? When you leave your room open, you're leaving it open to players that may be confused when they enter and don't know where the owner is. Sometimes confused players who find ownerless rooms will use the Call for Help tool and this takes away valuable time that Staff could be helping players in need.
Don't loan items!
It's not a good idea to have anyone, even Community Leaders, 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 best to keep all your items stored safely in your own (virtual) hands.
Pretending you're Staff is a NO-NO!
Impersonation is not allowed in VMK. If a player says they are staff, make sure they're wearing the orange Mickey Pin and wearing either red (for staff and hosts) or blue (for QA/testers) ears. You can identify a Community Leader by the "CL_" in the beginning of their name and their blue wizard hat pin. Remember a real VMK Staff member would never ask you to trade any items.
VMK Email Scam
If you get an email from anyone claiming to be from VMK Player Support asking for your VMK user information, such as your character name, password, birthday, etc., DO NOT REPLY to the email. This is a scam to get your login info.
VMK will NEVER send unsolicited email asking for your password or user information.
The only time you would get an email from VMK regarding this information is if you are having a login problem and have already sent us an email requesting help with this problem through the 'Contact Us' link on the website.
Any email from VMK will include your original email in the reply.
Remember your login and password information should never be shared with anyone.
Do you have a friend in VMK you trust?
Even if you think you can really trust another player in VMK, it's not a good idea to loan people your items since some people won't give them back! If someone asks you to borrow one of your items – just say no. Because if you decide to trade an item and it isn't given back, we can't help you recover it. Why? Because you knowingly entered into the trade – remember you're responsible for your character's actions in the game, no matter what.
Safety Corner
Using violent language in VMK will get you banned!
2/16 – If a player in VMK refers to violence and/or a violent act while chatting – report them immediately! VMK does not tolerate violent language of any type. If you or another player are using violent language or threatening other players (even jokingly) YOU WILL GET BANNED, in some cases – PERMANENTLY.
Follow the VMK Rules for reporting someone!
Please make sure to follow the VMK rules when reporting someone. Someone cutting in line or asking you to be their friend is not ground for reporting. Use the Call for Help system wisely. VMK Staff needs to spend their time helping people are who are seriously in need of assistance.
However, if a player keeps doing something to annoy other players (repeating words to fill up the screen, blocking, etc) please use the Contact Us section on the website to report your issue - don't forget to be detailed (include harasser's name and event details) when writing in.
Get Help!
To get emergency help at any time while you're playing the game, simply Call for VMK Staff by clicking on HELP in the bottom right of the game screen. VMK Staff will then either send you a message or come and see you.
VMK 911
The Call for VMK Staff option is VMK's 911 service, so please only use it in emergencies – if another Player is hassling you or making you feel uncomfortable. For general questions about the game, take a look at the FAQs.
Don't get banned for bad behavior
Resist the urge to use bad language in VMK it's not allowed. Using inappropriate words in the game will get you banned. Also, misusing words in the dictionary (example: putting two acceptable words together to make one that isn't acceptable) can also get you banned.
Keep your information private!
Never, under any cir###stances 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!
Push's Trash Trivia
2/16 – Name 3 Disney attractions in the U.S. that have a 'presidential' presence?
Know the answer?
Send your answer using Contact Us at the bottom of this or the main VMK webpage. Be sure to have your VMK registration info with you and select Push's Trash Trivia from the drop down menu.
Out of all the correct answers, three players will be randomly drawn as the winners and sent a cool prize. But hurry! Only entries submitted by the close of game on Friday will be accepted.
Here's the answer to last weeks Trash Trivia question:
Question: What provided the inspiration for the castle at the Magic Kingdom?
Answer: European castles, mainly Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, Germany.
Did you know: The castle was designed by Imagineer Herb Ryman and he drew his inspiration from several famous European castles and architecture. Among the many castles that Ryman was influenced by, the one that stood out most was King Ludwig II's Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, Germany.
Neuschwanstein (German for 'New Swan Stone'), like Cinderella's Castle at Walt Disney World, incorporates several architectural styles – for example the base is similar to a 13th century medieval fortress, while the upper half of the building looks more like a regal Renaissance palace.
Neuschwanstein was also used as reference when the Imagineers were designing Sleeping Beauty's castle at Disneyland.
Congratulations to the 3 lucky (and randomly picked) players that sent in the correct answer for last week's question!
katrun
LadyDooley
FarStar
Your prize is on its way
Best Guest Rooms 2/19
Best Guest Rooms
Pirate ghosts haunt the hidden hallways of this week's Best Guest Room. CL_Percius amazes with his creative Pirates Water Garden room. Can you find out how to make your way to the top of Pirate Falls?
Best Game Rooms
Shoreboy wants us to follow our hearts! In his game room, Follow Your Heart Races, you start on a heart chair, go through a door, and ride a track lighting candles. First one to finish and sit on the ice, wins!
Best Player Quests
It's time to get Goofy! BlueSorcerer tests our knowledge of The Goofy Movie in The Goofy Movie Quest. Answer the questions quickly and you may just win a goofy prize!