I65K: The Y2K Parallel that Closed VMK

[StarBP]

Wasn't there once a staff member who said that VMK closed because they could not make any more items due to memory? If you take the total of all rooms, textures, clothing items, furniture, posters, NPC's, NPC codes, dialog popup boxes, minigame rules, etc., it can easily add up to 65,536; which is the highest number of items allowed for a 16-bit system, since the next number would roll back to 0, which is already taken by the first item. Given this theory, VMK may right now be switching to 32-bit, which would allow over 4 billion items. Obviously, this is something that would be too embarrassing for Disney to say, that a major virtual world was shut down because of an underestimation in the number of total things that would be made.

[Kitri]

That's a very good point. But I would have prefered it if disney just said VMK will be down for a while rather than just scaring us like they did.

[Friez]

This sounds very likely. Not that I don't believe you or anything, but how did you figure that out? It seems like a lot of Math...

[BuzzBoy133]

I think your right! And they swiched it over a period of months to the new 32-bit system. Now after they finished, they can re-open it! The vmk in october room is getting more proof that its real! And we can keep our avatars!

[the_phoenix]

Sounds likely...Disney usually doesn't admit when they've made a mistake.

[StarBP]

Originally Posted by Friez

This sounds very likely. Not that I don't believe you or anything, but how did you figure that out? It seems like a lot of Math...

I remembered someone else who had posted about HOST_Lily (it may have been Hula or someone else, but let's just say it was Lily) saying that if VMK stayed on, there would be no new items due to memory issues. I figured out the rest based on my knowledge of computers. The number probably doesn't really add up to 65,536; but this is a theory anyway.

[BuzzBoy133]

Cool. I hope your right!

[awsomered]

It sounds about right So maybe they had to clear out a lot of things in the game. Probably this happened because they never thought this game would become so popular.

[BuzzBoy133]

Yeah, I mean, they only thought it would be open for 16-18 months!

[LordIllidan]

Originally Posted by the_phoenix

Sounds likely...Disney usually doesn't admit when they've made a mistake.

Hehheh. Which, in turn, was a big mistake in itself XD

As for the idea of VMK's closure being a stall tactic to upgrade their systems... I dunno. While, on paper, it sounds pretty plausible... Disney's better at PR'ing things up like that. Why would they say "We're shutting it down and you'll never see it again! " instead of "Oh, we're taking things offline for a bit so it'll be new and improved!"?

[fantasyforever]

Wow. That is very good. Nice job in spotting that!

[coolJamz]

Great job finding that!!!
As much as i hope its true, why did they say that VMK is closing forever?
why not say "VMK is closing for major repairs"

[Pisces]

Hmm... It IS possible, but I think that it's a bit unlikely and we're all just trying to think of excuses and reasons why VMK closed and is going to open up again. A flaw with this is that you said they hate to admit mistakes, well by closing it, then reopening it, wouldn't they have to have a reason? Which would mean it was a mistake to close it, right? I'm hopeful, but I'm finding any ideas having to do with Disney having planned to close and reopen VMK unlikely

[EtnaGreen]

It sounds possible,but..I don't know why would they say that vmk would be closing their gates for the last time in May. Maybe the new and improved vmk will be open 24/7 to work with the different time zones? I don't know I don't think it's the real reason as much as I would love to belive it.

[Blossomflower]

Meh, could be possible, but yeah, why would they make it all dramatic and say vmk would be closing its virtual gates forever? They could just say they're temporarily shutting it down, and not crush people's hearts/freak everybody out....

I hope it's true though...
I WANTZ VMK BACK