What Happened To SmallWorlds?
SmallWorlds was a virtual social networking game that allowed players to create and customize their avatars, explore 3D worlds, and interact with others. Launched in 2008, it grew in popularity and eventually had over 200 million users worldwide.
Players could play mini-games, purchase virtual goods, create virtual spaces, and even build relationships with other players. The game was shut down in April 2018 due to financial difficulty.
Despite its closure, SmallWorlds has impacted the gaming industry as it was one of the first online virtual worlds to offer its players a vast range of customizations and activities.
Are you a fan of SmallWorlds, the virtual world created in 2008? Have you been wondering what happened to this once-popular game? If so, then this blog post is for you.
We will examine what SmallWorlds was and how it changed over time. We will also explore some alternatives that have come out since then.
What Is SmallWorlds?
SmallWorlds was a popular virtual social networking game that allowed players to create their 3D avatars and interact with other players in virtual worlds. Players could customize their avatars, build houses, travel to different locations, and join in-game events. The game had over 200 million users and was available on desktop and mobile platforms.
SmallWorlds also had its virtual currency and economy, allowing players to purchase game store items. Despite its popularity, SmallWorlds closed down in April 2018 due to financial struggles and dwindling player numbers.
How Does SmallWorlds Work?
SmallWorlds was an online virtual world that allowed users to create their avatars and explore a 3D environment. Users could engage with other players, build homes and shops, create artwork, join clubs, and more.
SmallWorlds game also featured a unique bartering system that allowed users to trade items and services. Players could also compete in mini-games and complete quests to earn coins and rewards.
With the help of an extensive library of user-created content, SmallWorlds offered players a rich and immersive experience.
SmallWorlds Rise To Popularity
SmallWorlds rose to prominence shortly after its launch in 2008. Its unique blend of the virtual world and social networking attracted millions of users worldwide, who enjoyed the ability to customize their avatars, build and decorate their virtual spaces, and interact with friends.
The game’s real-world currency allowed players to purchase items to enhance their experiences and encouraged users to spend time in the game.
SmallWorlds also had a thriving events program featuring regular competitions and activities for players to participate in. This combination of features helped SmallWorlds become a popular destination for gamers and social media enthusiasts.
The Decline of SmallWorlds
The decline of SmallWorlds began in the early 2010s when player numbers started to shrink, and the game could no longer generate enough revenue. This was due to a combination of factors, including changes in the online gaming industry and the failure of SmallWorlds business model to keep up with the times.
The RIAA had also become involved, and negotiations with record labels for licensing deals ultimately failed. As a result, the game was shut down on April 8th, 2018, leaving an estimated 200 million players without their beloved virtual world.
SmallWorlds Business Model
SmallWorlds was able to generate revenue through its virtual store, which sold virtual products to users for real money. The store offered a variety of items that users could purchase to customize their avatars and environments.
SmallWorlds also offered a VIP membership, allowing users access to exclusive content and features. In addition, the company held regular in-game events and competitions to drive user engagement and encourage purchases from the store.
However, with the decline in player numbers, these strategies were no longer viable, eventually leading to the game’s closure in 2018.
How Does SmallWorlds Make Money?
SmallWorlds was based on the freemium model of sales, where one may play the game free but can pay for extras, such as VIP membership, granting them access to exclusive content. This was a popular way to monetize the game, allowing users to play for free while offering smaller and larger rewards for those willing to pay.
The game also sold virtual currency, which could be used to purchase items or services in-game. The game also had an in-game advertising system, where players could view ads for real-world products and services in exchange for virtual currency.
All these strategies contributed to SmallWorlds’ success and helped them keep afloat for a few years before their eventual demise.
What Happened To SmallWorlds?
In March 2018, SmallWorlds announced that the game would be shut down due to shrinking player numbers and financial struggles. Despite the game’s popularity, the cost of running the game had become too much to sustain.
Negotiations with record labels to secure licensing deals had also failed, closing the game on April 8th, 2018. The shutdown impacted over 200 million users who had become part of the SmallWorlds community.
However, in 2019, the SmallWorlds platform was revived and re-launched as Town Center, offering players a similar virtual world experience.
Why Did SmallWorlds Shut Down?
SmallWorlds shut down in April 2018 due to financial constraints, and the cost of running the game exceeded its revenue. The real reason for the closure was troubles that began for the platform when parent company WarnerMedia merged with ATT.
This led to the RIAA and the founder’s inability to secure licensing deals with the record labels, ultimately leading to its shutdown. Players were active just minutes before and throughout the day of its closure, leaving many of its 200 million users wondering what happened.
Ultimately, SmallWorlds could not be sustained further, leading to its shutdown and many users needing a virtual space to interact.
1. The Impact of SmallWords Shut Down
The impact of SmallWorlds shutting down was felt by millions of people worldwide. Not only did players lose the ability to connect in the virtual world, but many also lost access to their virtual avatars, items, and currency earned through hard work and dedication.
The closure of SmallWorlds also had a financial impact on the platform and its developers, as many of the employees working on the game lost their jobs in the process. This was a major blow to the gaming community, providing a unique online experience many had enjoyed.
2. What Happened to the 200 Million Users of SmallWorlds?
When SmallWorlds first launched in 2008, it quickly became a popular platform with over 6.5 million registered users. However, by April 2018, the cost of running the game was too high, and the platform was discontinued.
As a result, the 200 million users of SmallWorlds were left without their beloved game. Some users decided to stage a coup against the hedge funds and kept buying GameStop’s stock to keep SmallWorlds alive.
Unfortunately, this coup was unsuccessful, and SmallWorlds officially ceased operations. While some users have since moved on to other virtual worlds, many dedicated fans remain hopeful that SmallWorlds will return to its former glory one day.
3. The New Platform for SmallWorlds
After the closure of SmallWorlds in April 2018, the game has been reincarnated as a platform for creating and playing games and hosting virtual events. The new platform, SWX, is available worldwide and allows users to create their worlds and games using the familiar SmallWorlds engine.
The platform features various tools to facilitate the design, development, and publishing of games and virtual events. SWX also features a marketplace where developers can monetize their designs by selling virtual goods such as avatars, clothing items, and collectibles.
The platform allows users to discover new content through its in-game search engine. With its new focus on game creation, SmallWorlds aims to become an online destination for gamers, developers, and creators alike.
Is SmallWorlds Coming Back?
The question on everyone’s mind is whether SmallWorlds is coming back. After the game was shut down in April 2018, many loyal players were left wondering if the game would ever return. Fortunately, the answer is yes!
On February 27th, 2022, a new SmallWorlds Rewritten (SWR) platform was announced. It is not affiliated with Outsmart Games, the company that owned SmallWorlds, but it does promise to bring back the same great features and gameplay that made SmallWorlds so popular.
With a revamped user on February 27th proven performance, SWR looks like an exciting new iteration of SmallWorlds. For those left nostalgic for the original game, there is hope that they can experience the same fun and immersive gameplay they once enjoyed.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is SmallWorlds coming back?
SmallWorlds, a popular MMO game, has been shut down since April 2018. Since then, there have been ongoing discussions about the possible return of the game, with rumors of a new iteration called Smallworlds Rewritten (SWR) being announced in February 2022.
However, this new version is not affiliated with Outsmart Games, and no further information is available now. Despite the closure of the original game, fans have continued to express their love for it by creating petitions to bring it back.
There has yet to be a confirmation that SmallWorlds will return anytime soon. However, gamers can still experience a similar gaming experience by trying other games like SmallWorlds on our curated list.
2. What is SmallWorlds called now?
SmallWorlds is now known as MiniPlanet; it underwent a rebranding in 2013 and had been steadily gaining traction since then. The game provides a singular experience that enables users to build their virtual universe and customize their avatars with various clothes and items. Additionally, gamers can communicate with colleagues, participate in communities, compete in challenges, or roam worldwide.
3. What happened to Town Center SmallWorlds?
TownCenter was an experiment released in December 2018 based on the original SmallWorlds platform. It allowed players to access five unique worlds and a featured space that replaced the Landing Pad as the central hub.
Unfortunately, it was announced in March 2018 that TownCenter would be shut down due to financial struggles and shrinking player numbers, and it closed on 8 April 2018.
Running the game had become too expensive for the revenue it was generating, so SmallWorlds was forced to close its doors. Although TownCenter is no longer available, SmallWorlds remains one of the world’s largest indoor miniature theme parks, offering visitors a unique sense of immersion created by moving miniatures made with the utmost precision.
4. Who is the creator of SmallWorlds?
SmallWorlds was created by Dave Williams and Paul Merenda, two entrepreneurs from New Zealand. The game was launched in 2008 and has attracted a large user base due to its interactive gaming environment. Players can customize their virtual world, play games, chat with other users, and earn rewards.
Conclusion: What Happened To SmallWorlds?
In conclusion, SmallWorlds was a popular virtual social networking game that grew to a user base of over 6.5 million users. It was founded in 2008 by Mitch Olson and Darren Green but unfortunately had to shut down in April 2018 due to financial struggles. The game had a unique business model, but ultimately the cost of running the game outweighed the revenue it was generating.
The legacy of SmallWorlds lives on through its new platform, where players can access all their old content and accounts. There is no way of knowing if SmallWorlds will return, but it will always remain an important part of the gaming history of those who have played it.