What happened to SmallWorlds?

SmallWorlds was a social network service and the virtual online world created by New Zealand-based company Outsmart Games.

The platform, created by Mitch Olson and Darren Green, was free to play and ran on Flash within web browsers.

SmallWorlds was released on 1 December 2008 and reached seven million users by 2016.

Two years later, Twitter announced that SmallWorlds would shut down.

Aspect	Description
Founding and Early Success	SmallWorlds was founded in 2008 by Mitch Olson and Darren Green in New Zealand. It was an online virtual world and social network game that allowed users to create avatars, interact with other players, engage in various activities, and build virtual environments.
Unique Features and Gameplay	SmallWorlds differentiated itself with its unique features, including customizable avatars, the ability to create and decorate virtual spaces, and a player-driven economy. Users could earn or purchase virtual currency and items to enhance their virtual experience.
Growing User Base	SmallWorlds attracted a growing user base, particularly among teenagers and young adults. The social and creative aspects of the platform made it an engaging virtual world for players to express themselves and connect with others.
Monetization through Virtual Goods	The platform monetized primarily through the sale of virtual goods and premium memberships. Users could purchase virtual currency, items, and customization options, contributing to the platform’s revenue.
Challenges and Closure	SmallWorlds faced challenges, including competition from other virtual world platforms and changing trends in online gaming. In 2018, the company behind SmallWorlds, Outsmart, announced the platform’s closure due to financial difficulties and the need for significant updates to remain competitive.
End of SmallWorlds and Sister Game, MiniMundos	In April 2018, SmallWorlds was officially shut down, leaving its user base disappointed. The sister game, MiniMundos, which had a similar concept, also closed. Users’ virtual assets and progress were not transferrable to other platforms.
Efforts to Revive SmallWorlds	After the closure, there were some efforts by the SmallWorlds community and former players to revive the platform or create spiritual successors. However, these efforts faced challenges, including the complexity of recreating a virtual world on a similar scale.
Legacy and Nostalgia	SmallWorlds left behind a legacy of creativity, social interaction, and virtual community-building. Many former players look back on their experiences with nostalgia and fondness for the friendships and memories they created in the virtual world.

Table of Contents

Financial difficulties

The first signs of financial trouble arose in 2015 when SmallWorlds held an event to increase purchases from the online store and Gold and VIP memberships.

The company claimed that it was difficult to meet server running costs due to a shrinking audience.

Unfortunately, the company failed to meet its fundraising target for the event.

On a Reddit FAQ page, the co-founders essentially admitted defeat:

“We needed to see a wider gamut of support beyond the regulars which frequent our Store. Relying further on less-than-5% of supporting players was not going to work for us going-forward.”

The rising cost of server maintenance compounded a lack of financial interest in the game. Since SmallWorlds was based in New Zealand, it was at the mercy of unfavorable currency exchange rates.

Ultimately, the increase in server costs outpaced the increase in users, and the company’s survival became a very simple equation.

Mobile games

After the game was shut down in 2018, Olson and Green acknowledged that a lot had changed within the industry in the previous decade.

The shift toward mobile-based platforms and other forms of entertainment was one contributing factor, with SmallWorlds only available on desktops.

When Adobe Flash was flagged for removal from web standards, this only made the problem worse.

Rebirth

In December 2018, a prototype based on the original SmallWorlds platform was released.

Dubbed TownCenter, the prototype was an experiment to determine how much the user community could grow and support a viable business.

The app is currently unavailable for download in the App Store.

On February 27, 2022, a new platform called Smallworlds Rewritten (SWR) was announced.

The new iteration is not affiliated with Outsmart Games, but instead developed by a team of ex-SmallWorlds players and moderators. It is scheduled for release later in 2022.

Key takeaways:

SmallWorlds was a social network service and virtual online world that was created by New Zealand-based company Outsmart Games in 2008. Despite a user base of 7 million in 2016, the platform was shut down two years later.
Financial trouble was made public in 2015 when SmallWorlds held an event to raise money to keep its servers running. A shift toward mobile-based gaming and an announcement concerning the end of Adobe Flash did not help the company’s cause. Ultimately, SmallWorlds was not sustainable because server maintenance costs outpaced growth in the user base.
On February 27, 2022, a new platform called Smallworlds Rewritten (SWR) was announced. Created by a team of ex-SmallWorlds players and moderators, it is scheduled for release later this year.

Quick Timeline

Year	Event	Description
2008	Creation of SmallWorlds by Outsmart Games.	SmallWorlds, a social network service and virtual online world, is created by Outsmart Games in New Zealand. Founded by Mitch Olson and Darren Green, the platform is designed to offer users a virtual environment for social interaction, creativity, and gaming. SmallWorlds runs on Flash within web browsers and is free to play.
2008	Launch of SmallWorlds platform.	SmallWorlds is officially released on December 1, 2008, offering users the opportunity to create avatars, interact with other players, engage in various activities, and build virtual environments. The platform quickly gains popularity among teenagers and young adults, attracting a growing user base drawn to its unique features and gameplay experience.
2015	Financial difficulties and fundraising event.	SmallWorlds faces financial challenges, including shrinking audience and increasing server running costs. In an attempt to raise funds to sustain operations, the company holds a fundraising event to encourage purchases from the online store and Gold and VIP memberships. However, the event fails to meet its fundraising targets, signaling deeper financial troubles for the platform.
2018	Shutdown of SmallWorlds.	Despite efforts to address financial difficulties, SmallWorlds announces its closure in 2018 due to the unsustainable cost of server maintenance and declining user base. The shutdown of SmallWorlds leaves its user community disappointed, marking the end of an era for the virtual online world and social network service. The closure also affects MiniMundos, a sister game with a similar concept.
2018	Release of TownCenter prototype.	In December 2018, Outsmart Games releases TownCenter, a prototype based on the original SmallWorlds platform. TownCenter serves as an experiment to gauge community interest and support for a potential revival of the SmallWorlds concept. The prototype aims to offer users a similar virtual experience while exploring new avenues for sustainability and growth.
2022	Announcement of Smallworlds Rewritten (SWR).	On February 27, 2022, a new platform called Smallworlds Rewritten (SWR) is announced. Developed by a team of ex-SmallWorlds players and moderators, SWR represents a potential revival of the SmallWorlds concept. Scheduled for release later in 2022, SWR aims to capture the essence of the original SmallWorlds while offering new features and experiences to its community of users.
Present	Smallworlds Rewritten (SWR) in development.	Smallworlds Rewritten (SWR) is currently in development, with a planned release later in 2022. Developed by a dedicated team of ex-SmallWorlds players and moderators, SWR aims to build upon the legacy of the original SmallWorlds while incorporating new ideas and innovations. The announcement of SWR signals hope for former SmallWorlds players and fans eager to revisit the virtual world experience.

SmallWorlds’ Creation and Popularity:

SmallWorlds was a virtual online world and social network service created by Outsmart Games in New Zealand.
Launched in 2008, it reached a user base of seven million by 2016.

Financial Difficulties and Shutdown:

In 2015, SmallWorlds faced financial challenges due to shrinking audience and server running costs.
An event to increase purchases and memberships failed to meet fundraising targets.
The rising server maintenance costs, coupled with unfavorable currency exchange rates, led to the company’s shutdown in 2018.

Impact of Mobile Gaming and Adobe Flash:

SmallWorlds’ desktop-only platform faced challenges with the industry shift toward mobile-based gaming.
The planned removal of Adobe Flash from web standards further affected the platform’s viability.

Rebirth and TownCenter Prototype:

In December 2018, Outsmart Games released a prototype called TownCenter as an experiment to gauge community support.
TownCenter was an attempt to revive the SmallWorlds concept.

Smallworlds Rewritten (SWR) Announcement:

On February 27, 2022, a new platform called Smallworlds Rewritten (SWR) was announced.
Developed by a team of ex-SmallWorlds players and moderators, it is set for release later in 2022.
SWR is not affiliated with Outsmart Games and marks a potential revival of the SmallWorlds concept.

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