Dizzywood

Dizzywood
Developer(s)	Rocket Paper Scissors, LLC
Publisher(s)	Rocket Paper Scissors, LLC
Engine	Adobe Flash
Platform(s)	Online
Release date(s)	November 2007 (beta test) 2008
Genre(s)	Online Game
Mode(s)	Multiplayer
Media/distribution	Web interface

Dizzywood was an online game and virtual world developed in San Francisco, California by the entertainment company Rocket Paper Scissors, LLC.^[1] It is designed for children between the ages of 8 and 12 years old^[2] and has a focus on teamwork, cooperation and collaborative play. The company received funding from well-known investors including Shelby Bonnie (co-founder and former CEO of CNET Networks) and Charles River Ventures.^[3] Dizzywood was launched into public beta in November, 2007 and has grown rapidly, reaching over 400,000 monthly global visitors.^[4] Most visitors come from the United States and other English-speaking countries. The game is a visual chat and social game application similar to Club Penguin or Habbo Hotel, with adventure and quest components similar to RuneScape and other MMO games. It is currently free to play but many bonuses and extras require paying to be a "Gold" or "Silver Explorer". The developers have announced that subscriptions to access premium content will be available later.

The Avatars

Players can select and customize an avatar upon registration and are immediately placed in-world. The avatars appear as stylized cartoon depictions of human children while many of the non-player characters in Dizzywood appear as anthropomorphic animals. The exploration theme of Dizzywood is immediately apparent as new avatars are equipped with hiking clothes and a backpack. A distinguishing feature of Dizzywood is that players can completely alter their appearance at any time using a feature called Change Your Look.

Players can express their thoughts and feelings via online chat or visually through the use of emotes (happy, angry, etc.) that can be sent to other players. You can now write a message below your name after you become a paying member. Gold Explorers can do many things such has "gold only" missions. They also get to buy certain clothes and get a mansion with 6 rooms (8 including the main room and the grounds) to decorate any way they choose.

Dizzywood maybe could reopen again, They might because there still could be a chance to reopen it if everyone contacts them and convinces them well it could work

Environment

Dizzywood's environment ranges from forest to jungle to beaches. There is even a town in the sky and an underground hideout. Each place has a host that updates you on the latest things happening around town. Now there is a new place in Dizzywood. There's Canal City(Gilbert Square West and East).

Activities and Events

There are many activities and events in Dizzywood. Most activity takes place in the form of mini-games and group events such as growing a plant or tree or finding a treasure in a rock pile.^[5] The site also produces several daily events, called Dizzy Activities, that follow short story-arcs and typically unfold over a four-day period each week. Most of the story-driven activities involve players attempting to defeat the game's arch-villain, Emperor Withering. For example, a recent story-line encouraged players to clean up pollution and fix broken machines that were destroyed by Withering's henchmen. From finishing a mission you can receive a special item, coins, or it can unlock other related missions.

Membership

Players can pay to be a Gold Explorer or a Silver Explorer. Gold Explorers receive many extra benefits, such as mansions, special games to help defeat evil Emperor Withering and special clothes. Silver Explorers have the ability to buy clothes, display flowers, buy furniture, and many other things. Basic Explorers previously did not have the rights to buy clothes, however due to a new update with Groomfur's, they can buy clothes but only ones which are not limited to Gold and Silver explorers. Dizzywood has received less viewers and users after the membership was established. Since Dizzywood is closing, Dizzywood has asked everyone to make accounts on SecretBuilders to continue their adventure. Dizzywood is also planning a farewell event for the Dizzies.

Closing

On December 17, 2010, Dizzywood announced that they were closing. SecretBuilders created a special area for Dizzies to go to after Dizzywood closes. Presents containing all sorts of clothing were placed around Dizzywood, and both Farthing's Meadow and Farthing's Pond were reopened. While the closing date was said to be December 30, 2010, Dizzywood actually shut down around January 12, 2011. They are going to contact all Dizzywood members if it comes back.

References

1. ^ "Dizzywood - About Us". http://www.dizzywood.com/about-us.html. Retrieved 2008-07-25. 
2. ^ Slatalla, Michelle (2008-05-08). "CYBERFAMILIAS; Today, I Think I'll Be Hippohead". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/08/fashion/08Cyber.html?ref=technology. Retrieved 2008-07-25. 
3. ^ "Dizzywood Takes $1 Million Series A". http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/07/dizzyworld-takes-1-million-series-a/. Retrieved 2008-07-25. 
4. ^ "Dizzywood Statistics from Quantcast". http://www.quantcast.com/dizzywood.com. Retrieved 2008-07-25. 
5. ^ "Celebrate the Earth with Eco-friendly sites". USA Today. http://www.usatoday.com/tech/columnist/jinnygudmundsen/2008-04-24-eco-friendly_N.htm. Retrieved 2008-02-25. 

It has said, that if everyone contacts the creators and say that they want Dizzywood back. They may reopen it.

External links

• Dizzywood Home Page
• Dizzywood Wiki