Smallworld seems to be a "social" game and "level-up social status" game. You complete missions(quests) to earn credits and to "up your social status". (However, I believe you will be able to, if not already, pay real cash to get credits.) With your credits you can get some neat items to decorate your room.
Smallworlds is still in Beta, so be warned. Items you earn in quest or you buy with your vitual cash will be reset when the game goes live. They have a hot tub, pool table, mini golf, arcades, and a radio that streams real music you select, tv with videos you add what you want. Some are fun when friends are on. I will say I have lag a lot, and load slowly when going to other rooms (so I miss the person I was going to see if they left the room...sigh)
Warning though the site has open chat. And is not meant for young kids, in my opinion. I have seen conversations, and had comments
made to my person that were crude and not dictionary danced. Some stranger left a message in the guestbook of a friend that shocked even the staff at smallworld. Thankfully, they have JUST added the option for owners to delete a message from their guestbook..(I believe x-rated messages left in books were a big reason that this option was finally added from what a staff person told me.)
I don't mind the joke/flirting we did or do in VMK/VFK/where ever else; but some of it is/was really bad at smallworld, mostly in public areas. I was talking with staff helpers a few times and they said they are trying to "clean up" some of this behavior; but it would take time and they have to warn and "watch" the person for a bit first.
There are pros and cons to smallworld as with any game; don't think I'll work so hard to get items at smallworld though, even after the reset when it goes live. I'll do missions/quests for fun only; not to obtain stuff; and will use the game for visiting with friends when I can. A friend last night in VFK said "after Magic closing on us, I use VFK to do quests when I can for fun, but want to mainly visit with my friends that are here" So that is also my feelings on Smallworld.
Warcraft, I have never played. So far, VFK is closest to VMK from the ones I've checked out.
When VMK closed it changed the way we all look at any of these games now. Always in my thoughts for these games are "here today, could be gone tomorrow, with or without warning." So, here's hoping we all find something we enjoy playing (at least while it's there...)