I found this from the SW Forums. Posted 1 Day ago. From Darren Green ~ SmallWorlds Crew.
Direct link to SW Forum here: This specific thread is a Sticky there. Might be something to look at every now and then.
http://forum.smallworlds.com/showthread.php?t=871
Hi Everyone
I know there are a lot of you concerned about the fact that we will be resetting SmallWorlds before we launch in October. I know that this sounds unfair, and possibly unnecessary to some of you, so I wanted to explain why we have to do this. I also wanted to let you know how we will try and make it up to you all.
As you know, SmallWorlds is currently in beta. The beta gives us the opportunity to test out all the various features of SmallWorlds, and to add new ones based on feedback from the community. During the beta we have to compress the time it takes to achieve things in the world, including buying items and levelling up. To achieve this we have made items cheaper than they would normally be, and made missions and other activities give out more XP than they would normally. Within weeks, many people have spaces packed with items, and have hit the top levels in all the XP paths. Normally this would take several months to achieve.
In the next release, we are introducing wearable and consumable items, and the ability to purchase new spaces (including outdoor zones, islands etc). Many of these items would normally be quite expensive, but we have made them cheaper in order to get more people testing them out during the next phase of the beta process.
If we didn’t reset, then most people in the beta would essentially be at the “end game”, while anyone new coming into the would take months to get to the same level. This would create a huge imbalance in the world’s economy, demoralizing anyone new coming into the world, as everyone will have cool stuff except them.
So, unfortunately, a reset is inevitable. To make it up to you all, in recognition of the time and effort you have put into SmallWorlds already, we will be doing the following for beta users when we reset:
All qualifying beta accounts will:
Receive 2000 tokens to help them set up their spaces.
Start at level 20 for all XP paths (Social, Gamer, Artist and Explorer).
Receive a one-time-only wearable beta item. This item will NEVER be available in the world, and so will become increasingly valuable over time (if you ever choose to sell it).
Get a special “Founding Citizen” title (visible when people click on you).
Receive a 50% discount on premium account fees for 6 months.
Receive a 50% discount on gold purchases up to 20,000.
We will also be allowing the owners of the top 100 spaces to keep their inventory and their spaces. The selection of the top 100 spaces will be based on ratings and popularity over the period leading up to our launch.
Some additional notes:
To qualify for the beta bonuses you must be at least level 40 in at least one of the XP Paths (Social, Gamer, Artist or Explorer). With the new user created missions, there will be plenty of ways to get XP up for all of the Paths.
The top 100 space owners will also qualify for the other beta tester bonuses.
All beta accounts will be able to repeat the original missions.
I hope this helps explains things more clearly. Please feel free to post questions related to the reset below.
Cheers
Another post from Darren the same day:The top 100 spaces (rooms) will be those that other players like the most - which we will be able to judge based on how people have rated the spaces, and how many people have visited them.
The reason we are doing this is to keep the best spaces around so that when we launch, the world isn't completely empty. It also gives players a goal to aim for over the next 4-6 weeks - to get into the top 100.
In the next release (early next week) you will be able to buy some great new indoor and outdoor spaces, and create all sorts of interactive environments and missions for people to do. This will be a great way to get people to come to you space(s), as they can earn tokens and XP by playing your missions.