SmallWorlds Media Resources

SmallWorlds is a new generation of virtual world that runs inside your web browser, without the need to download or install any other software. SmallWorlds combines media, web content, and casual games into a highly accessible & compelling 3D world that integrates seamlessly with the rest of the web, bringing Virtual Worlds into the mainstream.

SmallWorlds allows users to create and customize their own rooms and worlds, and fill them with a wide variety of items and activities for them and their friends to enjoy together. With their online friends and acquaintances, they can share experiences like playing games, watching YouTube videos, listening to their favorite bands, browsing through photo galleries, and so much more. SmallWorlds brings together the best aspects of online games, instant messaging, social networks and digital media, and wraps them into a persistent virtual world that is never more than a hyperlink away.

SmallWorlds Facts

• Developed by Outsmart
• Headquartered in Auckland, New Zealand
• A world-class development and art team of 20 people
• Lead by Rich Internet Application veterans Mitch Olson & Darren Green
• Has a US presence

Media Resources

You can find hi-res versions of our logo, screenshots and a number of other visual resources here. If you have any questions please contact us directly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about SmallWorlds.

How is SmallWorlds different to other virtual world products?

In building SmallWorlds we wanted to addresses what we saw as the main shortcomings of existing virtual worlds, as well as leveraging many of the unique opportunities that a virtual world experience can provide. Our key points of difference include;

• Accessibility
• Pixel-perfect 3D-isometric graphics
• Ease of use

1. SmallWorlds offers greater accessibility than download-based worlds
Download-based worlds generally offer a full 3D world, making use of the graphics hardware acceleration capabilities of the computer. But the biggest problem with these virtual worlds is lack of accessibility. Anecdotal evidence suggests that products that require a download are losing up to 85% of their potential users. SmallWorlds on the other hand runs inside a standard web browser without the need for a highly specified computer. Because SmallWorlds requires no download (other than the Flash Player which is already installed on most computers) it is as simple to access as any other website. The most common features of the web including instant accessibility, working with the browser history buttons, and URL addressability make SmallWorlds a familiar and accessible navigational experience to anyone who has used a web browser.

2. SmallWorlds offers a richer visual experience than web-based virtual worlds
Like SmallWorlds, most existing web-based virtual worlds run on top of the Flash player. Where SmallWorlds breaks new ground is in its powerful world rendering engine which delivers a class-leading 3D-isometric experience well beyond the capabilities of the existing web-based virtual worlds. This means that unlike its web-based competitors, SmallWorlds is able to deliver a high definition, widescreen, multi-camera-angle virtual world that leaves its competitors feeling flat and pixelated.

3. SmallWorlds is really easy to use
As veterans of Rich Internet Application development, we feel passionate about designing user experiences that are effortless and enjoyable, even for first-time users. The design brief we set for ourselves for SmallWorlds was to craft a user interface that was as pleasing and easy to use as an Apple iPhone or Nintendo Wii. At the same time we also wanted to create a world with powerful and emergent self-expression, communication and entertainment possibilities. By leveraging the experience and expertise of our world-class design team with our game-play mission system to help familiarize new visitors with SmallWorlds, we have been able to create a virtual world which is both easy to use, as well as providing a richly textured and multi-layered user experience.

What is your business model?

Virtual item sales, premium subscriptions, advertising & sponsorships.

What technologies are you running on?

SmallWorlds is developed using Adobe Flex and Flash, and runs on top of the ubiquitous Adobe Flash Player 9. Our world servers are running Java and are deployed on Amazon's Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2).

Who is behind the development of SmallWorlds?

SmallWorlds has been designed and developed by Outsmart - an innovative New Zealand-based software studio that originally specialized in the development of Rich Internet Applications. We have developed over 20 web2.0 and Enterprise SaaS products for predominantly US-based web entrepreneurs. We have been designing and building SmallWorlds since the beginning of 2007, and gradually shifted the focus of our team from our outsourcing business to SmallWorlds, which is now our primary focus.

Who is the target audience?

SmallWorlds is targeted at anyone aged 13 years and above. The combination of social interaction, self expression, media consumption and casual gaming features of SmallWorlds means there's something in there for everyone, and the ease of use and general accessibility of the product means that even novice users can have a satisfying experience.

What's in your product roadmap?

• Embeddable Everywhere - Users and groups can embed SmallWorlds into their web page or site, allowing them to run their own virtual world for their friends and colleagues.
• Widget and Game API - Allowing third party developers to extend the functionality and entertainment options within SmallWorlds, with mechanisms to allow them to monetize their efforts.
• Parallel Worlds - Extending the features of SmallWorlds to support MMOG-type parallel worlds that will be accessible to SmallWorlds users.
• Community support - Supporting online groups and communities, allowing them to customize and extend SmallWorlds for their own specific purposes. Using SmallWorlds to support their communities through embeddable components such as chat, presence, avatar creations and the full virtual world player.
• Beyond 3D-isometric to 3D, 2D & 0D - The SmallWorlds platform is built to be "client agnostic", and we will be extending the reach of SmallWorlds from lightweight mobile modules, to a rich and immersive 3D client.

Contact information

Email
Click here

Postal Address
P O Box 60196
Auckland 0642
New Zealand

Street Address
The Gallery
22 Stable Lane
Newton
Auckland 1010
New Zealand