Hey, guys! It's KandHshow here to bring up a topic lots of Whyvillians have been talking about lately. New Whyvillians! I've read countless comments and posts in the forums regarding the fact that more newcomers would bring new personalities and ideas to the community. Seeing a few fresh faces in chat rooms and some new names on the new arrivals list could definitely change things up for the better. Many people have the same question, though. How? How do we get more people to join? To give you some ideas and different points of views on this topic, I've interviewed some of our very own Whyvillians to see what they think would work.
KandHshow: How did you find out about Whyville and why did you join?
holiday50: When I was in middle school, everyone had an account on Whyville so I decided to make one too.
DahCutie: A couple years back ('09) I saw an ad in a magazine advertising a virtual world with the name of Whyville. I was in search of a new site to join and the ad portrayed Whyville as fun website, so I signed up. Ever since then I have been addicted.
Delp: I found out about Whyville through a friend who told me that she already made me an account and made a face for me. I continued playing long after because I made a lot of amazing friends on the site and also because I liked the innocence of it all.
ir0nHeart: I find out about Whyville from my sister. She used to play it in 2006. I got interested it, and made my first account the same year. I didn't join until like September of 2006, I used to love to watch my sister play it. It just seemed really cool, and seeing my sister play it, made me want to join more. I was young, and got confused and bored of it a couple months after joining though.
KandHshow: Do you think new Whyvillians would benefit the Whyville community? Why or why not?
holiday50: New Whyvillians would definitely benefit the Whyville community because they would have fresh, new ideas on how to make Whyville better! Also I have been seeing the same users on Whyville for a few years now, so I would be interested in meeting new people.
DahCutie: Of course! Although not everyone enjoys new whyvillians at first because some of their lack of whyville knowledge and ask for clams, some end up becoming contributing members of Whyville. We were all new at first, it may take awhile but they can improve how Whyville is in the future.
Delp: Yes, I think Whyvillians or any age would benefit from the Whyville community. There are plenty of educational games that I've learned a lot from. There are also a variety of different kinds of people, so you're sure to find someone to talk to. Also, everything on Whyville is very simple and the concepts are easy to understand.
ir0nHeart: I have to say both yes and no. Some people are not so nice to the newer people, and judge them by their currency, and items. Maybe also where they hang out on Whyville. I noticed the some newer people on here are rejoining this site after years after quitting it. Myself being one of them. There are friendly, polite, and intelligent people on this site, a lot actually. With that they are also those people who are judgemental, and stereotypical. I guess you just have to deal with it, and keep your head up. I didn't care what people thought about me, I just remembered loving this site, and the friends I made on it. The friends I made on here are really great, and get me.
KandHshow: What do you think would be good ways to attract people to the site?
holiday50: Whyville needs to be promoted on social media because most people have accounts on social media websites these days. But I think City Workers avoid doing that because it seems to encourage Whyvillians to connect on social media which is against Whyville's rules.
DahCutie: The magazine ad was what made me join, so maybe if they were able to post ads in magazines or other websites. It's best to go for the places large amounts of people look.
Delp: A good way to attract people to the site would be to advertise it more on other websites and possibly even television, especially on channels that have more kid-centered shows.
ir0nHeart: Some people write blogs about Whyville, and those really interest me. They give out really good information about this site, and how great it really is. Some people also join this site because they know friends, or family who go on it as well.
KandHshow: What are some of the positive aspects of Whyville?
holiday50: The most positive aspect is that Whyville is just like real life. You can earn a salary, own a house and car, have a pet, write for a newspaper, travel all over the world and to different planets, learn about different subjects like math and science, and make amazing friends!
DahCutie: There are so many. You get to talk with people with cultures that are different from your own and meet all different types of personalities. Whyville gives you freedoms to express yourself through design and creating your own look.
Delp: Whyville always tries very hard to have as many resources as possible for newbie help, such as the welcome guides and ymail helpers. Also, the amount of events that are available is another positive aspect, with a different party practically every month and games that take place in the Greek Theatre. There is just always something to do.
ir0nHeart: The educational part, I have to say. This site has actually taught me things. The Forums/Bbs has great topics that come across it a lot. I learn what's going on around the world, and learn facts I never knew. I love the information I learn weekly, or even daily. Whyville has helped me build some great friendships with people, and made me actually interested in digital art. I design, and I do it for fun, and as practice for different types of Art.
KandHshow: Is there anything that we can change to make newcomers more comfortable?
holiday50: We need to get rid of or significantly reduce bullying faced by newbies. Also, we need to establish a system where newbies can easily achieve some things that olbies have. When I was a newbie, high-quality face parts were almost always in stock and they were cheap! But these days, most high-quality face parts are never in stock and are worth thousands of clams. When newbies join, they have to save up 10,000 clams just to afford one shirt! That can really make someone give up and quit.
Delp: The only change I can really come up with that might make newcomers more comfortable is to create a "buddy system" where an older user is paired up with a new user to be their "buddy" for however long. The buddies can then introduce them to their friends, include them in things, inform them about what face parts are "in" right now, etc.
ir0nHeart: Make easier salary games, or games to earn clams. Some designers, and talented ones at that make their items cheap, and in-stock. Some keep them in-stock for months, or just at certain times of the year, or for a certain event. Maybe a guide, which I know there are a couple threads about them on The Forums. Just little improvements, and additions like these already help people, especially newer people out.
As you can see, our users want more new Whyvillians! To encourage a new flow of members, be sure to tell all your friends about this wonderful virtual world. You could even tell them your promo code, then it would benefit both of you! So what are you waiting for? Go start spreading the word!
Best of luck to all of you!
KandHshow
Author's Note: Be sure to inform your friends of Whyville's rules. We want new Whyvillians, but we also want a safe environment! Thanks!
