Team & Staff
This page lists known people who worked on the original Virtual Magic Kingdom game (2004-2008), from Walt Disney Internet Group (WDIG) / Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Online (WDPRO) and Sulake. Thank you to these folks who helped make the beloved game a reality!
Did you work for/were contracted by Disney/Sulake for VMK and want to us to include you on this page? Send us an email at [email protected].
- Inner-Space Ray Room says "WDPRO" on the telescope (around the eye).
Production
Seth Mendelsohn, Manager of Advanced Products, WDIG, 2002-2006 — LinkedIn
- Named on VMK patent.
- Originally the staff member that operated under the name "Yavn".
- "MENDELSOHN" appears on the right wheel-looking raised area in "Autopia Space Race".
- "SETH" appears on the blue car's license plate in Sci-Fi Dine-In.
• Created and produced Virtual Magic Kingdom, a massively multiplayer game designed to promote brand and drive theme park attendance. Registered over 1 million players
Roger S. Holzberg, Creative Director/VP, 2003-2008 WDPRO — LinkedIn
- Named on VMK patent.
Jeff Voris, Manager of Production, Advanced Projects, WDPRO, 2006-2007 — LinkedIn
- Named on VMK patent.
- "VORIS" appears on the left wheel-looking raised area in "Autopia Space Race".
- "JEFF" appears on the purple car's license plate in Sci-Fi Dine-In.
In this production/R&D role, I helped to define and create some of the first online and connected experiences for Disney Parks, including Virtual Magic Kingdom (a massively multiplayer online Disney Theme Park world with physical extensions at Disneyland and Walt Disney World) and the first-of-its-kind connected attraction for Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters at Disneyland Resort.
Pasi Ilola, Business Development / Project Director, Sulake, 2003-2006
I was responsible for building Virtual Magic Kingdom, a massively multiplayer online game built for Walt Disney Parks & Resorts and the 50th anniversary celebration of the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. Virtual Magic Kindgdom was a highly sophisticated web-based online game geared towards tweens, based around user-created content and activities. The game operated as a highly popular marketing campaign for Disney's parks, gathering millions of players.
- Negotiated and closed a multi-million-dollar, multi-year contract for development of a turn-key solution and providing related community management & maintenance services
- Formed, recruited and managed a production team of 20+ people as well as external subcontractors, moderators and customer service personnel
- Managed the partnership with Walt Disney Company
- Managed the business model and budget
- Responsible for the product concept, strategy and production schedule
Humberto Kam, Producer, Advanced Projects, WDPRO — LinkedIn
Fiona Romeo, Game Producer, Sulake, 2004-2005 — LinkedIn
Produced Disney's Virtual Magic Kingdom, an online game for children that represented the physical theme parks and gave park visitors exclusive digital items.
Carrie Matson, Brand Manager, Disney — LinkedIn
Managed all aspects of the marketing launch for a brand new online game, Virtual Magic Kingdom (VMK), to help increase relevancy of the Disney Parks brand with tweens and teens.
Matthew Welzenbach, Community Manager & Producer, Sulake — LinkedIn
After 6 months at Habbo I was promoted to work on Disney’s Virtual Magic Kingdom (VMK) a virtual world created to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Disneyland. Starting out as the Online Events Coordinator, and later promoted to Community Manager, I led a remote team of 17 moderators and online event hosts. I collaborated with the Disney team and Sulake’s technical and creative teams in Helsinki to plan and execute events to showcase virtual goods and increase MAU and CCUs. In the first three months I increased the number of simultaneous users on-site by 600%, creating events so popular that servers were maxed out on three separate occasions.
As the player community grew, I collaborated with the art department within the Walt Disney Company to create a broader variety of virtual goods based on popular attractions and in-park items, resulting in sales markedly above quarterly targets.
I left a few footprints in the game that are very meaningful to me both professionally and personally, including the design of four virtual items and my name on the scenery, becoming the only non-Disney employee to be awarded this honor.
Sulka Haro, Lead Game Designer, Producer, Sulake, 2004-2007 — LinkedIn
- Lead Designer for Disney's Virtual Magic Kingdom
- Staff account "SulkaMon"
John Crocker, Game Designer, WDIG — LinkedIn
Designed integrations with the popular Disney Virtual Magic Kingdom MMO
Cathy Lucas, QA Engineer & Associate Producer, WDPRO — LinkedIn
Quality Assurance Engineer at Walt Disney Parks & Resorts Online for Virtual Magic Kingdom, a MMO for Disneyland’s 50th Anniversary. Part of the Advanced Projects team, aimed to create content that drives online guests to Disney Theme Parks. Lead tester for quarterly product builds. Participated in weekly community management meetings to drive and engage online guests.
Accepted additional Associate Producer responsibilities in addition to QA. • Designed and host In-Game events monthly. • Created both In-Game Quests and In-Park Quests for guest to participate in both online and through both Disney Theme Parks.
Joan Kaplan, Senior Site Production, WDIG — LinkedIn Source
To say I loved supporting this game is a huge understatement. Everything from printing the quests and cards for in park stuff to customer support for players and to the random parent phone call explaining why the entire IP was banned, those are some of the fondest memories I have with WDPRO. I would certainly come back to support such a great and well-loved game. Thanks for posting this! Ps. I think I have some extra card packs around if anyone is interested.
Fabian Rodriguez, Senior Manager, Internet Strategy and Product Management (Digital), 2004-2001, WDIG — LinkedIn
Development
Jason Guenther, Director of Engineering, WDIG — LinkedIn
- Named on VMK patent.
Joshua Rhoades, Manager of Technology, Advanced Projects & Senior Web Developer, Disney Online - LinkedIn
As Manager of Technology I lead a team of Developers in concept, creation/development, execution, and support of world-class interactive experiences, both online and in Disney Theme Parks worldwide. I am responsible for the technical direction and focus of the Advanced Projects segment, which focuses on new technologies and markets. My position requires me to work with VPs, external partners, diverse Disney groups, and individual contributors every day.
In addition to other projects, I personally served as Technical Lead for Virtual Magic Kingdom (a massively multiplayer online and in-Park game with over 2 million characters created to date--http://vmk.com/) and Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters Online (the first-ever connected attraction, which features a PC-based game that connects players with riders on the Disneyland attraction live and real-time--http://disneyland.com/buzz/).
Technical Lead for: Disney's Virtual Magic Kingdom (http://www.vmk.com/)
Tomi Joki-Korpela, Software Architect, 2004-2008, Sulake
Joni Huhmarniemi, Software Architect, 2001-2012, Sulake - LinkedIn
- Name present in creator author field of VMK client framework.dcr.
- Name present in many early VMK client room layouts.
Toni Aittoniemi, Client Developer, 2004-2008, Sulake - LinkedIn
- Name present in many early VMK client furniture animations & room layouts.
Chandu (Singh) Ramabharathi, Database Administrator, 2007-, Sulake LinkedIn
After Joining In Sulake I have got a chance to work on the different flavour of database Mysql, It is very nice and good, but not like Oracle, I have learned a lot of new things, here. I will take care of the installations of new database , movement of database to other servers, upgrading , patching, backup scheduling, work with replication and finally move to Cloud. And Some times Giving support to Disney's Virtual Magic Kingdom (VMK) .
Stefan Hauk, Java Developer, Software Architect, Sulake — LinkedIn
- Requirements collection, functional and technical specifications and development of Disney’s Virtual Magic Kingdom
- Development, testing, bugfixing and some operations tasks during the public launch period of Disney's Virtual Magic Kingdom.
- Working on the server side of some of Sulake's massively multiplayer online games (MMOGs): architecture, design, implementation, testing, planning, code review, team lead.
Niko Derome, Java Developer, 2004-2008, Sulake — LinkedIn
Working on Virtual Magic Kingdom, a massively multiplayer online game built for Walt Disney Parks & Resorts. Was responsible for the server side and the client-server synchronization of the realtime multiplayer games such as Pirates of the Caribbean and Haunted Mansion.
Renato Secol, Production Assistant, Advanced Projects, WDPRO, 2005 — LinkedIn
Developed metrics dashboard to evaluate 2 new online games; Virtual Magic Kindgdom and Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters.
Garret Scullin, Jr. Producer/Jr. Web Designer, WDPRO — LinkedIn
Edit & publish daily website content to VMK.COM (the home to Disney’s Virtual Magic Kingdom MMOG) using a proprietary content management system. Create new content under direction of Operations Producer & Community Manager.
- Work with visual designers & web developers to keep content/functionality of the website current.
- Generate weekly reports compiling online game metrics from Hitbox and various sources, then distributed to Executives within WDPRO.
- Assist VMK Operations Producer in coordination of in-Park activities at Walt Disney World & Disneyland Resort.
- Coordinate the Advanced Projects team Project Managers with labor resource plans and scheduling.
- Contributing to reports on promotional initiatives and online community activity.
Christian Madrid, WDIG, 2004-2006 — LinkedIn
Refactored the Disneyland, Disneyworld, Hong Kong Disney and Virtual Magic Kingdom websites utilizing the proprietary Tea Script along with XHTML/HTML, JavaScript, AJAX, CSS2, Flash (sIFR) with Go Publish, VSS and PerForce in a JSP environment (Barista, Tomcat)
Wille Frankenhaeuser, Sr. Software Developer, Sulake, 2005-Present - LinkedIn
- Name present in last modified author field of VMK client framework.dcr.
- Name found in old VMK external_texts file from 2005 in the Quest Engine section.
Lewis Francis, Unknown
- Name found in OG client code framework.dcr CInit script.
Antti Kiiski
- Name found in OG client code room layout files.
Danny (?)
- Name found in Java classpath for Jungle Cruise game stage files.
Michelle Chin, Lead Visual Designer, Disneyland.com, WDPRO, 2003-2005 — LinkedIn Source
I loved working with Sulake. They were the nicest guys!
Gregory Cowley, Punchcut - Site
- Created third VMK.com flash homepage.
Marianna Lins, Art Contractor, WDIG — LinkedIn
Design and lay out of park menus, VMK quest cards and VMK game materials, trading cards, etc.
Art
Lasse Louhento, Art Director/Game Designer, Sulake — LinkedIn
- Name present in VMK Client room layout files (as Lasse Louehento)
- Art Director and Game Designer for Disney's VMK (Virtual Magic Kingdom)
- Competence Manager for artist's at Sulake Labs
Zachary Mannon, Associate Creative Lead, WDPRO, 2006-2007 — LinkedIn
Served as creative lead for the Virtual Magic Kingdom online world. Led ideation, design, prototyping, and media production across Disney Parks initiatives in collaboration with Disney Imagineering.
Created content and marketing materials for the Virtual Magic Kingdom (VMK) including game features, level design, story & copy, and in-park activations. Conceived and produced high-concept projects featured in Disney parks, such as games for Siemens/EPCOT partnership and Disney Cruise Line experiences, crafted successful pitches for high profile projects including Toy Story Mania and Monsters Inc Laugh Floor. Produced sizzle reels, conceptual/prototype animations. Working as team of one: wrote, produced, filmed, animated, and edited TV commercial spots for VMK.
- Grew Virtual Magic Kingdom from 1 million to 2.8 million users
- Created innovations used in Disney Park attractions
- Wrote several awarded patents for unique processes and systems from our projects
Edmond "Ed" J. Haro, Art — Obituary Obituary
- Named on the VMK patent.
- "HARO" appears on the left wheel-looking raised area in "Autopia Space Race".
- "ED" appears on the turquoise car's license plate in Sci-Fi Dine-In.
- "EH" initials appear on the Animator's Desk furniure item.
Terry M. Dobson, Creative Lead, WDPRO, 2003-2005 — LinkedIn
- Named on VMK patent.
- "DOBSON" appears on the left wheel-looking raised area in "Autopia Space Race".
- "TERRY" appears on the purple car's license plate in Sci-Fi Dine-In.
- "T. Tobson R.I.P" appears on the wreath on the physical VMK card Series 1 6/30 - Haunted Mansion Conservatory Guest Room. The in-game guest room does not have this easter egg.
- Provided creative vision, art direction and interactive strategy to design and guide the operation of Disney's first online theme park
- Developed and deployed Tweenfluence: a next-generation marketing concept that motivated players to visit the real Disneyland Park to win reward cards for redeemable virtual prizes within the game.
- Awarded a patent for online design innovation responsible for driving over 3 million guests in 3 years
Presented academic lectures relating to VMK:
Janne Hermanni Korsumäki, Graphic Designer, Sulake — LinkedIn
- Name present in some VMK Client room layout files.
Taneli Oksama, Graphic Designer/3D Artist, Sulake — LinkedIn
- Staff account "Tanelio"
- Name present in some VMK Client room layout files.
Juha Leinonen, Graphic Designer, Sulake - LinkedIn
- Name present in some VMK Client room layout files.
Petteri Aitalaakso, Graphic Deisnger, 2005-2008, Sulake - LinkedIn
- Name present in some VMK Client furniture animation files, namely several unreleased VMK Stories entities.
Taneli Roininen, Senior Concept & Graphics Designer, Sulake — LinkedIn
- Name found in VMK Client Haunted Mansion game stage files.
Miha Rinne, 3D Character Artist/Animator, 2005-2007, Sulake — LinkedIn ArtStation Portfolio
- Name present in many VMK Client room animation files.
Designing and modelling/painting 2D/3D characters for Disney's Virtual Magic Kingdom MMO (PC).
Jason "Tiki" Tackett, Disney, 2005-2007 — LinkedIn
As part of the Disney Parks and Resorts Online team, I was a Contributing Artist, Content Creator, Quality Assurance Representative, and Guest Service Representative for Disney's Virtual Magic Kingdom MMOG.
Matthew Krause ("MatteeKay"), WDPRO, 2006-2007 - LinkedIn
Allegedly did most of the art for VMK Stories, the unreleased expansion RPG.
Apparently this is his signature in the lower right of this Gallery photo.
• Responsible largely for building in-game graphics for Disney’s Virtual Magic Kingdom MMOG, utilizing Maya and Photoshop to address lighting, rigging, and texture • Required to create website collateral, presentation graphics and logos, concept artwork, UI designs, and demonstration animations and videos • Developed rule sets and game designs for in-engine experiences • Designed, prepared, and oversaw installation of gaming kiosks inside of Disneyland and Walt Disney World
Tuukka "Polyfonken" Savolainen, Sulake - Website About Mirror
"Tuukka" & "Dr. Polyfonken" appear in the Messenger friends list in an early VMK rendering. Their exact role in VMK is unknown.
Tuukka worked at Sulake since it was founded. he did a lot of graphics, some game design, quite a bit of concept design, a bit of art direction, a few sounds and even some drinking with clients.
Sound
DJ Orkidea (Tapio Hakanen), Sound Designer, Sulake — LinkedIn
Key projects included doing the full sound design of Disney's Virtual Magic Kingdom which celebrated Disneyland's 50th anniversary. This project was world's largest sound project created with Macromedia's Shockwave technology.
Scott Erickson, Sound Producer/Writer — Source
Moderators
Joe Pishgar, Community Manager — Source
Rebecca Newton, Director, Community, Sulake, 2003-2007 — LinkedIn
My primary focus was building and managing the Habbo Hotel communities and VMK.com (Virtual Magic Kingdom).
Ian Casey, Community Lead, Sulake, 2003-2005 — LinkedIn
Worked within the kids game 'Disney's Virtual Magic Kingdom' -- reviewing reports submitted by users, and, if necessary, escalating to the appropriate authorities. I also wrote the newsletter that appeared on the front page and was seen by hundreds of thousands of people a month.
Leana N, Community Moderator & Host, Sulake, 2004-2008 — LinkedIn
Community Host/Moderator for Disney's Virtual Magic Kingdom game. Provided player entertainment and enforced child safety regulations.
Corey Corbett, Community Management, Sulake — LinkedIn
Karen Dobyns, Moderator, Sulake, 2005-2008 — LinkedIn
Jami Ivey, Moderator, Sulake, 2005-2008 — LinkedIn
Moderator on Virtual Magic Kingdom (VMK) Monitored real time chat and game rooms, provided customer service by answering questions and assisting players in game.
Jean Palko, Moderator, ? — LinkedIn
Sandra Diana Cantú, Moderator & Host, Sulake, 2005-2008 — LinkedIn
Moderate the conduct of Players via both in-game and a remote proprietary chat monitoring tool. While the main focus of moderating is to ensure the safety and security of the target audience (children/teens), there is also considerable time spent assisting Players with functions of the site. When moderating in-game, my goal is to educate Players to the safe and proper way to conduct themselves, thus converting them into loyal Players. Shift Reports are completed at the end of each shift listing all bans, any unusual bugs, and comments or concerns of Players.
As a Host at Virtual Magic Kingdom (Disney's partnership with Sulake for Disneyland's 50th anniversary), I create interesting and fun games, contests, and races for Players to compete in and donate items to the winners of each round. I also build entertaining environments by decorating each game room with current and rare items in the game, host weekend events as well as judge rooms for contests, approve Player names, and answer Player questions. Game summaries are completed at the completion of a shift listing the amount of Players who attended the game, technical issues, prizes rewarded, and questionable names.
Erica Orin, Online Community Moderator, Sulake, 2006-2008 — LinkedIn
I was an online moderator for Disney's Virtual Magic Kingdom where oversaw what children were doing and saying online to make sure it was safe and appropriate. If it was not, then to take appropriate action. Everything was in real time so it was a job that required attention to detail, effective communication, reports, and teamwork. I was introduced to the job via my time as a remote employee with America Online where I hosted live events and helped people with their email questions. I also assisted Intuit with their online presence serving as AOL's online moderator and rep for the company.
Jason Ferguson, Moderator, Sulake, 2007-2008 — LinkedIn, Source
Moderate chat, address player inquiries and provide in-game support. Upheld the game's values to assure that the virtual world was enjoyable and safe for all players.
Rhonda D, Moderator — Source
CrestHawk & Moiraine, Moderators, Sulake — Source
Executives
Paul Yanover, SVP, WDPRO, 2003-2006 — LinkedIn
- Named on VMK patent.
Edward Kummer, SVP, WDPRO, 2006-2008 — LinkedIn
- Named on VMK patent.
Timo Soininen, CEO, Sulake, 2001-2001 — LinkedIn
Others
- Nick Kasimatis, Video Editor for the Beta Advertisement Video
- Michael Broome, VMK Opening Team, Walt Disney World — LinkedIn
- Jeff Allen, VMK Insider Tour Guide, Walt Disney World
