The Visions game Beta Tester application is now online. Please apply from the website.
In addition to the Beta Tester application, we have added a special FAQ page which addresses questions specific to beta testers who are trying to fill out the application form. You can find this page on the website also:
http://www.visionsgame.com/HBTZ_UserFAQ.HTM
Thanks for your support!
I’m sorry to bring the bad news on the last day of the month but we must postpone the launch of the 1st stage beta test of Visions which was planned for this month. We just have not been able to get our server issue sorted out. And without a valid server connection we can not open the Beta test, it’s just technologically impossible at this moment in time. We are still working on it, fear not. As soon as we get this server issue sorted out and are sure that people will be able to log in successfully, we will open the 1st stage Beta test of Visions to approved testers. Be looking for the tester application on the www.visionsgame.com website in the next few days. This 1st stage beta is not a full-scale game, it is a tech beta, so please be expecting to test functionality and mechanics, not gameplay. Thank you for your patience.
~The Visions Team
The concept behind the Kickstarter program is for a lot of people to contribute a little bit to make great things happen. Artists, musician, writers, explorers, even game developers all find a warm welcome in this community of aspiring creative minds. This is your opportunity to help with the final push to get Visions to open beta! We just launched our very own Kickstarter page today. Check it out!
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1799801709/visions-a-christian-mmorpg
Thank you for supporting us!
My contest entry was accepted to the DEWmocracy competition. Please vote for me!
http://apps.facebook.com/dewdesigngallery/?ref=nf
Look for this image on the cans when voting! I used a screenshot from Visions as the backdrop for my design. A vote for me is a vote for Visions!
http://apps.facebook.com/dewdesigngallery/?ref=nf
I made the design by myself, this was not a team effort. But it was my hope that if I won the $10,000 grand prize, I could use some of the funds to buy some development software, specifically Ecstasy Motion for 3D art and animation, (as well as pay for braces for my son, and get Dentist and Eye Dr. appointments for the whole family). I am thrilled about the recognition we’re getting and hope you all will vote for me!
Thank you!
-Laurene Wells
EDIT: Here’s a screenshot from the voting page. Wouldn’t it be cool to hold a can like this in your hand?
We made it to the Semi Finalists on Idea Cafe!
This is a competition for a small business grant which will be used to benefit the production of Visions.
Please vote for Heaven’s Blessings Tiny Zoo!
http://www.businessownersideacafe.com/small_business_grants/grant_vote.php
If you would like to read the publicized application of our contest submission, you can find it on this page.
http://blog.ideacafe.com/and-semi-finalists-eighth-idea-cafe-small-business-grant-are#33
Thank you for voting for Heaven’s Blessings Tiny Zoo! We really appreciate it!
God bless you,
-Laurene
New screenshots from Visions development. Can’t see the forest for all of the trees! 
Would you like to get in on the action? Help us make Visions! We are working to grow our development team and we need Manager level leaders as well as dedicated developers in Programming, Art, Quest team, Marketing, Research, Administration, Music, and Worldbuilding. If you’re interested in volunteering as a game developer put in your application online today!
http://www.visionsdev.com/adminforms/Volunteer-Application.htm
We are developing a Christian MMORPG. Make the dream come true! Many said it could not be done, but “with God, all things are possible!”
On September 11, 2009 Heaven’s Blessings Tiny Zoo converted the business structure from sole proprietor to LLC. This is yet another step in taking action to build a larger stronger team, and preparing for bigger things to come in the near future. This conversion to LLC was made for legal purposes, and has no effect on the actual work that we are doing at Heaven’s Blessings Tiny Zoo, which is making great family friendly games for Christ! Thank you for your support.
——-
Laurene Wells is the owner of Heaven’s Blessings Tiny Zoo and the Producer of both Chariots and Visions. To learn more about her company and the games they make please visit the website www.tinyzoo.com
Heaven’s Blessings Tiny Zoo has accepted Rick Lane as the new Music Director for the Visions game development team! Rick began working with sound and lighting in 1976. Over the many years since he have worked in the studio, theater and motion picture industry with both lighting and sound. He is a song writer/ composer, plays several instruments but guitar is his main instrument. Rick played music professionally for six years around southern Arizona and has worked as a studio musician for Parr Sound Studios in Corvallis, Montana . He has been a worship leader in various churches in Tucson, Arizona; Salt lake city, Utah; and western Montana for the past 13 years. He is currently working with the artist development department for the Incubator group out of Cheshire , Oregon as one of their new Christian artists. As the new Music Director for Visions, Rick has made a commitment to see the game development through launch at least. We are excited to have him as the newest leader on our game development team!
We are still recruiting for other Leadership positions on the development team. Quest Director and Art Director are still open as well. We are actively seeking to build and strengthen our leadership structure to prepare for the growth of our team to a much larger game development staff. We are of course still accepting applications for non-management positions as well.
We have filled 3 Director positions on the Visions team. Mark Dynna has been promoted to Programming Team Director, and Tim Wright maintains his position as the Marketing Director. Other manager level positions still open! Are you looking for Game Development experience? Apply to our volunteer team today! http://www.visionsgame.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=3995#3995
—
About the author: Laurene Wells is the Designer and Producer of Visions. She registered her company Heaven’s Blessings Tiny Zoo in 2003 and lives in Oregon with her husband and four children. Laurene has been leading her volunteer development team for more than 5 years now, they have released the racing game Chariots and are back to working on their flagship project, Visions, a Christian MMORPG. More information about Laurene’s company and game development projects can be found on the http://tinyzoo.com website.
Visions development continues with the construction of a theater in Kourion last night!
To see more screenshots from tonight’s worldbuilding expedition, see the album on Facebook.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=120038&id=515014605&l=19742049b2
You can see a glimpse of the work I did on the game last night!
I have more screenshots uploaded to facebook if you want to see them there.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=120038&id=515014605&l=19742049b2
Thanks for your support!
God bless you,
-Laurene