Massively Speaking http://massively.joystiq.com This is the Massively podcast http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Massively SpeakingJoystiqMassively Speaking<![CDATA[MMO Family: First Impressions of World of Trinketz]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/15/mmo-family-first-impressions-of-world-of-trinketz/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/15/mmo-family-first-impressions-of-world-of-trinketz/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/15/mmo-family-first-impressions-of-world-of-trinketz/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

MMO Family First Impressions of World of Trinketz
I have to begin this week's column with a disclaimer: I am not a fan of Facebook, and I'm even less a fan of Facebook games. The only one I found enjoyable was Ian Bogost's Cow Clicker because it was a giant middle finger to the bottom-feeding practices so commonly found in Facebook Villes.

But when I got a Google alert in my inbox about the world's first family-friendly 3-D MMO for Facebook, I had to head back to the blue-and-white wasteland of Facebook and see it firsthand. Could it be that the era of isometric views and mindless clicking is finally over? Have we finally moved on from agriculturally themed games? I decided to check out World of Trinketz to seek some answers.

Continue reading MMO Family: First Impressions of World of Trinketz

MassivelyMMO Family: First Impressions of World of Trinketz originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 15 May 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>casualchildrenchildrens-mmoscow-clickerdark-matter-entertainmentfacebookfacebook-gamesfacebook-mmofamilyfamily-friendlyfarmvillefeaturedian-bogostkid-friendlykidskids-gamesmmo-familymonetizationopinionworld-of-trinketzWed, 15 May 2013 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: Are video games stressing kids out?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/01/mmo-family-are-video-games-stressing-kids-out/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/01/mmo-family-are-video-games-stressing-kids-out/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/01/mmo-family-are-video-games-stressing-kids-out/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

MMO Family Are video games stressing kids out
Video games get blamed for all sorts of societal problems, particularly for young children. Violence, obesity, and laziness are just the tip of the iceberg. And a recent article from Amanda Enayati adds one more potential problem: stress.

Growing up is complicated enough, but are video games making it even harder to be a happy, relaxed kid? Enayati, CNN Health's stress columnist and the technology and stress correspondent for PBS MediaShift, says it's complicated but points to a few studies that argue the pros and cons. Let's take a look at the debate over whether video games might be too stressful for children.

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MassivelyMMO Family: Are video games stressing kids out? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 01 May 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amanda-enayatibrad-bushmancasualchildrenchildrens-mmoschris-fergusonfamilyfamily-friendlyfeaturedgaming-stresses-out-kidsjane-mcgonigalkid-friendlykidskids-gamesmmo-familyopinionvideo-games-stressWed, 01 May 2013 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: Is it time to regulate MMO cash shops?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/17/mmo-family-is-it-time-to-regulate-mmo-cash-shops/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/17/mmo-family-is-it-time-to-regulate-mmo-cash-shops/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/17/mmo-family-is-it-time-to-regulate-mmo-cash-shops/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

MMO Family
"I want it now!"

We're all familiar with that screechy demand by Veruca Salt in Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. And for those of us raising children, it's an all-too-common request. When kids want something, they'll pull out all the stops, and for many kids, that brand-new video game warrants an Oscar-winning tantrum.

MMOs, on the other hand, are a different breed because the bulk of kid-friendly MMOs are now free-to-play and make use of cash shops and a variety of subscription plans in order to generate revenue. In essence, MMOs have to work for their money now rather than rely on the traditional monthly subscription, but that has led to questions about how far studios should go in getting players to part with their money. In some instances, it's led to children (and some adults) spending large amounts of money without fully understanding what they've done. Should there be regulations on marketing practices of game companies?

A recent announcement by the U.K.'s Office of Fair Trading regarding web and app-based games might hint at that answer.

Continue reading MMO Family: Is it time to regulate MMO cash shops?

MassivelyMMO Family: Is it time to regulate MMO cash shops? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 17 Apr 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>casualchildrenchildrens-mmosconsumer-protectionfamilyfamily-friendlyfeaturedkid-friendlykidskids-gamesmmo-familyopinionregulationregulationsWed, 17 Apr 2013 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: The consequences of kids at conventions]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/03/mmo-family-the-consequences-of-kids-at-conventions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/03/mmo-family-the-consequences-of-kids-at-conventions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/03/mmo-family-the-consequences-of-kids-at-conventions/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

MMO Family The consequences of kids at conventions
As I wound down my time at PAX East recently, I couldn't help but notice how different this convention was compared to when I went a couple of years ago. Yes, the exhibition floor was bigger, and there were many more in attendance, but the overall feel was different as well, and part of that was the increased presence of children.

We normally don't think of a video game convention as a family activity, and yet the fact that so many adults brought their children is telling. And whether you agree with it or not, there's something to be learned from the presence of kids at game conventions.

Continue reading MMO Family: The consequences of kids at conventions

MassivelyMMO Family: The consequences of kids at conventions originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 03 Apr 2013 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>casualchildrenchildrens-mmosconconventioneventevent-coverageeventsexpofamilyfamily-friendlyfeaturedkid-friendlykidskids-and-game-conventionskids-gameslegomassively-event-coverageminecraftmmo-familyopinionpaxpax-2013pax-eastpax-east-2013penny-arcade-exposoe-liveWed, 03 Apr 2013 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: How soon is too soon?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/20/mmo-family-how-soon-is-too-soon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/20/mmo-family-how-soon-is-too-soon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/20/mmo-family-how-soon-is-too-soon/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

MMO Family How soon is too soon
You might recognize the pictures above and in the body of the article. The first is from a video of a baby using an iPad while still in a walker. The other is from a viral video that came out a while back showing a baby trying to interact with a magazine as if it were an iPad. A quick search reveals the fact that this is growing more and more common. It's an interesting vignette of how much the digital culture has woven its way into our lives, but it also makes you pause and consider whether it's OK for an infant to already be "plugged in."

There are many questions about how early we should introduce children to the variety of devices out there and how soon we should let them start playing video games. And when it comes to MMOs, the issues become even more complicated. How soon is too soon? Let's explore the topic in this week's MMO Family.

Continue reading MMO Family: How soon is too soon?

MassivelyMMO Family: How soon is too soon? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 20 Mar 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>casualchildrenchildrens-mmosfamilyfamily-friendlyfeaturedkid-friendlykidskids-gamesmmo-familymmo-industryopinionvideo-game-addictionvideo-game-aggressionvideo-game-learningvideo-game-therapyvideo-games-and-parentingwowWed, 20 Mar 2013 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: What exactly is a kid-friendly MMO?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/06/mmo-family-what-exactly-is-a-kid-friendly-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/06/mmo-family-what-exactly-is-a-kid-friendly-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/06/mmo-family-what-exactly-is-a-kid-friendly-mmo/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

MMO Family What exactly is a kidfriendly MMO
Recently, Massively's Jef Reahard seemed to revisit his inner-child with his Why I Play article on Clone Wars Adventures and a Daily Grind of a similar topic. He summed up perfectly why CWA, a kid-friendly MMO, is a lot of fun for grown-ups too. There are actually many MMOs that are marketed toward a younger audience but are fun and challenging enough to entertain adults. Meanwhile, there are plenty of kids who have no problem holding their own in "grown-up" MMOs.

So what exactly makes an MMO kid-friendly? It might not be as easy to define as we think.

Continue reading MMO Family: What exactly is a kid-friendly MMO?

MassivelyMMO Family: What exactly is a kid-friendly MMO? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 06 Mar 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>casualchildrenchildrens-mmosclone-wars-adventuresfamilyfamily-friendlyfeaturedflyffkid-friendlykidskids-gamesminecraftmmo-familyopinionpirate101robloxswtorwizard101Wed, 06 Mar 2013 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: Lessons learned from parenting and gaming]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/20/mmo-family-lessons-learned-from-parenting-and-gaming/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/20/mmo-family-lessons-learned-from-parenting-and-gaming/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/20/mmo-family-lessons-learned-from-parenting-and-gaming/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

MMO Family Lessons learned from parenting and gaming
If you look at the past two decades, it's really amazing how fast technology has improved. Not that long ago, dialup was common, 3.5" disks were all the rage (so much better than those archaic 8" floppies!), and people were excited to be able to take digital photos (that also used those flashy 3.5 disks with a camera that was as large as a truck). Kids are growing up in a completely different world than their parents did, and that means there's a tabula rasa feel to the rules on parenting and video games.

Parenting sites are great at general parenting advice, and gaming sites are great at gaming write-ups, but there aren't too many sites that juggle both. As a result, parents are left with advice that usually falls into one camp or another, and absolutes really don't work well in this challenging area. So this week in MMO Family, I'd like to toss out a few lessons about raising kids in a digital age.

Continue reading MMO Family: Lessons learned from parenting and gaming

MassivelyMMO Family: Lessons learned from parenting and gaming originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 20 Feb 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>casualchildrenchildrens-mmosesrbesrb-ratingsfacebookfamilyfamily-friendlyfamily-game-nightfamily-gaming-tipsfeaturedkid-friendlykidskids-gamesmmo-familymoderating-video-gamesopinionparent-advice-on-video-gamespirate-101twittervideo-games-and-kidsWed, 20 Feb 2013 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: Failure isn't just an option; it's a requirement]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/06/mmo-family-failure-isnt-just-an-option-its-a-requirement/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/06/mmo-family-failure-isnt-just-an-option-its-a-requirement/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/06/mmo-family-failure-isnt-just-an-option-its-a-requirement/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

MMO Family Failure isn't just an option, it's a requirement
The other day, I stumbled on an interview of author Paul Tough, who wrote the book called How Children Succeed. He stressed the importance of building grit, curiosity, and character in our children as they grown and learn. In addition, he emphasized the need to let our kids fail as they grow. In an age of helicopter parents and trophies for all, his message is simple but uncommon.

It's not unusual to hear people debate whether children are getting soft because of the need to protect them from failure. Could video games actually be the answer? This week, let's look at the topic of failure to see whether it might be more than an option -- it might be a requirement.

Continue reading MMO Family: Failure isn't just an option; it's a requirement

MassivelyMMO Family: Failure isn't just an option; it's a requirement originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 06 Feb 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>casualchildrenchildrens-mmoseveeve-onlinefailurefamilyfamily-friendlyfeaturedkid-friendlykidskids-gamesminecraftmmo-familyopinionpaul-toughred-penvideo-games-are-goodvideo-games-failureWed, 06 Feb 2013 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: Why Catfish is a term your kids should know]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/23/mmo-family-why-catfish-is-a-term-your-kids-should-know/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/23/mmo-family-why-catfish-is-a-term-your-kids-should-know/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/23/mmo-family-why-catfish-is-a-term-your-kids-should-know/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

MMO Family Why Catfish is a term your kids should know
By now, everyone's probably heard the strange story of Manti Te'o, the football player who had an online relationship with someone who wasn't really that person. The question that people keep asking is whether or not he was in on the hoax, but I think that's irrelevant. The real question is why people are surprised to begin with.

Ironically, gamers probably have a leg up on the Catfish scenario, since there are plenty of examples of players misrepresenting themselves through their in-game avatars. And there's often a grey area when it comes to roleplaying and honesty. In this week's MMO Family, let's look at the lessons of gaming, identity, and social media and what children should learn about all three. (And I promise I won't mention Manti again in this column.)

Continue reading MMO Family: Why Catfish is a term your kids should know

MassivelyMMO Family: Why Catfish is a term your kids should know originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 23 Jan 2013 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a-story-about-a-treecasualcatfishchildrenchildrens-mmosfacebookfamilyfamily-friendlyfeaturedinternet-boogeymaninternet-identitykid-friendlykidskids-gamesmanti-teommo-familyonline-relationshipsopinionraph-kosterrichard-bartletracy-spaighttwitterWed, 23 Jan 2013 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: Is the Google generation losing its inventive spirit?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/09/mmo-family-is-the-google-generation-losing-its-inventive-spiri/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/09/mmo-family-is-the-google-generation-losing-its-inventive-spiri/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/09/mmo-family-is-the-google-generation-losing-its-inventive-spiri/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

MMO Family Is the Google generation losing its inventive spirit
I was witness to an interesting juxtaposition over Christmas vacation. On one end of the breakfast table was my laptop, with an article about an inventor who warns that the "Google generation" of children is growing up "brain dead" and without the ability to invent and create. But right next to it was my son's laptop, and he was deeply engrossed in a game of Minecraft with his sister and two cousins.

Are our children really losing their inventive spirit because of the internet? Should kids put down Minecraft and pick up Meccano instead? Let's take a look at inventor Trevor Baylis' concerns.

Continue reading MMO Family: Is the Google generation losing its inventive spirit?

MassivelyMMO Family: Is the Google generation losing its inventive spirit? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 09 Jan 2013 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brain-deadcasualchildrenchildrens-mmosfamilyfamily-friendlyfeaturedgoogleinventorskid-friendlykidskids-gameslosing-inventorsmeccanominecraftmmo-familyopinionrobloxtrevor-baylisWed, 09 Jan 2013 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: Winter roundup of kid-friendly MMOs]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/12/mmo-family-winter-roundup-of-kid-friendly-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/12/mmo-family-winter-roundup-of-kid-friendly-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/12/mmo-family-winter-roundup-of-kid-friendly-mmos/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

MMO Family Winter roundup of kidfriendly MMOs
Winter is always my favorite time of year for family-friendly MMOs. Holiday events tend to be the norm now in most MMOs, but they're tailor-made for games with a younger audience. Winter also seems to usher in lots of new changes and updates as well, so it's time again to revisit some popular titles to play catch up.

Over the past year, we've looked at several new titles and visited veteran MMOs titles to see what's changed. From Club Penguin to Pirate101, we'll look at recent updates and upcoming news in MMO Family's winter roundup!

Continue reading MMO Family: Winter roundup of kid-friendly MMOs

MassivelyMMO Family: Winter roundup of kid-friendly MMOs originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 12 Dec 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazing-worldcasualchildrenchildrens-mmosclub-penguindisneyDisney-Interactivefamilyfamily-friendlyfeaturedfree-realmsganzgazilliongazillion-entertainmentjumpstartkid-friendlykidskids-gameskingsislekingsisle-entertainmentmmo-familymonkeyquestopinionpirate101super-hero-squad-onlinewizard101Wed, 12 Dec 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: Are virtual presents a worthy holiday gift?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/11/28/mmo-family-are-virtual-presents-a-worthy-holiday-gift/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/11/28/mmo-family-are-virtual-presents-a-worthy-holiday-gift/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/11/28/mmo-family-are-virtual-presents-a-worthy-holiday-gift/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

MMO Family Are virtual presents a worthy holiday gift
When it comes to picking out holiday gifts for younger family members, it's amazing how quickly it can escalate to the equivalent of organizing Operation Overlord. As I wandered around Toys "R" Us yesterday, I watched two mothers trying to make sense of Skylanders and figure out how to coordinate and buy the right packages. (At one point, one was having trouble understanding that the "Giants" weren't really that giant.) Picking out a gift for a kid might sound simple, but to the adults who aren't up to speed on the latest craze, it's not only complicated -- it's a potential nightmare.

Virtual presents and currency cards are two gift ideas that are growing in popularity. Young gamers are comfortable with the notion of in-game goods, but while the in-game MMO community has begun to accept it, it's not quite accepted by the mainstream as a valid gift option. I think there's good reason that it should be, though. In this week's MMO Family, let's take a look at why virtual presents still aren't seen as valid gifts and examine why that's worth reconsidering.

Continue reading MMO Family: Are virtual presents a worthy holiday gift?

MassivelyMMO Family: Are virtual presents a worthy holiday gift? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 28 Nov 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>casualchildrenchildrens-mmoscurrency-cardsfamilyfamily-friendlyfeaturedgame-cardgamecardholiday-gift-givingintangiblekid-friendlykidskids-gamesmmo-familyopinionpollpollstimecardvirtual-giftsWed, 28 Nov 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: How Khan Academy redefines learning]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/11/14/mmo-family-how-khan-academy-redefines-learning-and-gaming/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/11/14/mmo-family-how-khan-academy-redefines-learning-and-gaming/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/11/14/mmo-family-how-khan-academy-redefines-learning-and-gaming/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

MMO Family
In past editions of MMO Family, I've looked how games have attempted to teach and entertain -- and how challenging it is to do both. This week, I'd like to flip things around a bit and look at an educational site that, while not an MMO, does incorporate some gaming characteristics. It's a site called Khan Academy, and it offers free instructional videos on a variety of topics for students of all ages.

This week, we're replacing our virtual swords with keyboards and substituting our colorful avatars for colorfully drawn instructional videos. We're taking a week off from cute pets and monster-slaying to look at how Khan Academy is turning the current system of public education on its head.

Continue reading MMO Family: How Khan Academy redefines learning

MassivelyMMO Family: How Khan Academy redefines learning originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 14 Nov 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>casualchildrenchildrens-mmoscommittee-of-teneducationfamilyfamily-friendlyfeaturedkhan-academykid-friendlykidskids-gamesmmo-familyonline-educationopinionprussian-modelsalman-khanWed, 14 Nov 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: What Free Realms and Clone Wars Adventures should borrow from the SOE stable]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/31/mmo-family-what-free-realms-and-clone-wars-adventures-should-b/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/31/mmo-family-what-free-realms-and-clone-wars-adventures-should-b/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/31/mmo-family-what-free-realms-and-clone-wars-adventures-should-b/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

MMO Family What Free Realms and Clone Wars Adventures should borrow from other SOE games
There was a lot of news at last week's SOE Live, and both Clone Wars Adventures and Free Realms had big announcements as well. The two games have seen a burst of new content and game updates over the past few months, and from what we learned last week, that rapid pace is going to continue.

Over the past year or so, we've seen an increase in the cross-over of ideas among the various SOE titles, and the announcement of Player Studio in several MMOs is just the latest example of a shift towards centralizing things. With all of the news about upcoming titles and new approaches to future design, there's plenty that could work well in Free Realms and Clone Wars Adventures (and in kid-friendly MMOs in general!)

In this week's MMO Family, let's look at what Free Realms and CWA could borrow from other SOE MMOs.

Continue reading MMO Family: What Free Realms and Clone Wars Adventures should borrow from the SOE stable

MassivelyMMO Family: What Free Realms and Clone Wars Adventures should borrow from the SOE stable originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 31 Oct 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>browserbrowser-basedcasualchildrenchildrens-mmosclone-warsclone-wars-adventuresconsoleconsolescwaf2pfamilyfamily-friendlyfeaturedfrfree-realmsfree-to-playkid-friendlykidskids-gameskids-mmolobbyminigamemmo-familyopinionplaystation-3playstation3ps3sci-fantasysci-fisoesonysony-online-entertainmentstar-warsWed, 31 Oct 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: Exploring game writing for short attention spans]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/17/mmo-family-exploring-game-writing-for-short-attention-spans/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/17/mmo-family-exploring-game-writing-for-short-attention-spans/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/17/mmo-family-exploring-game-writing-for-short-attention-spans/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

MMO Family Elizabeth McLaren explores writing for short attention spans at GDC Online
Trying to create a virtual world that's engaging and compelling is no easy task. But for an adult designer, trying to do so for a young audience is even more challenging. Kids' interests are not necessarily the same as adults' interests, and their life experiences are much different. On top of that, you can't even lump all child age groups together; a four-year-old, nine-year-old, and 12-year-old are all tackling vastly different challenges in their lives.

At this year's GDC Online, Elizabeth McLaren from 1st Playable Productions gave a talk about this very topic, titled Short Attention Span Theatre -- Writing for Child Gamers. In it, she looked to the book publishing industry to see what themes and interests exist for particular age groups and how they can be integrated into video game writing. Read on for highlights of the panel and a brief look at the mind of a child gamer.

Continue reading MMO Family: Exploring game writing for short attention spans

MassivelyMMO Family: Exploring game writing for short attention spans originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 17 Oct 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1st-playable-productionsaustincasualchildrenchildrens-mmosconconferenceconventionelizabeth-mclarenfamilyfamily-friendlyfeaturedgame-developers-conferencegame-developers-conference-2012gdcgdc-2012gdc-onlinegdc-online-2012gdcogdco-2012kid-friendlykidskids-gamesmmo-familyopinionteen-paranormal-romancewriting-kids-gamesWed, 17 Oct 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: How kid-friendly games can treat MMO malaise]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/03/mmo-family-how-kid-friendly-games-can-treat-mmo-malaise/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/03/mmo-family-how-kid-friendly-games-can-treat-mmo-malaise/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/03/mmo-family-how-kid-friendly-games-can-treat-mmo-malaise/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

MMO Family How kidfriendly games can treat MMO malaise
Let's face it: It hasn't been a banner year for MMOs. We've witnessed disappointing launches, studio layoffs, and even studio meltdowns. There have been reports questioning whether MMOs are a good investment, and some studios have even signaled that they're shying away from traditional MMO development in the future.

With all of these dark clouds looming overhead, it's sometimes hard to stay cheerful about MMOs. But ironically, the kid-friendly genre might actually buck the trend. KingsIsle's launch of Pirate101 and SOE's recent updates to Clone Wars Adventures and Free Realms might help curb the malaise with a blend of old and new styles of gameplay. In this week's MMO Family we'll look at what's new with these titles and why kids both young and old have reason to celebrate.

Continue reading MMO Family: How kid-friendly games can treat MMO malaise

MassivelyMMO Family: How kid-friendly games can treat MMO malaise originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 03 Oct 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>browserbrowser-basedcasualchildrenchildrens-mmosclone-warsclone-wars-adventuresconsoleconsolescwaf2pfamilyfamily-friendlyfantasyfeaturedfrfree-realmsfree-to-playkid-friendlykidskids-gameskids-mmokingsislekingsisle-entertainmentlobbyminigamemmo-familyopinionpiratepirate101piratesplaystation-3playstation3ps3sci-fantasysci-fisoesonysony-online-entertainmentstar-warswizard101Wed, 03 Oct 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: First Impressions of Pora Ora]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/19/mmo-family-first-impressions-of-pora-ora/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/19/mmo-family-first-impressions-of-pora-ora/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/19/mmo-family-first-impressions-of-pora-ora/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

MMO Family First Impressions of Pora Ora
I'm always on the hunt for MMOs that are educational because I think it's a genre with enormous potential that is still largely untapped. At the same time, the skeptic in me always becomes wary of any MMO that calls itself "educational" because it usually turns out that it's mostly "game" and very little learning goes on.

So I was cautiously curious to try out Pora Ora, an educational MMO that's aimed at kids ages 5 to 13. As it turns out, the game embraces learning and has several features that make it a viable educational game not only at home but also in the classroom. This week's MMO Family is a first impressions look at Pora Ora.

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MassivelyMMO Family: First Impressions of Pora Ora originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 19 Sep 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>caped-koalacasualchildrenchildrens-mmoseducational-mmofamilyfamily-friendlyfeaturedhands-onkid-friendlykidskids-gamesmmo-familymmo-learningmmos-and-schoolsopinionpora-orapreviewpreviewsWed, 19 Sep 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: Lessons from an MMO-light summer]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/05/mmo-family-lessons-from-an-mmo-light-summer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/05/mmo-family-lessons-from-an-mmo-light-summer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/05/mmo-family-lessons-from-an-mmo-light-summer/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

MMO Family
Ever find yourself telling your kids to log off while you're holding your smartphone in one hand and have one eye on your email/Facebook/Twitter/browser/game of Angry Birds or Plants vs. Zombies? I admit it, I caught myself doing that back at the beginning of summer, and it happened to be around the time I stumbled on an article from David Gelernter titled Make it a Summer Without iStuff. Around the house, we stay on top of gaming time and try to stick to hard limits so that it doesn't dominate the day. But summers in New England are fleeting, and having been inspired by Gelernter's article, we decided to cut back on gaming even more.

What I noticed during our dialed-down summer is that there's a lot more to it than just shutting off the iStuff and that MMOs might not be the "mental purgatory" that Gelernter says is created by iToys. Let's take a look in this week's MMO Family!

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MassivelyMMO Family: Lessons from an MMO-light summer originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 05 Sep 2012 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>casualchildrenchildrens-mmosdavid-gelernterfamilyfamily-friendlyfeaturedkid-friendlykidskids-gamesmmo-familyopinionwall-street-journalWed, 05 Sep 2012 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: Pirate101 and the Pixar effect]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/22/mmo-family-pirate101-and-the-pixar-effect/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/22/mmo-family-pirate101-and-the-pixar-effect/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/22/mmo-family-pirate101-and-the-pixar-effect/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

MMO Family Pirate101 and the Pixar Effect
Back at the ranch, it's been a pretty busy (and off the grid) summer. We've spent the bulk of it at the grandparents' house at the beach, complete with snorkeling, beach combing, hikes to a nearby island, and lots of late nights discussing the finer points of the Harry Potter series. That made for many late nights, but a couple of weeks ago, I suddenly didn't have to struggle to get my kids to go to bed. Turns out, they wanted to play a certain game to wrap up their day, and that game was Pirate101. What's interesting is that they liked it for different reasons than I do, and I actually found myself rethinking my approach to games by watching them play.

In this week's MMO Family, we'll look at some first impressions from a kid's-eye view and explore how KingsIsle is able to hit all of the right notes (again) to make a compelling game for both kids and adults.

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MassivelyMMO Family: Pirate101 and the Pixar effect originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 22 Aug 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>casualchildrenchildrens-mmosf2pfamilyfamily-friendlyfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playkid-friendlykidskids-gameskids-mmokingsislekingsisle-entertainmentmmo-familyopinionpiratepirate101piratesPirates-of-the-Burning-Seawizard101Wed, 22 Aug 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: Clone Wars Adventures' tale of two card games]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/08/mmo-family-clone-wars-adventures-tale-of-two-card-games/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/08/mmo-family-clone-wars-adventures-tale-of-two-card-games/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/08/08/mmo-family-clone-wars-adventures-tale-of-two-card-games/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

MMO Family Clone Wars Adventures' Tale of Two Card Games
Even though Clone Wars Adventures is a kid-friendly MMO, I've always been a fan of the title, partially because it sort of came out of nowhere and launched soon after it was revealed and partially because it's done a terrific job of matching content and itemization with the TV series. The Darth Maul content update was a household favorite, particularly because the pint-sized players in the family got a chance at going face to face with one of Star Wars' major baddies after seeing him on the animated show. Talk about an epic moment for a CWA fan!

The most recent update, though, left me scratching my head a bit. Clone Wars Adventures has had a trading card game called Card Commander for quite a while. Recently, though, SOE added a completely new trading card game called Card Assault. What's the new game like, and why would an MMO have not one but two card games? This week's MMO Family will take a look at the new game and theorycraft on why we're neck deep in cards!

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MassivelyMMO Family: Clone Wars Adventures' tale of two card games originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 08 Aug 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>browserbrowser-basedcasualchildrenchildrens-mmosclone-warsclone-wars-adventuresconsoleconsolescwaf2pfamilyfamily-friendlyfeaturedfrfree-realmsfree-to-playkid-friendlykidskids-gameskids-mmolobbyloot-cardminigamemmo-familyopinionplaystation-3playstation3ps3sci-fantasysci-fisoesonysony-online-entertainmentstar-warstcgtrading-card-gameWed, 08 Aug 2012 15:00:00 EST