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 2012 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: Virtual worlds for kids]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/13/mmo-family-virtual-worlds-for-kids/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/13/mmo-family-virtual-worlds-for-kids/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/13/mmo-family-virtual-worlds-for-kids/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

MMO Family is your resource for leveling a gaming-specced family ... From tips on balancing gaming with family life to finding age-appropriate niches for every family member, MMO Family offers you advice on MMO gaming of the family, by the family and for the family.

Nestling somewhere in between MMOs and social networking, virtual worlds are a virtual sandlot for millions of kids worldwide. Think avatar-based chat and mini-games alongside other kids of the same age range and interests, and you'll catch the appeal of these kid-friendly destinations. While a gaming parent might consider virtual worlds mere training wheels for games still to come, kid-friendly virtual worlds seem to fit the attention spans, chatty nature and niche-y interests of kids to a T.

The sheer variety of worlds appealing to children makes it easy for kids to find a spot where they'll want to hang out. As of early 2009, kids could choose from 112 virtual worlds designed for children and teens, according to Engage Digital Media, with more than 80 new worlds under development. The numbers of kids who've found a virtual home in these worlds rivals even the fat figures of MMO big dog World of Warcraft. Research firm eMarketer estimates that in the United States alone, 8 million kids hung out in virtual worlds regularly during 2008; that number is projected to swell to more than 15 million by 2013.

Continue reading MMO Family: Virtual worlds for kids

MassivelyMMO Family: Virtual worlds for kids originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>action-allstarsbarbie-girlsbella-sarabuild-a-bearvillechildrendizzywoodfamilyfeaturedparentspixie-hollowpoptropicaridemakerzrobloxseapals-worldsecret-buildersteen-second-lifetoontowntootsvilletygirlzvirtual-worldswebkinzFri, 13 Nov 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Worlds in Motion online atlas explores Moshi Monsters]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/10/the-worlds-in-motion-online-atlas-explores-moshi-monsters/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/10/the-worlds-in-motion-online-atlas-explores-moshi-monsters/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/10/the-worlds-in-motion-online-atlas-explores-moshi-monsters/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The excellent Worlds in Motion site has an ongoing series of articles called "Online World Atlases", each detailing a virtual world off the beaten path. Past atlas entries have covered Club Penguin, Maple Story, Sherwood Dungeon, Puzzle Pirates, and Dungeon Runners. Last week editor Eric Caoili targetted the quirky Moshi Monsters title for another chapter in the atlas. The first of the three-post entries describes the outline of the game, a Flash-based mobile/web-based title.

The second post describes the game's jumping-off point, adopting your monster and getting your gameplay started in the world of Moshi. The final conclusionary post clarifies the gameplay experience you'll encounter in-game. The game's quirky art and short-session playstyle marks it out as one of the more well-developed kid MMOs. Caoili ends his analysis this way: "Although it's currently in beta, Moshi Monsters is a world which is artistically fully realized, and is therefore very attractive to new players. Sadly, many players will find themselves waiting for the designers to catch up with the artists to gain full enjoyment from it, but as a daily timewaster I can think of few worlds which can compare."

MassivelyThe Worlds in Motion online atlas explores Moshi Monsters originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 10 May 2008 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cellphonemobliemoshi-monstersphone-charmsSat, 10 May 2008 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively exclusive: Inside the mind of Mind Candy's Michael Smith]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/30/massively-exclusive-inside-the-mind-of-mind-candys-michael-smi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/30/massively-exclusive-inside-the-mind-of-mind-candys-michael-smi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/30/massively-exclusive-inside-the-mind-of-mind-candys-michael-smi/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,


I recently had the opportunity to sit down and spend some quality time with the CEO of Mind Candy, Michael Smith. I picked his brain about Mind Candy's newest game, Moshi Monsters, how they're going to attract and protect the kids that play it, and what some of Michael's favorite past-time activities are. Plus, we even discussed a little background on Perplex City, and the status of the anticipated alternate reality game, Perplex City Season 2.

Interested in what goes on in the mind of one of Britain's most innovative game developers? Read on after the break and find out!

Continue reading Massively exclusive: Inside the mind of Mind Candy's Michael Smith

MassivelyMassively exclusive: Inside the mind of Mind Candy's Michael Smith originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 30 Apr 2008 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>casualclub-penguinexclusivefeaturedinterviewinterviewsjoystiqfeatureskidsmichael-smithmind-candymonstermoshi-monstersperplex-citypxcstardollwebkinzWed, 30 Apr 2008 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Lost. The Monster. Reward: Cuteness.]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/23/lost-the-monster-reward-cuteness/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/23/lost-the-monster-reward-cuteness/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/23/lost-the-monster-reward-cuteness/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Do you like cuteness? Do you like monsters? Do you like puzzles?

If you said yes to all three, then do we have the multiplayer game for you! As we reported earlier, Mind Candy, the crazy developers behind the super-huge alternate reality game Perplex City, have been working on something for the children. Their result is Moshi Monsters, a cross between a Tamagotchi, Brain Age, and sheer attitude.

The picture to the right is Smigglesnuff. Smigglesnuff likes two things: the word "miasma" and choptastic moves. Oh, sure, she enjoys the tickles I give her, but don't mess with her unless you want your face re-arranged. Go visit her if you want to find out for yourself.

Continue reading Lost. The Monster. Reward: Cuteness.

MassivelyLost. The Monster. Reward: Cuteness. originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 23 Apr 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betabrowsercartooneducationalflashfree-to-playkidsmichael-smithmind-candymoshi-monstersneopetsnew-titlepreviewsmigglesnuffwebkinzWed, 23 Apr 2008 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Moshi Monsters]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/30/moshi-monsters/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/30/moshi-monsters/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/30/moshi-monsters/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Moshi Monsters is a new virtual world by MindCandy, the folks behind Perplex City. It appears to be a cross between MySpace and a Tamagotchi, with minigames thrown into the mix. It's got bright colors, it's got cute sound effects, and it's got monsters. And it's frankly adorable. Of course, it is aimed at kids, and there's a clear mandate by the creators to provide a safe experience, so parents need not worry.

One of the features touted by the preview video is that of buying things for your monster to keep it happy. If this isn't a clear indication that the concerns mentioned in this post are valid, then I don't know what is. Surely there could be better ways to provide the things your monster needs? Couldn't you grow its food, make its toys? I'm sure one could argue that running a virtual world this way teaches kids the importance of managing money, but there are better ways to do that without making it part and parcel of playtime, which in all other respects is completely whimsical and fantastical.

Still, I'm a big fan of monsters. While Moshi Monsters is still in beta, I'm looking forward to seeing more of how it all works together.

MassivelyMoshi Monsters originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 30 Nov 2007 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>massivelymind-candymoshi-monstersmyspaceperplex-citytamagotchiFri, 30 Nov 2007 15:00:00 EST