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MMO Family: The state of the game (at school)

Karen Bryan — Wed, 16 May 2012 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Opinion, Kids, MMO Family, Family, Miscellaneous

When you think of kids and video games, the question that always comes up is this: What are they getting out of playing them? Usually, MMOs, even MMOs aimed at kids, are big on fun but light on learning. So it was refreshing to see teacher Ben Bertoli launch a Kickstarter project to promote development of his personal project ClassRealm into what could be a potentially valuable tool in the classroom.

So why haven't we seen more educational MMOs, and why has there been a gap when it comes to technology at home vs. at school? In this week's MMO Family, we'll look a few issues with gaming and learning.

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MMO Family: The state of the game (at school) originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 16 May 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MMO Family: How helpful are those ESRB ratings?

Karen Bryan — Wed, 02 May 2012 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, MMO industry, Opinion, Kids, MMO Family, Family, Miscellaneous

Quick, what's the ESRB rating symbol of your favorite MMO of choice? And if you know that, what are the content descriptors that account for your game's rating? If you got them right, bravo! According to the ESRB's official poll, 85% of parents with children who play video games are aware of the ratings system. For those not familiar, here's the deal: The Entertainment Software Rating Board began in 1994 with the goal of providing a standard set of ratings and descriptors to help adults choose appropriate games for children.

But the real question is, are ESRB ratings accurate when it comes to MMOs? The poll also claims that 65% of parents regularly check a game's rating before making a purchase, but are those ratings as helpful when choosing an MMO for your children? Read on for a look at why the E, T, and AO symbols might actually deserve an F.

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MMO Family: How helpful are those ESRB ratings? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 02 May 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MMO Family: Mind your massively multiplayer manners revisited

Karen Bryan — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, Opinion, Kids, MMO Family, Family, Miscellaneous

In this week's MMO Family column, I want to dig deeper into something that came up as a result of the last edition, and that's the perception of younger gamers as generally being too immature, being too flighty, and lacking the social skills to be fun groupmates and guildmates in our MMOs. There were some great points all around, with some arguing that kids aren't good guildmates because of their age and others even arguing that some kids are more mature than adults.

Let's look at things a little differently this week. Suppose you are guilded or grouped with your son/daughter/little brother/niece/nephew/best friend's kid/etc. You can't blow him off because of your relationship to him or her, so what do you do to make sure he or she isn't that kid who drives everyone crazy in-game? I'm revisiting one of Lisa Poisso's past articles to see what rules of age etiquette we can come up with in this crazy age of gaming.

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MMO Family: Mind your massively multiplayer manners revisited originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 18 Apr 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MMO Family: Do kids belong in guilds?

Karen Bryan — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Guilds, Opinion, Kids, MMO Family, Family, Miscellaneous

In my regular columns at Massively, I enjoy taking a look at various topics surrounding family-friendly MMOs and common issues in guild management. So it seemed natural to take the two subjects and combine them for this week's MMO Family. Gamers are growing older, and we're seeing an increasing presence of younger players, even in the more serious "adult" games like Lord of the Rings Online and EverQuest II. For those who play MMOs with their children, it might seem reasonable to seek a guild tag for them, but that might not sit well with your guild peers.

Should kids be allowed in guilds? Are there any benefits to sharing a tag with your children, or are they better off staying unguilded?

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MMO Family: Do kids belong in guilds? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 04 Apr 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MMO Family: Is free-to-play bad for kid-friendly MMOs?

Karen Bryan — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 21:00:00 EST

Filed under: Business models, MMO industry, Opinion, Free-to-play, Kids, MMO Family, Family, Miscellaneous

If you've ever gone shopping with kids, you know how much of a nightmare-inducing proposition it can be. Everywhere from toy stores to department stores to seemingly innocuous grocery stores, there's a battle raging between parents and their children, which usually ends with tears, grey hairs, and the infamous word, "Pleeeeeease??" (Pleeeeeease should actually have its own entry in the Oxford Dictionary because it has a completely different meaning from its polite cousin, "please").

The only thing that helps parents get through it is the knowledge that they get a respite once they get home. Not so anymore, though, because there's a second front that's opened, and the new battleground is taking place on our computer screens. Those high-pitched appeals that echo throughout the store aisles are now filling our family rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms. And while many people are singing the praises of the free-to-play model in MMO games, it's actually the biggest contributor to the begging-battles at home. Let's take a look at why free-to-play and kids MMOs are not a match made in heaven.

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MMO Family: Is free-to-play bad for kid-friendly MMOs? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 21 Mar 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MMO Family: Kid-friendly MMO roundup, part 1

Karen Bryan — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 20:30:00 EST

Filed under: Opinion, Free-to-play, Casual, Kids, MMO Family, Family, Clone Wars Adventures, Super Hero Squad Online, Miscellaneous

With all of the buzz centered around "grown-up" MMO titles like Star Wars: The Old Republic and Guild Wars 2, it's easy for the kid-friendly games to get lost in the shuffle. There may not be as many kid titles on the horizon, but for the games that are currently out there, there's been an amazing amount of activity going on in these virtual worlds.

I decided to take a peek at some of my (and the kids') favorites, along with a few games that we've done first impressions on, to see what they've been up to lately. Since there are too many great kid-friendly MMOs out there to fit into one column, this will be the first of what will probably be many follow-up entries covering other games, so if you don't see your favorite family-friendly game here, fear not!

Continue reading MMO Family: Kid-friendly MMO roundup, part 1

MMO Family: Kid-friendly MMO roundup, part 1 originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 07 Mar 2012 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MMO Family: What kids MMOs can learn from markers, Jackpot, and Chutes and Ladders

Karen Bryan — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: MMO industry, Opinion, Kids, MMO Family, Family, Miscellaneous

Play is important. Whether you're a kid or a grown-up, play has an important role in our lives, and video games are taking an increasingly large percentage of our playtime these days. But for kids' play in particular, there's always a question about the quality of video game time and whether or not it's actually just a waste of time.

Kid-friendly MMOs are a relatively new segment of the MMO industry, but it often feels like they're just grown-up MMOs with kid-friendly graphics. Sometimes, the games are even stripped of the grown-up features in an attempt to make them easier, but that often results in a less than compelling game. Here's a quest; do it. Here's a creature; zap it. Here's a pet; hug it. Here are some clothes and decorative items; buy them. I may sound a bit jaded, but that's only because I think kid-friendly MMOs can be so much better than they currently are.

To do that, we have to step back and examine how kids play, and studios must concentrate game design around that. In this week's MMO Family, I'll be looking at three areas of kids' play and exploring why games should look to Magic Markers, Jackpot, and Chutes and Ladders for inspiration.

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MMO Family: What kids MMOs can learn from markers, Jackpot, and Chutes and Ladders originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MMO Family: LEGO Universe, autism, and heartbreak

Karen Bryan — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, MMO industry, Opinion, Free-to-play, Casual, LEGO Universe, Kids, MMO Family, Family, Miscellaneous

Often when the topic of video games comes up, it's followed by comments about the negatives, such as violence, antisocial behavior, or inappropriate content. But if they do have harmful effects (and it's arguable how many players really are affected in a negative way), they can also be helpful as well, yet you rarely hear a news story about the good. I've written before about how companies like IBM have studied MMO guilds in order to improve team-building and organization within their company. More recently, MMOWGLI focused on global issues, such as the future of piracy, to study what solutions players could cooperatively generate.

There are also positive benefits to children as well, and while we've touched on a few in recent columns, this week we'll focus on the impact LEGO Universe has had on autistic children. Sadly, the game will be shutting down in a few weeks, and while many parents are thankful for how much it's helped, they're also concerned about what will happen once the game is gone. Read on for a bittersweet look at how this LEGO-based game is leaving behind a legacy.

Continue reading MMO Family: LEGO Universe, autism, and heartbreak

MMO Family: LEGO Universe, autism, and heartbreak originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 28 Dec 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MMO Family: Heroing-up in Super Hero Squad Online

Karen Bryan — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Super-hero, Opinion, Free-to-play, Kids, MMO Family, Family, Super Hero Squad Online

There's a growing number of great kid-friendly MMOs available, and one that I've been meaning to check out for a while now is Super Hero Squad Online. The game has only been out for eight months, yet in that short time, it's reached over a million registered users and added lots of new content and characters.

I've spent some time in the game, along with my two young testers, to find out what the buzz is all about. We formed up a squad and set off to check out missions, the card game, our headquarters, and the opportunities for exploration out in the world, and our first impressions are found below. If you've ever wanted to know what the little super heroes eat or what holiday treats are available at the Parker household, you'll definitely want to read on!

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MMO Family: Heroing-up in Super Hero Squad Online originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 14 Dec 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Exclusive: Nickelodeon's Kyra Reppen on Monkey Quest

Karen Bryan — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: Interviews, Launches, New titles, Free-to-play, Browser, Massively Interviews, Kids, Family

With family-themed MMOs attracting an ever-growing number of players, it's little surprise that Nickelodeon has tossed its hat into the ring with the launch of Monkey Quest. It's a browser-based, light-hearted MMO that combines the action style of console games with the virtual world and questing that's traditional to MMOs. It's free-to-play, but it also offers several different subscription plans to suit practically every playstyle.

Massively was happy to talk with Nickelodeon Senior Vice President Kyra Reppen about Monkey Quest, the challenges of creating a kid-themed MMO, and trends for the genre overall. Read on for all the details!

Continue reading Exclusive: Nickelodeon's Kyra Reppen on Monkey Quest

Exclusive: Nickelodeon's Kyra Reppen on Monkey Quest originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 08 Apr 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nickelodeon evolves a new monkey MMO

Beau Hindman — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Trailers, Launches, New titles, Free-to-play, Family

If you've ever felt like picking through your friends' hair for bugs to eat, or if you've ever found yourself throwing questionable things at strangers, then you might be excited to hear that Nickelodeon is developing an MMO just for you! That's right, in the up-and-coming Monkey Quest, you and your friends can team up to find adventure in a world that is ruled by monkeys and filled with danger!

Nickelodeon is no stranger to fun and games, so it will be interesting to see its take on an MMO. Although the game seems made for kids -- as you'd expect -- its cooperative gameplay looks like it will be fun for monkeys at all stages of evolution. The game boasts a free-to-play hybrid payment model for players who might like an "enhanced" player experience. Does that mean cash shop? Does that mean monkey hats and monkey pants? We hope so!

If it sounds interesting, click past the jump and check out the trailer. Just watch out for any... flinging.

Continue reading Nickelodeon evolves a new monkey MMO

Nickelodeon evolves a new monkey MMO originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 01 Apr 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PAX East 2011: Massively interviews Wizard101's Fred Howard

Karen Bryan — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Events, real-world, Expansions, Interviews, Free-to-play, Trading card games, Massively Interviews, Massively Event Coverage, Kids, Wizard101, Family

There was a lot of game news to come out of PAX East this past weekend, and KingsIsle definitely arrived with some very big announcements. Wizard101 fans can look forward to a brand-new world called Wintertusk, which completes the epic storyline of Grizzleheim. Both high- and low-level players will have new places to explore and quests to complete. Highlights include brand-new areas for high-level Wizards to discover and explore, new spells, level 58 class pets for each primary school, a revamped underwater introduction zone for lower-level characters (continuing the story of the Crab King), and the ephemeral "more."

Massively had the chance to talk with KingsIsle Vice President Fred Howard about Wizard101 and the rapid growth of MMOs aimed at younger players. Read on for his thoughts on player security, the importance of story, and a curious Crab King with a penchant for rock.

Continue reading PAX East 2011: Massively interviews Wizard101's Fred Howard

PAX East 2011: Massively interviews Wizard101's Fred Howard originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PAX East 2011: Free Realms coming to the PS3 on March 29th

Jef Reahard — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 16:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Galleries, Screenshots, Launches, MMO industry, News items, Free-to-play, Consoles, Free Realms, Family

Apparently 17 million registered PC and Mac users are the tip of the iceberg for Sony Online Entertainment. The company's family-friendly Free Realms MMORPG is heading to the Playstation 3 on March 29th in an attempt to bring massively multiplayer enlightenment to the unwashed console masses (and reel in a few million new users in the process).

Free Realms originally took a bow in 2009 on Windows PCs and has since seen its pirates, ninjas, pets, and genre-bending gameplay appear on Apple's OS X operating system as well. The title is initially free-to-play, with premium account options available to gamers who want to access an additional 400 quests and level all their jobs up to 20. Free Realms also features a cash shop that will be available via the Playstation Store.

"Free Realms continues to break new ground in the gaming industry -- it will be the first free-to-play MMO to hit any console, the first family-friendly MMO to hit any console, and the second MMO, after our recent release of DC Universe Online, to hit the PlayStation3 to date," says SOE president John Smedley. Head past the break for an exclusive interview with Free Realms lead designer Stephen Bokkes and producer Nick Parkinson.

Gallery: Free Realms PS3 Gallery

Continue reading PAX East 2011: Free Realms coming to the PS3 on March 29th

PAX East 2011: Free Realms coming to the PS3 on March 29th originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 11 Mar 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MMO Family: A parent's look at Club Penguin

Lisa Poisso — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Club Penguin, Browser, Casual, Kids, MMO Family, Family

MMO Family is your resource for leveling a gaming-specced family, from tips on balancing gaming with family life to finding age-appropriate online games for everyone in the family.

Perhaps the leading name in virtual worlds aimed at the younger set, Club Penguin has taken its place as the starter game of choice for many a young online gamer. Ask around any elementary school, and you're bound to find kids who're playing this Flash-based browser game.

We'd heard of the game too, of course -- but we'd never played. So let's take a look at how this virtual world of waddling friendlies stacks up against the rest of the kids' games we've reviewed in our Parent's Guide to Kids & Family Gaming.

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MMO Family: A parent's look at Club Penguin originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 21 Dec 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MMO Family: A parent's look at World of Warcraft

Lisa Poisso — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: World of Warcraft, Fantasy, Kids, MMO Family, Family

MMO Family is your resource for leveling a gaming-specced family, from tips on balancing gaming with family life to finding age-appropriate online games for everyone in the family.

World of Warcraft? Yeah, even folks who don't play video games at all have heard of this behemoth of MMO gaming. With 12 million subscribers worldwide, the WoW phenomenon has practically come to define an entire generation's worth of MMO gaming. While it's designed for teens and up, the game is so ubiquitous that you wouldn't have to dig far to find players of all ages, including many teens but also younger children as well.

With a new expansion, World of Warcraft: Cataclysm, due for release on December 7th, plenty of kids (and grownups) will be angling for WoW in their holiday stockings. The question is: Is WoW a good fit for your kids? With good preparation and consistent parent moderation, it can be -- but if you don't play the game yourself or you take a more hands-off approach to gaming, you may want to wait until your little goblin- or worgen-to-be is well into the teen years. Join us after the break for an insider's look at WoW for younger children and teens.

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MMO Family: A parent's look at World of Warcraft originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 30 Nov 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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One Shots: Everybody smile for the camera!

Krystalle Voecks — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Screenshots, One Shots, Kids, Wizard101, Family

When it comes to stylish rides, there's something to be said for having one of the new swift shark mounts in Wizard101! Not only can the sharks cross from land to water, but they also have an excellent smile, perfect for fun screenshots like today's One Shots. This image comes to us from Leesha Darkheart and was taken at a recent in-game party. We'll let her explain this smiling group: "[This] is a pic of some friends and me hanging out at the Ravenwood Radio podcast in-game after-party this week. We decided to have a swimming party in the new underwater zone, Crab Alley, on our new swift shark mounts. The shark mounts are really awesome-looking and have great animations. They chomp at the bit every once in a while and bounce up really far when you jump. Makes the sparkle pony look like chopped liver."

Have you snapped a fun picture from an in-game event that you'd like to share? We'd love to see it. Just email it in to us here at oneshots@massively.com. Include your name, the name of the game, and a description of what we're seeing in the picture. Please make sure your image is at least 1024 pixels wide and has as few visible UI elements as possible. We'll post it out here for everyone to enjoy and give you the credit!

Gallery: One Shots: Gallery II

One Shots: Everybody smile for the camera! originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 24 Sep 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MMO Family: A parent's look at Hello Kitty Online

Lisa Poisso — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Free-to-play, Hello Kitty Online, Kids, MMO Family, Family

MMO Family is your resource for leveling a gaming-specced family, from tips on balancing gaming with family life to finding age-appropriate online games for everyone in the family.

Hello Kitty Online is the first of our Parents Guide selections that's aimed squarely at teens and young adults rather than the kiddie set. Say what? We were surprised, too -- but given the mind-bogglingly persistent popularity of Hello Kitty among grownups with more discerning taste (and expansive wallets), it stands to reason that developer Sanrio would want HKO to reach as broad an audience as possible.

What HKO brings to the keyboard, then, is less a kiddie game than a crafting-oriented, sunshiny, Hello-Kitty-themed version of an MMO. Sure, it's 2-D. Sure, it's free-to-play. But despite the precious proliferation of pink, you'll find gameplay that's more in line with traditional, fully developed MMOs -- a purrfectly friendly MMO choice for your teen daughter.

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MMO Family: A parent's look at Hello Kitty Online originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 21 Sep 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MMO Family: A parent's look at World of Cars Online

Lisa Poisso — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: New titles, Kids, MMO Family, Family

MMO Family is your resource for leveling a gaming-specced family, from tips on balancing gaming with family life to finding age-appropriate online games for everyone in the family.

How could you not fall in love with a Disney/Pixar movie? I'm not sure that's even possible. Cars revved up belly laughs in the theater back in 2006, earning two Oscar nominations and raking in more than a dozen other industry awards. Kids were captivated by the feisty little car characters, and grownups chuckled at voicing from such high-octane stars as Owen Wilson, Paul Newman and even Cheech Marin.

The MMO version of the franchise, which officially launched last month, pulls away from the starting line without this full tank of charisma. World of Cars Online hits on all cylinders yet somehow fails to throttle up into the type of completely engaging world we've come to expect from a Disney/Pixar creation. It's a 2-D, minigame-centric experience with lots (and we do mean lots) of point-and-click racing. Still, if you've got a young boy around the house who's hankering to burn a little online rubber, World of Cars is an inexpensive, kid-friendly way to do it.

Continue reading MMO Family: A parent's look at World of Cars Online

MMO Family: A parent's look at World of Cars Online originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 07 Sep 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MMO Family: The 10-step back-to-school gaming tuneup

Lisa Poisso — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Kids, MMO Family, Family

MMO Family is your resource for leveling a gaming-specced family, from tips on balancing gaming with family life to finding age-appropriate online games for everyone in the family.

We're going to make this short and sweet, parents: You probably shouldn't try to dodge a back-to-school gaming tuneup. Sure, talking about responsibilities and setting screen time limits is no fun. Kids hate rules, and parents hate having to play traffic cop. But back-to-school time means rebalancing languid, lazy summer schedules -- and if you're going to help your kids develop time management skills and a head for how to balance their own activities and schedules, this is the perfect teaching moment.

Before we go any further, let's make it clear that hard-and-fast time limits aren't the answer for all or even many gaming families. What's important is to help young gaming devotees step back periodically for a checkup of how this compelling, sometimes time-consuming hobby is balancing out against the rest of their lives. Your goal is not to legislate from above but rather to help your kids regulate from below -- so let's take a look at 10 steps that can help them do exactly that.

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MMO Family: The 10-step back-to-school gaming tuneup originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 24 Aug 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MMO Family: Long-distance gaming with Grandma and Grandpa

Lisa Poisso — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Free-to-play, Browser, Casual, Free Realms, Kids, Wizard101, MMO Family, Family

MMO Family is your resource for leveling a gaming-specced family, from tips on balancing gaming with family life to finding age-appropriate online games for everyone in the family.

Back in my day (eons before even that prehistoric era when we trudged five miles uphill through the lava to kill Lord Nagafen, after sitting in the server's text chat room so our buff timers wouldn't tick down while the rest of the group was getting prepped), kids wrote letters to keep in touch with long-distance grandparents. We struggled almost as hard to read our elders' spidery, old-fashioned cursive as we did to figure out something relevant to say to these relative strangers. Then once a month, we'd be herded into the kitchen or hall (where most people's phones were back then) for the Dreaded Phone Call of Doom, during which we'd self-consciously mumble responses to people who couldn't remember which grade we were in or which of us kids was the swimmer and which was the ballet dancer. Talk about awkward...

Today, cell phones and email make it much easier to keep a family in touch when its members are separated by miles. Still, it's hard for kids to develop a relationship of any depth with people they meet infrequently at best and with whom they share nothing in common beyond a few genetic jots and tittles.

Until gaming came along.

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MMO Family: Long-distance gaming with Grandma and Grandpa originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 10 Aug 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MMO Family: A parent's look at Fantage

Lisa Poisso — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Free-to-play, Kids, MMO Family, Family

MMO Family is your resource for leveling a gaming-specced family, from tips on balancing gaming with family life to finding age-appropriate online games for everyone in the family.

Now that we've established that kids aren't gaming snobs and will dig into a good Flash game with as much relish as we grownups attack any top-rung MMO title, let's look at another up-and-coming Flash title for kids. Fantage (short for "Fantastic Age") has attracted nearly 7 million users since April 2008 almost entirely by word of mouth -- how's that for kid power?

I suspect the reason Fantage tickles my 9-year-old playtester's fancy is tied to the advancements she's been making with her real-life character this summer. The achievements are flowing: she's figured out how to use the Page Up and Page Down buttons to snag [Swimming in the Deep End], she's acquired her first epic mount [Big Brother's Hand-Me-Down Bike] and she's become fascinated with the possibilities of /dance... We're even breaking away from class-specific gear sets to farm all the mats for her [Tier 4 School Supplies] individually via hotly contested minigames all over town. So while she's still utterly captivated by the sparkling magic of a game like Pixie Hollow, this evolving little personality is hooked on Fantage's opportunities to show off her own style and personality via her avatar and accessories. Different game, different flavor -- so let's investigate the attractions.

Continue reading MMO Family: A parent's look at Fantage

MMO Family: A parent's look at Fantage originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 27 Jul 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MMO Family: Parents Guide helps you choose games for the family

Lisa Poisso — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Kids, MMO Family, Family, Guides

What computer systems will it run on?
How much does it cost?
What does the game look and feel like?
Who's the target audience?

You'll find answers to these questions and more for every game in our ongoing series. What's more, we'll be updating the Parents Guide every time we run a new "A parent's look at" article.

Continue reading MMO Family: Parents Guide helps you choose games for the family

MMO Family: Parents Guide helps you choose games for the family originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 13 Jul 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MMO Family: Podcasts for gaming kids

Lisa Poisso — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Kids, MMO Family, Family

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.

Here's an offbeat idea for the kids on one of those endless hot summer days: Track down -- or better yet, try your hand at creating -- a podcast for their favorite MMO. Kids love to hear what other kids are playing, yet there aren't many kid-friendly gaming podcasts out there. "The thing about podcasts for kid's MMOs is that most kids don't really know much about what a podcast is," says Leesha Darkheart of Ravenwood Radio, a podcast about Wizard101.

Do we smell a hero's title for the mom or dad who comes up with an idea for creating some of the coolest summer fun on the block? We just might -- plus a seal of approval for discovering yet another way to enjoy gaming as a family.

Continue reading MMO Family: Podcasts for gaming kids

MMO Family: Podcasts for gaming kids originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 29 Jun 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MMO Family: Video game violence provokes aggression in some kids but not others

Lisa Poisso — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Kids, MMO Family, Family, Miscellaneous

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.

Sensible parents have long recognized that the way kids react to video game violence varies according to their personalities. A recent post at Bitmob illustrated one parent's recognition of the innocence with which his four-year-old son approached an opportunity to play Grand Theft Auto. "I understand not every kid is like mine, so I wouldn't recommend that every parent allow their child to play Grand Theft Auto," he wrote. "But I would recommend that you listen and pay attention to your little ones to determine what they are capable of handling and what they are not ready for yet."

Now, new research tells us how to determine exactly that. A report in the June issue of Review of General Psychology has pinpointed the factors that determine why violent video games provoke hostile behavior in some teens but not in others.

Continue reading MMO Family: Video game violence provokes aggression in some kids but not others

MMO Family: Video game violence provokes aggression in some kids but not others originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 15 Jun 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MMO Family: Screening "screen time"

Lisa Poisso — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Kids, MMO Family, Family

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.

One of the first topics we tackled here at MMO Family is how to tell when kids have had enough gaming time. As parents who game, we should be in a unique position to appreciate, respect and guide our children's attraction to games. But in the crush of day-to-day living, it's all too easy to let a few extra gaming minutes slip into half an hour ... past an hour ... into the evening ... into a habit that's begun eating away at family balance.

Some families keep a rein on gaming overdoses by instituting strict limits on screen time. What's considered part of the screen time quota varies from family to family; TV time is the bottom line, with movies, internet use and gaming time lumped in or added on top according to each family's habits and needs. We talked to Dr. Kourosh Dini, author of Video Game Play and Addiction: A Guide for Parents (now available completely online) and himself a gamer, for some professional perspectives on how to keep things in balance.

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MMO Family: Screening "screen time" originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 01 Jun 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MMO Family: A parent's look at Pixie Hollow

Lisa Poisso — Fri, 14 May 2010 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Kids, MMO Family, Family

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.

I wasn't planning to include a 2-D Flash game in MMO Family's initial sweep of children's games -- but then my daughter tried Disney's Pixie Hollow. Initially dismissive of the idea of slumming it in 2-D, she found herself utterly captivated by its magpie collection quests and friendly community of players. In the eyes of this 8-year-old road tester, Pixie Hollow delivers an enjoyable, social experience in an online world ... And I was forced to admit that this world suits her own interests as well as deeply immersive MMO worlds hold mine.

We're not going to get into gender wars here. Obviously, some girls won't like the fairies theme, and we're sure grownups will continue their snarky debates over the game's recently added male characters ("sparrow men"). Beyond that, what's most apparent is that Pixie Hollow successfully snares both kids who are enthralled with the Disney Fairies franchise and those who simply enjoy a glittery, web-based spot to flutter and chatter.

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MMO Family: A parent's look at Pixie Hollow originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 14 May 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Anvil of Crom: Family unfriendly

Jef Reahard — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Age of Conan, Opinion, The Anvil of Crom

There's been a lot of lip service paid to family friendly MMORPGs over the last couple of years, and deservedly so. Games like Free Realms, Mabinogi, and Toon Town Online have all done well for themselves by realizing that the first generation of gamers are all grown up and busy popping out future button mashers of their own. Free-to-play doesn't have the market cornered on family friendliness either, as pay-to-play titles like City of Heroes, World of Warcraft, and (I'm betting) the upcoming Star Wars: The Old Republic are or will be hugely popular with kids and their parents due to a lack of objectionable content.

Isn't it refreshing then, when a game like Funcom's Age of Conan comes along and completely turns its nose up at all the political correctness? Even though that's a bit of a rhetorical question, I'll answer it for you. Yes, yes it is, extremely refreshing. Hit the jump to find out why.

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The Anvil of Crom: Family unfriendly originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 25 Apr 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MMO Family: A parent's look at Toontown Online

Lisa Poisso — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Toontown Online, Kids, MMO Family

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.

Kids may not even realize they're playing an MMO (you know, one of those games that Mom and Dad talk about all the time and play after bedtime) when they log in to Toontown Online. All the traditional elements are there -- missions, combat, grouping, pets -- but they're all couched in the incomparable cartoon stylings of Disney. In fact, "couched" is probably the most apt descriptor possible, because Toontown is familiar and welcoming, just like that cozy couch you've been nestling into to watch Saturday morning cartoons for ... well, your whole life.

That's not to say that the action in Toontown is laid back. It's anything but. Kids gobble up the zany, cartoon slapstick approach to "combat" (think cream pies and banana peels) and mini-games. In fact, they'll be so busy squirting the boss in the face with their lapel flowers that they won't even realize they're "working" on levels. This is kid-flavored MMO gaming at its candy-coated best.

Continue reading MMO Family: A parent's look at Toontown Online

MMO Family: A parent's look at Toontown Online originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 16 Apr 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MMO Family: The advantages of a family-friendly guild

Lisa Poisso — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Kids, MMO Family, Family, Miscellaneous

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MMO Family: The advantages of a family-friendly guild originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 02 Apr 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Free Realms reaches 9 million registered players

Krystalle Voecks — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: News items, Free Realms, Kids

With the constant influx of things being added to the game such as player housing, soccer, new pets, and most recently mounts, Free Realms has been going strong. Now, we've gotten word that in less than a month they've managed to attract another 1 million new players to sign up and check out the game -- not too shabby!

"With Free Realms, we've been able to reflect the needs and wants of our players by keenly listening to their suggestions and feedback," said John Smedley, president of SOE. "We believe the persistent exercise of capturing in-game research inside Free Realms has been a huge contributing factor as to why we've attracted over nine million players in less than a year. It truly helps us give our players a game where they can do and be whatever they want."

With the addition of technologies like NetModerator to help keep kids safe, fun games that players of any age can enjoy, and the periodic television marketing campaign, Free Realms is in great shape to continue growing. Of course, the fun in-game parties and occasional giveaways certainly don't hurt, either.

Free Realms reaches 9 million registered players originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 05 Mar 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MMO Family: A parent's look at Wizard101

Lisa Poisso — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Casual, Kids, Wizard101, MMO Family

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MMO Family: A parent's look at Wizard101 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 19 Feb 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MMO Family: A parent's look at Ether Saga Online

Lisa Poisso — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: At a glance, Fantasy, Free-to-play, Kids, Ether Saga Online, MMO Family

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MMO Family: A parent's look at Ether Saga Online originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 29 Jan 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MMO Family: A parent's look at Free Realms

Lisa Poisso — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: At a glance, Free-to-play, Free Realms, Kids, MMO Family

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.

This week, MMO Family begins a gaming-savvy look at some of the most popular kid MMOs. You know what you like in an MMO - but what about your kids? And what if you're looking for something the whole family could play together? Today's gaming family can nibble from a whole feast of MMOs: games for grownups (we can help you fence off areas for kids who want to play what Mom and Dad do), games for the little ones, games for tweens and teens, and games for everyone to play together. When it's time to find just the right selection for the kids, we'll help you reticle over the most likely targets.

First up: Free Realms from Sony Online Entertainment.

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MMO Family: A parent's look at Free Realms originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 15 Jan 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Funcom unveils SweetRobot, announces Pets vs Monsters

Krystalle Voecks — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Galleries, Video, Launches, New titles, News items, Kids, Pets vs Monsters

When most parents think of children's MMOs, nobody would likely think of a studio like Funcom. After all, Funcom is the company that brought us Age of Conan, an MMO rife with boobs, blood, and beheading. Quite possibly the absolute last place you'd let your kiddies romp around, really. That's undoubtedly why they decided to spin off a new studio called SweetRobot as they start up their newest MMO offering aimed at the 8-12 year old crowd: Pets vs. Monsters! Slated to be a free to play game, Pets vs. Monsters has apparently been under development for two years and will enter public beta this month. Now how's that for a holiday surprise!

According to Funcom CEO Trond Arne Aas, "SweetRobot will be focusing on publishing games outside the traditional high-end MMO-segment which Funcom has been focusing on the last years. This will allow us to explore new market opportunities that differ from what we have been doing before while still retaining Funcom's familiar profile. This definitely marks a new and exciting direction for us." It is, however, a highly competitive market, so time will tell if this newest outing will take off for them. If you're curious to see a bit more of Pets vs. Monsters, then be sure to check out the gallery of screenshots and concept art below, or better yet, have a look at the game-play video for an early peek!

Gallery: Pets vs. Monsters

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Funcom unveils SweetRobot, announces Pets vs Monsters originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 11 Dec 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Daily Grind: Favorite family-friendly games

Krystalle Voecks — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Opinion, The Daily Grind

The axiom goes that "the family that plays together, stays together." However, since I first heard that particular phrase, the games have changed from the "bang two rocks together" or "run away from the big dinosaurs" of my own youth into sophisticated, online worlds with everything from basic web-embedded mini-games to fully-blown downloadable clients. Parents who want to avoid having their cards listed online can get cash cards for these games at Target, 7-11, and the like as they've become so common.

With that said, there are always some that are better than others in terms of keeping the family engaged. That's why this morning, we thought we'd ask you all what your favorite family games are? Do you like playing Free Realms with your tweens? Is Pirates of the Caribbean Online your destination once their chores are done? Perhaps your kids are a bit older and like playing things like Runes of Magic or perhaps even its subscription cousin, World of Warcraft with you on occasion? Or do you instead prefer to kick it old-school with weekly board games or maybe just Rock Band, leaving the MMOs for when they're older? What games get your family together for some geek bonding time?

The Daily Grind: Favorite family-friendly games originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 17 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Massively Exclusive: 5 million accounts, vehicles & more in FusionFall

Krystalle Voecks — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Expansions, New titles, News items, Browser, FusionFall, Kids

This past January, Cartoon Network launched their first foray into the MMO space with the wildly successful FusionFall, offering families who like to game together a great deal at $9.95 a month for up to four separate MMO accounts. Since those exciting first days of launch, they've given away all manner of funky swag, racked up over 5 million accounts, and started a whole new generation of explorers down the road of MMO enjoyment. With this summer, however, they're planning on adding even more to their fantastic freemium game with their first major content patch since launch - Dexlabs Upgrade 1: Speed and Style!

This super souped-up update, slated to launch later this summer will bring vehicles to the lands of FusionFall. The first one will be a cool new limited-time availability promo vehicle which will be collectible by both paid and free members. After the first vehicle is launched, players will then be required to reach level 10 to start their collection of other vehicles. What types of nifty ways to get around will there be? Well, as you can see above, we have an exclusive first-ever look at FusionFall's Jetbike, Hoverboard, and a very special guest appearance by Kimchi from Chowder! We're not sure, but considering FusionFall still remains the only MMO where players can get around via flying monkeys, we'd bet that whatever they come up with will be cool.

Massively Exclusive: 5 million accounts, vehicles & more in FusionFall originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 23 Jun 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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FusionFall hits the 4 million mark (with bonus Bubblehead, free!)

Krystalle Voecks — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: MMO industry, New titles, News items, Browser, FusionFall

We got some great news today from our friends over at Cartoon Network. It appears that their freemium family browser-based MMO, FusionFall, has crossed the 4-million registered member mark since their official launch in January! That's a tremendous chunk of growth, and we're glad to see FusionFall getting the love. (Any game that incorporates flying monkeys as a method of traveling around in-game rates an "awesome" in our book.)

To celebrate this excellent milestone, the crew over at FusionFall headquarters decided to whip up a special in-game item, the Zak Saturday Bubblehead Helmet, as a way of saying thanks to everyone for playing. All you have to do to get your hands on this limited-edition special celebratory goodie is to head over to the FusionFall site, grab the code, and add it to your account. Of course while you're logged in, you'll want to check out all the new missions and crazy items that the FusionFall team have been hard at work adding in.

FusionFall hits the 4 million mark (with bonus Bubblehead, free!) originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 02 Apr 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Free Realms screens give us a sneak peek of Briarwood

Krystalle Voecks — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, New titles, Previews, News items, Free Realms

With Free Realms now in closed beta, many are very curious to see how things are progressing in this new family-friendly SOE MMO. We here at Massively have been lucky enough to see it on several occasions, and are thrilled at how this project appears to be coming along. So we were extremely glad to see the Free Realms team released seven new screenshots and a bit of information on one of the many zones we're looking forward to experiencing; Briarwood.

If you, like us, are interested in some of the backstory and things we'll be seeing in Free Realms, be sure to check behind the break for their description of Briarwood. Also, be sure to pop over to the gallery and check out the seven new screens, with a bonus of all the previous screens and concept art we've compiled about this great upcoming family-friendly title too!

Gallery: Free Realms

Continue reading New Free Realms screens give us a sneak peek of Briarwood

New Free Realms screens give us a sneak peek of Briarwood originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 08 Mar 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Flying Lab Software cannonading for new casual MMO

Kyle Horner — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Pirates of the Burning Sea, New titles, News items, Casual

It looks like after many long years of developing Pirates of the Burning Sea, Flying Lab Software is ready for something a little more laid back. Which is why the Seattle-based developer's next project will be a family friendly casual MMO through a partnership with trading card company Upper Deck. They're even opening a new branch entitled Flying Lab Casual to work on the project. Right now we really don't know anything beyond that, but more detailed information about the title is expected in the coming weeks.

We say more power to FLS/FLC for mixing it up and keeping things fresh. Nothing is worse than a developer whose lost some of that sparkle in their eyes. Then again, we're sure that the booming casual market has at least a little to do with the choice as well.

That being said, current Pirates of the Burning Sea players have nothing to fear as new content will continue to flow freely as rum on a salty sea dog's ship.

Flying Lab Software cannonading for new casual MMO originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 29 Jan 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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