Massively http://massively.joystiq.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/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/<![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: Roblox CEO David Baszucki talks mobile app, plans for the future]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/26/mmo-family-roblox-ceo-david-baszucki-talks-mobile-app-plans-fo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/26/mmo-family-roblox-ceo-david-baszucki-talks-mobile-app-plans-fo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/26/mmo-family-roblox-ceo-david-baszucki-talks-mobile-app-plans-fo/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

MMO Family Roblox CEO David Baszucki talks mobile app, plans for the future
A few months ago, we looked at Roblox, a kid-friendly MMO with an emphasis on user-generated content. With the help of Roblox Studio, players have made some amazing worlds, ranging from peaceful playgrounds to intense PvP battlegrounds. Recently, Roblox officially launched a free mobile app that lets fans play Roblox through their iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad.

Massively had a chance to talk with CEO David Baszucki about the new mobile app, and he gave us some insight into how it works and what it means for Roblox. He also spoke about an exciting new change to the Roblox economy and hinted at plans for the future.

Continue reading MMO Family: Roblox CEO David Baszucki talks mobile app, plans for the future

MassivelyMMO Family: Roblox CEO David Baszucki talks mobile app, plans for the future originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 26 Dec 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>casualchildrenchildrens-mmosdavid-baszuckifamilyfamily-friendlyfeaturedkid-friendlykidskids-gamesmmo-familyopinionrobloxroblox-corporationroblox-ipadroblox-iphoneroblox-mobile-approbuxWed, 26 Dec 2012 10:00:00 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.

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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[Battle for the high skies: Hands-on with Pirate101]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/15/battle-for-the-high-skies-hands-on-with-pirate101/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/15/battle-for-the-high-skies-hands-on-with-pirate101/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/15/battle-for-the-high-skies-hands-on-with-pirate101/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Pirate101 Header
Her name is Reckless Roslyn Ramsey, and she is a pirate. She sails a ship, loots treasure, hangs out in seedy bars, and fights anyone who stands between her and the fame and fortune she so rightly deserves. You wouldn't be lying to say that young Ms. Ramsey has swashed a fair few buckles in her time, and the pink and white, panda and crossbones flag under which she and her crew sail is feared the world over.

Such is life in Pirate101, a family-oriented MMO created by KingsIsle Entertainment and due to launch today. Placing you in the role of a young pirate at the beginning of his or her quest for glory, Pirate101 asks you to carve your own path, gather cunning crewmembers, and discover the hidden mysteries of The Spiral (a fantasy world the game shares with smash hit Wizard101).

I hopped in on the Pirate101 head-start over the weekend to get an idea of what this colorful MMO has to offer and to see whether its kid-friendly design hinders its ability to be fun for those of us jaded gamers who expect a little blood with our sword slashes. What I found was an accessible game with a clear slant toward younger players as well as a robust and fun MMO with plenty to offer grown-ups seeking to step away from the grim, dark worlds of more traditional fare.

Continue reading Battle for the high skies: Hands-on with Pirate101

MassivelyBattle for the high skies: Hands-on with Pirate101 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 15 Oct 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f2pfamilyfamily-friendlyfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playfreemiumhands-onhead-startimpressionskid-friendlykidskids-mmokingsislekingsisle-entertainmentlaunchlaunch-daylaunchesmicrotransactionmicrotransactionspiratepirate-shipPirate101piratespremiumpreviewpreviewsskull-islandTurn-basedwizard101yarrMon, 15 Oct 2012 10:00:00 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[Pirate101 head start begins on October 8th]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/01/pirate101-soft-launches-today/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/01/pirate101-soft-launches-today/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/01/pirate101-soft-launches-today/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Pirate101 Interview
If you're a fan of family-friendly MMO Wizard101 and can't wait to get a taste of KingsIsle's next project, then this is your lucky week because Pirate101 is set to begin its head start on October 8th. While the game doesn't officially hit digital shelves until October 15th, you can hop in and get to pirating beginning on the 8th by picking up specific membership types or snagging a pre-launch game bundle (beta participants are also invited). Additionally, Pirate101 game cards will be available in retail stores as of October 8th.

Pirate101 is in many ways the spiritual successor to Wizard101 and marks an ambitious undertaking by KingsIsle to build another engaging and successful MMO that is also family friendly and safe. We talked to producer Jay Gordon and associate producer Mike Stone to get an idea of the challenges the team faced and what may lie in store for those looking to loot and plunder.

Continue reading Pirate101 head start begins on October 8th

MassivelyPirate101 head start begins on October 8th originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 01 Oct 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betabeta-testbeta-testingEntertainmentf2pfamily-friendlyfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playfreemiuminterviewinterviewsjay-gordonkid-friendlykidskingsislekingsisle-entertainmentlaunchlaunch-daylaunchesmicrotransactionMicrotransactionsmike-stonepirate101piratespremiumtestingWizardwizard101Mon, 01 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.

Continue reading MMO Family: First Impressions of Pora Ora

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!

Continue reading MMO Family: Lessons from an MMO-light summer

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.

Continue reading MMO Family: Pirate101 and the Pixar effect

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!

Continue reading MMO Family: Clone Wars Adventures' tale of two card games

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<![CDATA[MMO Family: Moving beyond the mundane in kid-friendly MMOs]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/07/25/mmo-family-moving-beyond-the-mundane-in-kid-friendly-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/07/25/mmo-family-moving-beyond-the-mundane-in-kid-friendly-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/07/25/mmo-family-moving-beyond-the-mundane-in-kid-friendly-mmos/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

MMO Family Moving beyond the mundane in kidfriendly MMOs
We're about to enter the "dog days of August," and lately, I've felt as if I'm in the dog days of kid-friendly MMOs. There are many titles to choose from, yet many of them feel all too familiar, and after a while, they start to blend together. Of course, there are some that push the boundaries and shine, and I've been trying to cover those in this column. But in this week's MMO Family, I'd like to get my rant on and look at a few characteristics of kid-friendly MMOs that really need to go. They've outlasted their welcome and are holding back the genre, so I'm calling them out!

Continue reading MMO Family: Moving beyond the mundane in kid-friendly MMOs

MassivelyMMO Family: Moving beyond the mundane in kid-friendly MMOs originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 25 Jul 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>casualchildrenchildrens-mmosfamilyfamily-friendlyfeaturedisometric-viewkid-friendlykidskids-gamesmmo-familyopinionWed, 25 Jul 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: Jumping into learning with JumpStart]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/07/11/mmo-family-jumping-into-learning-with-jumpstart/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/07/11/mmo-family-jumping-into-learning-with-jumpstart/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/07/11/mmo-family-jumping-into-learning-with-jumpstart/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

MMO Family Jumping into Learning with JumpStart
When the subject of kid-friendly MMOs comes up, it almost always ends up with a discussion about whether there's any educational value to them. Many of them are safe, provide fun, and bring families together, but actual learning doesn't seem to be the focus. And some games that do focus on learning end up starchy and bland. JumpStart, however, is one of those MMOs that tries to bring together fun and education for kids who are in preschool and elementary school. It launched a couple of years ago, and the world has expanded quite a bit since then. Does it deliver on both fun and learning? Read on for some first impressions!

Continue reading MMO Family: Jumping into learning with JumpStart

MassivelyMMO Family: Jumping into learning with JumpStart originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Jul 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>casualchildrenchildrens-mmoseducational-mmofamilyfamily-friendlyfeaturedfree-to-playjumpstartjumpstart-learningkaren-bryankid-friendlykidskids-gamesknowledge-adventuremmo-familyopinionWed, 11 Jul 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Club Penguin gets $4.7 million online safety campaign]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/07/05/club-penguin-gets-4-7-million-online-safety-campaign/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/07/05/club-penguin-gets-4-7-million-online-safety-campaign/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/07/05/club-penguin-gets-4-7-million-online-safety-campaign/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Club Penguin
Games for kids need to be safe for kids, and recent news about Habbo highlights the importance of this. In the aftermath of concerns raised in that community, Disney has decided to launch an expansive safety campaign for its popular Club Penguin title. The campaign will spend $4.7 million to target not only the children who who play the game but also parents through advertising on various media including websites, magazines, television, and in the game itself.

Club Penguin co-founder and Executive VP of Disney Online Studios Lane Merrifield emphasizes the company's stance on the importance of online safety and that education is a key element. Merrifield states, "From the very start, our vision for Club Penguin was to create a safe place for my kids and their friends to play online. The scale may now be bigger than I could ever have imagined but that philosophy has not changed. As an industry I think we can help teach kids the lessons that they need to become responsible digital citizens."

MassivelyClub Penguin gets $4.7 million online safety campaign originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 05 Jul 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>browserbrowser-basedchild-friendlyclub-penguinDisneydisney-online-studiosf2pfamily-friendlyfree-to-playkidskids-gameslane-merrifieldonline-safetyonline-safety-campaignThu, 05 Jul 2012 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: Open-world combat and old school gaming in Free Realms]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/06/27/mmo-family-open-world-combat-and-old-school-gaming-in-free-real/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/06/27/mmo-family-open-world-combat-and-old-school-gaming-in-free-real/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/06/27/mmo-family-open-world-combat-and-old-school-gaming-in-free-real/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

MMO Family Open World Combat and Old School Gaming in Free Realms
There are many times lately when I've experienced the full power of the generation gap. As my kids get older and more game-savvy, I sometimes find myself trying to catch up with how the younger generation games compared to how I did it during the good old days of gaming. So it was a pleasant surprise to see a little taste of old school gaming in the latest update to kid-friendly MMO Free Realms. The normally peaceful Shrouded Glade has come under attack, and players have been swarming to the zone to help turn back the tide of invaders. It's a prelude event that will usher in some new content to the game, and it features several fun activities while the event continues, but the most notable change is the introduction of open world combat. For the first time in Free Realms, the bad guys are out and about in the Glade rather than corralled safely away in instances. That's brought some interesting changes to how players are interacting in game.

In this week's MMO Family, we'll look at the Shrouded Glade event in Free Realms and see how it's bringing a little throwback-gaming to the pint-sized gaming generation.

Continue reading MMO Family: Open-world combat and old school gaming in Free Realms

MassivelyMMO Family: Open-world combat and old school gaming in Free Realms originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 27 Jun 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>browserbrowser-basedcasualchildrenchildrens-mmosconsoleconsolesdwarves-vs-druidsf2pfamilyfamily-friendlyfeaturedfrfree-realmsfree-to-playgloam-invasionkaren-bryankid-friendlykidskids-gameskids-mmommo-familyold-schoolopen-worldopen-world-combatopinionplaystation-3playstation3ps3shrouded-gladesoesonysony-online-entertainmentsunstone-valleytrainsWed, 27 Jun 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: Roblox first impressions]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/06/13/mmo-family-roblox-first-impressions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/06/13/mmo-family-roblox-first-impressions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/06/13/mmo-family-roblox-first-impressions/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

MMO Family Roblox first impressions
In last week's MMO Family, we had the chance to talk to Roblox CEO David Baszucki and hear how he took a physics-based simulation program and turned it into a successful game design tool that's enabled players of all ages to build and explore an endless variety of game worlds.

But what exactly is Roblox? It's been compared to LEGO and Minecraft, but there's actually a lot more to it than that. In this week's MMO Family, we'll dive into the game for some first impressions and explore why everyone, both young and old, should check it out!

Continue reading MMO Family: Roblox first impressions

MassivelyMMO Family: Roblox first impressions originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 13 Jun 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>casualchildrenchildrens-mmosdavid-baszuckifamilyfamily-friendlyfeaturedkaren-bryankid-friendlykidskids-gameslegosminecraftmmo-familyopinionrobloxsandboxuser-generated-contentWed, 13 Jun 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: Roblox CEO David Baszucki talks blocks, building, and learning through play]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/30/mmo-family-roblox-ceo-david-baszucki-talks-blocks-building-an/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/30/mmo-family-roblox-ceo-david-baszucki-talks-blocks-building-an/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/30/mmo-family-roblox-ceo-david-baszucki-talks-blocks-building-an/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Roblox
Robots and blocks are always lots of fun, both for kids and grown-ups who like to channel their inner-kid. So the combination of the two, in a sandbox, user-generated environment, makes perfect sense, and it's the concept behind Roblox. In short, it's a physics-based MMO that gives users the opportunity to be an armchair developer and push the bounds of creativity in building their own worlds. But the game goes beyond simple block-stacking, and offers enormous potential for learning in such disciplines as computer science, architecture, and even marketing.

In this week's MMO Family, Roblox CEO David Baszucki took the time to speak with Massively about the past, present and future plans for the game. He's taken a physics-based simulation and built up a successful and engaging game. Read on for highlights from the interview!

Continue reading MMO Family: Roblox CEO David Baszucki talks blocks, building, and learning through play

MassivelyMMO Family: Roblox CEO David Baszucki talks blocks, building, and learning through play originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 30 May 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>casualchildrenchildrens-mmosdavid-baszuckieducational-mmosfamilyfamily-friendlyfeaturedkid-friendlykidskids-gamesmmo-familyopinionrobloxsandboxuser-generated-contentWed, 30 May 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: The state of the game (at school)]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/mmo-family-the-state-of-the-game-at-school/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/mmo-family-the-state-of-the-game-at-school/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/mmo-family-the-state-of-the-game-at-school/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

laptop learning
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.

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

MassivelyMMO 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.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ben-bertolicasualchildrenchildrens-mmosclassrealmfamilyfamily-friendlyfeaturedibookskaren-bryankid-friendlykidskids-gamesmmo-familyopinionschools-and-gamingschools-and-technologyteachingwhere-in-the-world-is-carmen-sandiegoWed, 16 May 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: How helpful are those ESRB ratings?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/02/mmo-family-how-helpful-are-those-esrb-ratings/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/02/mmo-family-how-helpful-are-those-esrb-ratings/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/02/mmo-family-how-helpful-are-those-esrb-ratings/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

ESRB Rating
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.

Continue reading MMO Family: How helpful are those ESRB ratings?

MassivelyMMO 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.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>casualchildrenchildrens-mmosesrbesrb-ratingseveeverquest-iieverquestiifamilyfamily-friendlyfeaturedkid-friendlykidskids-gamesmmo-familyopinionwizard101wowWed, 02 May 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: Mind your massively multiplayer manners revisited]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/18/mmo-family-mind-your-massively-multiplayer-manners-revisited/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/18/mmo-family-mind-your-massively-multiplayer-manners-revisited/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/18/mmo-family-mind-your-massively-multiplayer-manners-revisited/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

south park
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.

Continue reading MMO Family: Mind your massively multiplayer manners revisited

MassivelyMMO 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.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>casualchildrenchildrens-mmosfamilyfamily-friendlyfeaturedkid-friendlykidskids-gamesmmo-etiquettemmo-familymmo-mannersopinionpolite-gamersWed, 18 Apr 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: Do kids belong in guilds?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/04/mmo-family-do-kids-belong-in-guilds/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/04/mmo-family-do-kids-belong-in-guilds/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/04/mmo-family-do-kids-belong-in-guilds/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Guild Hall in EQII
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?

Continue reading MMO Family: Do kids belong in guilds?

MassivelyMMO 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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Super Hero Squad Online
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.

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

MassivelyMMO 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.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>casualchildrenchildrens-mmosfamilyfamily-friendlyfeaturedfree-to-playjesse-schellkaren-bryankid-friendlykidskids-gameslead-genmicrotransactionsmmo-familyopinionWed, 21 Mar 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: Kid-friendly MMO roundup, part 1]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/07/mmo-family-kid-friendly-mmo-roundup-part-1/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/07/mmo-family-kid-friendly-mmo-roundup-part-1/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/07/mmo-family-kid-friendly-mmo-roundup-part-1/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Little space heroes
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

MassivelyMMO 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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Markers
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.

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

MassivelyMMO 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.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>casualchildrenchildrens-mmoschutes-and-laddersfamilyfamily-friendlyfamily-friendly-mmosfeaturedfree-realmsjackpotkaren-bryankid-friendlykidskids-gameskids-mmosmagic-markersminecraftmmo-and-imaginationmmo-familyopinionWed, 22 Feb 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: LEGO Universe, autism, and heartbreak]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/28/mmo-family-lego-universe-autism-and-heartbreak/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/28/mmo-family-lego-universe-autism-and-heartbreak/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/28/mmo-family-lego-universe-autism-and-heartbreak/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Lego Universe
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

MassivelyMMO 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.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aspergersautismcasualchildrenchildrens-mmosf2pfamilyfamily-friendlyfeaturedfree-to-playkaren-bryankid-friendlykidskids-gameslegolego+gameslego+universelego+universe+game+autismlego-universelegogameslegouniverselegouniversegameautismmmo-closingmmo-familymmo-kidsmmo-shut-downopinionstar-wars-galaxiessunsettabula-rasaWed, 28 Dec 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: Heroing-up in Super Hero Squad Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/14/mmo-family-heroing-up-in-super-hero-squad-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/14/mmo-family-heroing-up-in-super-hero-squad-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/14/mmo-family-heroing-up-in-super-hero-squad-online/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

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!

Continue reading MMO Family: Heroing-up in Super Hero Squad Online

MassivelyMMO 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.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>family-friendlyfamily-friendly-mmofeaturedfree-to-playgazilliongazillion-entertainmentHeadquartershousingkaren-bryankid-friendlykid-friendly-mmomarvelmarvel-super-hero-squadmmommo-familyshsosuper+hero+squadsuper+hero+squad+mmosuper+hero+squad+onlinesuper-herosuper-hero-squadsuper-hero-squad-onlinesuperherosuperhero+games+onlinesuperherogamesonlinesuperherosquadsuperherosquadmmosuperherosquadonlinetcgtrading-card-gameWed, 14 Dec 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Exclusive: Nickelodeon's Kyra Reppen on Monkey Quest]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/08/exclusive-nickelodeons-kyra-reppen-on-monkey-quest/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/08/exclusive-nickelodeons-kyra-reppen-on-monkey-quest/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/08/exclusive-nickelodeons-kyra-reppen-on-monkey-quest/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

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

MassivelyExclusive: 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.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>browserbrowser-basedfamily-friendlyfeaturedinterviewinterviewskid-friendlykidskyra-reppenmonkey-questneopetsnick-game-cardsnickelodeonpetpet-parkspongebobFri, 08 Apr 2011 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Nickelodeon evolves a new monkey MMO]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/01/nickelodeon-evolves-a-new-monkey-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/01/nickelodeon-evolves-a-new-monkey-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/01/nickelodeon-evolves-a-new-monkey-mmo/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

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

MassivelyNickelodeon 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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