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 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[MMO Family: A parent's look at LEGO Universe]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/02/mmo-family-a-parents-look-at-lego-universe/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/02/mmo-family-a-parents-look-at-lego-universe/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/02/mmo-family-a-parents-look-at-lego-universe/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

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

Most kids who play video games have at least seen one from the LEGO franchise. There are a ton of them -- enough, in fact, for a whole page listing them. They're fun games; I'll bet you've played at least one of them, at least in bits and pieces in a demo somewhere. After all, who doesn't love LEGOs?

Still, there was a decided "ho-hum" reaction among my team of young playtesters when I announced we were going to test the ropes of the brand new LEGO Universe MMO. Oh sure, they were willing enough, but it seemed there was always something shinier and more appealing to play on any given day than the game about good ol' LEGOs.

Until they played LEGO Universe -- and had a (brick-)smashing good time.

Gallery: First Impressions: LEGO Universe

Continue reading MMO Family: A parent's look at LEGO Universe

MassivelyMMO Family: A parent's look at LEGO Universe originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 02 Nov 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>childrenfamilyfamily-gamingfeaturedkid-friendlykidslegolego-universelegosmmo-familynet-devilnetdevilparental-controlsparentsparents-guideparents-guide-to-kids-and-family-gamingryan-seaburysubscriptionwarner-brothers-interactiveTue, 02 Nov 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: Parents as gaming gatekeepers]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/19/mmo-family-parents-as-gaming-gatekeepers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/19/mmo-family-parents-as-gaming-gatekeepers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/19/mmo-family-parents-as-gaming-gatekeepers/#commentsFiled under: , ,

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

Does your child have the emotional levels it takes to tackle certain MMOs? The idea of parents as gaming gatekeepers all too often comes down to simplistic, ESRB ratings-based rulings passed down from on high by relatively disengaged parents. Deciding what and how your child should play is far from a black-or-white decision. Last time in MMO Family, for instance, we looked at how to tell if your child is ready for MMO raiding -- yet far too many commenters missed the point, assuming (from the topic alone, we can only presume) that we advocate a laissez-faire attitude that allows kids to abandon their other activities and strands them in front of a keyboard during every free moment. Come on, folks, it's not a choice between letting kids play to the detriment of the rest of their lives vs. not playing at all. It's about gatekeeping -- and this is where you, the parent, come in.

The truth is, categorically forbidding kids who're interested in video games to play at all is no more thoughtful or balanced an approach than throwing up your hands and letting them log in during every waking moment. Your role is to help children learn to balance their interests and lives, with as light or heavy a hand as may be necessary for your kids. This week, we've brought you some thoughts from a mother and son who've been there, done that -- together.

Continue reading MMO Family: Parents as gaming gatekeepers

MassivelyMMO Family: Parents as gaming gatekeepers originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 19 Oct 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-appropriateage-limitschildrenESRBfamilyfamily-gamingfeaturedguildsparental-controlsparentsraidingsupervisionteenagersteenstime-managementTue, 19 Oct 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: Is your child ready for MMO raiding?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/05/mmo-family-is-your-child-ready-for-mmo-raiding/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/05/mmo-family-is-your-child-ready-for-mmo-raiding/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/05/mmo-family-is-your-child-ready-for-mmo-raiding/#commentsFiled under: , ,

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

Does your youngster have ambitions to become an MMO raider? As a seasoned gamer yourself, you may find it hard to believe that your kids are already old enough to be chomping at the bit to battle the same bosses, to pore over the same strategies, to put themselves through the same scheduling wringer that you do. That's the thing about kids, though -- they want to tackle the cool stuff just like you do, especially if that's what they've grown up watching you raid.

Is MMO raiding appropriate for your older child or teen? That's a matter only a parent can decide. The answer will be different from child to child, age to age and family to family. The best analogy I can offer is to treat this like a virtual team sport. Make sure your youngster has the bandwidth to support adding another focused activity to his schedule; from there, you'll want to help him choose the right team with a solid coach and assistants, supportive teammates and an age-appropriate challenge rating and social environment. A little direction from a tuned-in, gaming-savvy parent can help many young wannabe raiders realize their ambitions in an age-appropriate, balanced and enjoyable way.

Continue reading MMO Family: Is your child ready for MMO raiding?

MassivelyMMO Family: Is your child ready for MMO raiding? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 05 Oct 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-appropriateage-limitschildrenfamilyfamily-funfamily-gamingfeaturedguildsparental-controlsparentsraidingsupervisionteenagersteenstime-managementTue, 05 Oct 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: A parent's look at World of Cars Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/07/mmo-family-a-parents-look-at-world-of-cars-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/07/mmo-family-a-parents-look-at-world-of-cars-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/07/mmo-family-a-parents-look-at-world-of-cars-online/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


MMO Family is your resource for leveling a gaming-specced family, from tips on balancing gaming with family life to finding age-appropriate 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

MassivelyMMO 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.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carschat-filterchildchildrendisneydisney-interactive-media-groupfamilyfamily-friendlyfamily-funfamily-gamingfeaturedflashfree-to-playfreemiumkid-friendlykidsminigamesparental-controlsparentspixarpoint-and-clicksafe-chatspeed-chatweb-basedworld-of-carsworld-of-cars-onlineTue, 07 Sep 2010 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[World of Cars takes off with a full tank of gas]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/13/world-of-cars-takes-off-with-a-full-tank-of-gas/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/13/world-of-cars-takes-off-with-a-full-tank-of-gas/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/13/world-of-cars-takes-off-with-a-full-tank-of-gas/#commentsFiled under: , ,

It's not every day that you're invited to make an anthropomorphized vehicle that you're expected to both race and comfort its feelings. Leave it to Disney Pixar, then, to make the first move in that department, which is why they've launched World of Cars for the hot-rodding set.

Based on the 2006 hit animated film, World of Cars invites drivers of all ages to create their own personable car and go head-to-head with friends and strangers. There are even cameos from the movie, as Cheech Marin and Jennifer Lewis return to reprise their roles in the game. Players can explore the open world, upgrade their cars, and enter races for fame and money as they like.

Right now, World of Cars is free-to-play with optional microtransactions and subscriptions, and features a full set of parental controls so your mommy or daddy can tell you when you need to stop playing and go into work. Or school. It's okay, we won't tell anyone you're actually having fun with cartoon cars if you won't tell on us too.

MassivelyWorld of Cars takes off with a full tank of gas originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 13 Aug 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carscheech-marindisneydisney-pixarf2pfree-to-playftpjennifer-lewislaunchMicrotransactionsparental-controlspixarworld-of-carsFri, 13 Aug 2010 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: A parent's look at Fantage]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/27/mmo-family-a-parents-look-at-fantage/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/27/mmo-family-a-parents-look-at-fantage/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/27/mmo-family-a-parents-look-at-fantage/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

MMO Family is your resource for leveling a gaming-specced family, from tips on balancing gaming with family life to finding age-appropriate 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

MassivelyMMO 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.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chat-filterchildchildrenESRBESRB-ratingfamilyfamily-friendlyfamily-funfamily-gamingfantagefeaturedfree-to-playfreemiumkid-friendlykidsparental-controlsparentspixie-hollowsafe-chatTue, 27 Jul 2010 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: A parent's look at Pixie Hollow]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/14/mmo-family-a-parents-look-at-pixie-hollow/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/14/mmo-family-a-parents-look-at-pixie-hollow/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/14/mmo-family-a-parents-look-at-pixie-hollow/#commentsFiled under: , ,

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

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.

Continue reading MMO Family: A parent's look at Pixie Hollow

MassivelyMMO 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.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chat-filterchildchildrenDisneyDisney-FairiesDisney-InteractiveESRBESRB-ratingfairiesfamilyfamily-friendlyfamily-funfamily-gamingfeaturedfree-to-playfreemiumkid-friendlykidsparental-controlsparentsPixie-Hollowsparrow-manFri, 14 May 2010 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: A parent's look at Toontown Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/16/mmo-family-a-parents-look-at-toontown-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/16/mmo-family-a-parents-look-at-toontown-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/16/mmo-family-a-parents-look-at-toontown-online/#commentsFiled under: , ,

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

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

MassivelyMMO 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.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chat-filterchildchildrenESRBESRB-ratingfamilyfamily-friendlyfamily-funfamily-gamingfeaturedkid-friendlykidsparental-controlsparentspay-as-you-goFri, 16 Apr 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: A parent's look at Wizard101]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/19/mmo-family-a-parents-look-at-wizard101/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/19/mmo-family-a-parents-look-at-wizard101/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/19/mmo-family-a-parents-look-at-wizard101/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

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

Wizard101 is the game your youngest gamers have been begging for. With stringent chat filters atop relaxed, turn-based game play, Wizard101 looks almost unbeatable for young players seeking an MMO with traditional fantasy appeal. It plays like a collectible card game with all the MMO trimmings: housing, armor and clothing, player houses, pets, mini-games ... Family subscription plans plus the most complete, well presented web documentation that we've found keep parents as happy as the kids. (And they just might find themselves tempted to start a character and build their own spell decks, too!)

Continue reading MMO Family: A parent's look at Wizard101

MassivelyMMO 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.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chat-filterchildrenESRBESRB-ratingfamilyfamily-friendlyfamily-funfamily-gamingfeaturedkid-friendlykidsparental-controlsparentspay-as-you-gowizard101Fri, 19 Feb 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: A parent's look at Ether Saga Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/29/mmo-family-a-parents-look-at-ether-saga-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/29/mmo-family-a-parents-look-at-ether-saga-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/29/mmo-family-a-parents-look-at-ether-saga-online/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

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

Next in our look at kids' MMOs is Ether Saga Online, winner of a 2009 National Parenting Publications Award for tweens and teens video games. Compared with the freewheeling, open-ended approach of Free Realms, ESO presents a more traditional MMO face. Even so, you probably weren't expecting a work of classic literature -- but that's in fact what you'll get. ESO, which was first developed for Chinese players, is based on Journey to the West (often known in the West as Monkey), considered one of the four great classical novels of Chinese literature. All that, and it's free to play, too.

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

MassivelyMMO 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.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animechat-filterchildrenESRBESRB-ratingfamilyfamily-friendlyfamily-funfamily-gamingfeaturedJourney-to-the-Westkid-friendlykidsMonkeyparental-controlsparentsPerfect-WorldPerfect-World-EntertainmentFri, 29 Jan 2010 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: A parent's look at Free Realms]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/15/mmo-family-a-parents-look-at-free-realms/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/15/mmo-family-a-parents-look-at-free-realms/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/15/mmo-family-a-parents-look-at-free-realms/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

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

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.

Continue reading MMO Family: A parent's look at Free Realms

MassivelyMMO 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.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chat-filterchildrenESRBESRB-ratingfamilyfamily-friendlyfamily-funfamily-gamingfeaturedFree-Realmskid-friendlykidsparental-controlsparentsSony-Online-EntertainmentStation-CashFri, 15 Jan 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: Parental control tools]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/06/mmo-family-parental-control-tools/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/06/mmo-family-parental-control-tools/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/06/mmo-family-parental-control-tools/#commentsFiled under: ,

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

If you've been following along here at MMO Family, you'll know we keep a pretty big toolbox. What works for one family won't fit another, so we believe in offering a lot of different options. You can't possibly use every tool at once -- or maybe you could, although you probably shouldn't. You'd be one busy parent if you attempted to wield all 17 internet safety tactics at once for every child, every day. You'd never have time to actually log in and play if you ran every game screening technique known to man ... Treat all these tactics like a buffet, and load up your plate with the ideas you think fit your family's taste.

That said, we've got another big tool for the box this week: parental controls. These settings on your computer, game consoles and individual games let you limit access to game features you don't want your children to use. You can use parental controls to determine what games your kids play (and block those M-rated games borrowed from the friend at school), who they're playing them with and when they're playing them.

Continue reading MMO Family: Parental control tools

MassivelyMMO Family: Parental control tools originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>childrenfamilyfeaturedmonitorparental-controlsparentsscheduleFri, 06 Nov 2009 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: 17 internet safety tactics for gaming families]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/09/mmo-family-17-internet-safety-tactics-for-gaming-families/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/09/mmo-family-17-internet-safety-tactics-for-gaming-families/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/09/mmo-family-17-internet-safety-tactics-for-gaming-families/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

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

"Be careful, there's nasty stuff out there on the internet."

It's frustrating to hear this warning clarioned over and over again. We're gamers ourselves, after all. We know easily children can get in over their heads on the internet. "Be careful," intone the experts. "Watch carefully, and be very, very careful ..." But how? What must we be careful to do? To not do? What does "being careful" mean in actual practice? Specific online safety tactics - and putting them into practice without driving anyone crazy in the process - become an epic quest reward that always manages to stay two turn-ins out of reach.

As we mentioned last week, your main objective as the parent of a young MMO player is to remain figuratively logged in to their activity. When children are online, parents cannot afford to be figuratively AFK. We're not suggesting you pull up a chair and some popcorn to faithfully oversee kids' every move online. No child needs direct supervision to kill 10 rats (or pick 20 flowers or befriend 30 fairies or frag 50 enemies ...). But young gamers do need your boundaries and your guidance (as well as your feedback, your enthusiasm and your support). Just how strong the boundaries should be will depend on the age of your child and the game that they're playing. Apply common sense, based on your own MMO experience, along with these 17 tactics for safe online gaming.

Continue reading MMO Family: 17 internet safety tactics for gaming families

MassivelyMMO Family: 17 internet safety tactics for gaming families originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 09 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>authenticatorchat-channelchildrencode-of-conductcyberbullyingfamilyfamily-funfamily-gamingfeaturedguildshandlekidsmannersnetiquetteparental-controlsparentspasswordroutersafetysecuritystrong-passwordsupervisiontrollvirus-protectionvoice-chatFri, 09 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EST