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[Toontown Online makes it harder for griefers]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/06/toontown-online-makes-it-harder-for-griefers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/06/toontown-online-makes-it-harder-for-griefers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/06/toontown-online-makes-it-harder-for-griefers/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

We were swimming in the apartment community pool this weekend and were unfortunate enough to be there when a kid was practicing his griefing skills. He was about 10 years old and was doing the standard stuff: throwing trash in the pool and blaming other kids, stealing the other kids' pool toys, and of course calling everyone "gay" when they left the pool and took their toys with them.

We see griefers of all ages in the MMOs we play and the kids games are no exception. We've discussed before how games like Toontown Online take steps to prevent griefing with canned chat phrases and passworded friend features. The worst thing a toon in Toontown can say to you is "You stink!" which is really not very hurtful. But it is rather bothersome when it is spammed at you until you are able to escape the griefer, say by going home and gardening. .

Continue reading Toontown Online makes it harder for griefers

MassivelyToontown Online makes it harder for griefers originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 06 Jul 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>childrendisneygrieferskidstoontown-onlineSun, 06 Jul 2008 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Cinemassively: Toontown Friends Forever]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/19/cinemassively-toontown-friends-forever/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/19/cinemassively-toontown-friends-forever/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/19/cinemassively-toontown-friends-forever/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Not only is the machinima hard in Toontown, but the gameplay is even harder! This free-to-play virtual world for kids doesn't appear to have a way to turn off the User Interface (UI). However, even then, you'd need a buddy code just to communicate with anyone to coordinate movements!

These setbacks don't deter members of the community, though. There are over 4,000 Toontown videos on YouTube! In this music video, Friends Forever, dating back almost two years, ToonTownGeekFangs gives thanks to the world and friends that have kept them safe.

If you have machinima or movie suggestions from any MMO, please send them to machinima AT massively DOT com, along with any information you might have about them.

MassivelyCinemassively: Toontown Friends Forever originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 19 Apr 2008 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cinemassivelydisneydisney-onlinefriends-forevermachinimatoontowntoontown-onlinetoontowngeekfangsSat, 19 Apr 2008 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Virtual Magic Kingdom comes to an end]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/09/virtual-magic-kingdom-comes-to-an-end/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/09/virtual-magic-kingdom-comes-to-an-end/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/09/virtual-magic-kingdom-comes-to-an-end/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

It's a sad day for for those who enjoy some digitalized Disney magic. It's been decided that Virtual Magic Kingdom, the virtual world developed and released in 2005 to celebrate the 50 year anniversary of the real Disneyland's opening, will be closed for good on May 21. According to an FAQ posted on the official website, the reason VMK is closing is because it was originally intended simply as a promotion for the event in 2005, and has continued to run far longer than they originally intended.

Of course, all is not lost for those who subscribe to the cult of Disney. They've already announced a commitment to spend over $100 million in the virtual world space, and they recently consolidated all of their online efforts, including Pirates of the Caribbean Online and Toontown Online, into one division. Their execs already have a firm grasp on the role virtual worlds have to play in building up their brands, so it seems likely that they'll be actively chasing after the casual gaming dollar for the foreseeable future.

[Via Worlds in Motion]

MassivelyVirtual Magic Kingdom comes to an end originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 09 Apr 2008 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>closingdisneypirates-of-the-carib...shutdowntoontown-onlinevirtual-magic-kingdomvmkWed, 09 Apr 2008 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What's a good first MMO for a child?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/02/the-daily-grind-whats-a-good-first-mmo-for-a-child/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/02/the-daily-grind-whats-a-good-first-mmo-for-a-child/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/02/the-daily-grind-whats-a-good-first-mmo-for-a-child/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Our Robin Torres writes a column called Gamer Interrupted, about mixing real life with gaming, and it's a wonderful read. In a recent post, the subject turned to how to make MMOs more child-friendly. A few specific titles were covered as well, including WoW and ToonTown Online, but it's worth asking if there are other good first MMO titles that are not only child-safe, but actively worthwhile for a kid to play, either alone or with a parent.

Obviously, we can mention Webkinz and Club Penguin, but are there others? Are there, in fact, any non-child MMOs that are safe for children to play?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: What's a good first MMO for a child? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 02 Mar 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>child-friendlychild-safechildrenclub-penguinfirst-mmogamer-interruptedkidsopinionrobin-torresthe-daily-grindtoontown-onlinewebkinzworld-of-warcraftSun, 02 Mar 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GDC08: Cartoon Network's FusionFall]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/26/gdc08-cartoon-networks-fusionfall/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/26/gdc08-cartoon-networks-fusionfall/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/26/gdc08-cartoon-networks-fusionfall/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,


We were invited to check out Cartoon Network's upcoming kid-focused MMO FusionFall, and while clearly still in development, it shows a lot of potential. Developed in part by Korea's Grigon Entertainment, makers of Seal Online, QRing, and Gambledon, this is a title with a great deal of pedigree under the hood. Among the notable names on this project are Sam Lewis, former systems and content designer for Star Wars Galaxies; Robert Knopf, recently of Ultima Online; and Richard Weil, the community relations manager for many MMOs, including City of Heroes/Villains, Lineage I and II, Tabula Rasa, and Auto Assault.

With so many experienced and creative people behind it, FusionFall definitely stands to make a splash in the 8 - 14 year old demographic that Cartoon Network is shooting for. This isn't to say they don't have a few challenges ahead of them, however. We'll explore this, and show you the trailer, after the break.

Gallery: Cartoon Network's FusionFall

now that she had the Zipper Pull of Power, somewhere a giant's pants were falling down

Continue reading GDC08: Cartoon Network's FusionFall

MassivelyGDC08: Cartoon Network's FusionFall originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 26 Feb 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3d-platformerauto-assaultben-10bloocartoon-networkcity-of-heroescity-of-villainsdee-deedexterfeaturedfusionfallgalactusgambledongame-developers-conferencegdcgdc08gdcfanboygrigon-entertainmentlineagelineage-2marvel-universe-onlinenanoplanet-fusionpowerpuff-girlsqringrichard-weilrobert-knopfsam-lewisseal-onlinestar-wars-galaxiestabula-rasatoontown-onlineultima-onlineTue, 26 Feb 2008 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Mickey goes online as Disney invests in Virtual Worlds]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/07/its-disneys-virtual-world-after-all/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/07/its-disneys-virtual-world-after-all/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/07/its-disneys-virtual-world-after-all/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



The Virtual World News site took the time to pick through an earnings call from the house of Mouse, and found that Disney had a ton to talk about when it came to Virtual Worlds. From comments made during the call by company President Robert Iger, their purchase of Club Penguin last summer and the launch of Pirates of the Caribbean Online was just Disney clearing its throat. In addition to an online world based on the film "Cars", the company plans to spend some $100 million on virtual worlds in the coming years.

Iger clarified that there were a few reasons for Disney's shift to the virtual. First, the company's franchises are being re-examined for new opportunities. VWs fit in nicely alongside plush dolls, action figures, and kiddie clothing in a marketing agenda. Second, it's much easier to develop and staff a virtual world than it is to design and build a new theme park attraction. That's historically been the only place fans could really get 'inside' their favorite Disney products, and Virtual Worlds are a nice alternative. Finally, he notes that for a younger audience online worlds are just plain more important than they are for older generations. Yet more evidence of the growing cachet of online gaming.

MassivelyMickey goes online as Disney invests in Virtual Worlds originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 07 Feb 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>club-penguindisneypirates-of-the-caribbean-onlinepotcotoontown-onlineThu, 07 Feb 2008 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Disney making online game based on the movie "Cars"]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/30/disney-making-online-game-based-on-the-movie-cars/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/30/disney-making-online-game-based-on-the-movie-cars/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/30/disney-making-online-game-based-on-the-movie-cars/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


According to the San Fernando Business Journal, Disney Online plans to release a virtual world game based on the hugely successful 3D-animated film Cars.

Disney sees this as a way to keep kids invested in the franchise "for years to come" even without a sequel on the horizon. The article also says that Disney plans substantial future investments in these sorts of projects because they've had success with other titles like Toontown Online and Club Penguin.

While games like this don't usually get as much attention from the gaming media, they're arguably no less successful or lucrative than games like EverQuest II.

[Via Worlds in Motion]

MassivelyDisney making online game based on the movie "Cars" originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 30 Nov 2007 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animationcarscars-onlinecasualclub-penguindisneydisney-onlinefamilykidsmmo-industrypixarsan-fernando-business-journaltoontown-onlineworlds-in-motionFri, 30 Nov 2007 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Disney's Mike Goslin stresses importance of low system requirements]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/22/disneys-mike-goslin-stresses-importance-of-low-system-requirements/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/22/disneys-mike-goslin-stresses-importance-of-low-system-requirements/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/22/disneys-mike-goslin-stresses-importance-of-low-system-requirements/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Disney Online's Mike Goslin (of Toontown Online and Pirates of the Caribbean Online fame) said in an interview with Worlds in Motion that it's important for MMO projects to "support as low a minimum spec PC as possible."

PC gaming is often criticized for being too expensive. You can buy an XBox 360 for $350 or a PlayStation 3 for $400, but a desktop PC equipped with the hardware necessary to smoothly run the very latest games usually costs $1,000 or more. That's a barrier to entry for many would-be PC gamers.

Supporting low-end hardware isn't just important for children's and family games. A while back SOE CEO John Smedley told WarCry that "the biggest thing that hurts [Vanguard] is the high system specs." If the MMO genre is carrying PC gaming on its back, shouldn't MMO developers do everything they can to make their games accessible to a large audience?

MassivelyDisney's Mike Goslin stresses importance of low system requirements originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 Nov 2007 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businessconsolesdisneydisney-onlinehardwareindustryjohn-smedleymike-goslinpcpirates-of-the-caribbean-onlinepotcosoesystem-specstoontown-onlinevanguardThu, 22 Nov 2007 20:00:00 EST