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[Leaderboard: Free Realms' vs. Wizard101's unicorns]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/24/leaderboard-free-realms-vs-wizard101s-unicorns/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/24/leaderboard-free-realms-vs-wizard101s-unicorns/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/24/leaderboard-free-realms-vs-wizard101s-unicorns/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Leaderboard
In honor of the recently revived MMO Family column here on Massively, I thought that this week we'd extend the brutal beatings, clobberings, and verbal beratings to family-friendly MMOs. In many ways, Free Realms and Wizard101 are almost like siblings with so many things in common, and this extends to the use of sickeningly cute unicorn pets.

While I personally stopped paying attention to unicorns when Trapper Keepers went out of style, apparently they're still a "thing," especially with the younger market. You young 'uns, always keeping the unicorn union in business! Why don't you just let us harvest them for their magical horns which can be ground up and sprinkled on our Starbucks lattes?

Ahem. Sorry. In any event, one such instance of ultra-cuteness is enough; two is completely unnecessary and unhealthy for the well-being of our universe. So today you must decide which game's unicorns will rule as lord supreme over the hearts of tweens everywhere, and which will be sold to the salt mines to haul loads while crying rainbow tears. Vote! And let it forever be on your conscience!

[The unicorn on the left is from Wizard101; the one on the right is from Free Realms.]

Continue reading Leaderboard: Free Realms' vs. Wizard101's unicorns

MassivelyLeaderboard: Free Realms' vs. Wizard101's unicorns originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 24 Oct 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>familyfree-realmskidsleaderboardmmo-familyopinionpetpetspollrainbow-tearssalt-minesstarbuckstrapper-keeperstweensunicornunicornswizard101Mon, 24 Oct 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: Finding time to game during the family years]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/19/mmo-family-finding-time-to-game-during-the-family-years/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/19/mmo-family-finding-time-to-game-during-the-family-years/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/19/mmo-family-finding-time-to-game-during-the-family-years/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

★Debs★, flickr
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.

Believe it or not, the childhood years can be a golden era for your gaming. It's all about availability -- and let's face it, staying home to game gives you a big edge. The trick is making sure you actually are available to your children and partner while you're gaming. (After all, isolating yourself in the back room mumbling, "Just six more kills ... Just six more kills ..." isn't exactly helping anyone find a juice box or get a fresh diaper.) Still, once you stop to consider the ways that gaming can fit into your daily schedule, we think you'll find that gaming is a great fit for a young family.

Continue reading MMO Family: Finding time to game during the family years

MassivelyMMO Family: Finding time to game during the family years originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 19 Mar 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>childchildrenfamilyfeaturedkidsparentsscheduleteenagersteenstweensFri, 19 Mar 2010 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Virtual worlds for kids an ever-growing market]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/17/virtual-worlds-for-kids-an-ever-growing-market/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/17/virtual-worlds-for-kids-an-ever-growing-market/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/17/virtual-worlds-for-kids-an-ever-growing-market/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Kids -- particularly tweens -- are big business today, with an ever-larger percentage of the family budget being used for and influenced by this age group. Smart businesses everywhere are hurrying to get in on the gold mine, and MMO gaming is no exception. MMOs and virtual worlds like Free Realms and Club Penguin are enjoying growing success, and there is still plenty of room on the bandwagon.

More and more MMO companies are turning an eye to console development, and that road runs both ways: The Escapist took a look at the possibility of upcoming virtual worlds for the 8-12 year old market. The focus was on franchises that have traditionally been known to be console only, particularly those coming from Nintendo. Nintendo enjoys a nearly unshakable hold on the young casual console gamer market, thanks mostly to the Mario franchise.

A virtual world filled with Mario and all of his friends? Why not? Take a look at what The Escapist has to say on the matter.

MassivelyVirtual worlds for kids an ever-growing market originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 17 Feb 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>kidsmarionintendosuper-mario-brosthe-escapisttweensvirtual-worldsWed, 17 Feb 2010 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Researcher zeroes in on kids playing RuneScape]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/06/researcher-zeroes-in-on-kids-playing-runescape/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/06/researcher-zeroes-in-on-kids-playing-runescape/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/06/researcher-zeroes-in-on-kids-playing-runescape/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Hey kids! Do you want to try an experiment? No, you won't get paid but you will help further scientific research through the process of "cognitive ethnography." Not interested? Hmmm, well, you do get to play video games... Oh, you are interested! Let me just get you these waivers to sign...

Constance Steinkuehler is an MMO researcher studying teens and tweens in the world of RuneScape. Her research aims to find commonalities in thought process between young individuals who play MMOs. Her work will also assess the impacts of game play over a longer period on their daily lives, social relationships, and school work. Given the abundance and accessibility of games aimed at youth these days, it will be interesting to see how they influence us humans in our more impressionable years.

MassivelyResearcher zeroes in on kids playing RuneScape originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 06 Jul 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cognitionconstance-steinkuehlerresearchrunescapeteenstweensyouthMon, 06 Jul 2009 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Plenty of gaming options for today's 'tweens]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/22/plenty-of-gaming-options-for-todays-tweens/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/22/plenty-of-gaming-options-for-todays-tweens/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/22/plenty-of-gaming-options-for-todays-tweens/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

According to this MSNBC article, there are no less than 200 youth-oriented virtual worlds and MMOs either in development or on the market. Some of these titles even boast account numbers that rival Facebook and MySpace as analysts estimate 30M users in Club Penguin, 52M users in Neopets, and 90M in Habbo.

Is this really surprising though? Probably not when you consider that kids today aren't totally different in this generation than previous generations. 'Tweens have always liked to socialize, play, and simply "hang out." The difference nowadays is that parents tend to have looser restrictions and the kids can accomplish most of the things they like to do without even leaving a computer chair. The rules and tools have changed.

The article also talks about a 89/10/1 rule that most F2P/RMT games aim for. This rule assumes that 89% of people will play your game for free, 10% will pay the minimum, and 1% will spend lots of money. Apply that rule to the recent announcements that both Free Realms and Runes of Magic have surpassed 1M users. If the rule applies, it means 100,000 people are paying the basic fees (~$5/month) and 10,000 are spending oodles on extras ($15+/month). That's roughly $650,000 per month, which isn't half bad depending on your development costs.

MassivelyPlenty of gaming options for today's 'tweens originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 22 May 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>club-penguinfacebookfree-realmsgaminghabbo-hotelkidsmmorpgmsnbcmyspaceneopetsrunes-of-magictweensvirtual-worldsFri, 22 May 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Freaky Creatures has a spot open for you]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/02/freaky-creatures-has-an-opening-for-you/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/02/freaky-creatures-has-an-opening-for-you/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/02/freaky-creatures-has-an-opening-for-you/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Despite having had a chance to preview Abandon Interactive's upcoming kid-friendly MMO, Freaky Creatures, last year at GDC, things have been fairly quiet while they've been working on the game. Recently, however, they've opened up the signups for the beta so that anyone who is interested in checking it out can now get in instantly. Sure, you'll still be under NDA according to the signup, but if it's half as much fun as Akela Talamasca thought it was (his words being "this is like Pokémon, but far, far cooler.") it should be interesting to check out.

Besides, how many MMOs can you say you get to be a giant sea-space-Eagle-thing with a fire-breathing laser gun like the one above? Or how about a crazed horse bent on freakish amounts of horseshoe destruction? If it sounds like something that would interest you - or your kids - head on over to the Freaky Creatures beta sign-up site and take advantage of the openings for the beta!

[Via Virtual Worlds News]

MassivelyFreaky Creatures has a spot open for you originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 02 Mar 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abandon-interactivebetaclosed-betacooler-than-pokemonfreaky-creatureskidsopen-signupsstill-under-ndatweensMon, 02 Mar 2009 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Free Realms video blog hits on game's unique features]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/04/free-realms-video-blog-hits-on-games-unique-features/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/04/free-realms-video-blog-hits-on-games-unique-features/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/04/free-realms-video-blog-hits-on-games-unique-features/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,


Free Realms is one of those rare massively multiplayer online games that seems to hold appeal for both children and adults, despite its target group of teens and tweens. Sony Online Entertainment released a video blog from CES 2009 specifically about the game, with SOE President John Smedley and Creative Director Laralyn McWilliams. They explain a bit about what the game is, and some of what makes the title unique.

The video blog is interspersed with footage from Free Realms, highlighting its combat-optional design philosophy. This should provide gamers with a variety of options -- including pets and mini-games -- allowing them to play however they choose.

Continue reading Free Realms video blog hits on game's unique features

MassivelyFree Realms video blog hits on game's unique features originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 04 Feb 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessibilitycesces-2009childrenclassescombatcombat-optionaldemographicsfantasyfree-realmsgame-mechanicsjohn-smedleykidslaralyn-mcwilliamsmini-gamesmmo-industrypetsprofessionsquestssoesonysony-online-entertainmentteenstweensvideoWed, 04 Feb 2009 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively interview: KingsIsle on Wizard101]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/massively-interview-kingsisle-on-wizard101/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/massively-interview-kingsisle-on-wizard101/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/massively-interview-kingsisle-on-wizard101/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


We recently had the chance to check up on KingsIsle and talk to them about their three-year conjuration, Wizard101. We sat down with the studio's director, Todd Coleman, to discuss what's in store for the tween-centric wizard school MMO. We also got some extra hands-on time with the game, so be sure to look out for something written about that soon. Read on after the break for the full article.

Gallery: Wizard101

Continue reading Massively interview: KingsIsle on Wizard101

MassivelyMassively interview: KingsIsle on Wizard101 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 30 Jun 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>exclusivefeaturedinterviewsjoystiqfeatureskingisletodd-colemantweentweenswizard-101Mon, 30 Jun 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively hands-on: Wizard101]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/22/massively-hands-on-wizard101/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/22/massively-hands-on-wizard101/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/22/massively-hands-on-wizard101/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,


KingsIsle Entertainment was founded way back in 2005 -- and since their inception, they seem to have stayed quietly sequestered in their offices, hard at work on unknown projects. With a team consisting of industry veterans from Wolfpack (creators of Shadowbane) and Ion Storm, it was hard not to be curious about their work. If you're one of the many who have been wondering what the team has been working on, you're in luck, because they've just announced their first project: Wizard101.

We recently had a chance to visit KingsIsle's Austin studios (they've taken up residence in a corner of the complex formerly inhabited by Origin Systems) and enroll in the Ravenwood School for the Magical Arts for a day to get a feel for the game. Though this game is aimed at kids ("tweens" that are too old for the likes of Club Penguin but too young for their parents to feel comfortable letting them loose in Barrens chat), its turn-based combat system and trading card game elements may interest you, too. So what makes Wizard101 different from the proliferation of MMOs on the market? A few elements of the game caught our eye...

Gallery: Wizard101 concept art


Gallery: Wizard101

Continue reading Massively hands-on: Wizard101

MassivelyMassively hands-on: Wizard101 originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 May 2008 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingclub-penguinfeaturedjoystiqfeatureskidskingsislekingsisle-entertainmenttcgtrading-card-gameturn-basedtweenswizard101Thu, 22 May 2008 07:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Kiddie virtual worlds top the century mark]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/14/kiddie-virtual-worlds-top-the-century-mark/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/14/kiddie-virtual-worlds-top-the-century-mark/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/14/kiddie-virtual-worlds-top-the-century-mark/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

According to a report recently released by Virtual Worlds Management, there are now over 100 youth-oriented virtual worlds somewhere along the phase of development, from concept to several years post-release. And even that is understating the situation a little bit, as they've lumped both MTV and Disney's burgeoning cadre of virtual worlds into single entries on the list.

Virtual Worlds News has a pretty thorough breakdown of the data (with charts!), separating the virtual worlds into categories and target demographics. According to their breakdown of the current landscape, it would appear that the tween category (that is, ages 8-12) is currently the most populated area on the current landscape, targeted as they are by the likes of LEGO Universe, Hello Kitty Online, and practically every other game under the sun. We like to think that Elves and Orcs are the running cliche of the MMO space, but more likely it's purses and shopping.

MassivelyKiddie virtual worlds top the century mark originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 14 Apr 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chartshello-kitty-onlinekidstop-100-youth-oriented-virtual-worldstweensvirtual-worldsvirtual-worlds-managementvirtual-worlds-newsMon, 14 Apr 2008 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[7-Eleven sells Nexon Game Cards]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/30/7-eleven-sells-nexon-game-cards/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/30/7-eleven-sells-nexon-game-cards/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/30/7-eleven-sells-nexon-game-cards/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Worlds in Motion reports that you can now buy game cards for MapleStory and other Nexon games at your local 7-Eleven convenience store. The game cards -- which cost $10 or $25 -- can be used to purchase in-game items.

At first, this struck us as bizarre, but it actually makes some sense. A 7-Eleven representative is quoted in the Worlds in Motion article saying that the cards are perfect for the "tweens and teens" who enjoy MapleStory -- a demographic that also happens to frequent 7-Eleven. The representative calls it "the Slurpee-beverage crowd."

It's a strange world. Next thing you know we'll be buying EQ2 game-time cards at the gasoline pump!

Massively7-Eleven sells Nexon Game Cards originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 30 Nov 2007 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>7-117-elevenauditioncash-shopconvenience-storegame-cardskartridermaplestorynexonretailstoreteenstweensworlds-in-motionFri, 30 Nov 2007 11:30:00 EST