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MMO Family: First impressions of Ganz's Amazing World
WebKinz is one of the oldest kid-friendly MMOs around, and it still boasts a healthy community, long after other running titles have closed their doors. But Ganz Studio recently launched a new MMO that takes the WebKinz spirit and plants it in a colorful 3-D world. Amazing World combines cuteness with adventure and adds a more modern look and feel. But is Amazing World really that amazing? In this week's MMO Family, we'll take a look and give some first impressions!
MMO Family: Winter roundup of kid-friendly 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!
The Trading Table comes to Webkinz
The thousands of happy kids that care for their 'kinz online every day now have a new way of playing. Ten Ton Hamster has the word that Webkinz will now allow players to trade their virtual pets in an online trading room. It's much the same way that kids trade their real world plush. Players are allowed to trade with a given person only once per day, and the official site stresses that "the only trades allowed in Webkinz World are made in the Trading room!" An official notice went up reinforcing this concept, proving that RMT and player-to-player sales are a problem even in worlds aimed at the smallest of players.A post on the TTHamp site earlier this month discussed this new game element in greater detail. You'll only be able to trade in the Clubhouse, and there are a number of security elements behind the scenes that required the once-per-day-per-person trading limit. The interview with the folks at Ganz points out that new chat elements were added to facilitate trading, and that (someday) Kinz Chat Plus might return. Check out the piece for the entire lowdown.
Webkinz molds next generation of gamers
While attending my niece's soccer game this past weekend, I noticed a few furry new additions to the family. "They're Webkinz", she said referring to the pink poodle and St. Bernard stuffed animals she and my nephew had brought with them. At first, there didn't seem to be anything special about these Webkinz, until a few of her schoolmates came over with plush little pals of their own. Then they all started talking about emailing each other at their Webkinz addresses, and playing games at the Webkinz web site. That's when I became interested in learning more about this emerging craze created by gift maker Ganz.Webkinz combines elements of Nintendogs, The Sims, Brain Age, and Nick.com, packaging all of it together in a secure online environment for kids and their 'kinz. The result is an addictive blend of educational and simulation-style activities geared toward maintaining your pet's avatar and its virtual living space. Food and furniture are paid for with Kinzcash, the community currency which is accrued while playing games and taking quizzes. A word puzzle game had my nephew and I hooked for almost an hour, and the "one more round" syndrome manifested itself in both of us each time we achieved one goal and were given another. Despite Wall Street grumblings and increased federal legislation, this pre-pubescent enthusiasm ensures a healthy future for the gaming industry. Ganz isn't just grooming digital dogs and cats, but also tomorrow's PlayStation 4 and MMO gamers. The ingredients are all here: the online community, competitive gaming, an achievement system, and the W Shop (the place where you spend your Kinzcash). It's not quite Live Anywhere, but the physical extension of the plush toy creates a persistent real world experience away from the desktop computer, keeping young users engaged throughout the day no matter where they venture. Just make sure you monitor your kids' health and hunger meters as often as they monitor their Webkinz's.See also: Microsoft educates parents on 20-city bus tour
