MMORGP-loving parents know their games aren’t always appropriate for their children to play. Whether it’s the complexity of the title or the adults who act like kids in the game, the atmosphere of games like EverQuest and the World of Warcraft can be very inhospitable for children.
Enter Cartoon Network.
The creator of cartoons like “Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends” and “The Kids Next Door” is in the process of creating its own MMORPG geared specifically to youngsters ages 6 to 14.
Under development by Grigon Entertainment in South Korea for a planned 2008 release, the game will allow kids to interact with characters like Mac, Bloo and more.
The network’s saying the game is costing about as much as a new TV series to develop and will include some safeguards, such as age verification, age-appropriate chat and so on. It's reportedly going to be free to download, but some extra features will come only with subscriptions.
The idea to create a kid-centered MMORPG is a great one. It’s been done by Disney in the past, but Cartoon Network’s brand of shows and humor seems to have a broader-based appeal for kids in the targeted age group.
As a parent and a MMORPG lover, I’m thrilled to see this project being developed. My 6-year-old loves to run around in EQII with my toon, riding the horse and casting spells, but the older she gets, the less appropriate the game is for her. The world is adult-based and words cannot always be controlled. Plus, the game’s complexity level is just too high for her to handle and have a reasonable amount of fun.
A game that’s more geared to her level could provide some serious advantages, however. I’m thinking a bigger incentive to keep practicing those reading and spelling words, keyboard techniques and so on.
If Cartoon Network can keep the world properly monitored so creepy adults stay out and teens with foul language are banned, it could be used as a fantastic (and fun) learning experience for the younger set.
Kudos to Cartoon Network for developing this idea.
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