Virtual Worlds News

1. Google Lively to close

Its no surprise really there are way too many virtual reality companies trying to do the same thing.

And Google failed to notice the golden rule in getting into this market?

Accessibility......and......FUN......Dont get me wrong I used lively and yes its fun however its only short lived, its similar fun to when you first poked people on facebook, so I could see what Google where trying to do but I think they have realized that right now they can not attract the mass market. There is no reason to stick around in lively which is a shame as the UI has great potential and if only there was a game to it then may be things could have developed. Lively will shut down end of the year.

ALSO COKE STUDIO AND FAKETOWN are gone...

Faketown was a blatant rip off and well when you have Habbo why buy a fake....

Coke should never and I say this to any brand NEVER NEVER make your own virtual world the idea sucks. You should partner with existing worlds and MMO's.....of course there are exceptions but only if it makes sense like BARBIE, Disney or Buildabear otherwise stay away...


2. WOW moves 2.8 million copies in 24 hours

I think this backs up the idea about how console games could be marketed.

3. Are Habbo building a new 3-D virtual world?

There are rumors due to job adverts, however lets see. If I was Habbo I would look to enhance the 2.5D world with areas that become 3-D. This way you don't lose any customer and transition is smooth.

4. HOW FUNNY ? Divorce over SecondLife affair
A woman is to divorce her husband after discovering he was having a virtual affair within the online game Second Life.

The couple married in July 2005, while their "Second Life" avatars Dave Barmy and Laura Skye -- younger, slimmer versions of their real-life selves -- also held an online ceremony for their virtual friends.

After a rare break from the computer, however, Taylor returned to find her 40-year-old husband in an intimate, albeit virtual, position with an online prostitute within "Second Life", which she said was the "ultimate betrayal".

Twist on standard avatars by Rocketon

This is a good angle on the usual "create your own avatar" offerings.

With this you can take your avatar to any page on the web.



I see multiple opportunities with this for great games, like treasure hunts, music exploration etc.

Casual Cartoon Wars. The two bigs players going for it

THE KEY ELEMENTS

1) The big kids networks both releasing MMO's that support their own IP
2) Importance of Child protection. Remember club penguins success.
3) Browser based games
4) Avatar September 15th Launch 10 language options in over 77 countries
5) The start of cross media casual experiences
6) financing for these kind of projects announced last year at Casual Connect

Predictions Watch out for Club Penguin cartoons.

Worlds In Motion - Nickelodeon Launching Avatar MMORPG Worldwide In September: "Nickelodeon Launching Avatar MMORPG Worldwide In September

Nickelodeon has announced that it is developing a browser-based online game adaptation of its popular Avatar: The Last Airbender cartoon. Titled Avatar: Legends of the Arena, the game will serve as a prequel story to the series and will be Nick.com's first 3D MMORPG.

In Avatar: Legends of the Arena, players create their own Avatar characters and challenge others to battle in several arenas. As players level up, they can unlock new content, challenges, custom character outfits, and exclusive equipment.

Said Nick.com SVP Jason Root: 'The launch of this multiplayer online game gives Avatar fans the opportunity to immerse themselves in the storylines during and beyond its tenure on-air. This property has always had a deep online connection with its audience and the game offers a natural extension of the franchise to keep fans engaged with the property indefinitely.'"

Google Reader (1000+): "Cartoon Network, Crisp Thinking Partner For Child Protection In FusionFall
from Worlds In Motion by research@gdmag.com (Eric Caoili)

Cartoon Network New Media, cable television channel Cartoon Network's online publishing division, has teamed up with Crisp Thinking to integrate the online child protection services provider's NetModerator system into its upcoming MMOG, Cartoon Network Universe: FusionFall.

Developed by Seoul, Korea-based studio Grigon Entertainment, FusionFall features a multitude of characters from Cartoon Network shows, Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, Dexter's Laboratory, and Ben 10. The MMOG has been designed primarily for kids aged 8-14 years old and is scheduled to launch in fall 2008.

Safety features built into the game include moderated character names, parental approval required for 'open chat,' chat filtering and monitoring, and forum filtering and monitoring. FusionFall will be the world's first MMOG to bear Crisp Certification, a standard indicating to parents that their children are being protected with Crisp Thinking's child safety measures.