The Inquisitr » MMOG

First look at the LEGO MMO

Chris Greenhough — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 04:18:46 +0000

It’s featured in an adventure videogame, a racing game, and a chess game. It even has a music game coming soon. Next on the list for the all-conquering child’s toy LEGO? An MMO.

Enter LEGO Universe. In a genre dominated by the murky browns and steely grays of fantasy and futuristic settings, the first ever LEGO-based MMO is a gaudy-but-welcome assault on the eyeballs. It should reel the kids in nicely, with the LEGO Group perfectly aware that “safety is priority number one.” The company says it is “exploring many solutions for maximizing children’s online safety.”

So yes, it’s an MMO for teh kiddehs, but I won’t lie: these adorable screens featuring some of the ninja, pirate and space-themed LEGO sets pierced my +10 Cuteness Resistance Armor. Check out Shacknews for a bunch more in higher resolutions.

[Via Shacknews]

Female Gaming Site Grabs Millions

JR — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 15:17:57 +0000

A company focusing on bringing massive multiplayer online games to the female masses has secured $5 million to make its mark. Hollywood Interactive Group, developer of MyHollywood.com, landed the funding today.

MyHollywood.com is geared toward women gamers who also love entertainment news. Its “signature” MMOG game, creatively named “The Red Carpet Game,” lets you create an avatar and progress through different levels of celebrity. You navigate through a virtual Hollywood, playing mini-games, answering quizzes about current pop events, and accumulating points along the way. As you do well, you collect things like “high-status branded virtual items,” as well as mansions, VIP passes, and all the other signs of being a star. (Of course, those “branded items” double as advertising — don’t think any company is getting its name on anything for free.)

The site is still in public beta, with a full release set for early next year.

Hey, it may not be my niche, but this site knows who it’s targeting — and who knows, it just might work.

Best Buy Finally Figures Out MMOG Gift Cards?

Guest Poster — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 05:56:34 +0000

Apparently, Best Buy has finally figured out that all those teens and tweens who come in with their parents to get computers aren’t just using them for schoolwork. Virtual World News notes that GMG Entertainment is working with AdventureQuest, Gala-Net, Meez, and Stardoll to launch prepaid cards at Best Buy. The cards, often sold in multiple dollar amounts, allow players who aren’t privileged enough to have their own credit or debit card to pay for subscriptions or virtual gifts in MMOGs.

What took Best Buy so long? And why is this news? Retailers like Target have long had these cards, and they aren’t located in the generalized card kiosks where the Meez CEO claims retailers leave them. At least in Target, the cards can be found right with the rest of the teen- and tween-focused media, and I have yet to take a trip through the movies and games there without having an eight-year-old beg me for permission to buy a card for ClubPenguin, Zwinky, or Stardoll.

The question that remains is how much of a draw the cards will be for Best Buy. Because they are attractive to younger players (and those giving gifts to younger players), the customer base is more likely to be found in a retailer like Target than an appliance- and electronics-focused store like Best Buy.