Caution: Work Zone

Please excuse this temporary theme.

I’m going to be refashioning this blog theme soon (as soon as I can lift my head up a mo from work).  Clearly it needed a previous brush-up, and now it needs an overhaul, along with updated content (hurrah!)

Work in progress, so please, try not to sneeze at the dust.

 

w00t.

Transparency for KIDS on moderation practices

Okay, this is kinda rad.  I’ve been re-examining moderation practices from a user to user perspective lately.  Sometime recently Club Penguin added a new REPORT A PLAYER UI page in their reporting flow.

It used to go: Are you sure you would like to report? > Why are you reporting? > More specific details on why you’re reporting? > Thank you for reporting, perhaps ignore them in the meantime?

Naturally, it wasn’t in those particular words, but its the general concept.  They have now added this page to start the process:

That’s pretty rad – simple, informative.

Kids report like crazy – bored, angry, nervous, confused, random, tattling, rebel-rousing, testing, frustrated, etc.  There is a great number of useless reports that come through.  Giving kids a bit of context (also, alluding to the fact that the entire chat log will be reviewed, which includes ALL participants, including that chat: ACCOUNTABILITY) helps redirect their activity and lower moderation “boy who cried wolf” scenarios.

I like it

p.s. PLEASE remember, when making a virtual world for youth- have users click on other users to report.   In a chaotic situation – it’s much easier to tag an offender as he’s snatching your purse, then ten minutes down the line with some sort of police line up list.  Less responsibility on the memory, more accurate identification.

Dizzywood rocks it!

Dizzywood Earns the National Parenting Publications Awards (NAPPA) Gold

NAPPA’s rigorous review finds Dizzywood to be one of the safest and most entertaining online environments for children.

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.—Sept. 23, 2009—Dizzywood ( www.dizzywood.com), a virtual world and online game for children ages 8-12, today announced that it has earned the prestigious NAPPA Gold award in the software, Website and video game category.

To earn the coveted NAPPA, Dizzywood underwent a rigorous review process by independent expert judges and a team of children of various ages who select the most entertaining, appealing, safe, educational and age-appropriate products. Prior winners of the award include Club Penguin and the Word Girl PBS Website.

“Dizzywood’s virtual activities build self-confidence and encourage self-expression, which make it truly stand out from the crowd,” said Barbara Smith Decker, NAPPA manager. “It is a great example of how technology can create positive change, allowing kids to practice good citizenship online.”

“We’re thrilled to receive this honor,” said Dizzywood CEO Scott Arpajian. “Our virtual world offers children a safe place where they can explore and engage in positive and rewarding activities, and it’s wonderful to receive this recognition from NAPPA.”

Dizzywood was launched in November 2007. The imaginative, story-driven world offers kids a safe environment where they can engage in challenging activities that develop self-confidence, as well as cooperate with others and find a sense of belonging.

Dizzywood is free to play. Subscriptions are available to access premium content, and pricing begins at $4.95 per month.

About NAPPA

NAPPA – the National Parenting Publications Awards – is the “go-to” source for parents and professionals seeking the best children’s products. The NAPPA seal signifies that the winning product has been rigorously evaluated against stringent criteria and that it stands out among hundreds of other products from all around the world. Only the best products win the prestigious NAPPA recognition.
NAPPA’s team of independent expert judges and family testers (parents and kids) select the most entertaining, appealing, safe, educational, age-appropriate and enduring products as NAPPA Gold and Honors winners. View all NAPPA winners at NAPPA.Parenthood.com.

About Dizzywood

Dizzywood’s mission is to encourage children to use their imagination, cooperate with others, and participate in activities that promote caring, honesty, respect and responsibility, among other important values. This creative, story-driven world offers children a safe, interactive and fun environment full of adventure and creative rewards. New content such as clothing, missions and areas are always underway, keeping players motivated and engaged with the world. For more information, visit www.dizzywood.com.

Congrats, Dizzywood folks!   It’s great getting these bits in my mailbox.  I’ve always been a fan of the team at Dizzywood.  It’s one of the most story-creative & unique sites out there.  Very innovative in their approach.

The joy of Ending Business Relationships PROFESSIONALLY

So when you’re sure the working relationship is truly over, follow these simple steps for a successful exit.

1. Don’t take it personally. We all hate rejection. And termination, spoken or unspoken, is exactly that. It’s someone telling you they don’t want to work with you anymore. You may feel resentment or bitterness, and the compulsion to react verbally or in some passive-aggressive way.

Don’t do it! Let it slide. After all, you’re a professional, and part of being a professional is learning how to take “no” for an answer.

2. Make the client feel good. When you sense the end has come, there are a few ways to help you ride off into the sunset looking like a hero. Many clients don’t have the courage to say, “Thanks, but we won’t be needing you anymore,” so say it for them. Be sure, of course, that the job really is over before you say any goodbyes, but if you’re certain, say something like, “It looks like all the work is done here. I really enjoyed working with you, and I hope we get a chance to work together again soon.” The client may feel so relieved that you did the dirty work of making it “official,” they’ll start thinking of jobs to give you in the future.

If the relationship is ending on a sour note, be frank. “Sorry things didn’t turn out as expected, but I learned a lot working on this job, which I’m sure I’ll be able to apply to future jobs, and I thank you for that.” A little humility goes a long way.

3. Ask for feedback. In the corporate world they call it an “exit interview,” in which management hopes to glean morsels of gossip from outgoing employees. Management is right about one thing; people have a tendency to be honest and frank at the end of a relationship. For you, it’s a great time to ask for feedback — specific feedback. “Was there anything I could have done better?” “Any way to improve our working relationship?” “What were the highlights and low points of the process?” These questions, naturally, might not be this pointed when you ask them, but you get the idea. Get frank.

4. Say adios to everyone. If you’re working with several folks inside a company, even casually, take the time via email or phone to say thanks to each one. Do it individually, not in one of those “Hi Y’all” emails. You never know when that administrative assistant will be promoted, and you can be sure your gesture of a two-minute phone call will be remembered. Plus, people move on to different companies and different positions, and they take their contact files with them. Here’s your chance to jump ship with them.

5. Leave lines of communication open. “You have my number, please call if there’s anything I can do.” It sounds like a no-brainer, but think about how many business relationships you’ve had that did not end this way. This simple phrase does so much. It informs the client that you’re not harboring bad feelings about the end of the relationship and would be happy to pick it up again.

You may also want to include this tag line: “By the way, can I use you as a reference for new clients?” Your client will automatically start thinking about all the good things they’ll say about you.

Naturally, if the job didn’t work out well, you might think twice about asking the client to act as a reference. Or better yet (and this is a little devious, I know), ask them to serve as a reference, then have a friend call in the guise of a potential client. You’ll receive some honest feedback about what you did right and wrong in the eyes of your former client.

6. Check in regularly. Every few months, check in with your client just to ask, “How’s it going?” Talk about the project you’ve worked on and ask for any new thoughts now that time has lapsed. Subtly mention that you’re still available for work or referrals.

Not all old soldiers fade away, and not all business relationships have to fizzle to a close… unless, of course, you want them to. Come to think of it, the freedom to make choices like that may ultimately be the greatest benefit of being an independent professional.

Ending Business Relationships

There is a LOT to be said about this advice. A lot.

Granted, this is probably off topic for most of my blogging (well, what there has been recently, lol), but I’ve said from day one this blog marks my learning experiences.  And today, I learned this, second hand. It’s good to learn lessons.

Bottom line is this, my darlings… I believe the best in everyone. I WANT to believe the best in everyone.  I rarely think horribly of anyone or anything.

However, if you make me doubt my belief in YOUR good… or you make me reconsider your honest worth to the betterment of a) society, b) our future (children especially), c) personal and/or professional happiness… if you challenge MY worth, my intentions, my hopes and goals?   Please understand that – the next time I have an opportunity to work with you, I will probably not do so.  I mean, who would?

Just because today something biz-wise does not roll your way, that does not mean the same choice will be made in the future.  People! Seriously! Life changes all the time.  Be graceful about professional endings because, honestly, it will probably pay off in the end – I’ve seen it happy many, many times.

Bridge burning has never been a good idea unless its defensive tactics for protection.  And I am allergic to the smell of burning wood.

About five minutes ago, someone said something very insightful: “Be careful of the arse you kick today, because it may be the arse you kiss tomorrow.”  Or in other words, play nice.  Or play Neis… hehehehehe (Oh, thank god it’s happy Punday! aka Friday)

May your professional life be bountiful, and any doors that close be temporary.  (Heck, my dad always tells me to go check out other doors if one closes on me – it probably wasn’t the right fit to begin with…)

p.s. This doesn’t have anything directly to do with my occupational standing, previous employers, etc. I’m happy where I’m at, folks, and I’m happy where I’ve been Just kinda rambling, you know how it goes Hoping others might benefit from this knowledge, as I have been.

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So Are You Prepped for Possible State Gate 09?

Tips to Deal With Maine’s New Law Regarding Minors’ Personal Information

As we recently reported, the Maine governor signed a new law effective September 12, 2009, relating to the collection and use of personally identifiable information (“PII”) of people under the age of 18. We have received a number of questions already regarding how to deal with this law, and we thought it would be helpful to provide some thoughts on the most frequently asked questions.

SPECIAL ALERT – Winston & Strawn LLP

So… I’ve not heard too many people whispering or worrying about this.  I find that strange.  Granted, there’s still like 3 weeks for someone to contest, but with house/senate on hiatus and things not resuming until Dec/January, seems like a bit of a narrow time period.

Can I suggest – if you’re a website that deals with any collection of personal information for anyone under the age of 18 (kid sites, teen sites, yadda), that  you talk to your legal reps (or safe harbor reps, if you’re in the uber-safe club).  Why?  Well, there’s new (well intentioned but poorly written – loop holes for both sides of the bill) legislation thanks to adhere to the state o’Maine.

Ahem, facebook, dude, I hope you’re ready.

No grace period. Consider THIS your grace period.  Better consult and figure out how much you’re in the safe zone, and if you’ve got your state gating, or whatever you need, in place.  Here’s some more info (click on the link, head to Ypulse, and read some more, or follow ypulse’s white rabbit link trail):

This morning Privo alerted us to a legislative move in Maine that will dramatically affect how companies interact with minors. The new law, which will go into effect September 2009, bans the use of minors’ health-related or personal information for marketing purposes. The Maine law expands on COPPA, using a similar definition of “personal information” but pertaining both to online and offline use and collection.

Under the new law:

- The knowing collection or receipt of health-related information or personal information for marketing purposes from a minor without first obtaining verifiable parental consent is prohibited.

- The sale or otherwise transfer of health-related information or personal information about a minor is prohibited, regardless of whet

- The use of health-related information or personal information regarding a minor for the purpose of marketing a product or service to that minor or promoting any course of action for the minor relating to a product is strictly prohibited.

As far as enforcement, the law can be invoked by the State Attorney General as well as in a private rights of action – meaning private parties can sue companies for collecting or using minors’ personal information in violation of the law. In other words,  companies, both insidious and not so insidious, that currently collect personal information from minors may consider seeking out legal advice about the best way to avoid coming under fire this September.

Ypulse: Maine Bans The Use Of Minors’ Private Information For Marketing

Kudos to you folks, and best o luck!  Hopefully someone will swoop in and save the day before this comes to pass.

CARU finally swings its arm around Gmail

CARU, GOOGLE COLLABORATE TO ENSURE

CHILDREN’S PRIVACY PROTECTION ON GMAIL.COM

New York, NY – August 11, 2009 – In a collaborative effort to better protect the privacy of children, Google has agreed to modify registration for its Gmail email service, following a recommendation from the Children’s Advertising Review Unit of the Council of Better Business Bureaus.

CARU, the children’s advertising industry’s self-regulatory forum, monitors Websites for compliance with CARU’s Self-Regulatory Program for Children’s Advertising, including guidelines on Online Privacy Protection.

Google’s Gmail account features a user-friendly design that categorizes emails in a conversational style to facilitate searching and organizing information.  Gmail accounts also contain “invite-a-friend” and chat features so that users can correspond via instant messaging with other Gmail contacts, as well as “Google Talk,” which allows Gmail members to talk to one another in real time.

When CARU first reviewed the Gmail Website, potential members were asked to enter their first name, last name, desired email address, a password, and secondary email account.  There was no request for a date of birth during the registration process.  Users were asked to read and accept the “Terms of Use,” which stated “Due to the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998…, you must be at least thirteen (13) years of age to Use this Service. Users then needed to click on a box stating “I accept.  Create my account.”

CARU’s guidelines provide that, if a Website has a reasonable expectation that a significant number of children under 13 would visit the site to create accounts, it should employ a neutral age-screening mechanism to determine if it is necessary to obtain verifiable parental consent, before the collection of personally identifiable information. The CARU guidelines exceed the requirements under the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, which requires age-screening and verifiable parental consent if the operator of a general audience website has actual knowledge that it is collecting information from children under 13.  Google’s compliance with COPPA was not at issue in CARU’s inquiry.

After reviewing the evidence, CARU determined that the company should have had a reasonable expectation that a significant number of children under 13 would visit the site to create Gmail accounts, and therefore should employ a neutral age-screening mechanism.

In reaching its decision, CARU looked to standard industry practices. CARU noted in its decision that Google was, at the time of CARU’s initial inquiry, the only major email Website that did not employ neutral age screening during the registration process.

In response to CARU’s inquiry, Google maintained that the Gmail service was not directed to children and that the company did not have a reasonable expectation that a significant number of children under 13 would visit the site. Google stated that it genuinely values the work that CARU has done to protect the privacy and safety of children online, and based on its review of CARU’s analysis, would implement a neutral age-screening mechanism for Gmail registration.

Google, in its operator’s statement, said that the company has agreed to screen future registrants for age.

“This was not an easy decision for Google because we have strong reservations about collecting user information that is otherwise unnecessary for providing Gmail services.  Google does not target Gmail to children, nor do we ask users to provide a date – or even a year — of birth.  In fact, Google strives to collect a minimal amount of personal information from users during the Gmail account registration process,” the company said. “Nonetheless, based on the CARU recommendations, we will include a field in the account registration user interface that asks for one of:  birth date, birth month/YEAR or birth year.  If a user enters a date that would indicate that user is under 13, then a session cookie would be set to block the user from re-registering during the session.”

###

CARU’s inquiry was conducted under NAD/CARU/NARB Procedures for the Voluntary Self-Regulation of National Advertising.  Details of the initial inquiry, CARU’s decision, and the advertiser’s response will be included in the next NAD/CARU Case Report.

About Advertising Industry Self-Regulation: The National Advertising Review Council (NARC) was formed in 1971 by the Association of National Advertisers, Inc. (ANA), the American Association of Advertising Agencies, Inc. (AAAA), the American Advertising Federation, Inc. (AAF), and the Council of Better Business Bureaus, Inc. (CBBB). Its purpose is to foster truth and accuracy in national advertising through voluntary self-regulation. NARC is the body that establishes the policies and procedures for the CBBB’s National Advertising Division (NAD) and Children’s Advertising Review Unit (CARU), as well as for the National Advertising Review Board (NARB) and Electronic Retailing Self-Regulation Program (ERSP).

NAD and CARU are the investigative arms of the advertising industry’s voluntary self-regulation program. Their casework results from competitive challenges from other advertisers, and also from self-monitoring traditional and new media. The National Advertising Review Board (NARB), the appeals body, is a peer group from which ad-hoc panels are selected to adjudicate those cases that are not resolved at the NAD/CARU level. This unique, self-regulatory system is funded entirely by the business community; CARU is financed by the children’s advertising industry, while NAD/NARC/NARB’s sole source of funding is derived from membership fees paid to the CBBB. Funding for ERSP is derived from membership fees paid to the Electronic Retailing Association. For more information about advertising self regulation, please visit www.narcpartners.org.

Well well well!!!!!!!!! This is VERY interesting.  I used to complain through rant back in say – ‘05/’06 about gmail’s lack-of-age-gating.  I wasn’t pleased.  And when Google bought various social networks, like Dodgeball, etc, where users could be tracked?  I was very, very displeased with the fact young users (who notorious do NOT read tos/pp – i mean, do YOU?) could just sail on through the registration with no barrier -wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee-no.  Boo.

It will be innnnnnnnnnnteresting to see how Caru is able to give an ole teacherly squeeze on a notoriously popular kid on the block.  I can see future head to heads playing out in the public like this: Google/Gmail says/does something rather scandalous, and the embarrassed CARU smiles almost fiercely, politely addressing the public around, while stepping on or squeezing the hand of their wayward Google. “Oh, ha ha, that’s not what Bobby meant… now is it, Bobby.”

Anyway – yay.  I feel like this is a good step in the right direction.  Now, let’s just see how it rolls out in the future, yes?

What the heck is wrong with YA these days?

It’s impossible to talk about new trends in young-adult fiction without considering the wildly popular supernatural fiction – much of it terrible knock-offs of the “Twilight’’ series by Stephenie Meyer. One surprising fact remains: Meyer can write beautiful prose, and she creates characters that young people care passionately about.
But why vampires? Why so many books for teenagers about the dead and the undead – about ghosts, ghouls, fairies and werewolves?

Young adults feel affinity with supernatural characters in books – The Boston Globe (via Ypulse)

It’s ranting time.

I’ve spent the last 2 weeks MILLING around book stores, piecing BIT BY BIT through the YA section, and still… why is everything about vampires and self-spoiled teenlet princess-wannabes?  Gaaaaaaah.

Seriously – go take a look.  There’s like 200 books that allude to, are about, or skip around the idea of Vampires (or, hell, same story lines but with werewolves).  Forbidden love with fantastical species that *used* to be horror creatures, but now are modern day Romeos in unlikely situations with a modern Jane Austen heroine.

I liked Twilight. Sure.  And I’m sure 10 of these 200 extra wannabe titles are just as good, if not better.  BUT SERIOUSLY… can we change things up a bit?  I appreciate the attempt at updating Pride & Prejudice with Pride & Prejudice and Zombies… sadly, that title falls FLAT.  It literally is Pride & Prejudice with Zombies – seriously.  Break all the sentences/paragraphs down, and you get: slightly edited Austen sentence for modern/young readers + ending in something tacked on about Zombies.  1/2 through, I put it down. 

If there’s a good title out there with fantastical elements to it – I can’t find it buried on the shelves with all those darn Twilight-wanna-bes.  And do you know how hard that is to say?  I’ve had TWO books come back from editors with the sentence “Too much like Harry Potter.”  Gaaaaah!  Any reference to magic = Harry Potter.  Okay, okay… I get it.  People like Twilight, and with the series “finished” (I say that lightly, as I’m putting money down on a sequel series starting Jacob), and they’re looking for more.  I actually saw a display last night at Borders with suggestions for Twilight users pimpin’ out TWILIGHT DARK CHOCOLATE.  I actually guffawed at that.  Clever marketers.  Heck, I’m always looking for my next Harry Potter read.  I enjoyed that series.  I don’t want to read another book about a boy wizard, sure.  And I don’t want some contrived series that feels like it’s wringing a wet towel to get the last drop of magic (I won’t name the 5 book serieses that have been going since 2002 that have boy names in the titles ). 

And then there’s the snotty princess books.  Pink books with prom dresses and pretty girls who have some sort of mischeif glinting in their eyes.  I like the dresses… but then I read the back and it’s a book about cliques and schoolyard heirarchy at the priveliged level.  They all feel scripted and gossip-y.  Ugh.  Not what I want either.

If I were going to suggest books right now to people who are like me – wanting something a little DIFFERENT than the onslaught currently on the shelf – here’s my list (I’ll add more as I continue with my summer reading, and fighting through the crap currently covering the shelves – my apologies to anyone who disagrees and loves the current titles, to each his/her own ):

1. Foundling and Lamplighter (Monster Blood Tattoo series by D.M. Cornish)- Rich, creative, epic.  I really hope the third book comes soon.  Of all the series I’ve read in the last two years – I’m the MOST excited about the third book here.  It’s inspiring.  More boy oriented, or if you like the more colorful/darker side of Harry Potter
2. The Books of Abarat by  Clive Barker – Modern Alice in Wonderland but a little bit more edgy… VERY unexpected.  I, personally, think this series is the most underrated of them all.  I love it.
3. The Princess Bride by William Goldman. I’m sorry, but never before has a book complimented a movie, and vice versa. I absolutely love it. Brilliant!!! And there’s a twist to it… can you ask for anything more? Love it.
4. Graceling by Kristin Cashore.  There’s a follow up Fire, but I’ve not read yet.  This reminded me a LOT of Garth Nix’s The Old Kingdom series (Sibriel, Lireal, etc), but with a good dash of Shannon Hale.
5. The Goose Girl, Enna Burning, and River Secrets by Shannon Hale (3 stories compliment each other).  I am not a fan of the new covers (with the human faces) and much prefer the covers with the graceful artwork.  I also love her Austenland TREMENDOUSLY.\
6. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman – I LOVED this book (despite not feeling partial to the american book cover – the british cover is designed by Chris Riddell, and by default, much more to my liking).  I LOVED this book. Seriously. Very, very well done.
7. The Edge Chronicles by Chris Riddell and Paul Stewart, these two are my favorite authors of this decade (aside, naturally, from JKR).  Their book Muddle Earth is also one of my favorites – fun, light, silly, amazing.  They have a shelf of other titles that I also very much recommend, and happily.

Others I suggest (not in any order of preference)

• The Neverending Story
• Artemis Fowl (mainly the first two books)
• Septimus Heap (primarily the 1st book, the follow-ups get a little long-winded)
• Fablehaven
• Princess Ben
• Princess and the Hound, Princess and the Bear
• Coraline
• His Dark Materials
• Stardust
• The Grimm Sisters
• The Last Dragon
• The Inheritance Series
• The Naming (It’s a series)
• Exodus
• The Borrowers
• Bartimaeus Trilogy
• Ella Enchanted (best of the Gail Carson Levine Fairytale remakes)

And for those of you who want a fairytale, but feel a little too old to read teen/tween books – I wholeheartedly suggest anything by Lynn Kurland.  She does both romance and sci fi (her romance isn’t “Heavy Bossums” as my sister has dubbed the books a certain family member of ours reads – not trashy, just fun & light).

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Heads Up: PetPetPark

If you haven’t been adventuring through Neopets lately, you might have missed the quiet beta launch of PetPetPark – Neopet’s Virtual World (finally) within the uber gaming network dynamic world of, well, Neopets.  It’s cute, pet-y, seemingly silly (I really hope they come out with that Dragon suit on the splash page), and so far safe! Woo hoo!!

My initial reaction:

YES. Neopets finally has an actual Neopets Virtual World! (All credit for the dynamic “world” site they’ve had successfully for the last ten years, but this is a proper VW in my definition).  It seems to have just enough of that Gaia fantasy (where most Neopet-ers go once they feel they’ve grown beyond the Neoborder), and just enough pint-sized cuteness, and just enough of that Neopets sass to really entice.

And it ages down – at least, visually (but that doesn’t always stop the older tweens/young teens from playing).  At times, I’m ever-so-slightly reminded of the Littlest Pet Shop VW (which never seemed to shake out well? Buggy and little advertising unless it’s on a product), but BETTER.

More than anything I was jazzed about this: Their filters seem to be hearty.  Bueno.  One of my favorite “testing” phrases goes as follows:

“I like shadows because they’re dark as holes”

If you don’t see what I did there, then good luck.  I won’t ruin the surprise I’ll only say this: PHRASE FILTER PHRASE FILTER PHRASE FILTER.

Needless to say – PetPetPark not only CAUGHT my seemingly innocent phrase (but not innocent phrase), but I also got a message along the lines of Knock if off or you’re gone – not those words, of course, but politely along those lines.

There’s not too much to do, and there’s still a few glitches/bugs here and there, but that’s to be expected in Beta (especially a quiet live Beta, or as quiet as you can get with such a high number of Neopets subscribers & a front page banner ad).  There will have to be changes here and there, but again – everything looks promising!!

Check it out… I know I’ll be watching it from afar as they continue to build and improve and grow.

Makin’ the rounds

Planet Cazmo’s Virtual Concert Series, which started in November 2008, has been a boon to the virtual world for tweens and young teens: It has captivated audiences, secured a significant amount of press for the world, and driven user stats and growth.

Today the music-focused site adds another notch on its belt by securing former American Idol heart throb David Archuleta for an upcoming concert.

The virtual concert, June 19 and 20, will help promote Archuleta’s new iTunes gift pack and his upcoming US tour with Demi Lovato.

Virtual Worlds News: OMG! David Archuleta Plays Planet Cazmo

First of all:

I owe my blog (and whomever reads it – crickets…crickets…) a huge apology.  Yes, I’ve been a twitaholic of sorts (well, maybe not so much in the last two weeks unless you like seeing foursquare.com updates of me @ airports).

The truth is – I have recently taken a new position at Gazillion Entertainment in San Mateo/San Fran.  Gazillion has been a fantastic fit so far – and a truly remarkable company.  I’m not going to go too much into my position here, being an industry blogger + allowing lots of transparency with job specifics & titles have (not surprisingly) bitten me in the arse a couple times.  Of course, if you happen to located around a cookie or a latte and I (again, not-surprisingly) happen to suddenly appear in search of said-cookie or said-latte, then yes – I will no doubt gush and yammer about my position at Gazillion.  Long story short, folks, I am bloggin’ on this here blog for the sack of industry bloggin’, ye kin?  If not, no worries, as always – just bear with me.

So, the last few weeks have me traveling QUITE a bit.  LA to SAN FRAN (as I’ve not completely relocated as of yet), LA to other cities to visit G’s VW/MMO game studios (weeeee!), LA to Disney World (16th Annual Kid Power Conference), and LA to DC (FOSI – re: COPPA 2.0 & discussion about the Megan Meier Bill).

I feel like a gypsy & I’m starting to befriend various TSA folks.  The TSA in Orlando is currently babysitting my brand new California driver’s license. Le sigh.

So, after all that – twitter has been my easy-going, no-hassle, info source & airport-bored friend.  Limits my ramblings CONSIDERABLE, and that tends to be where I shine, but I still get the info share happenin’, and ultimately, that’s what it’s about.  I actually now have multiple accounts & multiple apps on my iphone (the only account you darlings need know is @izzyneis )

But, as I scan my RSS feeds today, I see I’m not alone in makin’ the rounds.  Mr. David Archuleta, amongst other tween super-powers, has been traveling the virtual universe.  I believe it was just a month or two ago when the young crooner was on BuildABearville.com – where others have also graced the beartastic stage, like “Ryan” from High School Musical, etc.  Buildabearville has CONSTANT celeb support for their bear-devoted audience… and MAN, have you BEEN to that world lately?  They’ve expanded quite a bit.  Still heavily branded with store products, but hey – gotta pay the bills, right?

Finding ways to work house-hold brands of popularity into your virtual world can indeed be fun!  KIDS LOVE CELEBRITY – not just individuals, but CELEBRITY… one famous concept that has inpact on the peer system around them.  If they feel like they reach a finger out and touch that celebrity?  .000015 seconds of associated celebrity.  The 25 degrees of Kevin Bacon.  Being able to connect at all, in any weird context, can bring youth closer to that power which they desire.  It’s a little spike of happiness.

Chat rooms have been doing this for as long as chat rooms have been chat rooms.  Heck – people travel miles around to go to malls to see their favorite stars.  I once saw Cameron Mathison (from All My Children - which I have been watching since I was 2 while my mom folded laundry and i slurped on macaroni and cheese) – and, aside from his famousness, Ryan Lavery is hot (sorry, soap-geek-moment).  I digress – anyway, so, Cam (as I like to call him) was at the Decatur Mall in DECATUR, ILLINOIS (otherwise known as that nasty mole in the armpit of the midwest…).  THERE WAS A LINE AROUND THE MALL just to see this semi-celeb of housewife fame.  I nearly passed out as I passed him (he was sitting at a table with handlers at the Sears entrance).

The point is – just cause the character is virtual doesn’t mean kids won’t find enticement & happiness in a celeb gracing their favorite virtual destination.  BUT REMEMBER: OWN IN.  LIke – don’t 1/2 arse a celeb’s appearance, otherwise you’ll lose faith from your users who are keen.  Make it feel as real as you can. You want those users to walk away feeling like they had their moment – their finger touching fame.

Kids have stars in their eyes. They do (heck, I do).  Do them, me, yourself a favor – don’t be the one that dims that star.  Help shine it and keep it bright and in tact.  For as much as some people want to poo-poo Disney… I was a 30 year old girl at Disney World (post-conference), hanging out BY MY SELF, and i shed a tear or two when they played Disney songs about dreams coming true while fireworks (which I don’t like, btw) were shooting like stars over Cinderella’s castle.  For whatever happens in business, or behind the big red curtain of marketing & advertising & money makers – Disney does a damn fine job in polishing stars-in-eyes.  It’s all about the experience, isn’t it?  The full, round, sensory-a-blazin’ experience.  That’s what makes a company that lasts decades on end.

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Free Realms: All that and the kitchen sink?

For most of the last decade the online gaming market has been
clearly divided between deep diversions for game-savvy adults like
World of Warcraft — which generally cost $15 a month — and cloying,
cutesy fare aimed at prepubescent children, especially girls, like Club
Penguin and Hello Kitty Online.

The sophistication in Free Realms
lies in how carefully it has been designed to appeal not only to both
of those audiences but also to the broad mass of entertainment
consumers who are discovering (or rediscovering) video games through
the likes of the Wii and Guitar Hero. Free Realms is a bit like a great
animated film: while its core audience may be children, it also retains
enough intelligence and depth to appeal to adults who can appreciate a
little whimsy.

Almost everything about the Free Realms experience
is meant to be as unintimidating as possible. Instead of buying the
game at a store, you just go to FreeRealms.com
on your Windows PC and the client software begins downloading
automatically. The game’s visual style is similar to that of World of
Warcraft, which is to say stylized and colorfully animated rather than
highly detailed and realistic. Relatively simple graphics allow the
game to run on a broad range of PCs rather than forcing potential
players with old computers to upgrade (or, more likely, not play the
game at all).

Most role-playing games are built around the
concept of classes or archetypes, which determine what sort of
abilities players have at their disposal and what type of activities
they can engage in. A player can choose to be a sword-swinging
swashbuckler or a healing cleric or a sneaky rogue or a mystical
wizard. But those who want to experience different classes must make
separate characters for each one, which can be tedious and annoying.

The
great breakthrough in Free Realms is that your character can hold many
different jobs at once. You come into the game as an adventurer but
very quickly can assume different roles like medic, archer, warrior,
wizard, ninja or even pet trainer or postman. If you get tired of
racing as a kart driver, just switch over to brawler or chef mode and
try something entirely different. It’s an innovation that much more
complicated games would do well to emulate.

Each of the various
jobs entails a slightly different play style, often built around
mini-games. Mining and harvesting, for instance, involve engaging in a
match-three puzzle game (line up three or more items of the same color)
familiar to anyone who has played a game like Bejeweled. Combat, by
contrast, means using special abilities as one might in a game like
World of Warcraft or EverQuest. Game tables for checkers and chess are
scattered liberally around the countryside as are various additional
mini strategy games.

Video Game Review – Free Realms – Living Nine Lives in Sony’s New Online Game – NYTimes.com

It’s funny, the one thing I found PERSONALLY (not professionally) discouraging about Free Realms when I played was that it seemed to try and be a fantasy world for any & everyone.  I like my context to have some sort of over-arching god-like purpose, not a flimsy “of course there’s a professional looking motor-cross dude in this world of fairies” every-size-fits-all kinda existence… that feels too commercial, too salesy, too $$ in the eyes.

Remember, that’s my personal feelings. 

Professionally? Yeah, it’s pretty smart.  It’s yet another example of a starter MMO for the n00bs.  It has play patterns for all – chess for gramps, checkers for that kid next door, pet taming for the tweens, bejeweled for mom, race cars for cousin joey, guitar hero graphics for the wii-jammers, card play for the pokemon crew, and war for the warriors (ahem, and some dads, ahem). 

Oh yes, and did I mention… U13 – no chatty. None, zip, nada.  U13 can join and play, speedchat yay!  But no UGC communication. Nope.  Not even for parents to unlock.  Scalable solution in the meantime for proof of concept and low overhead on moderation (well, “lower”).  But hey, sweet, right?  And for those over 13 – ignore functions will help!  From what I remember in my playing yesterday, I couldn’t figure out how to individually report a user.  This creates two things (I was playing as an adult, fyi): a) Can’t tattle so i have to deal myself: getting your ADULT community to self regulate is pretty great once it WORKS… takes a bit tho, b) trolls/grieffers are going to be a problemo.

What I find interesting is that – this seems to be one of the first entries into this space that is one size fits all (one could argue Second Life, but I won’t).  I think that Free Realms has the possibility of either spearheading (or being an inspirational nugget that sets off spearheading) a new generation of MMO’s… What I mean is this:

Most MMO/Virtual Worlds tend to BUILD life within the fantasty – it’s own network and community and fantastical existence.  Free Realms is one that seems to USE life within the fantasy- the blend of fantasy with realistic passions on top.  You’re a race car enthusiast wanting to be the circuits best… in a fairie virtual world.  You’re a 5 star Chef… for pets and talking puppies.  You’re a rockstar guitarest… for gremlins.  Do you see what I mean? 

Overall, it’s an exciting venture and TOTALLY work earmarking, eyeballing, examining, and forming opinions about… so go join Free Realms.  I’d love to hear what you think.

Seriously – if you have an opinion PLEASE SHARE!!

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