IBM’s Branded Tips for Community Moderators

IBM released its employee guidelines for virtual worlds today. The seven-page PDF outlines basic principles governing how to represent IBM in the virtual arena.

1. Engage. IBM encourages its employees to explore responsibly – indeed, to further the development of – new spaces of relationship-building, learning and collaboration.
2. Use your good judgment. As in physical communities, good and bad will be found in virtual worlds. You will need to exercise good judgment as to how to react in these situations – including whether to opt out or proceed.
3. Protect your – and IBM’s – good name. At this point in time, assume that activities in virtual worlds and/or the 3D Internet are public – much as is participation in public chat rooms or blogs. Be mindful that your actions may be visible for a long time. If you conduct business for IBM in a virtual world or if you are or may appear to be speaking for or on behalf of IBM, make sure you are explicitly authorized to do so by your management.
4. Protect others’ privacy. It is inappropriate to disclose or use IBM’s or our clients’ confidential or proprietary information – or any personal information of any other person or company (including their real name) – within a virtual world.
5. Make the right impression. Your avatar’s appearance should be reasonable and fitting for the activities in which you engage (especially if conducting IBM business). If you are engaged in a virtual world primarily for IBM business purposes, we strongly encourage you to identify your avatar as affiliated with IBM. If you are engaged primarily for personal uses, consider using a different avatar.
6. Protect IBM’s and others’ intellectual property. IBM has a long-established policy of respecting the intellectual property of others, and of protecting its own intellectual property. Just as we take care in our physical-world activities to avoid infringement of intellectual property rights and to provide proper attribution of such rights
   • IBM’s Virtual Universe Community is a growing internal organization to which IBMers exploring virtual worlds can contribute as we refine these guidelines and deal with new challenges as they emerge.
   • See: IBM forums : virtual-universe-community must in our activities in virtual worlds – in particular with regard to the creation of rich content.
7. IBM business should be conducted in virtual environments only with authorization. You should not make commitments or engage in activities on behalf of IBM unless you are explicitly authorized to do so and have management approval and delegations. If you are authorized, you may be asked by IBM management to conduct IBM business through a separate avatar or persona reserved for business use. You should certainly decide to use a separate avatar or persona if you think your use of an existing one might compromise your ability to represent IBM appropriately.
8. Be truthful and consistent. Building a reputation of trust within a virtual world represents a commitment to be truthful and accountable with fellow digital citizens. You may be violating such trust by dramatically altering your digital persona’s behavior or abandoning your digital persona to another operator who changes its behavior. If you are the original creator or launcher of a digital persona, you have a higher level of responsibility for its behavior.
9. Dealing with inappropriate behavior. IBM strives to create a workplace that is free from discrimination or harassment, and the company takes steps to remedy any problems. However, IBM cannot control and is not responsible for the activity inside virtual worlds. If you are in a virtual environment in conjunction with your work at IBM and you encounter behavior that would not be acceptable inside IBM, you should “walk away” or even sign out of the virtual world. You should report abuse to the service provider. And as always, if you encounter an inappropriate situation in a virtual world which you believe to be work-related, you should bring this to the attention of IBM, either through your manager or through an IBM internal appeal channel.
10. Be a good 3D Netizen. IBMers should be thoughtful, collaborative and innovative in their participation in virtual world communities – including in deliberations over behavioral/social norms and rules of thumb.
11. Live our values and follow IBM’s Business Conduct Guidelines. As a general rule, your private life is your own. You must, however, be sensitive to avoid activities in a virtual world that reflect negatively on IBM. Therefore, you must follow and be guided by IBM’s values and Business Conduct Guidelines in virtual worlds just as in the physical world, including by complying with the Agreement Regarding Confidentiality and Intellectual Property that you signed when you became an IBM employee. It is obviously most important to do so whenever you identify yourself as an IBMer and engage in any discussions or activities that relate to IBM or its business, or use any of IBM’s communications systems or other assets to participaten in a virtual world.

Virtual Worlds News: IBM’s Virtual World Employee Guidelines

Over all– these are great LAUNCHING POINTS for Community Managers & their staff. Of course it takes like a THOUSAND mroe explanations and deeper meanings than these vague points for your staff… but, over all, this is a great EARLY list of commandments for branded community staff.

I thought I’d pass these along for any young managers seeking to build the foundation of a community staff for a branded site. It’s all about intellegience & communication… so, hope these might help

technorati tags:community, netizenship, moderators, brand

Noteworthy: Gamine Expeditions & Kid-Targeted MMOGs

I’ve been studying these early versions of kid-targeted “MMOGs” for a couple of years now, starting with Toontown, Neopets and Habbo Hotel in 2003, and more recently adding newcomers BarbieGirls.com, TheBigRip/GalaXseeds, Foster’s Big Fat Awesome House Party and Nicktropolis to my research schedule (I’ll get around to Club Penguin and Webkinz eventually…I’m doing television-themed games first, then toy-based games). Over time, and particularly with the newer games, kids’ MMOGs are finally starting to incorporate features found in more traditionally-defined MMOGs, like World of Warcraft and EverQuest. Sort of. The vast majority, however, contain certain limitations and common features that set them in a category apart when it comes to theorizing and thinking about massively multiplayer online games and all that they entail. For example…

Gamine Expedition: ToonTown, Cartoon Network Universe…More News on the Kid-Targeted MMOG Front

PLEASE PLEASE check out Sara Grime’s blog entry about Kid-targeted MMOGs.  Sara’s article talks further about:

- Kid-targeted MMOGs are highly promotional in nature

- “Safety First” puts multiplayer interaction last

- Kid-targeted MMOGs seem to forget to include the “G”

Check it out :)  I end up rambling quite often from a particular perspective.  It’s nice to have another’s thoughts on the issue from time to time too. lolz

technorati tags:MMOG, Youth, Communities, Safety, Tech, Cartoons, Brand, kids, teens, tweens, onlinecommunities, virtualworlds, virtual, worlds, Online

Noteworthy: WebbliWorld

Update: Aardman Animations Creates WebbliWorld, Potential Virtual World?
Aardman Animations, the creators of Wallace and Grommit, has teamed with Enable Interactive to create WebbliWorld, a new Web portal for children. An article in ToyNews and the developer blog describe the site as “a new virtual world,” though right now it doesn’t look like there’s much of a world. Currently, users can create a Webbli out of pre-defined parts, play games, and create profiles. The site is to include search and social networking functions, though, so that virtual world experience may not be far off. Currently the site is sponsored by Puffin Books and the World Wildlife Fund. The company is looking for other organizations to sponsor different sections of the
site.

Updated:
Concerning the lack of virtual world elements, Matt Connolly, Enable’s Co-Founder and Strategic Director, told us “Welcome to Phase 2. At the moment it is just a vibrant, fun, engaging website for kids, and not a huge amount more, other than some sort of community aspect, other than it being a nice place to be. Phase 2 is
planned to be a much more immersive brand experience, moving into the world’s
root. Probably not down the Second Life route, more of a Neopets thing. It’s
a mix, but a much more immersive user experience.”

The company will be staying with browser-based technology to make it easier for its targeted audience of 6-to-10-year-olds to access the site.

…

The site allows users to build up Webblies, a virtual currency. Connolly sees that as a potential source for marketing interactions, both in and out of the world.

“Eventually it will be transactional both in-world and out of it. There’s a potential relationship where some of the more suitable banks and financial institutions could be involved to teach kids about finance and credit and savings.

Out of world, there could be a potential redemption for vouchers with brands. In-world you an buy a new piece to add on to your Webbli, but out of world there could be vouchers and discounts. Those types are going to be based
on brand by brand.”

Virtual Worlds News: Update: Aardman Animations Creates WebbliWorld, Potential Virtual World?

First of all– I LOVE Virtual Worlds News. Click on the link above to read the FULL article.

The site definitely has a young feel to it. The colors are pastel and sweet, the creations (your “avatar”) are construct-o fun too. Feels a bit “CBBC” to me… or preschool television-y in design. Sounds funny– but the design reminds me of the vibe I got from School Supplies in 3rd grade (the cool pencil boxes, the trapper keeper art, the tradeable erasers… come on you gotta remember trading erasers!).

I dig the unique vibe to the site (and even to the avatar creation), and I definitely dig the Green movement (Prevent Global Warming!). And is it safe? Heck yes!

Check this shhhhhtuff out:

We take every possible precaution to make WebbliWorld a safe world.

Children must create and name a character who represents them. This protects their identity, promotes creativity and, let’s face it, is much more fun! As part of our safety procedure, every user who registers is required to provide certain personal details and an authentic email address. We treat these details as confidential and never pass them on to a third party.

All content that is added to WebbliWorld by users is moderated by an external, specialist moderation company and by the staff of WebbliWorld.

We have a strict code of practice that applies to every user of WebbliWorld. Any user not abiding by the WebbliCode will be removed from the site.

WebbliWorld is designed to enrich your children’s lives and expand their horizons. We encourage them to leave their computer as often as possible and explore the amazing world around them. As the site grows it will embrace a global community of kids and give them a voice on topics that really matter to them.

http://www.webbliworld.com/parents/

YAY! THEY GET IT! YAAAAAAAAAAY! I dance the jig of a happy Mod Manager/Safety Zealot!

Le Sigh.

Anyway– I eagerly look forward to how the site progresses in “Phase 2″. And also– I look forward to seeing the success of the demographic they’re aiming for (again, seems young for tween– might be great foro the El Ed kid– the U11 kid). Cool.

technorati tags:youth, webbliworld, safety, community, children, cross-platform, virtual, world

Update: Cartoon Network’s FUSIONFALL

The Cartoon Network announced that it will unveil its virtual world platform, Cartoon Network Universe: FusionFall, tomorrow at the San Diego Comic-Con. FusionFall, produced in partnership with Grigon, is a mix of a “3-D console platform game and all the customization, character development and open-ended world exploration of an MMORPG.” A previous release pegged the game as free-to-download with support through subscription and micro-transactions. Users will power-up by collecting “small, super-deformed versions of Cartoon Network characters [...] to assist during missions.” However, the network confirmed with Kotaku that Adult Swim characters will not be part of the game.

We spoke yesterday with Trilogy’s Michael Pole about the importance of white-label, private virtual worlds for massive brands. It seems like The Cartoon Network agrees. One of the major sources of revenue he spoke about were subscriptions.

“If [Pimp My Ride's owner, Viacom] are to launch a new movie and there was a new trailer available or they wanted to have celebrities appear in world, we could do that,” he said. “We can create special areas in which premium subscribers can go to and will pay premium fees for to see something that’s not available to the average user.”

It sounds like FusionFall, though, will be entirely subscription-based, though. That’s the way Disney’s ToonTown started before switching to an ad-based model. And with the absence of Adult Swim characters, it seems like Cartoon Network is aiming for more of a children’s virtual world, so it might eventually need to go the same route.

Virtual Worlds News: Cartoon Network Unveils FusionFall

initial thoughts:

• Wow, Cartoon Network PREVIOUSLY did not have a community (except for the Fosters game)… this will be a great boost to their website (which pales in comparison to Disney & Nickelodeon, but in a way, where I actually appreciate it– it’s all about the shows & mini games… that’s really great)
• Free & Subscription based? Nice.
• They’re working in all the characters from their shows– that’s a good tie in. Very “Kingdom of Hearts” (the consol game for kids who want to save Disney)
• What the heck is up with the name? “FusionFall”? Hmmm. When I read it I do not think “Cartoon Network” at all. It reminds me a lot of Toontown & VMK– both of which have bases in Disney (Toontown being a section of the Magic Kingdom, where tourists can roam through Mickey’s house IRL, and VMK = Virtual Magic Kingdom). “FusionFall” makes me think of “GreeneFusion” which is the faux-perfume company in ABC’s “All MY Children” (I’m a geek, yes)
• I understand the need to associate the idea of your product with a pre-existing example… I’m just said that poor Cartoon Network has to be in the shadow of Viacom (and Nickelodeon, it’s rival).
• No word on peer-to-peer communication: whether it will happen, how it will happen, and at what length it would happen.

So, I will be watching eagerly. All these virtual worlds aimed at the tween set. Very exciting. Very elaborate. I wonder if eventually kids will rebel– the whole “too much candy” burned out feeling. Where will they go then? Back to forum based communities? Hmmm. Time will tell. Perhaps they will wish for a more organic approach to online gaming (instead of the uber-visual flashy worlds).

UPDATE:

The site is live now at www.fusionfall.com.  You can register, sign up for newsletters, watch the trailer, take a peek at the art (which is amazing), and enjoy the antsy feeling you will get when you realize how excited you are to play the game.  Unfortch for us truly… it doesn’t seem to be going live for a while yet (2008ish?).  Sigh.

So far, so good.  Yay!

technorati tags:youth, mmorg, viacom, cartoonnetwork, cartoon, network, FusionFall, virtualworlds, virtual, world, gaming, cartoons, 3D

Barbiegirls Vs the *COMING SOON* Virtual world Be-Bratz

On Aug. 1, MGA Entertainment will release Be-Bratz.com, a virtual world based on the Bratz dolls, reports the Wall Street Journal.
The site is targeted at girls 8 to 12. Barbiegirls.com, which has been online since April, has over three million registered users, though there are reports that it may not be able to sustain growth. 95% of registered users on
Barbiegirls.com are 8 and older, Mattel says. Both platforms are unique in that they not only target children through a virtual world, they do it through real-world toys.

The Be-Bratz site is accessible only through a $29.99 Bratz doll that comes with a USB key. BarbieGirls is available for free to anyone who wants to play, though certain areas and experiences will be off-limits to users who haven’t purchased a $59.99 Barbie-shaped MP3 player.

The two worlds are competing for users, but Barbie may have the upper hand. The Journal reports that the MP3 player tie-in is part of a goal to win back older girls who prefer consumer electronics to dolls.

That might be wise. In a similarly themed story, the New York Times reported today that “While sales of dolls, action figures and outdoor toys are down, electronics sales to children were up 16.6 percent over the last two years as of May, the latest month available from the NPD Group, a research firm that tracks retail trends. The total toy industry’s annual sales were up just 0.8 percent in May, compared with two years ago.”

In Be-Bratz, users will be able to choose a screen name and customize a Bratz avatar. They’ll also have the opportunity to buy virtual clothes through an online store with currency earned by playing Bratz games.

BarbieGirls will launch in five languages, including Spanish and Portuguese, in late August, and Mattel says that about 40% of the current beta users are outside of the U.S. Neither company would told the Journal the costs of the platforms, but both invested in two-year research and development time lines, in-house design operations, outside programmers, and focus groups.

Virtual Worlds News: Be-Bratz Virtual World to Rival BarbieGirls on August 1

Well, we all know Barbiegirls basically rocks. Indeed.

Interesting that barbiegirls went for the free first, pay for later; and that Be Bratz will go for the pay first.

Personally– I like the barbiegirls mentality. They’ve REALLY put a lot into the market strategy. It allows young girls to log SAFELY and for FREE into the Virtual World (which has gotten GREAT press & everyone I’ve talked to loves it). If you like what you see, and you want more Barbie products (because by this point you’re in that VW every day and bordering a Brand Evangelist), you’ll shell out the big bucks to buy the Barbie MP3 player to tie into the new cool content only available for those who have the tech. They also took the time to study doll & tech trends and try a unique to-market plan with that MP3 player.

As for Be-Bratz… it will be interesting to see how the site looks & feels. In recent Bratz articles (been a few lately, thanks to the movie), they’ve mentioned how the Bratz-powers-that-be are trying to tone down the hoochie look of the girls (in movies & if you look at the dolls in the new commercials, you can see it). This is a GREAT step. A lot of the parents & 7/8 year olds I’ve talked to say that they aren’t allowed to have Bratz dolls– and if they have one– it’s only because they got it at a B-day party. I’ve had yellow-flag-feelings for Bratz dolls from back in the day as a camp counselor– the girls would come in hoochie, belly-bearing, cheek-peekin’ outfits and cover themselves in make-up. Uck. I for one am not really “jazzed” by anything that encourages little girls to believe that they must be sarcastic over-sexed street-corner-models in order for others to think they’re sassy, beautiful, independent, sophisticated, and clever. Ugh.

Anyway… so, I will definitely do a write-up on the Be-Bratz site (as soon as I get my heads on one of the dolls with the code & it goes live).

technorati tags:Bratz, barbiegirls, barbie, virtual, world, virtualworld, community, youth, girls

Dear JK Rowling…

Dear JK Rowling,

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Izzy Neis

p.s. It should be noted: a seed of unexpected inspiration can spread far and wild– building forests far from any place you’ve ever seen.  Hadn’t been for Ms. Rowling and her book, I would not have read about Harry in the time that I needed him most… and therefore, wouldn’t have written about Angelica & Chimera, wouldn’t have changed my major (senior year) and stayed to pursue creative writing, wouldn’t met a great teacher by the name of Terry Shepherd, wouldn’t have gotten into the Masters program at Cardiff University, wouldn’t have written all the things I have (which mostly are not published, due to the fact that I’m cradling them like a mother to a beloved child, afraid for them to grow and walk, but that time will come), and wouldn’t have stumbled into Star Farm or Online Communities.  The opportunity to inspire may be a cheap moment to give for some, but the results are priceless if well spent for others.

5 Quotes to remember:

“An idealist is a person who helps other people to be prosperous.” -Henry Ford

“The power of imagination makes us infinite.” -John Muir

“Far away in the sunshine are my highest aspirations.  I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and follow where they may lead.” -Louisa May Alcott

“Never look down on anybody, unless you’re helping them up.” -Jesse Jackson

“And now Harry, let us step out into the night and pursue that flighty temptress, adventure” -Dumbledore (Rowling, thanks for bringing us along.)

Stop… POTTER TIME!

I’ll be at the Naperville, IL event tomorrow night with some budz celebrating.  It is supposed to be the largest HP event in the nation (or at least has been in the past).  20,000+ people expected.  Wow.  I’ll update on the insanity that I see while I’m there.  So…excited… yay.

Check out the INSANITY: http://www.naperville.net/downtown/HP/activities.html 

When adults & tater tots converge for fantastical fun, things get serious.  If you take a look at the link above, you will see how Downtown Naperville has transformed itself into the Wizarding World for one night.  It will be the LAST TIME that Wizards will publically celebrate, allowing themselves to be seen by mere muggles.

Reminds me of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone… when people celebrated the downfall of “He Who Must Not Be Named” in public (much to the dismay of the more respectable/private wizards).

No doubt this will be something I’ll always remember (like when I was at the HP world premiere in London for the first two movies– amazing & cherished).

I hope everyone’s 7/20 is celebrated safely and is filled with as much magic as possible.  LONG LIVE THE ROWLING!

GoPets + Windows Live Messanger = good?

Microsoft Casual Games announced today that it had integrated Windows Live Messenger with GoPets, a Korean-based virtual world that lets users adopt a pet, customize it to their liking and interact with other pet owners in the virtual world. The partnership will give GoPets, currently in open beta, access to the much larger user base of Windows Live Messenger, but it sounds like Microsoft is interested in exploring how to integrate social networking, 3D capabilities, and virtual worlds into Messenger. “GoPets on Windows Live Messenger takes instant messaging to the next level of 3-D interactivity,” said Chris Early, product unit manager for Microsoft Casual Games. “Teaming up with GoPets enables us to provide the Windows Live Messenger network with this new social networking experience.”

GoPets is a free-to-play game with a velvet rope-style premium option. Users can purchase shells that can then be exchanged for goods to decorate their pets. It is unclear how Windows Live Messenger will integrate all of GoPets functions. Currently the service is offered to the Messenger network in the United States, Australia, Japan and Korea, with expansion planned to more than 30 countries by the end of 2007.

Virtual Worlds News: Windows Live Messenger Integrates GoPets

Note the bolded sentence. That’s where my question lies. The target demographic on this is YOUNG. How are they going to keep content safe & secure for the youngin’s?

Time will tell. My eagle eye will be firmly focused.

technorati tags:youth, socialnetworking, messenger, chat, gopets, communities, virtual

Viacom’s 1 Meeeellion Dollar gift to its Virtual Worlds

MTV/Nickelodeon to Invest $100M in Casual Gaming, Changes for Nicktropolis, AddictingGames, Neopets

NMTV Networks’ Nickelodeon Kids and Family Group today announced that it would invest $100 million over the next two years in casual gaming titles, sites and platforms. Nickelodeon Kids and Family Group President Cyma Zarghami said that “with more than 86% of kids 8 to 14 gaming online, we see great momentum for online casual gaming. This investment will not only benefit our audiences, but also our marketing and distribution partners.” To build into that space the group will be undertaking three major changes for Nicktropolis, AddictingGames, and Neopets.

To capture some of the casual gaming market, Nicktropolis will now include cooperative multiplayer games as a part of the online world in addition to its social functions. Nick.com’s New Game of the Week franchise will also begin focusing on multiplayer experiences. From their grouping in the release, maybe there will be some crossover here.

In the other direction, MTV-owned property AddictingGames will be expanding into the virtual worlds space. AddictingGames recently partnered with Habbo Hotel and has an existing partnership with sister site
Neopets. The new project will be titled AddictingWorlds and will feature a variety of virtual worlds and casual MMOGs.

Lastly, Neopets will be changing to Neostudios. The group will continue to support Neopets, but it will also be focusing on developing new virtual worlds. The first world will launch at the end of 2008, and the company aims to release a new world each year.

Virtual Worlds News: MTV/Nickelodeon to Invest $100M in Casual Gaming, Changes for Nicktropolis, AddictingGames, Neopets

…Well well well. Interesting right?

While everyone else is shifting focus from social network platforms (myspace) to virutal worlds (webkinz & club penguin & second life) back to social network platforms w/applications (facebook)… MTV is sticking to it’s surreal life guns.

Thoughts:

a) “100 miiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiillion dollars” -Dr. Evil

b) Nicktropolis needs that money & the additions to the site. Again, my complaint is that it is based around “roaming roaming roaming” and barely anything interesting. I love Nickelodeon. I have high expectations. I’m hoping they come through with this money.

c) Addicting games is like “the place to be” — I swear. Whenever I ask kids where they go– consistently across the board for BOTH genders, it’s “addicting games” from kids 6 to 16. Creating addictingworlds will be interesting. I get this feeling where they were successful because they KNEW what they were– a gaming site. I’m worried that they’re going to spread themselves out a bit too much and lose the point of where they were. Hmmm… Plus, for as great as Habbo tries to make itself– I’m not a fan of their avatar system. Everyone looks like lego pieces. I don’t want me as a lego piece unless I’m on lego. Barbiegirl is awesome (college kids telling me they have barbie girl avatars for strawberry crepes sakes).

d) Neopets as Neostudios? Let’s see how the uproar goes on that (they’ve already offended their community by forgetting their “it’s free” stance with the NC mall & real money bit). Plus– I’ve seen the shorts on Nickelodeon and, I hate to say it, but they’re kinda cute yet forgetable. Hmm. Nothing to get psyched about. Wouldn’t you want to make them with enough “dun dun duuuuun” or energy that kids would be like “I want to go to Neopets and see more of what I’m missing!” and not so much “this is a short that reminds me of a direct-to-DVD disney flick and I am okay in the fact I don’t need to see any more”? Sigh. Neopets, Neopets, Neopets. Go to your community. Seek their guidance. Make it a community party to be on TV. Involve your users. UGC in the APPROPRIATE, excitable kinda way.

Your thoughts?

technorati tags:MTV, Teens, Neopets, Nicktropolis, VirtualWorlds, Virtual, Worlds, Social, Networking, Viacom, Nickelodeon

Virtual Worlds Vs Social Networking Platforms

Richard Bartle: Virtual Worlds Will Lose to Social Netorking

In an interview with the Guardian, 1st MUD designer Richard Bartle says that virtual worlds will eventually be consumed by social networking site or wind up operating only as extensions of Facebook. “That’s my glum assessment of the future, yes. There WILL be the glorious virtual worlds we have today, only they’ll be of minority interest. Most people will use the technology but not care about the worlds as worlds,” he said. “If you want the intelligent stuff, you’ll be able to find it; however, if you don’t know it’s there, you won’t know to look.Then again, I see what’s happening in Korea with virtual worlds, and I wonder if maybe, just maybe, they do have a mass market
future beyond that of the banal?”

Virtual Worlds News: Richard Bartle: Virtual Worlds Will Lose to Social Netorking

Not for U12s though. Not for U12’s.

And there shouldn’t be social networking in the degree that we’re heading FOR anyone under 13. Let them be fun kids, explore worlds, tame beasts, and make SURFACE friends (the kind where you’re on the same team but don’t share real information).

Watch playground action. When I was a camp counselor– here’s out it went…

U10 kids go to the play ground and envision it as a world– they play hot lava tag, and become monkeys on monkey bars. Talking at length about stuff is “boring”… and we don’t necessarily want them adapting social life over play patterns quite yet.

10 - 13 bounced between ^ and v. They were “sorting their tween selves out”. They didn’t want to commit to either. They wanted hybrid– which is what Virtual worlds will become… a chance to build a limited profile where they can get distracted by the adventures offered (and hide in the need to be part of the play) while stretching their social skills and adapting profiles.

13+ kids go to the playground and sit on benches and talk about their lives and gossip and try to be as “cool” as they think they might look.

technorati tags:tweens, teens, socialnetworking, social, onlinecommunities, communities, youth, virtual, worlds, virtualworlds