Lego Universe and its Universal Audience

The official LEGO Universe website just put up an interview with Phillip Atencio, one of the upcoming massively multiplayer game’s art directors.There’s a lot of material in the interview but there were two things he touched upon that I found really interesting. First is how LEGO Universe is going to deal with violence and still attract younger gamers.

Lego Universe: Violence and Visual Unification in LEGO Universe

Brings up some good points, and makes me eager to see how the end result reflects this ideal.  I do think he’s right - creativity can spawn some pretty amazing jedi mind tricks.  Helping the user to remember its a game, its not real, its play, its not harmful, its exploratory, etc.

Quite a challenge, and exciting from a progression point of view.  Proving once again that some things which seem impossible can be couched in the possible.

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Heads UP: Virtual Environment MMO for tater tots

There’s certainly money in this targeting children lark, judging by the news that California firm Fluid Entertainment has secured $3.2 million of Series A funding, which it plans to use to launch a new MMO aimed at children.

The company is keeping exact details under wraps, apart from the fact that the MMO will have an environmental theme, engaging kids with green issues as they play. Fluid has been developing games for children since the late 1990s, with clients including Hasbro, Disney, Mattel and The Learning Company.

Trinity Ventures led the funding, and general partner Tim McAdam explains the reasoning behind the new venture:

“With three other gaming investments in our current portfolio, we were looking for the right play in the children’s MMO area, which is an open canvas with only a few incumbents. Fluid has a veteran team, a great history, and a clear and progressive vision that positions the company to become a leader in this arena.”

The announcement cites a recent study from eMarketer claiming that MMOs will be played by 20 million children and teens by 2011.

Fluid Entertainment raises $3.2m to make MMO for kids | VWF blog | Virtual Economic Forum Content Library

Eyes peeled. 
With all the talk at SXSW from people looking for a educational, social conscious VW, this might be yet another example of unique IP. 

Really, what this comes down to is: great idea, but will it (in execution & launch) be able to compete with the entertainment/brand focused mega-worlds like Webkinz, Club Penguin, and Buildabearville? 

The Niche sites are fab, and I’m eager to see how the competition and/or SHARING of multi-world users (or single world players) shakes out.  The market is turning out like a buffet of opportunities, and kids will have full plates no doubt. 

We talked briefly in one of the virtual chat rooms during the SXSW panels about educational virtual worlds, etc, and why there always in need but rarely around.  One comment (probably from me, although I can’t remember) was about the entertainment, enjoyment level vs the hammered-over-the-head-with-learning.  Or perhaps it’s more about MARKETING.  Who gets in the kids faces the most?

Again, this year should prove interesting.

If anyone hears more about this, please pass along. 

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Tags: edutainment, virtual worlds, MMOs, youth, kids, tweens

TBS & Cartoon Network

Turner Broadcasting System has appointed Paul Condolora as its new vice president of digital for its Animation, Young Adults and Kids Media Group. He’ll be heading up digital strategy and product development for cable properties including Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, SuperDeluxe and GameTap. Before this he served as SVP and general manager for Cartoon Network New Media, where he headed up the network’s upcoming virtual world Fusion Fall.  “It has been a great privilege to lead Cartoon Network’s new media initiatives over these past years and I’m proud of the many successes we’ve had thus far,” Condolora said in a statement. “The New Media space continues to be an exciting opportunity and I look forward to this new challenge to spearhead the overall strategic direction of our digital brands for the Animation, Young Adults and Kids Media Group.”

Virtual Worlds News: TBS Gets New VP of Digital for Animation, Young Adults and Kids Media Group

First of all - woot to Turner for having PR about their push forward into the digital space.  I like to hear big leaguers join the ranks of awesomeness that IS OUR FIELD.  So, woot to you, Turner.

Now on to Fusion Fall - which (along with Disney’s Pixie Hollow, Little Big World, and Spore) is what I’m foaming at the mouth for this year.  From everything I’ve seen and heard - it’s a new way of working branding into the MMO space, as well as a fun approach to making a totally solid, rockin’ virtual experience from a multi-story network. 

Sadly, I was cursed with american-airlines-idus two weeks back when I was supposed to fly northward for the press event during GDC, and missed it (anyone else not a fan of LAX AA and/or San Fran’s airport controller?). 

So far news looks fab, and Richard Weil (the community manager) has been a constant face, recognizing and improving social networking safety for his users - and we all know how I dig that.

For links regarding fusion fall, check out Metriod Crossing.  There’s tons of bits & pieces & links to sources, etc.

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Tags: virtualworlds, cartoon network, turner broadcasting, fusionfall