Meh: Learning & Rambles

Okay, so I learned a lesson today.

Was in the CyberSafety panel today at SXSW. The panel posed a question regarding: how do we project cybersafety in the world- education? websites?

I stood up and found my sealegs (I quake when I stand by microphones apparently… i should only sit) and then found a soap box to speak regarding businesses acting as role models & the inherit responsibility to their customers. Well, I started throwing out different ideals about this particular safety space – one of which was alluding to cyberbullying through youtube. My point was — the horror of parents within this cyberworld directs mainly to myspace, but no one pays much attention to youtube these days, particularly the example of that 14 year old kid on youtube who rates movies and gets heckled by adults… someone has to take responsibility for this space and I think companies are one piece of the pie… and a might big piece too, aside from education. Seeing as that was a rather sticky tangent, I went back to U13 brands & sites reacting towards their audience.

Well, apparently my entire point was overshadowed by this youtube comment. Le sigh. A gentleman reporter who works in the gov/educational site of cybersafety completely misconstrued what I said based upon his own issues with the issue, and then stood up after me to address the panel. He sadly offended me twice (making allusions to the fact I don’t know anything about ads, etc, or my audience user patterns, again le sigh) and then asked his own question which had nothing to do with my point.

Apparently, as I learned after the panel, he thought I was asking a question. After some re-explaining on my part, we both realized (him more explicit and harsh than I) that perhaps my use of the youtube example was distracting and that I’m an idiot. Nice. So then, with a small mic in my face, I re-stated my point, touching a little more appropriately on cyberbullying and auditing youth, and a whole bundle of other topics regarding cyberbullying that I haven’t addressed that much lately.

He tossed a few names in my face of people I should talk to (i tried to tell him I blog on this stuff as someone who works on the front lines of this market and my comments come from hands on experience), and then he mentioned that he can’t promise that his article would be nice and that the tone would be kind. And…. heart sink.

I LOVE this industry. There so many creative alternatives for things, and I definitely think if we just push ourselves and own up to what we have, could do, and will do– we could really have some seriously future-improving awesomeness on our hands. When I raise points about worries regarding safety, etc, it’s because we’re a smart group of folks dedicated to making kick arse things, and we’re working with our world’s future population (who will be taking care of us in the future, don’t forget)… I was raised by an insurance agent father who told me to avoid the pot holes you see coming, and a teacher mother who taught me to give the best to improve things for the future. So… if you see an issue, raise it to the community, figure out how to side step it yourself, and then point it out for others. I don’t have the answers (which is what I repeated several times today), I just have to deal with the problems constantly. Mis-step and it’s a black mark.

Well, my willy-nilly comment in a panel might just turn out to be a black mark. It’s kinda ironic that this gentleman’s post/radio show, etc, could eventually turn out to be not-so-friendly comments that can be audited back to me, and ironic that we spoke mainly on the content of cyberbullying & auditing.

I have learned my lesson about tossing wide, multi-tipped points into a public setting — keep it short & to the point & realize that not all people within the room have the same intentions & understandings.

Anyone else have something like this happen to them? Love to hear comments about it…. might make me feel less like an idiot at the mo.

p.s. with the exception of this learning experience– i have to say, I have had (and continue to) a great, great time at sxsw. Met loads of great people and learned some wicked things! woot.

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Future & Pre-Beta Virtual Worlds

Okay… I’m trying to mock up a list of all these VW’s for tweens/twids that are not live yet, or exists in early Beta. Please add more in the comments, thanks!

• Bella Sera: Card game + virtual world based on horses/horse play
• MoshiMonsters: Monster virtual world based on clever gaming and monster care– easily transitions to mobile technology
• Club Pony Pals: Based on a book series about ponies, this world will be for the pony pet care
• Dizzywood: A creative, fantasy virtual world to create adventures and inspire
• Planet Cazmo: A virtual world based on gaming and MUSIC
• Freaky Creatures: A virtual world for boys regarding monster/creatures
• Build-a-Bear: Based on the popular brand, build your bear and play with it online in a virtual world. It’s LIVE now.
• FusionFall: Cartoon Network’s MMORG, based on Cartoon Network brands & exploring the worlds within the network (i’m looking forward to this!)
• Little Big Planet: Okay, okay– I know this will be a video game… but it’s community/world appeal are just too awesome to NOT mention.
• Lego Universe: It’s lego. It’s community. It’s gonna be amazing.
• Panwapa (it’s live, and been online longer than some previously mentioned): A preschool VW brought to the world by Sesame Street folks. It’s multicultural, it’s unique, it’s going to be the next big VW phase in like 1 year (preschool/kid VW’s)
• Adventure Rock: The CBBC/BBC’s robot-y virtual world
• Zibbies: A product based VW (dolls that kinda look like a mix of webkinz & Beanie Babies but with rubbery spikes for hair on their heads). Currently live in early beta.
• Pirates of the Caribbean Online: Went live a little over a week ago– this pirate existence is a downloadable app (like WOW) and currently in Beta. I love it.
• Littlest Pet Shop: Also, currently in Beta– this is kinda an exclusive experience, as they products (with the much needed code to play) are hard to get hands on. But you can demo free. No community yet.
• Wowbotz: An outerspace-feeling VW in beta-live for “preschoolers” I more or less categorize it for kids/twids.
• Mystikatz Kutties: A Virtual World for girls who like dolls dressed like colorful gypsies. Like it’s brother site “Wowbotz”, this is categorized as for “preschoolers” but I’d stick it in the kids/twids boxes.
• Magi-Nation: Based on a TV show and a trading card game, this virtual world will cater to the fantasy tweens/kids who might also enjoy shows like Yo-Gi-Oh and Pokemon and Chaotic.
• Disney’s Cars: A virtual world built on the Disney movie “Cars”.
• Mini Match: From Cartoon Network comes a MMO for casual gamers, and world roamers. It’s in UBER early beta… UBER. But so far– you can set up your avatar (promising animation, ugly avatar face/hair but that can change?, the clothing layering options = very smart indeed), but from my experience you can’t play yet. Cartoon Network seems to be treading lightly in this space– and with a good brain on their shoulders
• Pixie Hallow: Not yet in LIVE beta… but will be amazing! Loads of great rumors about this one… It’s Disney’s Fairies VW.
• T-Works (????): Looney Toon Virtual World that may or may not be launching this fall with several other Warner platforms….?
• Konstruction Zone: A new (pre-beta) VW based on cute construction characters– encourages online playtime between parents and kids.
• Papermint: another virtual world for kids– 2D art, pre-Beta (from the looks of it).
• Hello Kitty World: Not live yet, their pre-beta site offers a decent sneak peek of elements that will be a part of the world. I’m interested to find out what “in game telepathy” is– as they say in their introductory page. It’s all the bright happy bumblegum colors you come to expect from HK. I’m pumped to see what HK brings to the table.
  • I’m not sure what the safety is on this yet– Sanrio Town is NOT for U13… and the HK world will tie in somehow with the pre-existing Sanrio Town community platform. So, stay tuned…. 😦
• Dragon Play: It’s a medieval world for dragon play (like the name, clever, lol).
• Chaotic: A virtual worldish(?) experience attached to collectible card-play
• Ice Age: An MMO based upon the two movies (and third to come) slated for 2009
• Minyanland: A virtual environment where kids can learn about money, banking, and managing responsibilities while gaining a virtual life. Has parent/chore metagame, etc. Based on the finance site Minyanville.com
• Planet V-Tech: described as an educational virtual world for 5+
• Earth Eternal: An MMO with educational elements that can be accessed through social networking
• Speed Racer: A virtual world (with toy tie-ins) for the upcoming movie franchise
• Web wilds: A virtual environment to correlate with the puppet-dolls.
• Hot Wheels: A virtual world to correlate with the toy-cars.
• Madagascar: A virtual world to correspond with their upcoming sequel movie.
• Seapals: A product tie-in with VW, like it’s sister product Shining Stars. (It’s gotten more PR than Shining Stars, which has been live for quite some time now– it could be interesting!)
• MyLife: An avatar/world combination toy for girls to build and share profiles (Playmates toys)
• Beanie Babies 2.0: A virtual world – pet product combo. Codes. Unlock. Dolls. Yadda.
• Guppylife: An MMO for girls not yet released, and very little info.
• Lola’s World: It’s a companion community with vw-elements for tween girls based on the Lola, Think Pink, books. It launches in April 08.
• Tronji: An MMO game based around the Tronji world is currently in development to be released alongside the TV show.
• Tech Deck Live: A Virtual world skate part for tweens who like skateboarding. Subscription based. Tech Deck is a toy product (finger skateboards).
• Dinokids: An MMO (looks just like Maplestory but with dinos) for tween/kids.
• Treetures: A VW with stuffy product tie in (Russ)
• Green: A future virtual world promoting green initiatives. Not live yet, very hush – hush. Now live.
• Kaimira MMO: BBC announced their desire to create a MMO around the Kaimira Trilogy, a book series from Star Farm Productions.
• KidsWB: Warner Bros platform site meshed with Virtual worlds??? Details still coming through the pipeline.
• DC HeroZone: Another virtual world from WB that follows comics & heroes
• WarnerZone: Another Warner Bros stealth-hush hush VW coming summer ’08.
• Zoopri: A virtual world for tweens, not live yet.
• Dinosaur Junction: Another virtual world for kids based on dinos with some educational values.
• JumpStart Advanced Preschool World: a VW for the 3-5 set. Software first, world later.
• Wizard 101: An MMO/VW for the tween, teen set based on wizardry and magic and fantasy.
• Elf Island: A tween VW based on being an upstanding member and “doing good,” not launched yet.
• Topps Town: A VW for 6+ boys (only, seriously, no girl av) based on trading card gameplay.
• Muppet MMO: A little birdy whispered this one to me that the Muppet MMO is in strategy/planning phase… so take it was a wink & a nod and a grain of salt.
• AllGirlArcade: Currently a multiplatform community site, future to be a virtual world
• AllBoyArcade: By the makers of the girl arcade, this won’t be rolling until next year.
• Kiwi Heroes: A VW in pre-Beta for tweens regarding conservationism.
• Tootsville: A toy based VW with subscription too based on elephant/pet play.
• Unnamed MMO: From the folks who created Neopets. Think Labyrinth & Dark Crystal.
• Revngenz: A car MMO for gender neutral (really for boys) with licenses for gift cards.
• Avatar: The Last Airbender: MMO based on the Nickelodeon television show.
• Huri Humi: Avatar virtual world for tweens based on product to VW purchases.
• Happy Meal 3.0: McDonald’s version of a virtual world for kids.
• Action AllStars: A simply MARVELOUS virtual world for sports & tweens, currently in private beta.
• Saddle Club: VW in development for the book series/tv series (tweens, kids, teens)
• Twin Skies: An MMO for all ages from the creators of Neopets.
• Emerald Island: An MMO for tweens based on environmental issues.
• Garden Party: A virtual world for young tweens about growing plants & playing
• Ekoloko: A virtual world for tweens based on the “green” initiative.
• SpineWorld: A virtual world by Playdo based on epic adventure & fantasy

BAH! I know I’m forgetting a ton– curse you, brain cloud (reference: “Joe Versus the Volcano”). Any help here? I’ll keep adding as they come.

Also for those VW researchers/explorers, here are a few oldie but goody links:

• Worthy Tween/Twid/kid Communities (and virtual worlds)
• Communties NOT for Tweens/Kids
• A Breakdown of Tween/Twid/Kid Virtual Worlds & Terminology