First MMORPG for kids available soon for PC and Mac
Many parents today worry about what their kids may be exposed to on the Internet, especially when they're playing around with older gamers. Seems Cartoon Network Enterprises (CNE) saw the perfect opportunity here and, in partnership with leading Korean MMO developer Grigon Entertainment, gave birth to the first massively multiplayer online game geared toward the younger crowd -- FusionFall.
Word of CNE's new MMO has been circling video game news sites, gamer blogs and forums for some time, drawing a series of mixed reactions. Regardless of what older gamers might think of the revamped Cartoon Network characters, publisher Majesco Entertainment is confident the game will succeed.
"FusionFall is an innovative and groundbreaking MMOG that will appeal to the legions of Cartoon Network fans," said Gui Karyo, Executive VP of Operations, Majesco. "Partnering with Cartoon Network on the retail version of the game was a major initiative for us and we believe the extensive added value in the Victory Pack will enhance the playing experience."
The Victory Pack Exclusive is a special retail version of FusionFall that comes with extra content like a four month subscription, an in-depth game guide, and codes for two exclusive outfit and weapon sets.
Storywise, an alien villain known as Planet Fusion is attempting to conquer the Cartoon Network world, and players need to rally together in order to stop the invading forces with the aid of over 50 characters from popular Cartoon Network shows. Unique powers and abilities are awarded to those who collect customisable Nanos.
Just to be clear, players will be creating and using their own avatars, while familiar faces from The Powerpuff Girls, Foster's Home, Dexter's Laboratory, Ben 10, Kids Next Door, Samurai Jack and various other popular CNE cartoons make their appearances and offer assistance.
New in-game content will be added regularly to this open sugar-coated world.
"A massive undertaking for the network, FusionFall stands to be a truly unique and rich gaming experience for kids that blends some of our most popular characters in a way that has never been seen before," said Christina Miller, CNE VP. "Building off of this excitement, we're pleased to partner with Majesco to offer fans an extension of the game at retail day and date with its online launch."
This kid-friendly online adventure ships out to retailers across the United States today, and will officially launch on January 14. It's been rated 10+ for everyone 10 and up, and the Victory Pack Exclusive for PC and Mac is now available for $19.99.
forums
As to why CN's lineup changed so much, I suspect it's due to a changing demographic, as is normally the case. They had to alter their own appearance and market to a new crowd of youths as the previous one grew older.
But as an MMO aimed at kids, I doubt there will be much of a grind to it like most others, figuring the whole "Active Kids for an Active generation" the media is spewing.
Well, at least they didn't horribly trample on Johnny Bravo or Cow and Chicken. I do have to say it is odd to see the characters from my childhood turned into taller, more anime style characters, kind of interesting though. Jack should have been left out though, lumping him in with characters like Dexter and.....*Shudders* Ben 10..... feels a bit odd and out of place.
When I first saw the announcements for this game, I was also majorly put off by the new look, seeing characters I used to really like revamped to fit the new homogenized generation weened on bad anime and iPods.
But I still applaud most new ideas, and I give CNE credit for attempting the first major MMORPG geared toward that crowd. I don't expect it to draw in gamers like you or me, but if their target audience likes it, they've done their job.
Anyway, Like I said, It is a good idea, but I really don't think kids will go for it. I played it, and found myself completely bored. It wasn't that it was too easy, it was just bad game design. They tried to make everything so "cool" that they came off looking like they don't know how to make a game. But hey, kids have been known to enjoy some pretty buggy and bad games so if they do like it, more power too them.
I want an Adult Swim MMO now though.