BBC building MMO world for kids
by James Ransom-Wiley 
{ Jan 23rd 2007 at 2:45PM }
BBC has unveiled plans to launch an online world based on its CBBC property, which is geared toward kids ages 7-12. The venture will focus on safety and responsibility; and in doing so, BBC will forgo chat rooms and the possibility of users altering the game world. CBBC World will not feature the sort of in-game economic structure that has been popularized by games like Second Life.At least initially, when CBBC World is rolled out this summer, the online world looks to primarily function as an interactive gateway to media; a glorified website. Kids will be able to create and customize their own avatars, and then hit the virtual trails in search of minigames, videos, music, and other CBBC-generated content. There will also be some form of limited content sharing between users, which will likely be moderated by CBBC administrators. Come September, CBBC World will be integrated with a revamped CBBC TV channel, birthing a unique cross-platform effort.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
john @ Jan 23rd 2007 2:56PM
British sex predators FTW!
Adam @ Jan 23rd 2007 3:09PM
I thought they were supposed to be promoting sports and other things, not getting them to sit at the PC for longer.
What a waste of money.
ALH @ Jan 23rd 2007 3:14PM
Its things like this which make me glad i dont pay my liscence fee :D
HotShotX @ Jan 23rd 2007 3:29PM
Will there be Player vs Player combat?
Tom Fronczak @ Jan 23rd 2007 3:46PM
Not to be an ass, but is there a reason to tip your site about news stories if you take it and then and give no credit? I'm sure you get a lot of tips, but this is a little annoying (/whine)
DarkBytes @ Jan 23rd 2007 3:46PM
I think the comments above are kneejerk reactions.
Whilst i understand the dangers surrounding kids in chat rooms etc , and potential grooming properly managed this could provide kids with an oppertunity to interact with their peers , in an enviroment that could be stripped of a lot of the predjedices that hold sway in the playground school envoroment, the fat spotty kid that gets picked on is actually a nice kod who is intelligent funny etc,
DarkBytes @ Jan 23rd 2007 3:51PM
apologies for the spelling etc
Meliv @ Jan 23rd 2007 5:52PM
Pedophiles dream
Achilles @ Jan 23rd 2007 6:25PM
From what I know of this game, it's not an online multiplayer environment, more of a single player game that functions as a portal to the BBC's media content for kids. The Beeb has one of the toughest child protection policies around, so I doubt they'd offer anything that allowed users to directly communicate any time soon.