Cartoon Network is no stranger to online, browser-based games focusing on the amazing array of Cartoon Network cartoons and characters. It’s only natural for the animation broadcaster to evolve the Cartoon Network online experience and develop the potential fan base.
What is surprising is they developed an MMORPG based on Cartoon Network characters and worlds.
Massively multiplayer online role playing games are extremely popular right now with millions upon millions of players around the world dedicating hours a day to a game. MMORPG’s are typically set in persistant virtual worlds populated by the players’ avatars. Players can team up to accomplish similar goals while creating and customizing their avatar to be more powerful.
The overwhelming success of World of Warcraft over the past 4 years has meant game development companies are seeing a new area to tap for more sales. It’s no wonder everyone wants in on the action when Blizzard has announced that 14 million players world-wide play World of Warcraft.
FusionFall is Cartoon Network’s answer to the MMORPG popularity and it looks like they’ve done a pretty decent job. The game takes place in the near future where teenage versions of Cartoon Network characters are banding together to stop Fuse, an interstellar bad-guy that wants to cover the Earth in green goop. Dexter, from Dexter’s Labratory, has enlisted you to travel through time and stop Fuse from taking over the world.
It’s supposed to sound adolecent. With an E10 rating — everyone 10 and up — the game is targeted to pre-teens and younger teens. Cartoon Network has pulled all the stops to ensure the safest online environment they can create. They have a quick start guide for parents who would like to learn more. Parental controls set to a master account are also available to make sure children aren’t playing when they aren’t supposed to.
Once an account is created and a character is customized, players are given a tutorial level in which to learn how to play. Moving and jumping are standard fare, although having the camera tied to the mouse’s movements is a little awkward. Combat is simple as well. Face an enemy and click to have your character swing a weapon or fire an energy gun. Since it is an RPG, however, there is plenty of strategy, math and reading involved. MMORPG’s generally aren’t forgiving to the easily distracted.
When the player is done with tutorial mode, they are plopped down into the new player area with all the other level 1 players. From this point on, the world is open to do anything the player feels like doing. Completing quests and defeating monsters will allow the player to progress, while chatting and being social will help make new friends.
The game is browser-based, meaning it is played in an internet browser. I was even able to play the game in OS X in Firefox, so compatabilty shouldn’t be an issue. The game won’t win any awards for looks, but it is lightweight enough to run on most older systems.
Initially, the game is free. Only a few areas are accessible with a free account. Those wanting to spend more time with the game and pass the free account level cap will need to pay the $5.95 a month fee. Upgrading gives access to the entire game and more character creation slots.
Having played my fair share of MMORPG’s, it will be interesting to watch FusionFall go through the hurdles most online multiplayer games face. While it isn’t the first MMORPG to be targeted solely to kids, it seems to have what it takes to thrive in today’s gaming culture.
Maxis, the company that has brought the joys of controlling virtual avatar’s lives to litterally millions, is releasing its newest foray into simulation gaming this week.
Yes another Google post.
Google is always wanting to reinvent things and make them better and, best of all, free! Being the online directory giant it is, Google has taken it upon themselves to release a national 411 phone directory service via a 1-800 number.
If you’re as excited about the new World of Warcraft expansion Wrath of the Lich King as I am, then you may be already clinging to Web sites giving out morsels of information on the beta testing. You may have gone as far as signing up for the beta via 
The Electronic Entertainment Expo, or E3, will be starting Monday, July 14. E3 is among the largest of video game expos that happen here in the United States and is traditionally the launch pad for new game titles to be revealed and other exciting announcements.
Today Apple finally launched the successor to the iPhone — the iPhone 3G. Technically, the iPhone 3G isn’t much of an upgrade, but it does have wireless 3G technology built in which many smart phone enthusiasts have been clamouring for.
It’s official. June 30, 2008 was the day Microsoft began phasing out product sales of Window XP. The software giant will cease providing retailers with copies of Windows XP. Brand name computers will also only ship with Windows Vista pre-installed. The only computers that may continue being sold with Windows XP are ultra-cheap systems mainly used in charities.
