![]() For nearly a year, Mattel tried out different strategies aimed at managing these risks, while addressing parents’ concerns about child safety and privacy … while also responding to the players’ desire to express themselves. In BarbieGirls, where most of the mini-games and activities are single-player only, interaction is mostly relegated to open text-based conversations.Īnytime you have a group of children and younger teens communicating in an online venue, there are unfortunately both serious risks and extra legal considerations. Each of these activities necessarily involves chat. ![]() They send each other messages and gifts via the in-game texting system. They host parties, compare outfits and share home decorating tips. Players gather together at the “B Café” to roleplay and discuss various topics of interest. As with any virtual world, interacting with other players is a big part of BarbieGirls. But additional interests beyond those of the players themselves also come into play – including those of parents, regulators, public opinion and the Mattel corporation itself.Ī key example can be found in the evolution of BarbieGirls‘ in-game chat system. In many cases, these restrictions reflect an underlying interest in keeping BarbieGirls a safe and welcoming space for girls of all ages. Like many MMOGs, the BarbieGirls site’s tightly structured design and technical limitations place significant restrictions on what players can do and say. ![]() Over time, however, I began to notice some deeper elements at work. The “first-ever virtual world designed exclusively for girls,” as the press materials described, appeared to be little more than a souped-up advergame. The environment was filled with promotions for Barbie products and provided few opportunities for interaction. The mini-games were basic, frustrating and repetitive. The virtual space was much smaller than I was used to, and I felt encumbered by my avatar’s limited range of motion. Most avatars end up looking eerily alike – thin, youthful females (there is no such thing as a BarbieBoy) with large heads and delicate facial features. I was disappointed that a game so heavily focused on style would have such a limited range of avatar customization options. Admittedly, my initial reaction was less than positive. I started playing BarbieGirls about two months after launch. Similarly, BarbieGirls gameplay revolves around shopping, fashion and home décor. ![]() Combining fantasy play with virtual consumerism, both Stardoll and The Sims place a lot of emphasis on acquiring, creating and displaying virtual items. The world of BarbieGirls itself is a cross between The Sims and virtual paper doll site Stardoll, two properties that have been enormously successful at attracting female players. With BarbieGirls, Mattel hopes to cash in on something that the game community has known for some time: Little girls love online games. A much more limited free-to-play version remains available, but the majority of the game’s features and activities are now limited to V.I.P. After a yearlong open beta trial, BarbieGirls recently became one of the first toy-based virtual worlds to adopt a subscription-based revenue model (“BarbieGirls V.I.P.,” available at a cost of $5.99 per month as of June, 2008). Since its launch in April 2007, has attracted over 14 million members and proclaimed itself the “fastest growing virtual world in history.” According to Mattel’s press releases, the site attracts 45,000 new members every day, 85 percent of which are 8- to 15-year-old girls. #Play barbie virtual world game series#In addition to a highly profitable series of direct-to-DVD animated movies, top-ranking websites and a stable of videogames, Barbie is now at the center of one of the most successful children’s virtual worlds to date. The doll’s reincarnation as a media brand is a big driving force behind her continued longevity. Despite the fact that sales of Barbie dolls have steadily declined for nearly a decade (with some analysts estimating a 27 percent drop between 20 alone), Barbie recently ranked first on the NPD Group’s list of top-selling toy licenses. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |