The Pixel Farm

Club Penguin

http://www.clubpenguin.com/

Club Penguin is a web-based virtual world written in Flash.  In this world, players assume the identity of a cartoon penguin and can explore a vast environment filled with games, prizes and opportunities for customization and self expression.  Club Penguin is rated for kids between 7 and 14 years old.

Communication

Avatars in Club Penguin can communicate using a standard text-based messaging.  In addition, the service offers an “Ultimate Safe Chat” option that limits communication to a series of “canned” greetings and expressions.  This level of control can be a major selling point for parents who want to ensure that their kids do not get exposed to inappropriate content.  Parents who elect the standard chat option can rest assured that chat channels are machine filtered to prevent most offensive content from getting through to their child.

Environment & Movement

Club Penguin is a 2D world that projects the illusion of being an overhead 3D environment using standard isometric display techniques.  Movement in-game is handled using a “click to move” system.  Avatars reorient themselves to face a desired destination and then calculate an appropriate movement path.

Customization

Avatar customization in Club Penguin is relatively limited, though one can amass a wide range of virtual goods with which to decorate your own igloo in the world.  Goods are purchased using an in-game currency, and paying members have access to a wider range of items and services.

Build a Bear Workshop

http://buildabearville.com/

The Build a Bear Workshop virtual world is an extension of the brick and morter franchise of the same name.  In this world you control a human avatar that lives inside a world filled to the brim with digitized plush toys.  This world is rated for kids age 7 and up.

Communication

Chat in Build a Bear Workshop is text based, and is implemented using a “safe” chat system.  Typing into the chat box at the bottom of the screen brings up a set of phrases that can be selected from the pop-up menu.

Environment & Movement

Build a Bear Workshop is also built on a click-to-move isometric environment.  Avatars can interact with objects in the environment by simply clicking on them.  In addition, you are serenaded with bear-themed pop music wherever you go.  The songs are surprisingly catchy.

Customization

An in-game currency is used to purchase goods and services in the world.  Money can be obtained through various games and tasks that are presented to you as you explore the environment.  In addition, there is a connection to the real-world Build a Bear Workshop via the “Bring your Furry Friend to Life” feature.  This service requires that you have a code from a physical bear purchased at a BaBW store.  Once inputted, one can assume that a virtual representation of your character will appear in-game alongside you (I don’t have a bear myself so I couldn’t test this feature.)

Free Realms

http://freerealms.com/

Free Realms is a quite well developed 3D virtual world that is set in a pseudo-fantasy based world.  The client for the game is web-based but requires that you download a decent sized plugin (64mb) before you can begin to play.  It is recommended for kids ages 10 and up.

Communication

Communication in Free Realms is text-based and does not contain a “safe” chat mode.  I was able to type in a few freehand messages that were posted to the local chat zone without any difficulty.

Environment & Movement

The Free Realms environment is beautiful.  It is rendered in true 3D and looks much more like a MMORPG than the other virtual worlds that I visited for this experiment.  In fact, the layout of the screen strikes me as being quite similar to that of the World of Warcraft.  You can move about the space by using standard gaming navigation keys (W, A, S, D)  or by clicking on the ground.  You can also rotate around the space to get a different view of the local environment by right-clicking and panning the camera using your mouse.

Customization

I wasn’t able to customize the look and feel of my avatar as easily in Free Realms as I could in the other virtual worlds that I explored.  I have a feeling that this is due to the fact that this world is more of a true MMORPG and as such your appearance changes based upon the items that you accumulate by completing quests and various other accomplishments within the game.  Free Realms, while true to its name, does have a paid subscription feature ($4.99 a month) which grants you access to additional game currency and unlocks various experiences not available to standard players.

Secret Builders

http://secretbuilders.com/

Secret Builders is a web-based virtual world that focuses on getting school-age kids interested in learning.  Avatars are more or less human, and the world is set in a cartoon version of a small town.  Secret Builders is being billed as a “safe” virtual world that can be used as a supplement to traditional classroom instruction by parents and teachers..

Communication

Communication in Secret Builders is text-based – users have the option of communicating freely or using pre-loaded phrases and expressions.  Free communication is filtered for offensive keywords.  In addition, the world also offers a mini-blogging platform that encourages kids to write about their experiences inside the virtual world.  Stories are peer reviewed and open for comments by other members of the community.

Enviornment & Movement

Secret Builders is a click-to-move environment.  The world is fairly flat and doesn’t utilize isometric projection as much as the other virtual worlds that I was able to explore.  One of the neatest features I came across in this world was the “One for All” program.  This area of the world lets kids test their knowledge of various academic subjects such as reading and math.  When you answer a certain number of questions correctly the Secret Builders team donates on your behalf to a variety of environmental based charities.  Too cool!

Customization

Avatar customization is a big part of Secret Builders, and you can change the look and feel of your character at any time.

Feature Comparison Chart

	Club Penguin	Build a Bear Workshop	Free Realms	Secret Builders	Second Life
Communication	Text-based Filtered “Canned” chat phrases available as a primary means of communication	Text-based “Canned” chat phrases are the only means of communication	Text-based Filtered	Text-based Filtered	Text-based Voice-based
Environment & Movement	Flash-based 2D isometric projection Click to move	Flash-based 2D isometric projection Click to move	Plug-in required True 3D projection	Flash-based 2D Click to move	Desktop client required True 3D projection
Customization	Avatar Home space (igloo)	Avatar Pets and companions	Avatar (to an extent)	Avatar Pets and companions	Avatar Buildings Objects Scriptable behaviors

This entry was posted on Tuesday, September 22nd, 2009 at 11:44 pm and is filed under Virtual Worlds. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.