![]() ![]() There he met Tom Boardman and in 1998, with the help of £1,000 from his mother, they set up Hotbox (which later became Firebox), a website selling unusual gadgets and toys. 'In real life, they are not in control but here they are learning about budgeting and strategising.'Īcton Smith went to Birmingham University to study geography, a useful degree for someone who would go on to create virtual worlds. 'So the kids are in control,' Acton Smith says. Then they can go shopping for presents at Horrods and furnishings at Yukea. The more puzzles they win, the more rox they earn. He knows that parents soften towards his product when they find out there are maths and spelling games on the site that children have to read subtitles if they want to translate one of the many made-up languages spoken by the Moshis that there are 35 puzzles that have educational value, such as learning to recognise the flags of the world. He explains that the site is designed for short play rather than long sessions – the average time a child spends on it is 10 minutes. He knows Moshi Monsters appeals to children – it is parents he needs to win over. He doesn't have children of his own, but he understands how to keep them entertained and engaged. Many parents seem concerned about their children spending time in front of a screen when they could be reading a book or outside kicking a ball. Anyone can play free of charge, but if you want to have access to the Underground Disco, or Gift Island, where you can buy presents for your friends, or add extra rooms on to your house (you can build a skyscraper if you like), you must be a member at a cost of £4.95 per month. ![]() The site features a very basic form of email that means members can send their friends short messages and gifts, and rate each other's creations. The kids can tickle the monster, hug it, take it for a walk and make it happy or sad.' They can personalise their monster's rooms, take them on adventures around Mostro City, play games, earn rox (the Moshi currency) and interact with other users. 'Then they fill in the adoption papers and their monster lives in a room – almost like a doll's house, a virtual one. ![]() 'So already they are having their input,' Acton Smith says. Players can choose one of six virtual pet monsters – Furi, Poppet, Diavlo, Zommer, Luvli and Katsuma – which they then customise and rename. 'Kids arrive at our website, pick a monster, and choose a colour scheme,' Acton Smith explains. They have virtual pets that they nurture and play with online. Today's children don't have rocks to look after. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |