A Massively Multiplayer Online Game (also called MMOG or MMO) is a computer game, which is capable of supporting hundreds or thousands of players simultaneously by using an Internet connection. MMOGs include a variety of gameplay types, representing many video game genres. Most MMOGs require a monthly subscription fee, but some can be played for free.

MMOGs exploit the players’ social skills and offer support for in-game guilds or clans. Joining a clan places one within a social network, which provides access to resources, knowledge, and help needed to accomplish many game related goals. In addition, banding together with like-minded players seems to fulfill a human desire for social interaction. Taken together, these two factors can vastly enhance the gameplay experience of many players.

Chat/Messaging: Instant messaging allows players to write simple text messages to each other. A player can send a message visible to everyone, or restricted to just the player’s team. Voice communication: Being able to talk to your team during a match and change tactics instantly gives an obvious advantage, but it is also widely used for chatting outside of competitive play. Such features sadly lend themselves to abuse. Immature players use it as a method to be obnoxious, disruptive and sometimes insulting.

Children friendly MMOGs
Disney’s ToonTown Online, VMK, Club Penguin, Whyville.net, NeoPets, Nicktropolis and Webkinz are examples of popular Kids MMOs on the Internet today. (Click each title for our KidConfidence review). These MMOs do not offer voice communication and limit chat to predefined phrases or a sanitized open chat where players can only type words that are on the game’s list of allowed words. We found these safety measures reliable, however we highly recommend parents to play with their children, at least for the first couple hours to make sure that you and your children feel comfortable in the MMO environment.

MMORPG (Massively multiplayer online role-playing game)
Massively multiplayer online role-playing games, known as MMORPGs, are perhaps the most famous type of MMOG. Most MMORPG’s feature “heroes” controlled by the player, that can complete quests, obtain new equipment, and learn new abilities as they advance in level.

Pirates of the Caribbean Online
Pirates of the Caribbean Online is the most anticipated MMO of the year. The game is expected to allow each player to create his/her own customized pirate character (up to four pirate characters), battle other pirates, and complete pirate-themed quests both on ship and on land. Disney’s Mike Goslin said the game will feature interactions with the main characters from the “Pirates” feature films, both heroes and villains. Common MMORPG features such as player guilds and a virtual economy have also been announced. This game is expected to appeal to a very broad audience which comes with it’s own set of problems such as online safety, chat, voice communication and last but not least level of difficulty. KidConfidence will post a detailed Video Review covering all aspects of the gamed as soon as the final version goes online.

World of Warcraft (WoW)
The most successful MMORPG is World of Warcraft (Wow) by Blizzard with 8.5 Million subscribers as of March 2007. WoW has become increasingly popular with kids as young as 8 years. KidConfidence recommends WoW for players ages 12 and older due to the games complexity, fantasy violence and unmonitored chats. World of Warcraft received a “T” for Teen rating by the ESRB. The game lets players control a character avatar within a gameworld, exploring the landscape, fighting monsters, and performing quests on behalf of computer-controlled characters (also called NPCs—non-player characters). The game rewards success through money, items, and experience, which in turn allow players to improve in skill and power. In addition, players may opt to take part in battles against other players of an enemy faction, including both duels and fights.

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