This weekend, my kids came home and announced that they _had_ to have subscriptions to Disney's new
Toontown Online game. At $10/month for a subscription, it seemed wise to have them go for the 3-day free trial first, and then make a decision about the expense.
Much to my dismay, Toontown works only on a PC. Going there on my Mac gave me this:
Using a Mac?
This system is not supported by Disney's Toontown Online.
Disney's Toontown Online requires a PC running Microsoft Windows 98, ME, 2000, XP, or later.
Feh.
However, my kids have been using their free trials on my husband's Windows-based machine, and they're totally entranced by it. This is their first exposure to a MMORPG, and clearly Disney's done something right--from plugging it hard on the Disney Channel, to making it easy enough for my 7 and 9-year-old sons to use and enjoy.
I did some poking around today to find out how long this has been around, and what other people are saying about it. There are reviews (with screen shots, which I appreciated since my OS of choice has been shut out of game play) at
GameZone.com and
Review Outpost. Both were written in June, but I'm pretty sure the advertising campaign has just begun.
It will be interesting to see if game-makers follow suit, creating adapted versions of existing MMORPGs for the pre-teen set (G-rated Everquest, maybe? or a kid-friendly Game NeverEnding?). I hope so, because I _really_ don't want to spend $10/month per kid on a game that locks us into a platform-specific OS and browser.
1. Adam on October 20, 2003 4:39 PM writes...
It's inevitable that MMORPGs will be converted for our most burgeoning demographic, they already control movies. Not only do you need Windows but you also need Internet Explorer, sucky I love firebird and wanted to give it a try.
Permalink to Comment2. Patrick Barry on October 20, 2003 4:53 PM writes...
I went to a seminar with Jesse Schell, the lead designer of ToonTown online I believe, recently at Carnegie Mellon (I'm a grad student). I was very impressed with how much solid and innovative game design work had gone into the system, and I expect that it'll really take off. I can't find his presentation online, but I sure hope more games do the sort of work they did with Toontown.
Permalink to Comment3. Stewart Butterfield on October 20, 2003 5:54 PM writes...
ToonTown has been around for a long time already, though I guess it was in testing that whole time. (It's been at least a year since I first tried it.) They did do a great job, and the menu-driven communications stuff is a tolerable replacement for free-typing, if you *have to* get around COPPA rules.
And yes, there will be a kid-friendly GNE-based world at some point :)
Permalink to Comment4. Matt on December 29, 2003 4:57 PM writes...
LOL, how long will this whole microsoft thing last?
Permalink to Comment5. Amanda on January 5, 2004 3:14 AM writes...
Toontown is awesome!! I play it...it is a great game for kids you will hear from a lot of people that it is boring, but it is no where near that!!! It is fun for all ages!! I encourage anyone to try it!!!
Permalink to Comment6. Lily on January 16, 2004 6:40 PM writes...
please tell me when u go on! My aol name is llilyp! My toon is tarus
Permalink to Comment7. Denise on February 10, 2004 10:43 AM writes...
ToonTown is not only for kids anymore!! We tried the free 3 day trial for my 6 yr old, who has been playing on the puter since he was 2, he loved the game although frustration came along when he found he was not able to keep up well as he is just in kindergarten and hasnt learned to read. This is where I entered the picture. I soon took over the puter myself and after 3 days of fun, fun, fun, decided we needed to subscribe. My hubby and older boys subscribe to "Mature" games, so having no guilt at all about this desicion...I became a Toon!! Now it is my turn to say "Sorry honey, am busy playing, its your turn to cook dinner" Have fun all, its well worth it!!
Permalink to Comment8. tracey on February 14, 2004 1:25 PM writes...
i have only one complaint about toontown
Permalink to Commentafter playing the 3 day trial with my 5 yr old daughter (who also thinks its great)
WHEN CAN WE SUBSCRIBE TO IT??????????
we live in england and were given the link by a friend in canada. major problem is toontown subscription page does not allow us limeys to participate, suprising considering disney is a global product. so come on toontown make it available to england!!!!
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!
9. CrazyJakeMacGrooven on March 8, 2004 11:10 AM writes...
There is a fan web site for toon town players. It is not endorsed by Disney, of course, but it is full of great info for playing toon town.
www.toontowncentral.com
Permalink to Comment10. VonZooblebocker on March 8, 2004 11:43 PM writes...
Now there is also a new fan web site for "ADULT" toontown players.
donaldsdock.com
However on the other fan site TTC they have created a new area just for kids to post threads and converse with other kids who play toontown.
Permalink to Comment11. ShanD on March 13, 2004 2:31 PM writes...
VonZooblebocker, ToonTown Central now has an Adult forum too, kind of rendering the point of Donald's Dock useless.
Permalink to Comment12. ShanD on March 13, 2004 2:43 PM writes...
Hmm ... now I've taken a quick browser through Donald's Dock and I see a slight difference, but from what I've seen of TTC's new adult board, the level of conversation seems to be a bit better. But Donalds Dock No Rules Rule seems to be pretty cool ... to each his own I suppose.
Permalink to Comment13. Stogie on March 13, 2004 7:46 PM writes...
Sure you would think the level of comments on TTC are better because you are a Moderator for that site, and thus have a vested interest in it. Looks to me almost the same people post to both sites and the comments on the NON moderated site are just a bit more un censored. TTC still has the same rules as before about mean, hateful post or curse words, or name calling so HOW you think that because TTC finally made one thread to host all the adults comments is better is totally biased.
Permalink to Comment14. denisse on March 14, 2004 8:49 AM writes...
well, i'm not a mod nor do i have any sort of vested interest but i do agree with ShanD that the level of conversation is better at ttc.
Permalink to Comment15. MissBooBoo on March 14, 2004 4:40 PM writes...
As an adult playing Toontown I would much rather use an "adult" forums rather than an all ages venue with one thread set aside for adults. I have no interest in conversing with children online and rather enjoy the self moderation approach of donaldsdock.com
Permalink to Comment16. Tooter on March 15, 2004 2:08 AM writes...
Ummm I went to The ToonTownCentral adult forums. All they keep saying is that they can't seem to get anyone to the site. I personally did not like the site, it was to confussing, and it has alot of advertising. And the layout did not appeal to me.
Where at DonaldsDock.com, I go right into the forums and read the over 100 members posts. They crack me up!
Permalink to Comment17. ShanD on March 17, 2004 7:54 PM writes...
Never did I say that I dislike Donald's Dock. My first post may have inferred that, but then I took a closer look at DD (registered to check out the forums I couldn't) and the forums didn't seem all that bad ... I see Donald's Dock a forum more focused on humor, where I see the H.M.W.H.C.H.'s chatting a bit more serious. A little both of each is always good.
Permalink to Comment18. ShanD on March 17, 2004 8:00 PM writes...
Oh yeah ... and the door swings both ways too. I can spot some serious discussion in DD, and some off-the-wall discussion in H.M.W.H.C.H....
Permalink to Comment19. goosy loosy on March 17, 2004 11:43 PM writes...
its just what ever you are comfortable with. Some folks just LOVE to buy a new Chevy truck year after year because they know where all the knobs will be and what it will look like. Your just familiar with TTC is all. To each his own. But for only a few weeks online and the amount of topics posted I see which one will become the favorite of Adult users.
Permalink to Comment20. Altarion on March 19, 2004 4:42 PM writes...
ToonTown is great. I've been playing it for hours. Is it irrational behaviour? It brings so much fun that I believe it should be considered even useful :))
Permalink to Comment21. Miss Hulaberry on July 18, 2004 10:52 PM writes...
Heya, Toontown is a great game! I've played for almost 2 years now, and I'm still having loads of fun! Toontown is not only or kids, but for adults too. Miss Hulaberry, is my mom's toon, and mine is Miss Coconut Twinkleberry. (Yes, i use her name on ttc.) For all the readers who see this and are new to the game, I suggest going to www.ToontownCentral.com. Its Toontown's biggest fansite you ever saw! =)
Happy Tooning!
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