| With the increasing popularity (and profitability) of | | | | with other members. You can chat with other |
| virtual worlds and massively multiplayer games on | | | | kids in a safe, controlled environment. Dizzywood |
| the internet, it is no surprise seeing hundreds of | | | | team members take care to remove any abusive |
| companies jump into this lucrative field. While | | | | or inappropriate language from the chat stream. |
| some companies focus on charging an upfront | | | | The primary idea behind this chat tool is to help |
| monthly fee for a superior product (think World | | | | kids build social skills, although with its limited |
| of Warcraft), others create a free product that is | | | | functionality, Dizzywood does leave something to |
| somewhat lacking in quality (think Runescape). In | | | | be desired. |
| between this, some virtual worlds manage to find | | | | Dizzywood brings a role-play element to the |
| the perfect balance of paid and free versions, | | | | game with various fun activities such as the |
| offering plenty of original, quality game play. | | | | Explorer's camp where members can pretend to |
| Dizzywood falls somewhat in this category - a | | | | be away at a camp, roasting marshmallows and |
| new, original virtual world with plenty to offer to | | | | sharing scary stories, the Dizzy TV Studios, |
| everyone. | | | | where members can pretend to be TV hosts, etc |
| Dizzywood is an online virtual world targeted at | | | | Activities like this encourage open expression and |
| kids aged 8 to 12. It is basically an exploration plus | | | | the development of various skills in children, and |
| interaction game. Members are encouraged to | | | | can be very useful in helping kids get over |
| look around their environment and interact with | | | | shyness or nervousness that is usually associated |
| other members in order to earn points and | | | | with social interactions. |
| rewards. | | | | A key part of Dizzywood is its learning engine. |
| You start off by creating your own avatar. You | | | | Through a variety of mini-games and lessons, |
| have access to a large selection of templates to | | | | Dizzywood aims to teach players about language, |
| pick from, and can create an avatar that mirrors | | | | science, art, and issues such as global warming, |
| you in real life, or a fantastical version of yourself. | | | | etc. The mini-games are fun to play, and consist |
| You can then proceed to dress him/her up in | | | | of word games, puzzle games, trivia and |
| various clothes, and plunge right into the game. | | | | brainteasers. |
| As mentioned before, Dizzywood focuses on | | | | Dizzywood is free to play, but to access certain |
| exploration and interaction. Once you have | | | | features, you have to buy a premium |
| created your avatar, you are plopped down in a | | | | subscription. |
| little virtual world where you can dig around for | | | | In terms of graphics, Dizzywood pales in |
| architectural artefacts. You can either do this | | | | comparison to some of its competitors such as |
| yourself, or take the help of fellow Dizzywood | | | | Panfu or Pixie Hollow. The 2D graphics can appear |
| members in this endeavor. The exploration | | | | dull and boring after a little while, and the |
| element is very nicely handled, and evokes some | | | | animation is a bit jerky in patches. The avatars |
| of the blockbuster Lucas Arts games of the | | | | themselves are lacking a bit of creativity. This is |
| 1990s. | | | | one area where Dizzywood could have put in a |
| The purpose of exploration is to earn rewards in | | | | little bit more effort. |
| the shape of badges, superpowers, and various | | | | Performance wise, Dizzywood is a dream. The |
| items. Items can further enhance your abilities, | | | | servers have very little downtime and run very |
| and in this respect, Dizzywood behaves like a | | | | smoothly. Since the graphics are largely 2D, they |
| typical role-playing game (RPG). The items can be | | | | require very little computer horsepower to run, |
| traded among players. | | | | which means that even your 5 year old PC could |
| Dizzywood moves through a linear story arc. A | | | | run it. |
| lot of importance is placed on completing missions | | | | Final Words |
| or goals in order to proceed to the next level. All | | | | Dizzywood is an interesting virtual world with a |
| missions are designed to teach kids about certain | | | | strong focus on social activities, exploration and |
| things - from gardening to organization skills - and | | | | learning. With its strong parental controls and |
| work as pretty handy educational tools. | | | | interactive game play, it can be a fun filled |
| Dizzywood places a lot of emphasis on interaction | | | | experience for all kids. |