Best Of WorldsInMotion: From Moshi To Wile E Coyote

Author: by Staff

Every week, we'll be featuring the top stories from the surging online/virtual world space from Gamasutra sister site WorldsInMotion.biz. This week's notable events in the space include the launch - and a subsequent WiM interview - for educational online world Moshi Monsters, funding for the former Turbine CEO, and Warner Bros' online world strategy revealed. Q&A: Mind Candy's Michael Smith Talks Moshi Monsters "Following Moshi Monsters' public beta launch last week, Mind Candy CEO Michael Smith talked with Worlds in Motion about a range of topics on the educational MMO, including what separates Moshi Monsters from other 'tween-targeted virtual worlds and what the game offers to attract teenagers and adults." Play Hard Sports Secures $5M For Casual Online Sports Games "Former Turbine Entertainment (Asheron’s Call, Lords of the Rings Online) president and CEO Jeff Anderson has raised $5 million in venture capital from New Enterprise Associates for his new company, Play Hard Sports." InterPlay Conference Announced For May 22nd "RoomFullofPeople and theMIX agency have announced their plans to host InterPlay, a conference aimed at exploring the intersection of online games and social networking, on May 22nd at the Kabuki Hotel in San Francisco." Warner Bros Rebrands T-Works As KidsWB.com "Unveiling its digital initiatives as part of a multiplatform digital media business strategy, Warner Bros. Television Group has announced that it will be launching KidsWB.com, an ad-supported virtual world based on its animated properties and targeted at children aged 6-12." Akoha Secures $1.9 Million Financing From Angel Investors "Montreal-based Akoha, developer for an as-yet unannounced social game, has received $1.9 million in financing from angel investors delivered in early 2007 and early 2008." For ongoing information on the online/virtual world space, visit Gamasutra sister site WorldsInMotion.biz for daily updates and original content from this space. In addition, following the success of the Worlds In Motion Summit at GDC 2008, the editors are integrating major online/virtual worlds elements into September's Austin GDC 2008, with more information available soon.