Last night, I got my beta invitation to Kingsisle Entertainment‘s new mmo for kids: Wizard 101 and although I’m still a mere Novice Conjurer who hasn’t explored much beyond Unicorn Way, I am impressed with the game so far.
Wizard 101 answers the question: What would happen if you put World of Warcraft, Harry Potter, any of the Final Fantasy games and the CCG of your choice (Yu Gi Oh will do) in a blender and set it to puree? (I don’t know about you, but I ask myself that question at least once a week.) The result is a quest structure and game controls that mirrors WoW, npcs and settings that capture the feel of Hogwarts and a turn-based, trading card combat system that has spin off CCG sets written all over it. In terms of a fun, safe online space for kids I think all these features make Wizard 101 a positive addition to the kid mmo landscape. Where the commodification of this space will lead, I’m not sure, but so far I’ve seen little of the holy trinity of games-coins-stuff that prop up many other virtual worlds for kids.
There are mini-games in Wizard 101, but the reward for playing them is mana regeneration that will allow your wizard to cast spells. I’ve yet to play any of the games, but I definitely need to as my wizardy butt got kicked by a pair of cute (but nasty) skeleton pirates just before I logged off last night.
Wizard 101 also has one of the most creative character generation systems I’ve encountered. Instead of merely choosing your class for your avatar, users are asked a series of personality questions (ie “Which is more powerful? A volcano. A tornado. An earthquake.” or “Which do you like best? Exploring on your own. Working at part of a team.”) that will define their school of magic and the spells they’ll have access to. To me, this shows Wizard 101 as a well thought out mmo that aims to be a positive addition to kids’ entertainment and isn’t trying to cash in on the recent “kids vws = bags of money” hype.
The only caveat I would add is that I am merely a lowly apprentice with an adequate wand and have yet to see all that Wizard 101 has to offer. I will be exploring the world much more in the weeks to come and I’ll be keeping my spell-slinging fingers crossed that the magic of Wizard 101 continues to grow.
It sounds like a really cute game even for us moldy oldies! LOL! Owie on getting your butt kicked. gotta watch those skeletons!
It definitely is fun, Michelle. You should sign up for a beta invite and join in the action.
You know, I did sign up and got an invite and I love it! What great fun! Of course I have to try lots of characters! And I got smashed by a cyclops! LOL!
I play. I’m a level 15 Journeymen Pyromancer. The only thing I dun like about Wizard101 is the chat system. It’s hard to tell other people what you really mean. But other then that, this game ROCKZ! I already got permission to go to another world! With my pet Dragon Pepper of course 😀 Lol
I dont like the idea of not being able to use numbers though >.< other then that minor thing the game is awsome! I hope the game runs for a really long time!
lol liam im also liam xD and what the heck No name!
lol,im lvl 9…..=/
wizard 101 looks cool but dont like that i have to pay all the time and i have hard time to log on
im lv 18 on wizard 101 it rocks but lots of peopple dont play some reson ow i got a question how do we go to other worlds my wizard is a life wizard and how do you summon ow anywere do you find all the strong pets weres the hidden pets and dose merld head master tell you to go to worlds on how do yougo to night side well i will be playing.
im lv 18 on wizard 101 it rocks but lots of peopple dont play some reson ow i got a question how do we go to other worlds my wizard is a life wizard and how do you summon ow anywere do you find all the strong pets weres the hidden pets and dose merld head master tell you to go to worlds on how do you go to night side well i will be playing.
any one on here any one well on wizard 101 lets all meat at merls pet right now
how do u get a pet?
i used to play wizard 101 before it even got popular but they deleted everyone’s files and wen i played it again i had to start all over and now u have to be a member to go places were before u could have gone for free. everything was free till now. it used to be the best game ever but i guess not eneymore. i wish sombody would make a virtual game online about wizards were everything was free and stayed free so that kids like me whos parents wont spend a dime on games online could finnaly play wat they want.mayby ill do that somday but im only 12 so.
please be aware that our game is trying not to be expensive and we are updating as fast as we can. tip: becoming a member is great you have acess to worlds like krokotopia,marleybone,mooshu,and our finnaly anounced dragonspyre but also if you get crowns you can enjoy the better things of being a non member!
I just got a pet piggie but he does not do anything except follow me around.
What is the purpose of the pet in wizard 101?
You know, I’ve been playing many online games. And you know what? EVERY SINGLE GAME YOU HAVE TO PAY! This is getting me mad,
I have been a long time player of rpg and ccg dice/card games. I want to congratulate you all on your accomplishment of integrating these two popular types of gaming into wizard 101. I find it a fresh new approach to gaming and it didn’t take but about five minutes before i was hooked. I look forward to adventuring in the new worlds being developed.
One thing I hope you will always keep in mind, I recognize that there is a underlying theme in this game to develop team/friends play, but try to maintain the ability for a solo player to advance through this game. So far, you have done an exceptionally good job at developing npc’s and quests that are challenging to solo players to complete but not impossible. So far I have completed 100% of all quests up to and including the crucible in dragonspyre to include all the side quests and multi-level quests and have done it solo.
Hello i have just started playing wizard 101 it’s really fun.
im lvl 28 in wizrd101
I play too i lvl 21 ;D im on krokotopia (finished grizzleheim)