Webosaurs
| Webosaurs | |
|---|---|
 The Webosaurs Logo | |
| Developer(s) | Reel FX Entertainment |
| Publisher(s) | Reel FX Entertainment |
| Engine | Adobe Flash |
| Release date(s) | October 22, 2009 |
| Genre(s) | MMORPG |
| Mode(s) | Multiplayer |
Webosaurs was a MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game), which involves a virtual world containing online games and activities, developed by Reel FX Entertainment. Players can use cartoon dinosaur-avatars and play in a landscape-set world, with a variety of different themes. Beta-testing was made available to the general public on June 25, 2009 and has expanded since then - making it an online community. Free non-memberships are available, revenue is predominantly raised through paid memberships, allowing players to access additional features (such as the ability to buy more virtual clothing, and in-game pets through use of in-game currency.)[1]
The game was designed for ages 5–12. Thus a major focus from the developers has been on child safety, including offering a "Safe Chat" mode, whereby users select their comments from a menu; filtering that prevents swearing and the revelation of personal information; and moderators (along with veteran players) who police the game.[1]
History and development
The Webosaurs domain was originally bought in 2007 by Webosaurs Director, Jacques Panis, after noticing a lack of a popular virtual world in which his two sons could safely interact with each other and others. He soon joined VFX company, Reel FX Creative Studios, who also saw the potential to create a unique online environment for others to interact in.[2] Reel FX hired the Metaverse Mod Squad to provide moderation services to the game,[3] and outsourced development to two other companies. After two years of development, Webosaurs released into closed-beta on June 25, 2009, and then proceeded with 4 months of beta testing. Webosaurs officially went into general availability on October 22, 2009.
On September 30, 2011, after months of development, Reel FX released a major new update dubbed: "Webosaurs: Rise of Spike." This update was informally known as, "Webosaurs 2.0," as this had been the first major update in many months. This update added many new elements to game play, including "missions" around the game, where the player must adventure the island to figure out why the antagonist, "Spike," is attempting to take over the island. Also released was a multiplayer "monster" battle, where players battle an evil monster, known as, "OKAVANGO who serves Spike. The monster attacks the room where the players are, while the players fight back using weapons in the game. Players can also level up, and unlock rewards for doing so.
Rules
The Webosaurs developers have a had a major focus on child safety, creating rules to help keep players safe and entertained. Players are required to follow rules made by the staff. Failing to do so may result in muting (players cannot see the muted player's speech bubble), kicking from the server, moderator messages (messages sent to the player by the moderator), or banning from the game.
- Respect the community, and other players. Cyber-bullying and all other forms of disrespectful behavior are not tolerated at Webosaurs.
- Keep your password, do not share any account details with other players.
- Learn how to ignore and report another player. If another player is misbehaving, first Ignore them and then Report them.
- On the forums and when sending in artwork, don't use someone else's work and pretend it's yours.
- Remember that no one at Webosaurs will ever ask you for your password.[4]
Characters
Playable characters
Rexxy - A Tyrannosaurus. Rexxy is the leader of the group.
Horns - A Triceratops. Horns loves to show off and flex. He hates losing in games. He also found the "Swamp-Juice".
Pterry - A Pterodactyl. Pterry is one of the Island's inventor.
Stretch - A Brachiosaurus. Stretch is very laid back, Friendly and loves to surf.
Non-playable characters
Spike - An Ankylosaurus. The main antagonist. He (tries to) took over the island in Webosaurs. The event of it known as Rise of Spike (even though he has still be known before that). Spike's Avatar probably Playable in the Future.
Linus - A Stegosaurus. Linus gives out the quests in Rise of Spike. Linus has a mustache & wears a Tuxedo.
Okvango - A giant squid monster owned by Spike. He can be fought in monster battles. Okvango was found during Halloween by Pterry.
Dr. Nanosaurus - A pterodactyl. He is also an inventor who lives inside a lab with Pterry.
Ole Smithy - A Triceratops. A blacksmith who owns an Armory in Croc Peninsula.
Stokeosaurus - Another Triceratops. Stokeosaurus wears a cowboy jacket, and he owns two Stores: One can be found at Sanoran Sands area & A Pet Shop which can be accessed by the Gushing Geyser Area.
Edmarka - A Brachiosaurus. A seller, her shop (Edmarka's Town Store) can be found in the Gushing Geyser area.
Goby - An unidentified Dromaeosauridae, possibly a Velociraptor. A tour-guide, he shows the first time player a video with tips & information, yet - his video can be played over and over again.
Membership
Subscribed membership
Players may buy membership, which allows them to get more features in Webosaurs. Players who buy membership get access to more armor styles for their avatar, more virtual furniture for their caves in game, change into different avatar styles, allow them to own a pet in game, and will be able to buy clothing items. Also, members get a larger cave, with extra features, and a small mini-game. Formerly, a package containing various goodies, including comics and cards, was sent out to those who purchased a subscription. This bonus is no longer offered.
| Length of membership | Price (USD) |
|---|---|
| 1 month | $5.94 [5] |
| 6 months | $29.94 [5] |
| 1 year | $49.94 [5] |
Non-members
Webosaurs provides a "non-membership" option. Although such play is free, it does not include all the benefits of being a member. Non-members may still purchase armor for their dinosaur, buy cave items, and play games. Non-members may also receive and use items given out at parties that are held for all players. Non-members cannot enter the "Bluggin' Beach Bunker" (a member's only room), purchase pets, purchase some armor, or purchase some actions/furniture. Non-members have a smaller cave as well.[1]
Game features
Emoticons
Players can choose to express their feelings by using emoticons. This feature can be used by both subscribed members and non-subscribed members. When the game released, there were only 8 emoticons, but on January 12, 2010, 8 more were added.[6] There are 16 emoticons, such as many happy faces, a sad face, and an angry face. Each emoticon can be viewed from a speech bubble above the avatar's head.
Items
Players can use the virtual coins they collect from playing mini games to purchase various items from a variety of different shops. There are shops for actions, armor (the basic type of virtual-clothing), furniture, and virtual-pets. Subscribed members may also make their own player cards and purchase dinosaur-avatars.
Each player has a player card, used to store inventory such as player card backgrounds, downloads, virtual-clothing, and different dinosaur-avatars. Clothing may be worn by all players, however some of it is only available to subscribed-members. The same applies for furniture for "caves" (the basic virtual-house.)Subscribed-members also have the benefit of having a larger cave than non-subscribed members, and may have music in their cave as well.[1]
Pets
Subscribed-members have the option to buy virtual-pets, which can be bought in the, "Gushing Geyser" landscape, to care for, and show in-world. Pets are available as a smilodon (misspelled as "slimodon" in the information box in the Pet Shop in the Gushing Geyser and known throughout the world as "Little Fang"), crocodile, porcupine and panda (known throughout the world as "Panda Fang").[7]
Pets also have a happiness bar chart to indicate their status. Pets that are not "taken care" of will run away, and have to be replaced. This also applies in the case of when a player owns a pet, but their membership expires. However, the pet will return to the owner as soon as the membership is renewed.[7]
Scrolls
Scrolls can be found in every landscape-set room. Scrolls contain comics of the main characters Rexxy, Stretch, Horns, and Pterry (the Webosaurs mascots) discovering and exploring the island. They were used to unlock virtual-rooms, but on February 27, 2010, you could have access to most rooms without scrolls, after many players didn't know how to use or find scrolls.[1]
Webosodes
There are videos found featuring Nigel Marven as the host, as he talks about animals. Webosodes can be viewed by both members and non-members.[1]
Fossil Magic
There are 8 "Fossil Magics" in Webosaurs. The Grow, Shrink, Glow, and Stink magic can be found in the Fossil Magic Store which is located in Sanoran Sands. The Skeleton, Snowman, and Ball magic can be found in the catalog in the menu bar. There is also a Ghost magic which would be found in the catalog, but it is currently unavailable.
Reception and criticism
Common Sense Media gave Webosaurs four out of five stars, and stated that the content was suitable for children aged eight and up. The review gave good marks for safety and educational value, but questioned the worth of paid subscriptions, summarizing: "Skip the subscription -- the free membership should keep kids entertained just fine."[8]
Video games
Dino Surf
Dino Surf is a free iPhone game that was released on Jan 25, 2010. Players are able to choose from the 4 mascots of Webosaurs. The player races to the finish line while maneuvering through obstacles, jumping over ramps, and running over arrows to get a speed boost. Upon finishing one race, you will move onto the next. The objective of the game is to finish each stage in the shortest amount of time possible. There are 4 different landscapes (desert, swamp, snow, and volcano) each consisting of 4 stages. After completing the game, the player receives a promotional code that they can use in the online game to receive 1,000 coins of in-game currency. Currently the game has a few glitches due to ios updates, but it is still playable.
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Webosaurs - Play Games, Watch Videos, Chat, Learn about Dinosaurs!". Webosaurs. Retrieved 2010-07-04.
- ↑ "Engage! Conference and Expo - February 15–16, 2011 - New York City". Engage Expo. Retrieved 2010-07-02.
- ↑ "Virtual Worlds News: Webosaurs Picks Crisp For Moderation Support". Virtual Worlds News. Retrieved 2010-07-02.
- ↑ http://www.webosaurs.com/parents_rules/
- 1 2 3 "Why buy a membership?". Webosaurs. Retrieved 2010-06-28.
- ↑ "Webosaurs Blog » Blog Archive » Show off your emoticons! Party tomorrow – Tuesday". Webosaurs. Retrieved 2010-07-04.
- 1 2 "Webosaurs Blog » Blog Archive » Pets coming soon!". Webosaurs. Retrieved 2010-07-04.
- ↑ "Webosaurs Website Review". Common Sense Media. Retrieved 2010-07-04.