Virtual Worlds Forum

Virtual world indexers should invent a new category specifically for 'worlds for kids accessed by buying a toy'. The latest to join the fray is Zibbie Zone, a US-based world that's a joint venture between children's author Stephen Cosgrove, and toy firm Play Visions. To get in, kids buy a stuffed Zibbie toy costing $5-7 (options include Frances The Flamingo, Elvis The Lion and Candice The Polar Bear). A barcode on the packaging then lets them register on the Zibbie Zone site. Apparently Play Vision has sold over a million Zibbies so far, so there's a huge potential userbase for the world. Cynics might think it's just another virtual attempt to flog toys to kids, but Cosgrove is pitching the world's creative and educational features. "What we are based on is the theory of 'virtual literature'," he tells seattlepi.com. "It is just bringing the story alive." In other words: he's writing novels based on the world too. It's an interesting take on the emerging kidworld category, anyway, and what price more high-profile hookups between children's authors, toy manufacturers and virtual world providers? If I was J.K.Rowling, I'd be signing deals for a Harry Potter themed world right now... Zibbie Zone website (via SeattlePI)