 | DreamWorks is gaming. |
Video gaming and kids are always hot topics with moms. So I hit DreamWorks for a sneak peek of their new Kung Fu Panda World. The skinny and talk of if gaming’s good.
DreamWorks was kind enough to invite a few of us to the campus to get the Kung Fu lowdown and also tour the great DreamWorks land. I’ll share the game 411, then give you the “behind the gates.”
Kung Fu Panda World is the first in online gaming for the animation imagination wizards. It launches March 26th and appears to have serious graphic game, parent-safety and a killer fun-factor for kids 7-13. The World competes with Webkinz and the like, as well as older pop rivals. And I suspect, it will overtake, as DreamWorks has gone all out for near two years amping graphics that go way beyond stairstep movements and keeping the thrill alive for kids (aka, no burnout factor). And the World also acts like a pre-Facebook space for the older tweens with its social peer play.
Now my kids are 4 and 6, so I really haven’t delved into the gaming arena yet. That said, I chatted with head creator and DreamWorks man for 14 years, Rick Rekedal. I drilled him a bit on our Gen Computer Kids and the role of video. While talking game and swapping some toy stories (I wrote/shot many Mattel commercials a few yrs back), Rick ‘fessed of his own family: “Oh us? We’re a total book family.” (Serious book family, like Dakota vacations to Little House on the Prairie land, really.) So I’m thinking, say what?! You’re the gaming guy. What gives?
Well, as suspected, this best-of-the-best tech animator gamer still values old-school imagination. For his 3 girls, computer time is very limited and used as a reward. I got the sense of moderation meets safe fantasy play. I dig that, and I share this if you’re a mom like me, resisting the video world reality. Let’s face it: Resistance is Futile, right. As he said, think: of gaming as a reward system, set time limits, but let the kids have the fantasy fun. So after my day at DreamWorks, I just may embrace what’s next and that which my wanna-be Apple kids have been begging mom for: some computer time!
Oh, the Kung Fu Panda World gaming is a subscription service ($5.95/month) and kids can create their own Kung Fu identities, challenge other kids in Kung Fu showdowns and ultimately become the Dragon Warrior. (And you get games for big people too.)
Now ... onto the behind the gates. Cue the choir. “Ahhh.” Seriously. The company headquarters rock. A river runs through the place, waterfalls gush like Niagara (also paired with some koi tranquility of course), and nature surrounds. Creativity flows literally and before the eyes in all directions.
Check the whrrl for more vibe. It was a great day, and, hey, I walked away with much more than tech specs about their new launch (as I hope you have). “Gaming is good?” You decide.
Are you game? Good with gaming? Up for $5.95/mo for DreamWorks genius and online peace of mind?
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