%0 Journal Article
%T Penguins, Hype, and MMOGs for Kids: A Critical Reexamination of the 2008 ¡°Boom¡± in Children¡¯s Virtual Worlds Development
%A Sara M. Grimes
%J Games and Culture
%@ 1555-4139
%D 2018
%R 10.1177/1555412016638755
%X According to various media and academic sources, the virtual worlds landscape underwent a profound transformation in 2008, with the arrival of numerous new titles designed and targeted specifically to young children. Although a growing body of research has explored some of the titles involved in this shift, little remains known of its overall scope and contents. This article provides a mapping of the initial ¡°boom¡± in children¡¯s virtual worlds development and identifies a number of significant patterns within the ensuing children¡¯s virtual worlds landscape. The argument is made that while the reported boom in children¡¯s virtual worlds has been exaggerated, a number of important shifts for online gaming culture did unfold during this period, some of which challenge accepted definitions of ¡°virtual world¡± and ¡°multiplayer online game.¡± The implications of these findings are discussed in light of contemporary developments and trends within children¡¯s digital culture and within online gaming more broadly
%K children¡¯s virtual worlds
%K children¡¯s MMOGs
%K commercial culture
%K history
%K political economy
%U https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1555412016638755