LEGO Universe - A Parent's Perspective
The LEGO Group is currently developing its first ever massively multiplayer online game (MMOG): LEGO Universe. The company’s legendary quality standards determine how children play in every area of the online playground that is LEGO.com, so parents expect fun, creativity and quality to be built into LEGO Universe. LEGO recognizes the primary importance of parents in creating fun and comfortable play experiences for their children—both in the physical world and in virtual space.
Online Safety
LEGO is committed to making all of LEGO Universe a safe online playground for children, and parents will also be able to limit some aspects of their children’s gameplay. For example, parents will be able to decide how long and where their children are allowed to play in LEGO Universe.
Parents can also learn about the LEGO Group’s policies on the safety of its online products at parents.lego.com. Simply exploring LEGOuniverse.com will also turn up a lot of information about the game—and it is a lot of fun!
The internet offers extraordinary opportunities for youngsters to engage in inspiring interactions with people from all over the globe. The LEGO Group aims to harness that potential while recognizing the unique challenges inherent in developing web content for young audiences. Trusting and curious to explore, kids often have limited abilities to evaluate information or to recognize other people’s intentions. Youngsters also might be easily upset by web content that’s not designed for their sensibilities.
In order to promote a creative online climate while safeguarding our most vulnerable audience, the LEGO Group has developed internal Children’s Online Safety Guidelines. These protective practices govern all of our online activities and they specify that the LEGO Group will rigorously adhere to the policies of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). COPPA protects youngsters under 13 by regulating how information may be collected from them and enforcing strict limits on how that information can be used. COPPA’s legal codes also allow for the creation of self-regulation programs within industry groups.
Cost & Availablity
The cost of LEGO Universe will be based on a subscription model. LEGO Universe will be available both on DVD and for download at LEGOuniverse.com. LEGO Universe will run on a wide range of PCs. The game’s design is scalable so that players can enjoy amazing 3-D graphics and innovative gameplay, even if their computer isn’t a high-end gaming model. More information will be publicized closer to LEGO Universe’s 2010 public premier
Another little notice for parents: LEGO Universe is for you too!
LEGO Universe is being developed so that the game’s controls and features are suitable for players beginning at age eight. But LEGO fans of any age will likely have loads of fun playing in LEGO Universe.
For starters, LEGO Universe will offer endless building opportunities, both solo and cooperative, to casual enthusiasts and the most advanced LEGO builders. The game aims to bring LEGO-quality play experiences into the virtual world, so entire families can have fun together online. Everybody-- young or old-- has a unique creative style that’ll govern how they play the game!