• On MovieTome: See the TRAILER for TERMINATOR 4!
February 13, 2008 5:31 PM PST

'Hello Kitty' MMO goes into beta

Sanrio Digital's newest online game is 'Hello Kitty Online,' which brings the iconic cartoon characters into a virtual world.

(Credit: Sanrio Digital)

Usually when you hear the awkward acronym "MMORPG," which stands for massively multiplayer online role-playing game, it's referring to some title in which elves take on dragons, or orcs battle with giant swords against shamans.

You know, your typical World of Warcraft stuff.

But on Wednesday, the newest MMORPG went into private beta, and there's not a battle axe in sight.

We bring you, courtesy of famous blogger and investor, Joi Ito: Hello Kitty Online, the new online game from Sanrio Digital.

In addition to many of the regular features of an online game, like a virtual economy, guilds and custom avatars, Hello Kitty Online will offer players "a persistent, beautifully-designed environment where thousands of players and (non-player characters) live, explore and quest in a magical world with real and imaginary zones such as the Flower Kingdom, Tokyo, Paris, Moscow and more."

Of course, it's really too early to tell what this game will be like, but it's sure to draw tons of players in, initially at least, because of its theme. After all, who doesn't think of Hello Kitty and get all squishy inside? Well, okay, I don't, but that doesn't mean you don't. Right?

Daniel Terdiman is a staff writer at CNET News covering games, Net culture, and everything in between. E-mail Daniel.
Recent posts from News - Gaming and Culture
Microsoft unveils new Xbox Live 'experience'
Google launches AdSense for Games
Taking on Twitter with open-source software
Steve Fossett's unfinished legacy: Deepest ocean exploration
Nintendo: More Wiis available for holidays
Add a Comment (Log in or register) 5 comments
REALLY?!?
by rnieves1977 February 13, 2008 9:29 PM PST
I'll be kinda surprised if this is successful long term... Seems like a niche in a niche...
Reply to this comment
Sounds good to me
by NuttyRiv3r February 13, 2008 9:39 PM PST
I have kids. My kids love Hello Kitty. If done well, like Toontown, this sounds excellent. I am excited.
Reply to this comment
omg
by chikvn February 14, 2008 4:26 AM PST
sooooooooooo great !!!
Reply to this comment
You have got to be kidding!
by azhure786 February 16, 2008 6:52 PM PST
This is the most stupid thing I've seen yet! Who the hell is going to want to play this crap!
Reply to this comment
by saggo6 August 10, 2008 3:10 AM PDT
Well kids are gonna play it... think its great idea, with mmo for small kids..

http://www.mmonewz.com
Reply to this comment
Powered by Jive Software
advertisement

About News - Gaming and Culture

Along with other reporters, CNET News' Daniel Terdiman, uniquely positioned to take you into the middle of another side of technology, chronicles the latest and greatest of the "fun beat," at the tech culture nexus of video games, fire art, Legos, 3D virtual worlds, social networking, aviation, hacked Roombas, and much more.

Add this feed to your online news reader

News - Gaming and Culture topics

Featured blogs

advertisement
advertisement

Inside CNET News

Scroll Left Scroll Right