Fantage
Encyclopedia
Fantage is a MMORPG (massively multiplayer online role-playing game) involving a virtual world
containing a range of online game
s and activities, developed by Fantage, Inc. Players are able to customize their cartoon avatar
s from hair color to clothes and explore a town-like virtual world. Fantage was made available to the general public in April 2008 and has since expanded into a large online community
—by September 2011, the world had over 14 million registered users.
The game was designed for the ages of 6 to 16. According to its founders, Fantage is focused on child safety, made possible by a three-tiered safety system.
. Initial admission into Fantage is free and users can continue to use it as such; however, premium membership is required to access the full site including most clothing items, rare items, most gems, customization options, and most pets. Users also can purchase eCoins in bulk amounts for set fees to use in-game for micro transactions. eCoins can be used to purchase almost every item. The only items not available for purchase with eCoins are double star coupons and pet eggs (eCoin users can collect all of the pets by purchasing pet codes).Items purchased with eCoins never expire and can be used by the player regardless of membership status.
Recent additions include the pet system (the ability to adopt a variety of fantasy-based pets)
praised Fantage’s ability to double its membership in the midst of competition amongst kids’ virtual worlds during a recession, contributing its success to constant refining of the site.
Virtual world
A virtual world is an online community that takes the form of a computer-based simulated environment through which users can interact with one another and use and create objects. The term has become largely synonymous with interactive 3D virtual environments, where the users take the form of...
containing a range of online game
Online game
An online game is a game played over some form of computer network. This almost always means the Internet or equivalent technology, but games have always used whatever technology was current: modems before the Internet, and hard wired terminals before modems...
s and activities, developed by Fantage, Inc. Players are able to customize their cartoon avatar
Avatar (virtual reality)
In computing, an avatar is the graphical representation of the user or the user's alter ego or character. It may take either a three-dimensional form, as in games or virtual worlds, or a two-dimensional form as an icon in Internet forums and other online communities. It can also refer to a text...
s from hair color to clothes and explore a town-like virtual world. Fantage was made available to the general public in April 2008 and has since expanded into a large online community
Online community
An online community is a virtual community that exists online and whose members enable its existence through taking part in membership ritual. An online community can take the form of an information system where anyone can post content, such as a Bulletin board system or one where only a restricted...
—by September 2011, the world had over 14 million registered users.
The game was designed for the ages of 6 to 16. According to its founders, Fantage is focused on child safety, made possible by a three-tiered safety system.
History and development
Planning for Fantage started in 2006, lasting one year, and development lasted 12 months before getting its first users. The project was headed by current CEO David Hwang, and Peter J. Bae, co-founder and current Vice President of Fantage, Inc. The office was previously located in Palisades Park, New Jersey. Their new office is currently located in Fort Lee, New Jersey. This move was due to a need and demand for a bigger office space to accommodate the growing staff. Recently Fantage, Inc. has created several mobile applications such as, Fantage Bullseye and Fantage IDFone for the iPhone platform.mFantage Bullseye has accumulated nearly 200,000 downloads to date from the iTunes App Store.Business model
Fantage started out as a self-funded organization but received an infusion of capital by Korean online game company Nexon CorporationNexon Corporation
Nexon Co. Ltd. is a South Korean video game developer and publisher of online games and MMORPGs. Founded in Seoul in 1994, Nexon's headquarters is currently based in Tokyo. Nexon provides over 30 games which are serviced in 72 countries globally, reaching 1.14 billion players...
. Initial admission into Fantage is free and users can continue to use it as such; however, premium membership is required to access the full site including most clothing items, rare items, most gems, customization options, and most pets. Users also can purchase eCoins in bulk amounts for set fees to use in-game for micro transactions. eCoins can be used to purchase almost every item. The only items not available for purchase with eCoins are double star coupons and pet eggs (eCoin users can collect all of the pets by purchasing pet codes).Items purchased with eCoins never expire and can be used by the player regardless of membership status.
Environment
Fantage currently consists of 14 areas for users to explore Downtown, Uptown, Mt. Fantage, Castle, Carnival, Beach, Forest, Wizard’s Domain, The Dock, Oasis, Fantage School, Creature Area, Pet Town, and Hidden Meadow. These areas house more than 30 games, 14 shops, and a number of features. Clothing for avatars, pets, and other customization options can be purchased at shops throughout the world. The games are scattered about establishments in each town. Some of the games are Splash!, Buzzer Beater, Bricks Breaking, Whack-a-Veggie, and more. Users earn stars from playing these games and the number of stars they earn is based upon how well they played. Users may also opt to visit the Mission Center to play up to 7 missions which are quest-style adventures where the user has to complete a number of tasks assigned to the user.Recent additions include the pet system (the ability to adopt a variety of fantasy-based pets)
Reception
Fantage received the Editor’s Choice Award from the Children’s Technology Review for excellence in children’s interactive media. Children’s Technology Review. Gaming sites including Gamer’s Info have lauded the world for its safe social environment VentureBeatVentureBeat
VentureBeat is a technology blog that focuses on innovative companies and the forward-thinking executives behind them.-History:The company was founded in 2006 by Matt Marshall. In 2008, the New York Times called VentureBeat one of the "top blogs"...
praised Fantage’s ability to double its membership in the midst of competition amongst kids’ virtual worlds during a recession, contributing its success to constant refining of the site.