Herotopia

Herotopia
Developer(s)	Herotainment
Publisher(s)	Jagex[1]
Platform(s)	Flash
Release	14 July 2010
Genre(s)	MMORPG
Mode(s)	Multiplayer

Herotopia was a Flash-based MMORPG created by American developer Herotainment. Herotopia was first announced in 2010 by its creators Brian Krauss, and Wade and Caryn Temanas as a way to help children learn different ways to deal with bullies.[2] The game was re-released in 2011, with Peter Cuneo investing in the game.[3][4] As of 2019, the game appears to be taken offline.

Premise

The game's focus deals on a group of superheroes that must deal with a gang called the Bully Bunch that is planning to play pranks such as defacing the Statue of Liberty.[5] Players create their own avatars and choose a super power that they will use throughout the game. Game play consists of the user traveling throughout the world seeking out clues and games that utilize foreign language, reading skills, and geography.[6]

Reception

The game received a positive review by Commonsensemedia, who gave it high ratings for its positive messages and easy game play.[7] Herotopia also won a Gold National Parenting Publications Awards for offering "kids a rich and engaging world for them to become their ultimate Superheroes".[8] Stripes.com also positively reviewed the game, writing that the "game play, quests and games were fun and well suited for the 6-12 age range that the developers are aiming for" but that the music was "a bit repetitive".[9]

References

1. "Jagex scores global release deal for Herotopia". MCV. 10 May 2011. Archived from the original on 18 August 2011. Retrieved 22 March 2013.
2. "'Herotopia' MMORPG Helps Kids Fight the Evils of Bullying". ComicsAlliance. Archived from the original on 16 May 2012. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
3. "Former Marvel CEO Funds Children's MMO Herotopia". gamasutra.com. Archived from the original on 2012-01-03. Retrieved 2013-01-05.
4. Szalai, Georg (30 November 2011). "Former Marvel CEO Invests More in Kids Media Firm Herotainment". Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 23 April 2012. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
5. "Kids deal with bullies in 'Herotopia'". USA Today. 28 July 2011. Archived from the original on 7 August 2013. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
6. "Herotopia Serves Up Fun, Learning, and a Child-Friendly Environment". PC Mag. Archived from the original on 10 July 2013. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
7. "Game Review: Herotopia". Commonsensemedia. 27 June 2011. Archived from the original on 23 January 2013. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
8. "Herotopia relaunches today!". Joystiq. Archived from the original on 9 February 2013. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
9. "'Herotopia': Super time for kids". Stars and Stripes. Archived from the original on 25 September 2012. Retrieved 5 January 2013.