Florence Balderson becomes Club Penguin addict
Virtual playgrounds are booming according to a recent BBC article. Here’s what Florence thinks about Club Penguin:
It’s fun. I like lots of the games. I need to practice on saving money, instead of spending it on new clothes and wigs that are super-cool.
[Dad: How did you get into Club Penguin?]
When Leonha came round she showed me website and I played the games, and I really liked them, but I couldn’t upgrade my igloo, or buy clothes and wigs, or puffballs and furniture, so I really had to persuade you to give me a year’s membership.
What’s really impressive about Club Penguin is the quality of the graphic environment, and I hope the child protection (the Disney brand lends considerable credibility here). You can’t fault the new marketing approach of Disney - they’ve provided a free playground (currently being enjoyed by 15 million kids), and they’ve got kids talking to kids about how cool it is. But the real masterstroke is monetizing premium membership with must-have digital articles that have a ZERO marginal cost of production.
However, when you review the stats below on membership, you can’t help but a little alarmed at the rampant commercialisation of our kids - particularly when it’s my wallet that’s burning!
VIRTUAL WORLD NUMBERS
Habbo - 90m accounts
NeoPets - 45m accounts
IMVU - 20m accounts
Club Penguin - 15m accounts
Star Doll - 15m accounts
Gaia - 12m accounts
Barbie Girls - 12m accounts
Source: K Zero
Florence is reading this blog as I write, so she can close it (by the way, she also wanted her own Google reference, so Florence this blog’s for you!)
Disney should make it completely free, and they could make some money from advertising
Way to go Flo!
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