Monkey Quest is a massively multiplayer online game (MMOG) released in March 2011 by Behavior Interactive. Monkey Quest is another in a long line of online games published by Nickelodeon. The site is aimed at children from 6 to 12 years old. This game exists in the fantasy world of Ook, where members explore, meet new friends, play games, and gain knowledge about the world through their monkey avatar.
Monkey Quest’s draw is the online games played by members that are reminiscent of old Nintendo and arcade style games. Memberships start at $7.95 per month for the first month; however, this fee is re-billed at $9.95 per month for monthly membership. A six month membership is $44.95 and a yearly membership is $59.95. Monkey Quest does not offer refunds. There is a free membership for children; however, your movement within the virtual world is limited. Players can also gain access to exclusive content in Monkey Quest by purchasing NickCash (Nickelodeon’s virtual money). Monkey Quest requires a broadband Internet connection, a high-end video card, and the installation of a plugin called Unity. The game is played through the Money Quest website.
Characteristics
New members create and customize a monkey avatar to use as their virtual personality. Once the avatar is created, you enter the virtual world of Ook and start having adventures by playing online games. Once an avatar successfully completes a game, he can advance to the next level and get better armor and advanced weapons to fend off the evil monsters he encounters. Monkeys can go on individual missions or participate in group missions with other members. Not all missions or assignments are game based. Members will encounter puzzles that they must solve to get through doors and other obstacles.
As with other online games, Monkey Quest follows a plot to get the member’s monkey from point A to point B. The age range for which the game is designed limits the complexity of the plot, but it is enough for children and parents are attracted to it. Parents should know that NickCash allows children to purchase products from the online store. The only way to get NickCash is to buy it with real money. The only benefits players gain from successfully completing the games are moving to the next level and luring their monkeys with better armor. In order to get their monkeys to move around the virtual world, players must learn to master the controls. The arrow keys and the space bar on the keyboard move the monkey, while the hot keys fire weapons and access potions. Unlike many other virtual worlds, Monkey Quest does not have a social chat room.
What is good
Monkey Quest is a gaming website that will primarily appeal to children under the age of 10 who are interested in traditional video game action. The graphics and design of the website and the game are quite good. The people who created all the monkey avatars definitely knew their target audience. Monkeys are silly, funny, cute, and easy to like. The monkeys’ personalities really shine through. It is this relaxed attitude that will make children comfortable with the game. There are no adult themes in the games or on the website. No drinking, smoking, drug use, sex, or offensive language.
By teaming up with other players in quests and games, kids will learn the value of teamwork. On missions, children will learn that helping others is a selfless act. People who are in a position of authority in the game are good and encourage players to help others and follow their example. A fair amount of logic must be summoned to solve puzzles, which can develop a child’s thought patterns.
What is bad
Monkey Quest has some cartoonish violence that can cheer up younger players; however, there’s no blood, gore, pain, or thoughtless violence. Since the game is based on a video game platform, there will be some good versus evil battles where the kids are the good guys and they have to defeat their enemy to advance to the next level. Also, since there is an online store for merchandise, parents may see a greater focus on purchasing Monkey Quest related merchandise.
online security
Since online chat is limited to preselected phrases and filtered language, the brunt of online safety that most parents worry about has been significantly reduced. Still, parents and children should remain vigilant while online. All communications are filtered and moderators monitor the site 24 hours a day. It is very difficult to find the security policy of Monkey Quest. It needs to be displayed more prominently.
