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Faunasphere

(2009, Video Games - Massively Multi-player Online Game (MMOG), Rated NR, Play it on: Windows)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 9, age appropriate for kids over 13; suggested age 13.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    Zap pollution and breed cute animals in casual pet MMO.

In this game kids can:   be creative, create an avatar, play in a virtual world

Why We Rated This on for Ages 13 and Up

The good stuff

  • Ease of play:

    Very easy to pick up.  All actions are accessed by mouse click.  Play is at a slow pace and casual.

  • Educational value:

    Pollution and genetics are touched on.

  • Messages:

    This game is all about ridding the world of pollution and cooperating with other players to build a community project.

  • Role models:

    All the players in the game are working to better the world by ridding it of pollution. Scientists are shown as helpful, important characters that advise this world.
 

What to watch out for

  • Online interaction:

    Chat is open chat with no restrictions except for language filters. However, most of the interaction actually take place on the forums rather than in the game.  Because trading of eggs to breed new Fauna tends to start in the forums and requires being added to another's friend list within the game, kids may be tempted to exchange personal information.

  • Violence:

    By using Amulets hung around the neck, animals (Fauna) zap blocks of pollution during some "boss fights" against pollution monsters.

  • Sex:

    Not an issue.

  • Language:

    Players can chat with others using an open chat mechanic that uses a bad-word filter. Some determined players may find creative ways to cuss and say inappropriate things even when filters are in place.

  • Consumerism:

    This MMO uses a "Velvet rope" which allows players to play for free but the accessible content is limited.  Some items have to be purchased with "Bux" which is the paid for cash and the "Bux" stores will inform players that they have to buy Bux to access the items.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    None evident.
 

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Faunasphere was written by Carolyn Koh

Parents need to know that this is a casual massively multiplayer online game (MMO) where you grow and feed cute little animals (called Fauna) while fighting pollution. The game is particularly attractive to young girls and women as it is cooperative, pro-environmental, and social. The game targets the casual game player ages 13 and up, and thus does not have parental controls and the in-game chat is open with bad-language filters in place. Most of the breeding of Fauna is facilitated in off-line forums which can get dicey since players may be tempted to exchange personal information. While initially free, players will find that the best way to breed and participate in this online game is with a subscription ranging from $2.49 to $9.99 a month.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about online Social Behavior and boundaries. Why should you not give out personal information online?  Does a character's behavior impact the way you think about the person controlling that character.  Do you think what you do in game reflects upon you as a person?
  • Families can also talk about pollution and the impact on the environment.  Can animals mutate when they live in polluted environments?
  • Families can also talk about in-game Consumerism. How does this game make you want to spend real money? Is it worth it?
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More on Faunasphere

What’s the Story?

FAUNASPHERE is a casual, social, pet simulation set in a massively multiplayer online world. Players become caretakers of cute animals like horses, dogs, cats, elephants, and and variations of these, all called Fauna. Game play involves breeding the Fauna, keeping them happy, exploring the world, and zapping pollution along the way. Players are also responsible for the Faunasphere where their Fauna live and can decorate it, create sleeping Dens, and grow Treat Trees that will provide food for the Fauna. Building Resource Totems can generate resources used to grow the Community Canopy, which is a cooperative project. And if you donate, you will receive rewards and raffle tickets for more prizes, including decorative items for your Faunasphere. Managing your totem for efficiency, yield, and profit is a mini-game in itself. By zapping pollution, players earn more items and fill up an egg meter, the way this game allows you to breed new Fauna. Breeding the Fauna requires players to trade eggs with others. Close

Is It Any Good?

Faunasphere is a browser-based game so computer requirements are relatively low, making it easily accessible. It is simple to find things to do because in each area of the world there are Goal Stations where players pick up quests. Players often team up to accomplish the harder goals but most of the multi-player interaction is done out of the game, in the forums, where players ask for eggs or trade eggs. The community is friendly, helpful, and generous in not just trading, but actually giving eggs to each other. But getting eggs to others requires traveling to another's Faunasphere, not an easy task within this game since you can only travel to others on a Friend's list.

While this game can be played for free, to get the most out of the breeding game, players need to subscribe to the game. As it is a casual game, the cost of subscription is relatively low and the game itself is not fast-paced and goals can be accomplished in 15 minute chunks of time.

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Publisher’s Details

Released on 8/12/2009, price $Free & 3 subscription tiers, online enabled
ESRB rating: NR (for Not Rated)

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  1. Teen Reviewer Age 15
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