[Each day, Worlds in Motion will be taking a closer look at individual virtual worlds. We'll start with a nuts-and-bolts overview, then move on to an in-depth tour, to be followed up with a conclusion-- all with the aim of bringing you all the essential info and details on each world in the rapidly-developing virtual landscape.]
We've spent some time this week riding the playground trolley and taking anti-Cog missions from Toontown HQ as we toured Toontown. So what's the verdict on Disney's world-- and how does it compare to its competitors for the hearts and minds of kids and 'tweens?
Toontown's IE-only fullscreen interface might cause issues for some-- compare to Nicktropolis or Habbo, which can run in any browser with only minimal reqs. Loading times are long, too-- both between areas and the five minutes or so of updates that occur with each login. As such, it's just slightly glitchier than a flash-only tends to be, with occasional freezes or significant lag; not intrusively problematic, though, Toontown's generally stable and responsive.
Technical issues aside, Toontown feels like an actual gaming experience. While most worlds geared for a similar audience put the majority of weight in the corner of social networking and virtual goods elements, Toontown feels like playing rather than 3D chat. It offers an impressive list of pre-set phrases (only subscribers can use the less restrictive feature) and a variety of emotes for every situation, but kids in Toontown seem to be playing games and following the instructions of copious NPCs in quests-- almost nobody hangs around talking. The level of proficiency in the Toontown users I encountered was strong, too-- there weren't any bumbling newbies with the telltale "crash into walls or type gibberish" behaviors.
The freedom of movement, and number of options for activities in Toontown doesn't make this adventure game-style structure seem too restrictive, though, or too unlike an online game. The variegated activities also allow players to customize their experience according to their proficiency level-- for example, younger kids who just want a few minigames and some cartoon characters can stay in the first neighborhood and simply ride the trolley, and yet there's plenty of room for older, more skillful players to confront more challenging games, engage in more complex activities (like gardening, pet-raising and flower-selling), and explore newer areas. That user-oriented customizable experience seems to be the primary characteristic Toontown takes from its online world format, and less the chat-room-with-minigames feel.
Toontown doesn't have a heavily branded feel, either. It's obviously uniquely Disney, but in a classic way. It would have been easy to create an all-style, no-substance game that hung mostly on the appearance of famous blockbuster film sprites (think Kingdom Hearts) and areas themed around upcoming CG animal movies, but Toontown's sincerity is a pleasant surprise.
And it's genuinely clever and funny, too-- the periphery's very well thought-out, down to the semi-Orwellian comedy elements around the primary antagonists, the grayscale Cogs. With names like Cashbot, Sellbot and Lawbot, they're amusing caricatures of big biz and "the norm," and the idea of kooky, floppy-handed Toons preserving their colorful spirit by perpetrating wacky gags on them has a cute individuality message.
Comments (8)
Toontown ISSSSSSSSSSSSSS really fun to me cause I'm only 8 years old. But still, I saw over a million different toons! But I agree, the downloading does take long. But for me, it takes about 30 seconds. The Gags are kind of wierd like this: cupcake LVL1gag to wedding cakeLVL7gag! EH EH EH EH HUGE SIZE DIFFERENCE!But to me, the gags are kind of imature. But the gameplay is soooooo BIG! anyway, I encourage all new Toontown players to get stronger and deafeat more cogs! My toon name is kangarooo. I have lvl 4 throw & squirt gags, and a lvl 3 sound gag. i will mostly be in donalds dock, daisy gardens or sellbot HQ Bye!!!!!!!
Posted by kevin | November 4, 2007 9:40 AM
Posted on November 4, 2007 09:40
Toontown is fun for me too. My toon's name is Flip. I am a blue rabbitand I'll bewearing a Christmas Shirt and blue shorts until after new years. I currently have 41 laff points. You can mostly find me in Daisy Gardens, Donald's Dreamland, or Sellbot HQ! Have a toontastic day!
Posted by Nikki | December 10, 2007 5:42 PM
Posted on December 10, 2007 17:42
I love toontown, every day I play. Although I'm 11 years old I enjoy it. My toon's name is Melody, a cream dog. She has 34 of Laff points. Have a toontastic day.
Posted by Ashley | February 13, 2008 4:57 PM
Posted on February 13, 2008 16:57
I love toontown, every day I play. My toon's name is Melody, a cream dog. She has 34 of Laff points. I love trainning for new gags, making friends, racing, playing trolley games, especially taking over cog buildings. My favorite part is getting deliveries, don't you just love the sound of getting deliveries. RING!!!!!! You can usually find me in Nutty River. Yes siree. It is the best game in the TOONIVERSE. Oh well, I need to go. Toodles.
Posted by Ashley | February 13, 2008 5:14 PM
Posted on February 13, 2008 17:14
I love toontown! I'm 12, and all of my friends think I'm a complete weirdo for playing it, but it's fun. I'm a serious player, working to be one of the best. My main Toon's name is Luna, but I have other toons too, ones I plan to develop more after I'm finished with Luna getting to the top of her game. My other toons are Delilah, Lemon, Obsidion Sunlight, and Lionel. Luna's laugh points are currently at 41. We are currently working in Daisy Gardens, but my favorite places to be are Minnie's Melodyland, Donald's Dock, Donald's Dreamland, and any Cog Street. I'm usually easy to find, especially since Lawbot buildings are short, but mainly I'm defeating buildings. I find very little time to just hang out with friends, and I hate when people suggest I go to their house. Toontown is down right now, otherwise I'd be on, but I hope it's back up soon!
Sincerely
lemons_are_yellow, Luna, Delilah, Lemon, Obsidion Sunlight, and Lionel
Posted by Taylor | March 6, 2008 5:55 PM
Posted on March 6, 2008 17:55
Dude, I've been a member for 4 years!!!
The game loads in 5 seconds on my computer! It's never taken over 30 seconds when I play...so I'm lucky!
My toons are named Lady Cuddles and Phil, they're both cats...anyway...well...Toontown is recommended for people who like Pies, Throwing Pies, or having fun...
(I personally think it's better than RuneScape!!!!!!!!!!!)
Posted by Meowcat | March 17, 2008 8:42 PM
Posted on March 17, 2008 20:42
I love toontown it's so fun. My toons name is DeputyRoccoThunderStink. I only have had toontown for two months and I already have 92 laff points!!!
Posted by danny 12 years old | June 5, 2008 2:58 AM
Posted on June 5, 2008 02:58
I love toontown to even though
i'm nine. My main toon's name is Bonnie Zillerflap but my other toons are Daphne, Roxy and Clover Hulahoffer. Bonnie Zillerflap is a pink mouse that is usually wering a blue shirt and a green or yellow skirt.I have 27 laff points.
I have level 1 of sound, level 1, 2 and 3 of water and pies. You can usually find me in Daisy Gardens, sellbot hq, defeating buildings or riding the trolley.
Posted by Danae | June 17, 2008 5:51 PM
Posted on June 17, 2008 17:51