Asylum Entertainment have announced an open beta for a new online world for children aged 5-11, GardenParty. Previously released in a unannounced, invitation-only beta called "incredibly successful" by the developers, the public beta is expected to last for a month.

After launch, GardenParty is to be free-to-play with premium activities requiring a subscription fee. The title's concept is for players to "grow their own fun" -- players take the role of Harvest Moon-esque gardeners, buying seeds, planting and tending to them while also being able to explore the world outside their own private garden. Beta testers are invited to post suggested improvements on the company's forum.

Asylum Entertainment have also stressed the importance they place on child safety online, promising that GardenParty is a "fun, safe and friendly online community for kids," and that they've gone to "extreme lengths" to partner with relevant bodies and comply with laws in regulation.

" Safety of children online is often a huge concern to parents, and GardenParty prides itself on the lengths it has and will go to, to ensure children remain safe whilst they play online," said Asylum Entertainment's Victoria Pearson. "We have been testing GardenParty in a school which proved incredibly successful. The children enjoyed the fact they could speak and play online with their friends as well as meet new children in a safe and moderated environment."