Educational game developer Knowledge Adventure has announced that its "JumpStart" brand has launched a 3D, browser-based virtual world.

The world is subscription-supported, with a monthly fee of $7.99, and includes a "family membership" model, allowing all parents and children in one family access to the virtual world. Parents can get involved in the game by writing personalized messages, customizing rewards and observe their child’s in-game progress.

In the world, users create a "Jumpee"—a custom avatar—and can explore "StoryLand" a collection of five areas, Neighborhood, Town Square, Petland Beach and Jungle, each of which features "games, learning activities and missions.

To celebrate the launch, Knowledge Adventure is hosting a avatar contest for three months starting mid-December where children can create their own avatars and submit them online at JumpStart.com for a chance to win daily prizes. One grand prize winner will be chosen to receive a college scholarship.

“The all-new JumpStart virtual world provides us the opportunity to leverage our tremendous brand and game content online where today’s kids play,” said Knowledge Adventure president & CEO David Lord. “Our commitment remains stronger than ever to creating the best adventure-based learning games available and we’re doing this by evolving the brand online to meet the needs of parents and kids in a vibrant, trusted community they can enjoy together for years to come.”