{"id":7679,"date":"2010-09-21T13:42:00","date_gmt":"2010-09-21T11:42:00","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"-0001-11-30T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"-0001-11-29T22:00:00","slug":"michael-jackson-themed-mmo-announced","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/business\/7679-michael-jackson-themed-mmo-announced","title":{"rendered":"Michael Jackson themed MMO announced"},"content":{"rendered":"

SEE Virtual Worlds is an entertainment company developing a virtual reality universe of connected planets tied to licensed franchises. Today SEE has announced a collaborative deal with the Michael Jackson Estate to publish Planet Michael<\/a>, a massively multiplayer online virtual world. The service is set to launch in late 2011.<\/p>\n

That’s right – a Michael Jackson themed MMO. Now’s the time to make jokes about signup age restrictions and level grinding.<\/p>\n

\"Planet<\/p>\n

Planet Michael will offer MJ fans around the globe an “innovative, first-of-its-kind interactive gaming and social experience that truly celebrates Michael Jackson’s extraordinary life as an artist and humanitarian,” says the press release. With scant detail available, it’s best to let the press release continue speaking for itself:
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The new ‘planet,’ currently under development and slated for launch next year, will be an immersive virtual space themed after iconic visuals drawn from Michael’s music, his life and the global issues that concerned him.
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Entire continents will be created that will celebrate Michael’s unique genius in a way that underscores his place as the greatest artist of all time. Michael’s longtime fans will feel at home as they find themselves in places that seem familiar and yet unknown at the same time, and new  generations will discover and experience Michael’s life in a way never before imagined.
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At its core, Planet Michael is a massive social gaming experience that will allow everyone, from the hardcore fan to the novice, to connect and engage in collaborative in-game activities with people worldwide.
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Planet Michael is one of the first themed-planets that will be published by SEE Virtual Worlds for the Entropia Universe, a vast dynamic 3D environment. The Entropia Universe features several existing planets and combines a revolutionary cash economy with cutting-edge graphics. <\/em><\/p>\n

\"Planet<\/p>\n

Although Planet Michael is a free-to-download world without monthly subscription fees, the real world in-game economy features gameplay monetization that allows players to take on dozens of different occupations and in certain instances, contribute to a charitable cause at the same time.<\/em><\/p>\n

“When we first approached the Estate and talked about creating Planet Michael, one of our primary goals was to build an interactive environment where fans from all over the world come together to affirm Michael’s life-long dedication to fostering global friendships,” said Martin Biallas, CEO of SEE Virtual Worlds.<\/p>\n

\"planet_micahel_billiejean_screen_resize_505015209.jpg\"<\/p>\n

“In building a space worthy of those global connections, we envisioned a magical, enjoyable place that will capture that zest for fun and life that was at Michael’s very core. Throughout his extensive career, the King of Pop was well-known for his visionary contributions to music, dance, fashion, entertainment and philanthropy, and it was critical that we somehow incorporate all of those elements into the game,” concluded Biallas.<\/p>\n

Discuss the Michael Jackson MMO ‘Planet Michael’<\/a> on the MyGaming forum.<\/p>\n\n\t\t