Last week, Sanrio shook the MMO world with the announcement of the Hello Kitty MMORPG beta. Millions lined up to be the first to get accepted into beta, only to have their dreams crushed yesterday by an email from Sanrio.
"Thank you for subscribing to Hello Kitty Online closed beta! As much as we would like to accommodate all our subscribers, there are only a limited number of accounts to give out. We would like to pick best people to test the game, so this is your chance to tell us why you should be one of the chosen applicants. Here's how you can get an account: Go to Dream Studio and create a video answering the question "Why do you think you should be selected for the closed beta testing?".. The length of the video should be at least 15 seconds / 3 slides. "
I can only assume at this point that no self respecting adult is going to make a 3 minute video of themselves just to check out Hello Kitty Online. I was genuinely interested in Hello Kitty Online as a game I can play together with my daughter. I still am. I'm just going to have to wait, because there is no way in hell I'm going to video tape myself for three minutes begging and pleading for a beta key for Hello Kitty. I definitely will not have my daughter do it either.
The question is... Who will? Teenagers who will think its funny for shits and giggles? I doubt they care enough. Moms? I dunno, don't know many of those who willingly want themselves captured in video.
They will probably get the diehard Hello Kitty fans. Yes, they are out there. My sister in law is one. If she knew about this offer, she would probably do it.
This requirement could be a double edged sword in Sanrio's beta. Will they get enough technically oriented players who can provide them with sufficient beta feedback?
I have some pretty high hopes with Hello Kitty MMORPG as a vehicle that allows young kids and parents to finally play an MMORPG together.
Heh, finally MMO hell has been realized and designed into a game! People have been joking about banishing people to hello kitty online for years, now its a real place!
As for your blog, I agree. Companies keep talking like they only want the best of the best to help test their games... yet they keep holding these completely asinine contests that dont cater to good testers. Oh well.
Fri Feb 29 2008 7:33PMi would kill my own family to get into hello kitty beta.
Sat Mar 01 2008 6:37PMI really don't think that the average Asshat wanting to enter beta understands that the game is targeted for the 6-11 year old audience, and that their ability to get attention will be severely limited to keep that age range protected.
Sun Mar 02 2008 3:12AMThink Speed Chat , The inability to pick your own name etc etc etc.
What!? A Game blatently designed for very young girls, requires said very young girls to send video's in of themselves. I wouldn't let my 8 year old daughter even think about that!
Sun Mar 02 2008 7:26AMMMORPG.com writes:
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