My Animal Family Gets Virtual World from Bitstudio Games

Bitstudio Games announced today that it had developed a new virtual world for the book and DVD series My Animal Family. The world, targeted at kids aged 3-7, is only accessible via codes found in book and DVD packages ($14.99), but the FAQ says that each code will only open up the habitat for the animal featured in the book for six months, with new codes opening new areas. Currently the first two of 24 planned habitats are online. Once in, kids can customize their avatars, play games to earn points for more avatar gear, color and paint, and pool points toward charity causes. Bitstudio says that premium habitats are also planned that will feature safe chat and multiplayer games, though nothing about how premium content will be accessed.

"MAFkidsclub.com is a true collaborative effort between Bitstudio Games and Smart Kids Publishing,"  Wes Gray, founder and creative director of Bitstudio Games, said in a statement. "The My Animal Family book and DVD series will be a fun and educational experience for kids. The website we've developed increases the fun factor while maintaining a common theme with the book and DVD."