Planet Live and MCM Net Launch New Youth Soccer World

Planet Live and digital agency MCM Net announced the launch of Planet Soccer Live yesterday. Planet Soccer is a new virtual world aimed at tweens and teens from 6-14. Users can play soccer-related games, hang out in a stadium or training grounds, customize their homes and avatars with Soccer Dollars earned through in-game activities, and socialize with other users through pre-selected phrases. Planet Soccer Live is free to play, but for £3.50/month, users will get exclusive access to special virtual goods and games.

There are a whole host of sport-themed worlds coming out around now, and soccer, in particular, seems to be a strong focus. Without the active gameplay of a world like Football Superstars or Interzone Futebol, which will likely skew older, or the licensing partnerships of worlds like Action AllStars, Planet Soccer Live is going to be fighting up hill to establish itself as its own brand.

That's not to say it can't do it. Plenty of worlds, like Neopets and Club Penguin have in the past, but the market is substantially more crowded now and Planet Soccer looks like it will be directly competing with some similar products--and there are more on the way--making it especially tough.

"The vision of Planet Live Limited was to create a world where soccer-passionate kids can be their own soccer star, interact, socialise with other kids, go shopping and play and compete in games. We are really excited to be finally launching such a unique online gaming experience for kids and strongly believe it will be embraced by the worldwide soccer community," co-founders Sam Fairweather and Jodie Abela said in a statement.  "Planet Soccer Live is suited for boys and girls of all ages who are passionate about soccer, learning and having fun, and we aim to continually improve and develop the soccer planet with new features and single/multiplayer games for kids and families to enjoy for many years to come."