The concept refers to online virtual world experiences that share similarities with or draw inspiration from Fantage, a once-popular online platform targeted towards children and teenagers. These encompass games featuring avatar customization, mini-games, social interaction elements, and virtual economies built around in-game currency and items. Examples include other virtual pet sites, massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs) with a focus on younger audiences, and social networking games that incorporate game-like mechanics.
Their appeal lies in fostering creativity, social skills, and a sense of community among players. The ability to design personalized avatars and express individuality is a core attraction. Furthermore, cooperative gameplay and collaborative activities encourage interaction and teamwork. Historically, platforms like Fantage provided a safe and moderated online environment for young people to explore digital citizenship and build social connections, aspects which persist in similarly designed online environments.
