> Online multiplayer doesn't happen well without servers to mediate the experience. Those servers cost money. This remains a massive unsolved problem in the gam

> Online multiplayer doesn't happen well without servers to mediate the experience. Those servers cost money. This remains a massive unsolved problem in the gaming industry. Coming to think of it, I believe Disney has a good solution in their Club Penguin setup. The way it works is that the basic multiplayer game is totally free, has no advertising and is supervised (you earn a 24 hour ban for saying 'shit' ;-). The child registers a penguin avatar, which collects points in games and runs around common spaces. However, for the penguin to be able to use the points to collect fuzzy pets or buy some clothing items requires a paid subscription, which runs around 5 euro/month. I've authorized spending (via credit card, but out of the piggy bank) for one or three months per year ...