Need somewhere to put Fluffy the tarantula while you bring out your dancing elf from the holidays? Perhaps you think that portrait of Moolinda Wu, the Life Magic instructor, is just fantastic but have nowhere to hang and admire it? Well, wizards and witches, that soon will not be the case. The winds of change are coming to Wizard101, and they’re blowing in islands galore!
Following on the heels of the addition of dueling to the fantasy wizarding MMO, housing will give every player a chance to do what kids do best: collect stuff. Beginning with a makeover to the dormitories at the Ravenwood School of Magic expected in April or May, players can decorate and collect to their hearts content. If a dorm room just doesn’t provide enough space or wallpaper options for the discerning decorator, islands themed to each world will be available for purchase.
Yes, islands. These aren’t simple houses but more like private castles in the sky. There are two different styles for each realm: Wizard City, Moo Shu, Marleybone, and Krokotopia. The realm of Wizard City contains an island castle with a stage for performing plays or someday private duels. In Marleybone, it is forever night; perfect those nocturnal plans of assaulting Dragonspire.
Approximately 1,000 items have been made available from the game as well as new items to decorate what will soon be known as home. A wonderful feature of this plethora of items is the ability to stack. A vase can be stacked upon a table, which can be placed upon a rug. Want to move the entire group? No problem; it’s easily accomplished. For any player who has ever moved items one at a time only to have to regroup at the end, this is a welcome feature. All hail wizardly magic!
Place your items wherever you like; there are no hooks to restrict placement. Have too much stuff but don’t want to get rid of it? Just stick it in the attic. Love your Marleybone Island but really want one in Moo Shu? You can purchase as many as your pocketbook can manage, but only one can be active at a time. Open your home to friends or keep it closed and decorate in private. It is your home after all.
Floating islands — it is ambitious. But, this is the world of Wizard 101! Wizards and witches populate every corner; the sound of spellcasting is ever-present. If not an island with a floating castle, then what would it be? I can only hope that in the future, I have a paddock for my pets to roam free.
I'm a mother of two boys, ages 7 and 10 and live in the chaos that ensues. I've a permanent disability that keeps me homebound, so books, kids, games and books are my constant companions. Oh, and books, too. *grins*
My children both play games so I often play them first, getting to know exactly how something may effect my sensitive and easily stimulated older child vs. my stoic and imperturbable younger.
I like games for games; for the pure enjoyment of them and believe that no game is wholly bad, though some are real stinkers.
I also have the dexterity of a camel in mittens so find playing FPSs difficult (and I also don't like the gore) and RTSs at times can stump me. I just can't seem to move quickly enough to keep up with them. Some of my favorite games are arcade games and I'll spend 3-5 years on the same 5-6 levels because I just never get any better. But, I have fun.
