Nicktropolis launching today

Update 5:18pm PST: Nicktropolis is now live.

Ok, this one is no hoax. Coming from MTV later today, Vista launch day of all things, MTV will be launching Nicktropolis an online 3D, socially networked, world allowing kids to interact with each other in real-time.

MediaDaily News:

Nickelodeon says its research shows that 86% of kids in the 8-to-14 demo play games online, while 51% watch streaming video (be it TV shows or other content). These are two critical areas of focus for Nicktropolis.

“Nicktropolis is built from our knowledge that kids’ interest in social networking is all about gaming,” says Cyma Zarghami, president of Nickelodeon and MTVN Kids and Family Group.

The teen grid at Second Life is weak providing somebody a huge opportunity. Not sure it will be Nick, but they are a good fit for this type of site. From the Nintendogs comment thread at one of my blogs I’ve learned that younger kids love to chat. Only one of our teens — the oldest — is into the IM scene. Our other two kids chat on Xbox Live while playing.

If any VTOR authors and/or readers check out Nicktropolis let us know if it’s a pretender or contender.

via getting granular