Users who sign up receive either a flying disc or soccer ball to use for the game at the end of the free trial period on July 15, when the subscription service begins. Both have a chip inside of them that registers active play and offers rewards that can be redeemed in the virtual world.
Almost 20% of children in the U.S. are obese, and video games -- an increasingly favored activity -- have long been blamed for increasing this percentage. Paradoxically, at the same time, childhood participation in sports is at an all-time high. FunGoPlay is the first to bring together a sports theme, virtual games and exercise.
The virtual world revolves around a cast of 15 "sports heroes" and 26 games. One of the co-founders, Fabian Nicieza, has a background in comic books that includes writing nearly every major character in the Marvel Universe. He helped create the FunGoPlay world that includes rich storylines, a history and a distinct look. While games are the focus of the world, children's avatars can also connect to each other through a Facebook-like feature or watch sports highlights in a Youtube-like theater.
The company, whose staff includes veterans from Nickelodeon, Disney, Sesame Workshop and Marvel, raised $4 million of funding to create the world.
Now the challenge will be filling it.
