Disney Announces Closure of ‘Toontown’ and Other Virtual World Online Games
With the highly-anticipated release of the new Disney Infinity it seems that perhaps there isn't room for a few older online games as the Walt Disney Company has announced that it is closing down the decade-old Toontown Online video game.
The game will shut down September 19, along with the Pirates of the Caribbean Online and Disney Fairies Pixie Hollow. The company said that it is shifting development focus toward other online and mobile play experiences including Club Penguin.
The Toontown game is what's known as a massively multiplayer online game (MMO) and cost players $9.95 a month to play. Ten years ago it was named the MMORPG of the Year and received a Webby Award.
The closure of Toontown, Pirates of the Caribbean Online, and Disney Fairies Pixie Hollow leaves Club Penguin as the only virtual world operated by Disney. That game costs $7.95 a month and has recently added new content and characters from Star Wars and Pixar.
About WDW For Grownups
We're a website dedicated to adults who visit Disney World because they love it, not just because their kids love it. Join in the discussion on our forums or find us here:
Kristen K. wrote on Fri, 08/30/2013 - 12:22:
Even though my daughter doesn't play Toon Town any more she was really upset to hear that it's closing down. I hope that this only means something better is coming!
JeffC wrote on Fri, 08/30/2013 - 18:47:
We played Toontown many times and really enjoyed it. Good clean fun.
Bob wrote on Sat, 08/31/2013 - 05:05:
While Disney and Disney Interactive do seek to eliminate the high risks associated in basing multiple games upon the short-term successes and popularity of corresponding movies and/or characters, the point to be made is that Disney could have enriched the gaming properties it already had at its disposal without turning its back entirely upon such games and the corresponding (player) “communities” whom voice and legitimate concerns were, in essence, blatantly ignored.
For example, players loyal to the game "Pirates of the Caribbean Online" (POTCO) maintained an ongoing petition movement for over a year which involved the gain of some 3,000 signatures from players whom had voiced their legitimate concern about the game and the status it was allowed to be kept.
To date, in the shadow of this report, no hint of acknowledgement of such concerns were ever received by the POTCO community from an official representative of Disney or Disney Interactive despite a total of 50 individuals strategically contacted working for the company and its interactive, gaming division. http://revivepotco.org/
NatalieG15 wrote on Sat, 08/31/2013 - 16:03:
This is honestly really sad for me... I used to play Toontown and Pirates online. Although I haven't played them in years, they will be missed. In a way, it's almost like losing MVK again. Thanks so much for the update!
Post new comment