Wizard101 was designed to fill the void between online play sites for the very young and massively multiplayer online games with mature ratings. The first beta testers have now joined the large cast of fantastical in-game characters for adventure and magic spell-collecting fun. Over the coming weeks, beta testers are invited to play the game and provide feedback to KingsIsle in advance of Wizard101's expected release in the third quarter of 2008.

"We more than doubled our anticipated beta audience for Wizard101," said KingsIsle CEO Elie Akilian. "It turns out that the solid game mechanics and whimsical fantasy environment appeal even beyond the tween audience. We've had a great response from testers that included everyone from grandmas who play with a grandchild sitting in their lap to twenty-something traditional gamers."

Wizard101 features fantasy adventure and collectible card-style game play plus fun arcade mini-games. Under the direction of noted online game developer J. Todd Coleman, Wizard101 has been designed for collaborative play in which players benefit from playing together. A tiered chat system and pre-defined naming system is in place to create a safe online environment for tween and teen audiences while still providing engaging entertainment for the entire family.

As part of the character creation process, players will take a quiz to determine which of Ravenwood's seven schools of magic best suits their personality before they begin to collect and cast spells summoning imaginary and frequently silly cinematic creatures. As the player adventures through 3D environments encountering scenarios and characters based on history, mythology, pop culture and pure fantasy they will be able to upgrade their costume and magical accessories, adopt bizarre pets, solve puzzles, make friends and more.

Wizard101's collaborative play style supports an environment where players benefit from working together in adventure quests. A tiered chat system and pre-defined character name generator create a safe community for younger players while an Arena provides a spot for more traditional gamers to show off their player versus player spell-casting skills. As they adventure, players can upgrade their costume and magical accessories, adopt bizarre pets, solve puzzles and play mini-games. At launch, Wizard101 will be free to play, with advanced play content available by subscription.

KingsIsle had Wizard101 under development for three years before the beta period, which means testers experienced a very fully fleshed out game with detailed graphics, fantastic worlds and fully-functional game play. There has been an increasing online buzz about Wizard101.

Features include:

• Extensive magical 3D world where players team up with friends and carry out quests to save Wizard City from the forces of Evil.
• Collectible card-style duels that come to cinematic life as players cast spells alongside fellow and rival students.
• More than 101 collectible spells summon zany creatures such as Humongofrog, Evil Snowman and Stormzilla.
• Seven different schools of magic, each with its own unique style and storyline.
• Many witty scenarios and characters based on history, mythology and pop culture.
• The ability to adopt magical pets, like a tiny dragon or flying pig.
• Puzzles and mini-games that challenge the player to earn crystals and enchanted items.
• New outfits and accessories to earn for your customizable Wizard character.