NetDevil Building LEGO MMO

With the massive commercial success of Traveller's Tales' LEGO Star Wars game franchise, it comes as little surprise that the Denmark-based LEGO Group is looking to further leverage its popular toy brand in the world of video games. How they're going about it may come as something of a surprise to gamers, however--today, the company announced that it will license a LEGO MMO. Heading up development of the game will be NetDevil, the independent studio behind the space-themed MMO JumpGate and the recently published vehicular MMO Auto Assault. The company is also working on Warmonger, an FPS sponsored by physics provider AGEIA. "As children around the world continue to spend more time online we are developing new and engaging ways for them to interact with our brand," said LEGO executive VP Lisbeth Valther Pallesen. "The LEGO brand represents construction, creativity and problem solving - values that compliment the MMOG market. By merging the online world of social interaction with physical play, the LEGO brand is providing new experiences for children, as well as fans. NetDevilÂ’s technological capability, openness to work with a large community, and their enthusiasm for the LEGO brand made them a natural partner." This week's news confirms recent reports that NetDevil has been creatiang an MMO for a "major toy company" and will double the size of its development operations. No details have been announced in regards to the game, including whether it will feature a monthly fee or some other means of support that might be more appropriately suited to the traditional LEGO audience. "Playing with LEGO bricks and developing online worlds are both creative activities," said NetDevil president Scott Brown. "To bring them together is deeply professionally satisfying and we look forward to working with the LEGO team."