| There is a new niche forming in children's video | | | | connecting their handheld devices. The company |
| games that tries to combine interactive play with | | | | that created the game, Smith & Tinker Inc., did a |
| peer play at the same time. Over the past | | | | little something special to the handheld devices to |
| several years, there have been negative public | | | | ensure that children actually play the game |
| opinions regarding how playing video games affect | | | | together. If kids play on the handhelds offline, |
| a child's social life. Some claim that a child who | | | | they actually need to be connected to other kid's |
| spends a good deal of time playing video games | | | | devices in order to utilize the game. This |
| by themselves are not as friendly or social with | | | | guarantees that kids will have to socially interact |
| their peers. A new game; called the Nanover | | | | with their peers if they want to play offline. This |
| game may just bridge the gap between games | | | | is something completely new to the interactive |
| and social interaction. | | | | online and offline game industry. |
| The Nanover game involves monsters that are | | | | Still, some will argue that if a child wants to play |
| downloaded onto handheld devices. An online | | | | by themselves then all they have to do is play |
| environment is also there for children that uses | | | | online in order to do so. While this is true, the |
| currency to download products and games onto | | | | offline handhelds have special battle modes that |
| the handheld devices. In order to transfer stuff | | | | take place once a handheld is connected with |
| from the Internet to the handheld, children need | | | | three other units. This creates another level of |
| to use what's called a Nanoscope, which runs just | | | | game play that is not available with playing the |
| under $30. | | | | game online. |
| Children play the Nanover game offline by | | | | |