KingsIsle Unveils Holiday “Giving Tree” Item in Crown Shop; Proceeds to Benefit Charitable Organizations in Texas
PLANO, TEXAS (December 09, 2010) – Reports are coming in from across the Spiral that a new race of mysterious Garden Moles has begun to teach Wizards the secrets of growing exotic magical plants, the likes of which have never been seen before. KingsIsle Entertainment is delighted to confirm that the reports are true and Gardening has officially come to Wizard101.
The new Gardening system enables students at the Ravenwood School of Magical Arts to grow amazing plants in their Dorms and Castles. As Wizards progress through the ranks of gardening mastery they will earn unique rewards including gold and powerful magical treasures. As plants grow from seedlings to elders, they will come alive with distinct personalities, sounds and animations.
Highlights of Gardening in Wizard101 include:
- Eighteen species of loot-producing plants packing plenty of personality, from King Parsley to Baby Carrots
- A new system for casting spells outside of duels, enabling players to grow extraordinary plants and fulfill their needs with magic
- Powerful new spells to battle and vanquish challenging pests
- The new “Garden Mole” race of expert gardeners
- Plants that can grow virtually anywhere, from inside the smallest dorm-room, to outside the most extravagant Castle.
The Gardening system is open to all Wizards level 12 and greater. Wizards progress through 10 ranks of expertise, earning experience and loot as they tend their gardens. Gardening brings a new dimension to the game, offering players a whole new way to play and progress in Wizard101.
“It’s exciting to bring a new system of this size and scope to the Spiral so soon after the launch of Celestia, our largest expansion ever,” said Josef Hall, vice president of Development for KingsIsle Entertainment. “I think we’ve created a system that fits perfectly into the Wizard101 universe. I can’t wait for our players to show off their green thumbs!”
To celebrate the introduction of Gardening in Wizard101, and in the spirit of the holiday season, KingsIsle has added a special item to its in-game Crown Shop, a Giving Tree. The Giving Tree starts as a seedling, flourishes into a gift-bearing tree and eventually grants Wizards a wondrous harvest of magical treasures. The Giving Tree is available for a limited time and provides Wizard101 players the opportunity to purchase a great Crowns item while simultaneously helping others.
Giving Tree seeds sell for 2,500 Crowns apiece (approximately $5). For each sale, KingsIsle will donate the net proceeds, evenly divided, to two Texas organizations devoted to helping children: the Austin Children’s Shelter located in Austin, Texas, and Children’s Medical Center at Legacy, a pediatric hospital located in Plano, Texas.
In Wizard101, kids and families enter the magical world of Wizard City as student Wizards setting out to hone their skills, cast spells and summon powerful creatures to fight evil forces. The characters and worlds of Wizard101 are influenced by literature, history and pop culture, giving the game a depth and quality appreciated by families and players of all ages.
Wizard101 can be downloaded at www.Wizard101.com. Players seeking access to premium areas and items may purchase pre-paid cards in participating stores or purchase a subscription or Crowns online. New worlds, activities, pets and Wizard clothing are periodically added to the game, creating an ever-changing world with new things to see and do.
About KingsIsle Entertainment, Inc.
KingsIsle Entertainment is a developer and publisher that specializes in creating high-quality massively multiplayer online games which provide entertainment for the entire family. Wizard101, KingsIsle’s flagship property, has received the Parent Tested Parent Approved Media Seal of Approval in 2009 and has been recognized by the National Parenting Publications Awards. Wizard101 was named the #1 Best Family/All Age Game by Beckett Massive Gamer Magazine, and the #1 Best Family Game by MMORPG.com for 2009. The company’s experienced and creative team is raising the bar in online entertainment by offering products with rich storylines, friendly navigation, top-quality art and fully-voiced characters. KingsIsle is headquartered in Plano, Texas, and has a development studio in Austin, Texas. For more information, please visit www.kingsisle.com.
KingsIsle and Wizard101 are trademarks or registered trademarks of KingsIsle Entertainment, Inc.
