Editing Castle Infinity (section)

==History==
''Castle Infinity'' was first released in 1996, making it the first fully released MMOG designed for children.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wired.com/1997/04/get-in-here-kid/|title=Get in Here, Kid!|last=LewisCastle|first=Elizabeth|date=April 1, 1997|newspaper=WIRED|access-date=February 22, 2017|language=en-US}}</ref> It was originally designed by [[Russell Ginns]], Gregg Foster, and Scott Wallin, with art direction and animation by Jonathan Maier and Andy Norman. It was developed and published by [[Paul Allen]]'s early internet company [[Starwave]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19961107/2358320/starwave-wants-to-take-kids-to-castle-infinity----firm-breaks-into-online-games|title=Starwave Wants To Take Kids To Castle Infinity -- Firm Breaks Into Online Games|last=Haines|first=Thomas W.|date=November 7, 1996|newspaper=[[The Seattle Times]]|access-date=February 22, 2017}}</ref>

The initial launch included a joint promotion with [[Netcom (United States)|Netcom]], retail displays in [[Blockbuster Video]], and coupons included in the packaging toward the purchase of a [[USRobotics]] modem.

Access to the game required a CD-Rom and also a subscription.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/1996/11/11/story8.html|title=Starwave is game for the Net with new CD-ROM products|last=Baker|first=M. Sharon|date=November 10, 1996|newspaper=[[Puget Sound Business Journal]]|access-date=February 22, 2017}}</ref> This technology requirement, plus the nascent child online audience at the time, proved too limiting for wide distribution.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.imediaconnection.com/articles/ported-articles/red-dot-articles/2009/feb/5-online-initiatives-we-werent-ready-for/|title=5 online initiatives we weren't ready for|last=Luechtefeld|first=Lori|date=February 13, 2009|access-date=February 22, 2017|publisher=iMedia Connection|work=imediaconnection.com}}</ref>  At its peak, the service had approximately 4,000 registered players. Ownership passed to [[Disney]] when Starwave was acquired in 1997. Disney did not maintain development for the game, and access to the service became intermittent starting in 1998, and was shut down entirely by 2000.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2017-05-12-a-limited-history-of-castle-infinity|title=A Limited History of Castle Infinity|website=GamesIndustry.biz|date=15 May 2017 }}</ref>

===Revival===
In 2000, the game servers were rescued from a dumpster<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://massivelyop.com/2018/11/24/the-game-archaeologist-castle-infinity-the-mmo-that-was-literally-rescued-from-a-dumpster/|title=The Game Archaeologist: Castle Infinity, the MMO that was literally rescued from a dumpster &#124; Massively Overpowered|first=Justin|last=Olivetti|date=24 November 2018 }}</ref> by Kevin Quitt, a programmer who happened to be one of the game's players, and new development of the game began run by Castle Infinity, Inc. a non-profit organization. In 2005 there was fresh media coverage of the game by way of [[Slashdot]] and [[BoingBoing]].

In 2011 a new server was launched with the help of former players, including Spencer Jerome, Donald Butyen and Rachel Coleman. At present, Castle Infinity, LLC, manages the effort.<ref name="auto"/>