While details are still quite scarce, and it's probably not going to be much like World of Warcraft; BBC Worldwide, CBBC and developers of the new IP Ragdoll have commissioned a childrens MMOG based on the upcoming children's series Tronji.

If like me you're a parent you'll know of Ragdoll's other programs which include the Teletubbies, Brum, Tots TV, Boobah and the horrifically bad (sorry it just is) In the Night Garden. Tronji itself is aimed at slightly older children and will air on CBBC in Spring 2008.

The MMOG is in production at Nice Tech Ltd using their AliceServer technology and is due to launch at about the same time as the show next Spring. As to what it looks like or indeed any of the characters, Auntie Beeb is keeping quiet for now.

While Tronji, the programme, continues to evolve in post-production at Ragdoll, Nice Tech is developing the complementary online Tronji world in parallel. New builds are released and auto-updated every Friday, ensuring that no-one involved in the development and approval process is more than five working days behind when a build is reviewed. This ensures a near "real time" tracking process. Nice Tech believes that all parties should be able to provide immediate feedback, which is particularly important when working with such strong client led IP, where clarity and accuracy are essential. Ben Simpson, COO, commented "Working alongside an award-winning production company with a global reputation has been a positive challenge for us. We have been keen to learn from their experience and streamline our own working practices. We feel we have really grown through this partnership – and in such a short time!"

The Tronji MMO is now ready for its first testing sessions, which will involve many children over the next four months. A pre-alpha testing strategy was adopted to allow early feedback and to ensure that the development meets its tight deadlines. The team at Nice Tech is able to rapidly re-think any design issue that needs addressing based on the feedback from the young testers. Ben Simpson added "This mid-development, pre-alpha, core gameplay testing ensures that we get critical feedback from the players at an early stage. We can conduct online testing and follow what the players are doing and enjoy, and use metrics to discover what’s working or requires modification."