Gamertell

Ah, Halloween. I still remember chanting “Trick or Treat! Smell our feet! Give us something good to eat!” hoping to find Candy Corn, M&Ms and pieces of chocolate shaped like pumpkins in my bag. And like other towns across the United States, the variety of costumes you could dress in just to entice the homeowner for that extra piece of candy was the greatest thing since sliced bread to an 8-year-old kid.

Well now players can relive those days from the safety of their homes on Gaia Online. Gaia just started its Halloween Hysteria event last night (October 24, 2008) with trick or treating in the Gaia stores or in the towns. And for those who love dressing up for Halloween, a variety of Halloween costumes are available in the shops that you can browse through while trick or treating.

Scott Kinzie, vice president of creative and user experience for Gaia Online said in a press release that he expects this Halloween to be bigger than the last.

“Halloween has always been an amazing holiday for this generation, but bringing all the festivities to Gaia Online lets our users take it even further,” said Kinzie. “Last year our Halloween event attracted more than 400,000 people, and this year with all the new costumes, games, and mischief of Halloween Hysteria, we’re expecting an even crazier turnout.”

According to statistics published on the U.S. Census Bureau Web site dated September 3, 2008, of the 36 million potential trick or treaters this year 17.2 million of those potential trick or treaters are teens aged 13 and older.

The Halloween Hysteria event will continue all week long through Halloween on Friday, October 31, 2008. During the event virtual trick-or-treater’s can visit every store for candy. For every 15 pieces of candy you collect you get a free Jack-O-Lantern-themed item like jackets, boots and other items for their avatars.

Other events Gaians can participate in are Halloween inspired games from causing chaos in the Gaian towns with virtual eggs and toilet paper, a creepy aquarium complete with costumed fish, costume contests and faction battles.

In the faction battle you can choose a side to defend whether you remain human, dark elves, zombies or vampires and then enter the forums to help your team and combat the others for items. Depending on the team you choose, your avatar will change to match the team you join. According to the rules its nothing to worry about since the condition of your avatar will recover after the event is over.

So, what are you waiting for? Come join me in Gaia towns and let’s go trick or treating already.

Read [Gaia Online Halloween Event] Read [U.S. Census Bureau] Site [Gaia Online]