Regarding MMO games, you all know how it goes whenever developers want to test a new build or a full blown expansion sets: they use test serves, they select people to play beta and so on. There's a new MMO coming and it is called Zon. What's amazing about this one is that instead of test servers, it uses Michigan State University. And instead of selecting participants randomly, Zon employs students.

Accordingly, this new MMO is designed to allow players learn Mandarin and the Chinese culture as well as its history. It's full title is Zon: The New Chengo Chinese and is still in its experimental stage within the bounds of MSU and the China-sponsored Confucius Institute.

So how exactly this game goes? First, players must learn how to obtain Chinese currency at the game's international airport. After that, they start in villages. Depending on their progress, players will then be joining various towns, cities and ultimately, the cosmopolitans. Of course, currency isn't all that matters here. Players must learn how to communicate properly and understand the culture for them to advance faster.

Furthermore, the game involves historical and cultural aspects from ancient to modern China. Also, upon establishing themselves in the game, players can act as tour guides or conduct in-game businesses. The different available careers include scholar, businessman, kung-fu master, officer, historian, and archaeologist.

Truth of the matter is, it sounds a lot like Sims or Second Life - only in a much Chinese kind of way. According to MSU, a Chinese design team is expected to arrive at the university in about a month to complete negotiations and a final version of the game.