Developer Gamelab (Diner Dash) and virtual world publisher The Electric Sheep Company have announced that their tween boy-orientated MMO Ridemakerz has entered closed beta.

Developed specifically for boys ages 6-12, Ridemakerz is a 3D racing MMO, and the closed beta is to demonstrate "the first playable driving experience, games and overall look, and marks the start of fine-tuning over the next few months to perfect the handling, as well as the environments and regions."

Users can build a "Ride" in either the real world—purchasing different body styles and paint schemes, tires and wheels, lights and sounds, and custom decals and accessories—or within the virtual world with " more than 649 million" possible combinations. A "real world" Ride can be made virtual and vice versa, with a " Make-it-Real" feature allowing a wish-list to be created that can be "emailed to parents or printed out for friends and relatives."

During closed beta, three regions are open for testing—The Open Road, where players can drive freely and watch videos of real car culture activities; Scrap Gulch, where players can investigate to find car parts, and the RZ Motor Speedway, a futuristic race track. Six games also will be tested, including two developed by Gamelab.

The world is also to feature an educational component and safe restricted chat, and is to launch officially in spring 2009.

"Before Ridemakerz boys have been overlooked in both real and virtual environments such as American Girl, Build-A-Bearville, Club Penguin and Webkinz," said founder and CEO Larry Andreini, " Ridemakerz is in a unique position to connect with boys virtually just as we do in the real world—through cars and authentic car culture. Our online experience is an extension of the interactive, off-line experience that boys have customizing 'Ridez' and learning about cars at home or in one of our 'shopz.' And while the boys are having fun playing, what they’re also doing is being creative, making choices, collaborating with friends and family, and building confidence."