There's only one world available on the game I purchased, and my five year old was in tears five minutes after starting because I could not figure out how to advance the game to anything beyond what took about five minutes. The help or characters say the same things over and over, and direct to things we already did. Is that all the software purchase gets you, is the opportunity to buy "more" online? If so this is absolutely horrible and I'm going back for a refund of this and the other JumpStart product I purchased.

We did our best to let customer's know this is a new delivery system for us. It is listed that way on most boxes that Jumptart world is a subscription based title. On most boxes the full inside flap talks about that. We had more and more content for customers, but couldn't keep making CD games as the shelf space is at a premium at most stores, so we designed the new membership way of getting more bang for your buck.

The $7.99 a month allows you access to all 4 games, as well as all of the worlds in the Beta game online. Before, if your child was more advanced than the Preschool version, you would have to go back to the store and buy a different CD, now you don't. You can try out all of the grades, all for one low price. Also note that the game you bought, has more content in it without the membership than our original CD versions. We hope you find it a good value, but as always, if you are not 100% satisfied, please follow the instructions on top of the box for a full money back guarantee.

So we did get the game to move along after restarting, for some reason it wasn't building from our completion of tasks. We must have missed a step somewhere. Once we figured it out it took only an hour or two to complete the first book.

After the frustrating trail and error period and a very unhappy child I realized in fact what this was (even before reading your post, which clarified).

Here is my suggestion...the packaging of this product is anything but conspicuous as to what's in the box and should be more explicit about the fact that it is an introductory CD to an online fee based game available for $X. The pictures of the online games on the box are misleading, even if there is a statement that you can get more by joining online because it isn't clear what is online or what is not. The content of the CD is extremely disappointing and is little more than you would get going to free online kid sites. I think more value should be provided for a $20 CD than two hours of play.

I can't speak to the value of the online membership, but I'm wary based on what I've seen so far and the free games it came with. My child did enjoy the limited amount of play, and $8 isn't bad to see what's available so we'll likely try it out. Just hope it's not as frustrating as our experience thus far.

I am very dissapointed in the game as well, what if one doesnt have internet access? Or dont want to use it? Or pay a MONTHLY SUBSCRIPTION FOR A TODDLER?!

It defeats the entire purpose of buying a game at the store!

I didnt want a trial game, i wanted a real game.

I regret buying the game, i think we should have been better of buying ANY of the other cheaper games that were about half the price!

I could have gotten the same thing withought paying the extra money for the cd if I had been told about the web site first, its a rip off, not to mention I bought a pack that had a game in it called animal field trip, and then I bought a game caled animal adventure, and found out I paid twice for the same game.

I purchased Jumpstart games because I had good experiences with them in the past, but I was really let down by this, and its upsetting that my son was so excited about getting computer games for his christmas presents but barely plays them, because there isn't much to do in the new games.

Actually, you can't get the same thing for free. With a paid membership not only do you get access to all 4 Virtual world games, all levels but you also get to try out the beta game, and all levels there too. 

The access into any of the 4 Virtual world games is really a great idea, I believe because you can try other levels. Normally, you buy a CD game, take it home, find out it is either too easy, or too hard and you are stuck. Most stores won't accept a return. With this plan, you find out Kindergarten is too easy, OK jump right into First grade game without leaving your computer.

But as with every piece of software we sell, if you are not 100% happy, we will refund your money, no questions asked as long as you are in a 30 day window.

I was talking about the computer pack.

I think the paying membership is a good thing, however I believe that you are marketing it the wrong way and are leaving alot of people angry and frustrated, judging by many of the post that I have read on here.

Wow my granddaughter and i loaded the free online profile and went as far as she could go.  We are now a member and i can't believe how much is available.  She is 2 years 4 months old and has mastered the first 3-5 adventures....  she loves the movies and especially the slides   she is singing and loving every minuet.  Today I’m building her a laptop because I need my PC back.  When i consider there are 3 more adventures for older kids I can see years of 7.99 per month.  Especially since my second granddaughter is 2 years behind her.  I will admit there are some inconsistencies over the online version and the locally installed versions.  so far these are minor annoyances.  Once you join you can download all the Jumpstart areas and i believe they are the same as buying the DVD's but I’m not sure about that.  The reason I’m here is to figure out how to unlock all the books in the library....  If someone know how please reply to this post...   This product is amazing.... 

Does my daughter (4) enjoy it? yes.  Is it worth the money on subscription or on the $80 "membership"? No, and the box is definitely misleading.  You should get the full game! when you make the purchase and then have the option to purchase additional age level games on line.

I intend to post a complaint at Yelp!, Pissed off consumer, and Angies List about the misleading box. 

When you think that you actually just paid over $100 for a $35 game you'll likely do the same.

Again, it isn't about the enjoyment of the game.  It is about the misleading packaging.  

I think the amount of content this game offers, the ability to not only play the game you bought, but also any of the other Virtual world games is well worth becoming a member. Before, if you bought a kindergarten game and it was either too easy, or too hard, you were pretty much stuck with it. The stores wouldn't take it back, or after you finished it, what you had to do was go buy another game.

We have eliminated that need, up to 2nd grade at least ,with grades 3-5 coming later in the year.

But as always, I am here to make sure everyone is happy. If you will email me directly your concerns, and the email address you used to make the account I will give you a free month on the account to give it a test ride. I will even go one step further, if at the end of that month you think $7.99 is still a rip off, send it back and I will wave the 30 day policy and still refund your money.  Let's see any other online game do that. I know of no other game where you can even install it again if you mess up, or it crashes that doesn't make you jump through loops, let alone allow you to reinstall.  We don't even limit you to one install, you can install these game multiple times, have multiple players, on different machines, all for the same price.

Email me direct at mike.bowman@adventure.com

Someone made a really stupid decision to not be up front about EXACTLY what is involved with this game.  Aside from the subscription being required to keep playing the game, the amount of content you get up front is pathetic for the price.

I'm a grandma now and used to use JumpStart and Blaster games for my kids. There was so much content in there the kids played forever and we got our money's worth. Now, as a grandma I figure I'd buy software for my grandkids and boy was I unhappy when I saw the limited content and highway robbery of getting more.

I think the executives need to address their plan here. If the plan is to be online only with a monthly fee then fine but ADVERTISE IT EXACTLY THE WAY IT IS.  When parents and grandparents see a box in a store and it is implied to be a CD game - then that's what it should be.

Pathetic and a major disappointment. What a waste of time and money. JumpStart should be embarassed of this tactic.

We wanted a game that could grow with the kids, and offer more content at a reasonable price tag, $7.99 a month.  For that price you get access to all of the units on the original purchase, plus the ability to download a play any of the other 3 virtual worlds, as well as access to all of the units on our beta games and jumpstart.com.

There was no way we could keep putting out CD games, as the stores already limit “educational software” store shelf space.  We are also about to release our next large expansion.  K-2.

But as always, if you are unhappy with your purchase you can always ask for a refund. The instructions on on the top of the box.  Or if you would like, I will give your account a free month to anyone who feels misled or ripped off.  Email me directly mike.bowman@adventure.com  and make sure to include the email address that you created the account under.

We understand not everything we do is going to fit into every household. That is why there is always a 30 Day money back guarantee.

 I do however wish the toddler game was available as i have 2 kids 1 being a toddler

Have you played Story land yet?  Many of the activities might be OK for your youngster. You can also sit with them and help them along until they can do it themselves.

Please feel free to return it for a full refund.  We have listened to our customers and will have new packaging hitting the stores soon. For over 20 years we did things one way and the World titles were a brand new direction for us too. We know we stumbled along the way but are making strides to correct that.   I will say this too, check around and see if there is any other online subscription based title that will offer a full refund, I don't think you are going to find many.  We will always stand behind our products.

When you say the game didn't update, can you send me your email address?  Don't post it here but send it to me at www.jumpstart.com with the email you used to install to.  If you bought the membership and the game didn't update, when you click on the ? what does it say?  If it says to become a member, you have two accounts.

Send to

mike.bowman@adventure.com

I have answered these types of questions throughout this board. If you are unhappy, send it back for a refund.

If you are unhappy, send it back to me directly with a note and a copy of the receipt, I will still refund your money.

Knowledge Adventure

2377 Crenshaw Blvd. #302

Torrance, CA 90501

Attn. Mike Bowman

I want you to be a happy member of the Jumpstart family and I guess this title didn't fit your needs.

There are many options for those who don't have internet access.  I have non internet versions of the programs K-2 I can trade you for.  I also have Jumpstart Advanced titles that have non internet required CDs.  I do know some of the JSA titles on the marked are missing the original fundamentals CD, but I can also trade those out.

On the Virtual world boxes, we state on the inside front cover that virtual world titles are basically membership based.  In the CD you get more content than we released in any of our previous games, we just designed a way for those games to continue to grow, instead of sending you back to the store for more and more CD purchases.

As always, I am here to help.  You can write me directly at mike.bowman@adventure.com and explain your situation and what you would like me to do, and I will do my best to keep you as a customer.

Mike Bowman

Manager of Customer service.

I have two solutions. One is you can return it to us for a refund. Instructions are on top of the box for that.  Or you can email me and I can give you a free month to try out the subscription.  I have explained the subscription elsewhere on this site.

If you want to try it out, email me directly at mike.bowman@adventure.com.

I am very disappointed

This is nothing more than a promotional sample that you are charged for. It is not a full game without subscription, and the wording is so little on the package it is very deceptive.

I will be seeking a refund and apologizing to my daughter. For this I will also be notifying the Better Business Bureau, as well as use social networks to get the word out about this scam.

When AOL started out, they mailed out promotional CDs for free, so people could try their service. This is what Jump Start should be doing. Instead their sales practice is misleading by charging consumers and then hooking them for a further purchases. This is just wrong and ultimately the kids pay the price.

Jump Start is scamming many people who won't seek a refund for the inconvience, especially after having to tell an upset child their game goes no further. This is not a company I will deal with again and it's a pity because it does seem they have a lot to offer, but it's unjustifiable to give them my business when "baited and hooked" in such a way.

I myself have a few online game memberships and would consider doing it for my daughter. Perhaps if we had come across the site prior to this scam we would of signed up, but again just knowing the company "takes" people in such a way is enough to look elsewhere.