As the weather heats up in the coming months, so does the action in KingsIsle’s free-to-play MMO, “Wizard 101,” as two new expansions were announced today offering up a new pet system and an entirely new world.

Arriving in April will be a new advanced pet system, allowing players to hatch customized pets from millions of possibilities, raise, train, level, race them and even use them as allies in duels.

The Hatchery

Then in “late summer,” the underwater world of Celestia will make its way to the game, furthering its reach and scope. With it comes a raised level cap (from 50 to 60), all new quests, and three additional secondary schools of magic. Interestingly, gamers can embark on quests in June to seek out clues concerning Celestia and its secrets.

Celestia

"2010 is shaping up to be an incredible year for the students of Ravenwood School of Magic," said J. Todd Coleman, Vice President and Creative Director for KingsIsle Entertainment.  "Whether exploring the underwater kingdom of Celestia, or hatching and training pets to participate in the Pet Derby, every player–from the newest apprentice to the returning grandmaster–will find something compelling, engaging and fun."

Try your hand at Wizard101 today by visiting its site, right over here.

Rarely does an opportunity present itself where one can game for the greater good, but KingsIsle Entertainment, makers of the MMO Wizard 101, kicked off an in-game charity fundraiser last month and today reported it raised $126,000.

The money, raised by users purchasing Meowmodon, an in-game mount valued at $15, went to the Austin Children’s Shelter, which provides emergency shelter for abused and neglected children and Child’s Play, a charity which provides toys and games to children in hospitals.

"Wizard101 fans have shown that there truly is strength in numbers," said Elie Akilian, CEO of KingsIsle Entertainment. "We were thrilled to see the Wizard101 community band together to benefit these two great organizations."

Good job Wizard 101 fans! This truly noble deed will enhance the lives of many and should leave you with a spring in your step for the good you’ve done!

KingsIsle Entertainment, makers of free-to-play MMO Wizard 101, today announced a unique partnership with Child’s Play and a Children’s Center that’ll donate 100% of profits from a new in-game microtransaction to the worthy causes.

From December 14, 2009 to January 5, 2010 those who purchase the new mount Meowmodon for 7,500 Crowns/$15, will see every penny of that investment go to Austin’s Children’s Center, which provides emergency shelter and care for abused and neglected children as well as Child’s Play, a charity dedicated to providing games and toys to children in hospitals worldwide. Proceeds will be split evenly between the two organizations.

"We have an opportunity to give back by tapping into the power of our Wizard101 community — our 5 million players can make a real difference to deserving children," said Elie Akilian, CEO of KingsIsle Entertainment. "We chose these organizations because we wanted to support the communities that we are a part of — one located in the same city as our design studio and another with global reach, just like Wizard101."

Meowmodon, the mount itself, resembles that of a black and white Tiger and will offer a 30% increase in speed, which is always nice.

Wizard 101, the free-to-play, pay to enjoy further MMO, is primed and ready to grow larger this December with the addition of purchasable houses.

Based on the seven schools of magic, life, death, fire, ice, myth, storm and balance, and decorated appropriately, these homes will be available in-game sometime in mid-December.

Gamers can purchase their favorite school house for 10,000 Crowns or 100,000 in-game Gold, meaning that if you don’t want to fork over $20, the equivalent of 10,000 Crowns, you can still snag the item, you’ll just have to work harder for your reward.

No word on exactly when the update will come to all realms, as today they’re only available in the test realm, but as always, when we know, you’ll be next to hear!

Take a look at the gallery to see the precious new locales. Click each image to embiggen.

Wizard 101 celebrates Veteran’s Day with a gift for veterans. From November 2 to November 12, the free online game is offering military personnel a special in-game item as a thank you for their patriotic duty. So if you’re a member of the military, sign up to get the “Sword of Valor.”

Mounts are coming to the free-to-play MMO Wizard 101, KingsIsle today announced, giving frequenters of the digital space and would-be wizards reason to trek to the digital expanses of the game.

The new content, due out this month, includes horses, dragons, flying brooms and cats as ridable mounts that, as you know, increase a player’s rate of travel through the environment.

With the new update, players can rent or purchase a mount. Those choosing to rent can do so for one to seven days. The latter affords the player a 40% boost in a speed, while the one-day rental only affords a 20% jolt. And if you decide to make the jump to your first mount-purchase, you’ll get to keep the mount forever and always and earn a 40% boost in speed for the entirety.

Anyone who’s ever played an MMO knows and appreciates the value of a high-level mount, so, depending on the purchase price of the mount, which was not disclosed, it may be very worth it to invest.

More details on mounts, pricing, and the lot are forthcoming. Stick with us.

For now enjoy these screens of mounts in action! Click to make super huge awesome big.