There is a lot happening in the kid-friendly world of Wizard101. The game celebrated its two-year anniversary earlier this month, and a new in-game quest featuring singer and actress Selena Gomez just launched today to promote her new album and pave the way for the release of the game's upcoming Celestia world. We decided to reach out to KingsIsle Entertainment for an update on all of these milestones, and Vice President of Marketing Fred Howard answered the call.

Howard talked with us about all sorts of things, from what it was like working with the star of Disney's "Wizards of Waverly Place" (see why her cameo in the game is a good fit?) to all of the new content that's coming with the launch of the new Celestia world. The update will include an increased level cap, introduce a brand new story arc, and allow players to swim for the first time.

Howard also tells us what additions we can expect to see in the future for Wizard101. Keep reading for all the details!

Happy two year Anniversary, Wizard101! September 2nd marks this momentous occasion for this children-friendly MMORPG, and the accolades could not be better deserved. Smashing the 10-million player mark in June, Wizard101 is also planning to release a brand new world, Celestia, which will be the game's largest and most ambitious expansion to date. In Celestia, players will be able to progress to the new level cap of 60, as well as discovering new spells and long-forgotten magic. To promote the launch of their new expansion, KingIsle is planning to launch a quest featuring "one of the hottest teen icons on the planet" (oh dear). As Elie Akilian, chairman and CEO of KingIsle Entertainment says, "the success we've seen, while extraordinary, is just the beginning."

We look forward to hearing great things from you, KingsIsle Entertainment and Wizard101! Here's to another successful year!

The little wizarding game that could seems to have grown up. Wizard101 announced today that they've reached 10 million registered users (wow!), and they're celebrating by giving away free celebration items. To collect your celebration package enter the code PARTYPACK at wizard101.com/promo.

Let's put this into perspective. World of Warcraft reported they reached 11.5 million monthly subscriptions in 2008, 4 years after release. Wizard101 was released on September 2nd, 2008, which means they'll probably reach the same numbers in half the time. Crazy. And, yes, it probably has something to do with the fact that Wizard101 is free-to-play, but still those numbers are huge.

Wizard101 is finally unwrapping their advanced pet system, and if you're a level 7, you can go in and try it out for yourself. And these aren't just little dogs and cats that follow you around. We're talking about unicorns, spiders and dragons that you can use in battle, race in a derby or play minigames with. As you spend time feeding them, crafting treats for them and making them stronger, they in turn make you stronger. They even cast their own spells.

The most exciting element of the advanced pet system may be the Hatchery, where you can combine pets to create and hatch eggs for entirely new pets. Once you have your pets, you can choose to set them free to roam around your castle. See you don't have to wait to beome a weird Las Vegas magician to own a white tiger for your house.

The advanced pet system free expansion is the first of two expansions currently announced, the second of which is the underwater world of Celestia, coming this summer. Learn more about the Advanced Pet System here.

Wizard101 is running a promotion till Sunday where you can buy an entire year of Wizard101 for 60 dollars. That's five bucks a month for arguably one of the best MMOs on the market and half off what you would usually have to pay for a year. It's a continually updated, charming, wizard school MMO, with expansions coming like this summer's new underwater, Atlantis-like world of Celestia.

Put down that copy of Iron Man 2 the game and spend that money on Wizard101. It really is one of the best out there. Go here to find out more about the promotion.

Wizard101 is an MMO that has great characters. In a genre that eschews character development for RPG progress and loot, Wizard101 charms you with its vibrant cast of school teachers and wizards.

With that background, it's easy for us to say that we're excited for Wizard101's expansion that opens up the new Atlantis-inspired area of Celestia. And what better way to start teasing the summer's expansion than through the colorful new characters your young wizard will meet.

So far revealed are two crab characters, only one of which, however, looks crabby. The background of the picture is also interesting, as it reveals what maybe a Celestia underwater environment. Check out Wizard 101's Facebook page for more reveals in the coming days.

It looks like KingsIsle Entertainment is sitting down to a game of Magic: the Gathering with a couple characters from their game, Wizard101. KingsIsle often portrays their offices as being filled with magical characters. This is a lunch break we'd like to take. And after we get off of work, we'd like to go see the new Super Mario Bros. anime...

Come on, don't tell me you didn't geek out a little when you saw this. If any Hollywood production studio is wondering if this should be made, let us help you decide. YES.

Kings Isle Entertainment has announced that two huge new updates are coming to Wizard101 this spring and summer. The spring update is the Advanced Pet system, which lets wizards hatch and raise their very own customizable pets and the late summer update is the new Atlantis-inspired underwater world of Celestia and also raises the level cap.

KingsIsle Entertainment recently released its first iPhone application, WizardBlox, and it gives Wizard101 players the opportunity to win in-game items even if they can't be near their computer. The free app is based on the Sorcery Stones mini-game and is sure to appeal to fans of Bejeweled and other puzzle games.

"WizardBlox for iPhone provides Wizard101 fans with a way to stay connected with the game world when they are on the go," said Todd Coleman, creative director of KingsIsle Entertainment. "It's a fun way to spend a few minutes that now provides players an opportunity to earn unique items in Wizard101."

Back in December, KingsIsle Entertainment sold special Meowmodon mounts in Wizard101 for approximately $15 each to support the Child's Play and the Austin Children's Shelter charities. The company just announced today it raised $126,000 through the event, and the money will be evenly distributed between both organizations.

All of the proceeds from the mount sales are going to the charities, which means approximately 8,400 Meowmodons were purchased by Wizard101 players. That high number certainly demonstrates a great turnout from the community of this family friendly MMO. You can read more about the fundraiser after the jump.