In this paper we analyze the main areas of research into educational videogames and in the evolution of the technologies and design methodologies that are making these interactive systems increasingly natural, immersive and social. We present the design and development of a prototype for a collaborative educational videogame based on a Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game (MMORPG) engine for use in various educational contexts in (a) university education and (b) secondary education. (Contains 2 figures and 1 table.)