Social networking sites seem to be all the rage these days and, with the increasing number of sites to choose from, developers are having to be innovative, creative, and down-right brave to attract users. In 2004, IMVU launched its site with a so far exclusive feature that has thrown them ahead of the curve.
Boating down the virtual river courtesy of IMVU.
IMVU is a social networking site in which you are given a figure (known as an avatar) to represent you in a virtual world. You can interact with other avatars, dress your avatar to your liking, and even go on virtual dates. With over 70,000 users online at any given time, there is never a lack of someone new to meet, and with innovative new features hitting the site everyday, the virtual world remains fresh and exciting. Though in terms of keeping up with pals IMVU is no match for such sites as twitter and facebook, the interactivity and emmersive 3D world is sure to keep customers coming back for more.
With thousands of choses, the possibilities are endless. Courtesy of IMVU
One of the most interesting things about IMVU is its market for virtual products. “IMVU has succeeded because our business model gives users what they want-fresh and relevant content created by our community, for our community,” said Lee Clancy, Vice President of Product Management and General Manager of Direct Revenue at IMVU. “More than 35,000 3D developers have sold virtual goods in IMVU’s catalog in the last 30 days. These user-developers add more than 4,000 new items to the catalog every day, which enables the millions of users who visit our site each month to enjoy a highly personalized experience.” IMVU’s shopping catalog boasts an amazing three million plus virtual items all of which can be used to customize your character or your own virtual room. Whatever your style is, be it goth, prep, emo, or just plain wierd, you can find clothes and items that you’ll enjoy. Though IMVU is completely free to play (they even give you tons of ways to earn free credits), you can buy credits (virtual money) from IMVU for a rate of about one thousand credits per dollar. It’s these credits that you use to purchase the virtual goods that your character wears. IMVU also boasts a VIP feature for those who want to experience IMVU at its greatest and an Access Pass for users 18+.
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