IMVU
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| Developer(s) | IMVU |
|---|---|
| Preview release | Βeta
/ continuously updating |
| Operating system | Microsoft Windows, Macintosh(Testing) |
| Type | Instant messaging client |
| License | Freeware |
| Website | http://www.imvu.com/ |
IMVU (Instant Messaging Virtual Universe) is a 11+ 3D graphical instant messaging client developed by IMVU Inc. It hosts over 90.174 million registered users, and six million unique monthly visitors. It is in public beta, and has been available since April 2, 2004. IMVU was founded by Will Harvey, a video game developer and founder of There and is now run by CEO Cary Rosenzweig, who took the position in November 2007. It is estimated that IMVU currently generates approximately $2 million in revenue per month, 90% of which comes directly from the sale of virtual goods.[1]
Membership
Basic IMVU access is free however users may choose to buy gift cards in order to obtain virtual credits. Free memberships allow users to register a "Guest_" avatar name, make use of the chat service, purchase virtual content and create a personal homepage. Paying for membership, which removes "Guest_" from the avatar name and removes non-IMVU advertising, enables additional options such as becoming a content creator and access to additional Forum sections. However, some features require further payment such as access to adult material.
Content creation program
A primary focus of IMVU is the member-developed content; consequently, IMVU actively encourages the members to participate in content creation. Members are able to create and sell virtual products. Developers have access to the IMVU software IMVU Previewer used in creating and submitting new virtual products, and can sell their products by listing them in the online IMVU product catalog. A member must buy his or her name and possess enough credits for "derivation" and submission fees in order to become a content creator. IMVU uses its own proprietary Cal3D format consisted of .xcf (eXperimental Computing Facility) subformats.[2]
Economy
IMVU contains its own economy with a currency system based on IMVU "credits" and "promotional credits." A third form of currency also exists for members who sell custom made items - "developer tokens," which are earned when a user purchases an item with "promo credits." Credits can be purchased online using actual currency either directly from IMVU or from third party resellers. Credits may also be purchased on IMVU gift cards available from retail outlets such as department stores. Credits may not be transferred back to IMVU for actual currency but can be sold to registered resellers[3] who will purchase them for real world currency. The credits are used by members to purchase virtual items like fashion pieces (hair, clothes, skins, and accessories), pets, and 3D scenes.
Promotional credits, abbreviated to "promo-credits" or "predits" are a second form of currency that is distributed to members by IMVU. With relation to a standard free or full member, promo-credits are similar to standard credits. A given number of credits equates to the same number of promo-credits. However, promo-credits cannot be used to purchase items as gifts for other members, and may not be traded back to an IMVU reseller for actual currency. Furthermore promo-credits cheat developers out of income by netting only a single developer token per purchase when used regardless of the price of the product purchased.
IMVU allows full members to participate in a 'Content Creator Program', which offers participants software utilities for creating custom, virtual, in-client items. They may then sell their items by listing them in an online product catalog. Content creators earn credits when their items are sold and are allowed to resell the credits they earn, though they cannot be resold to IMVU itself. Developer tokens only appear in the instance that a member pays a developer for a custom item, using promo-credits instead of standard credits. Once received by the content creator, promo-credits automatically translate into developer tokens. One developer token is technically worth ten credits, however, developer tokens may only be spent on developer related fees, such as the initial cost that must be paid when putting an item on sale or to buy advertising called a "Shout Out," which buys the purchaser a certain number of placements in the scrolling ads that appears on the top of all IMVU pages.[4]
Community
Many IMVU users are content creators, creating and selling products in the IMVU catalog. Users also devote time to customizing their individual homepages, setting up public and private rooms, and creating and participating in user Groups (similar to forums but personalized via the owner). Additionally, there are numerous user produced third-party websites providing additional forums and resources to the IMVU community.
IMVU Music Store
In Autumn 2008, IMVU launched the IMVU Music Store, which sells music for streaming within IMVU users' public and private rooms as well as in mp3 format. The store includes music from both major and independent labels and is based on the library of music provided by digital music site GroupieTunes.
Development Process
IMVU is known as one of the leading practitioners of the Lean Startup approach, releasing code upwards of 50 times per day. They credit their customer base for their ability to respond so rapidly to customer feedback.[5]
See also
- Comparison of instant messaging clients
- List of social networking websites
- Augmented Reality teleconferencing
- Second Life
- Zwinky
- Twinity
References
- ^ http://www.virtualworldsnews.com/2009/04/imvu-making-at-least-17m-montly-with-usermade-virtual-goods.html
- ^ Export Time
- ^ Registered Resellers Directory
- ^ What are Developer Tokens
- ^ Cameron, Chris (2010-01-13). "Built for Speed: Turn Your Startup Into a Lean, Mean Iterating Machine". Read Write Web. Retrieved 2010-09-06.