Jump to content

IMVU

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by CyberSkull (talk | contribs) at 13:31, 8 August 2006 (dablink). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

IMVU
Developer(s)IMVU
Preview release
Βeta / constantly updating
Operating systemMicrosoft Windows
TypeInstant messaging client
Websitehttp://www.imvu.com/
For the manhwa, see I.N.V.U.

IMVU is a graphical instant messaging client (3D chat) currently in beta stage with more than 1 million users. [1] The basic IMVU client is free.

The primary focus of IMVU is the ability to use personalized 3D avatars and environments that let the user interact with the person they’re chatting with. Full 3D scenes make users feel as if they are sitting with a friend in a coffee shop, on a Ferris wheel, etc. The secondary focus of IMVU is allowing the members to develop content that can be sold to other members for use in personalizing their avatars and environments.

Developed by Will Harvey, a video game developer and founder of There, a similar 3D virtual world, IMVU members also receive a personal homepage at no cost. Coding for IMVU homepages is similar to Myspace.

Unlike similar virtual worlds, IMVU contains its own economy with a credits-currency system. Partially based upon physical, real-world money, this economy funds the IMVU project. New members are given 1000 credits to purchase additional IMVU content, but beyond this initial gift, credits must be purchased via credit card, SMS, or money order.

The credits system in operation on IMVU allows members to access virtual items like fashion pieces (hair, clothes, skins, and accessories), pets, and 3D scenes. Each of these virtual items average $0.50 and are largely created by other members.

There are many actions that can be preformed such as kissing, hugging, fighting, flirting, taunting and even dry humping

IMVU Member Benefits

As a free (guest) member of IMVU, users have full access to the instant messaging and a homepage which can be fully personalized. Specific benefits include:

  • 1,000 Credit Sign-On Bonus: As a gift for registering with IMVU, new members are given 1,000 credits that can be used towards the purchase of any virtual item currently available in the catalogue.
  • Home Page: IMVU homepages can be personalized in the same manner as MySpace homepages, but have additional user-friendly features like “Stickers”. Stickers are very inexpensive graphics that members can purchase and drag around their homepage for decoration. Menu-based options allow members to change backgrounds and color schemes, and basic html coding (css) will place images, text, and music into the homepage.
  • IMVU Instant Messenger: After registering, members are prompted to download the software application (currently 17.4MB) that allows them to contact other IMVU messenger users. The first time a user signs on to the messenger, the software leads them through a 3-minute tutorial that shows how to use the program.
  • Forums: The 3D instant messaging community provides access to a full variety of forums for help, suggestions, and general chit-chat.

Upgraded members have a few extra perks using IMVU. While the program is in beta, the membership fee is a one-time charge in paying for their name that costs $7.95 that will remain valid throughout the life of IMVU. In addition to the removal of “guest” from user’s names, full members can also:

  • Become Developers: IMVU is a member-driven community. More than 90% of the virtual items currently available in the IMVU catalogue are created by members. IMVU provides developers a previewer that allows them to create 3D clothing, hair, pets, and scenes with relative ease. Developers also have the option of re-selling the credits they earn for real-world cash.

The Gold Pass Can be bought for $9.95 and is a one time fee and it makes the IMVU members IMVU Elite IMVU users who wait and have 1,000,000 credits automatically get the Gold Pass for free.

The try it pass lets you try any clothing item, accessory, skintone, hairstyle, etc for 20 seconds to see if you like it. This pass makes shopping more fun at IMVU catalog the Try it Pass Costs $19.95

IMVU Developers

As a member-driven community, IMVU actively encourages new developers to use their service. Within IMVU, there are two levels of developer: the basic, or baby dev, and the pro dev.

Basic Developers have access to all the tools that IMVU offers to aid in creating new virtual products. Most IMVU Basic Developers strive to become a Pro Developer because they are then not required to pay submission fees (in credits) to submit their items to the IMVU catalogue, and their virtual items are featured first in the catalogue listings.

IMVU Professional Developer status is awarded to select developers who have shown “excellence in aesthetics and creativity”. It is the Pro Dev’s products that are showcased in public and trade demos, and these are the developers that are at the top of the list for potential 3rd party contracting with IMVU.

Interested 2D texture artists and 3D mesh artists should note IMVU’s guidelines for becoming a Professional Developer:

  • Developer creates aesthetically pleasing catalogue shots with high production value.
  • Developer displays their clear, recognizable brand or logo on those catalogue images.
  • Developer achieves 8000 sales in a calendar month.
  • Developer earns 800,000 credits in a calendar month.
  • Developer achieves 10,000 sales of any one product.
  • Developer is nominated by IMVU staff for excellence in aesthetics, creativity, innovation, or peer mentorship.

All developers, Basic and Pro alike, are required to follow copyright laws and to exhibit behavior that is appropriate and benefits IMVU. Verified violations will cost developers their status, and often result in total account banning.

Earning IMVU Credits

Encouraging the development' of new 3D items and the activity of members is a major goal of the IMVU project as it currently operates in beta state. To this end, there are several ways of earning free IMVU credits without spending real-world money on them.

  • New Products Page: Users who check the New Products page will receive free credits. The amount of credits varies from 1-50 in a 24 hour period per user. [2]
  • Free Spin: Operated like a slot machine, the Free Spin page can earn users 0-500 credits once in a 24 hour period. True to its gambling nature, users can take a chance by spending 75 credits to take another spin at the wheel. [3]
  • Invite Friends: Building a beta community takes work on the part of every member, and IMVU rewards that work with credits. Members can email friends and family information about IMVU and when these friends and family become members, the referring user earns 500 credits. The referring user will then earn another 500 credits after the 1st chat that the invited user has, and then again after the 5th chat.[4]
  • Becoming a Developer: Once a fully registered (non-guest) member, IMVU users can become a developer and sell products (clothing, hair, skins, pets, scenes, etc.) for IMVU credits. Pro Developers have the option to re-sell credits for real-world money. [5]

In addition to these site-supported ways of earning credits, a variety of members hold regular contests that pay out thousands of credits at a time.

IMVU Credit Resellers

Professional Developers on IMVU are given the ability to re-sell the credits they earn. This plan supports IMVU’s top developers, allowing them to continue bringing great content to users. Credit re-sellers offer IMVU credits at prices that average ½ IMVU cost. Some of the current credit re-sellers are:

  • IMVUCredits.com - The oldest third party IMVU credit site out there, IMVUCredits uses PayPal to allow payment by any major credit card as well as by eCheck. [6]
  • WaltzingMouse Credits – WaltzingMouse also offers friendly forums with lots of help and advice.[7]
  • Cassiopeian Credit Sales – Cassiopeia also offers options for purchasing avatar names and try-it-passes. This site’s credit transfers are automatic and can be purchased via PayPal, credit card, SMS, and e-check. [8]
  • Organization Inc. - Their new imvupay service allows users to buy and sell credits instantly. Membership to their secure website is free, but necessary in order to buy or sell credits. [9]

IMVU Tutorials

Most IMVU tutorials are created for new and beginning developers, but there is also a slowly growing number of tutorials for other aspects of IMVU use.

  • WaltzingMouse Tutorials – Creating textures, animations, and still accessories are addressed here. [10]
  • Mayu22 Tutorials and Templates – A new developer tutorial, color chart, and templates are available from this page. [11]
  • Keef Tutorials – A full line of well-illustrated tutorials for IMVU developers is available here. [12]
  • Lolaness Tutorials – Aimed mostly at home page modifications, there are a variety of tutorials here. [13]
  • Taunt Tutorials – Video tutorials on product submission, photoshop texturing, and item derivation. [14]

Competitors

See also

Press

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=IMVU&oldid=68397582"