Gaia Online, an online world and social network aimed at teens, has raised $11 million in a Series C funding round led by Institutional Venture Partners. Since our Virtual World Roundup last summer, the site has seen impressive growth, with a reported 5 million unique users monthly.
Gaia Online is a self-described “teen hangout” that mixes elements of an avatar-based virtual world with mini-games, a social network, and a community forum. Members are rewarded for participating on each component of the site with an online currency (Gaia Gold) that can be used to purchase in-game virtual goods. Much of the site’s traffic comes from its forum, which ranks among the most active on the internet.
Gaia will likely use the funding to continue development on its MMO (massively multiplayer online game), that it plans to release this summer. The MMO will offer users a chance to interact in a persistent world (similar to World of Warcraft) rather than its existing temporary rooms. Other competitors in this space include Habbo Hotel and Club Penguin.
There is a new site that goes online soon that combines online virtual world with social networking and online tutoring http://www.woldme.com check it out it is pretty cool i heard they are launching in the US and China in October
With the opensource Wonderland (SUN), Opensim, and the Cobalt Metaverse (Duke) virtual world projects making huge developmental gains these closed source virtual worlds will have a LONG road to haul here in a year or so.
With the opensource Wonderland (SUN), Opensim, and the Cobalt Metaverse (Duke) virtual world projects making huge developmental gains these closed source virtual worlds will have a LONG road to haul here in a year or so.
they seem to prepare huge development… are they trying to compete with facebook lol
brian
http://www.themostpowerfulcompany.com
Wow, thats a great news, coz I’ve been playing Gaia Online. I will be looking up to it.
Another candidate for worst name ever.
I realize it’s pronounced “Gai-uh” but how many teens do? And how many teens are going to spread the word about it? “Hey I’m going to go play gai online! Join me.” - no I don’t think so…
@robert - you realize that Gaia Online doesn’t really have to build an audience? It’s already probably the largest online RPG community around. And the people using it know how to pronounce it.
I don’t know why there aren’t more and more companies going after virtual marketing. It looks like a very effective way to profit from this industry and users are normally receptive inside this virtual worlds.
Gooooooo Gaia!
I have never been a big fan of these virtual world because it might make you loos the sense of reality. It is a good thing that they raised so much money. Great work!!!!!
Hmmm…upon reading this news, I am now thinking of quitting my World of Warcraft adventure and shift to Gaia Online. It will be more fun there. Let’s see.