Virtual gifts have been fairly popular on social networks like Facebook, which offers a library of hundreds of gifts, most of which sell for a dollar (a few of them are free). But these gifts are generally all tied to the network they were purchased on, which means you can’t display the same giftbox in a different social network or on your blog. Viximo, a startup that offers websites a turn-key solution for virtual goods and gifts, has released a consumer facing site called Giftd that allows users to create virtual giftboxes that can be embedded nearly anywhere on the web.
The site offers a store filled with digital gifts, many of which feature full animation, sound effects, and some degree of user-interaction (for example, clicking on the six pack of beer will let you ‘gulp’ down drinks). Gifts are purchased with Giftd credits, which run around $3 for 15 credits, with most gifts costing between 2-5 credits.
Gifts are displayed in embeddable Flash widgets, which can be placed in most blogs, homepages (like iGoogle and Netvibes), and social networks including MySpace and Multiply. The big exception: Facebook, because it doesn’t allow for embedded Flash.
So will Giftd catch on? The concept of a transportable virtual giftbox isn’t a new one – other startups have developed similar offerings. The real differentiation is in the content, which is where Giftd may excel – its gifts have high production values, which can be attributed to Viximo’s growing community of artists. But even with the high-quality icons, Giftd will still have a hard time competing with the native gift stores that are increasingly common on social networks (Hi5 just launched one, and MySpace has one in the works).
Let me be the first to say… why? ok, i buy the virtual gift economy, since numbers don’t lie, but i don’t see this. but they’ll probably make money hand over virtual fist, and be able to buy themselves a vowel. I suggest an “e”
These types of things make me feel really old……when I buy something I like to actually get something that I can use in return……
Buying virtual items in things like video games makes sense to me, but this just seems like you are paying money to buy a gif. I just don’t understand who would pay money for this stuff. I guess maybe… No. Sorry, it just doesn’t make sense.
Also viximo’s logo looks exactly like vimeo’s logo.
I played around on viximo’s website and found that you can become a contributor. While I might not be they type of person who buys virtual gifts on social networks, I do think it is pretty rad you can draw the gifts and make a % off them. I get an istockphoto vibe from the site which is a good thing, the community there is strong.
lamest idea of the week award! seriously.. i have never bought a virtual “picture” or “animation”… theres NO use for it. you can send FREE greeting cards and YES there are free gifting applications out there (ie. facebook – free gifts, hatching eggs etc). it makes a BIT more sense in games.. as people spend a lot of time playing them and grow an emotional connection.. but why this makes ANY sense is beyond my understanding. this won’t weather the economic storm..
their icons/animations ARE cute.
Although I’m a bit hesitant, but I think the younger generation of Internet users have more appreciation for these types of services online. As relationship for them, a growing number of it, gets formed online.
PLANNED PARENTHOOD COVERS UP the rape of a 13 year old by a 31 year old? UNREAL! they are a NON-PROFIT!! http://www.yout...h?v=EinILQ4hDP0
please go bang your head on the wall till it bleeds thanks you
happen new year!!!
I’ve just sent a virtual gift to myself. That makes twice as much sense!
I think this is the greatest idea! My younger cousins, kids I know in their teenage years eat this stuff up! Do you all not see how effective this will be in the younger generation….teenagers literally do NOT leave their computer, like to have the coolest things on their profile pages, etc…it’s not like it’s THAT expensive or anything. At .25 -.50 a pop, it’s pennies to everyone…great idea! I think I’ll send some for Christmas.
i guess you don’t know your family well then..
also – teenagers DONT have money OR a credit card … uh OH
This is COOOOOL!!!!
This would only work if the gifts cost 5 cents.
Don’t gifts cost 1 dollar on Facebook? I’m pretty sure it’s working there.
somehow it is… working – i told my friends mom to stop buying me gifts. o just to let you know.. everyone gets to send ONE free gift + some gifts are free. which are most of the gifts i get.. others are just NOT worth it
Wow, that header graffic on giftd.com is jarring. I need some aspirin……
My first reaction was pretty similar to “Wow what a stupid idea.” But people do buy other people flowers, which have a very limited life and no-utility other than the aesthetic. I guess it’s not so weird afterall.
Hell, DeBeers has a made fairly common rock highly valuable and a sign of “love”. The key is ensuring scarcity through market cornering. Why can’t a GIF become the same thing?
This is the most asinine concept I’ve ever heard of. And if the “younger generation” thinks this is cool, then we’ve failed them. Why on earth would you pay REAL MONEY for FAKE GIFTS? Stop wasting your money!!!
Yeah, I agree that this is a bad idea. I mean, why would you ever spend time or money on “gifs” just to pimp your profile? Teenagers just won’t pay for cool stuff that makes them look good.
Here’s an idea for you: Since it’s the holiday season, why don’t you close your eyes… do you see it now?
I’m not sure why the older generation has such a tough time understanding the virtual gifting phenomenon. The parallel is trading cards. You don’t own the player, you own a dinky piece of paper that is a representation of the player. Think Pokémon, garbage pale kids, baseball cards and all the other “get them all” type mentality objects. The value to the user comes from the fun of social interaction, the status of having something others don’t, and the hunt for something scarce. Combine these time-tested desires with the social graph, where people can trade, buy and show off these items with their friends, and you have a very interesting new market.
Nothing makes me happier than reading comments about virtual gifts being a waste of money. I am glad I am not the only person who just does not get why people would pay to send a virtual gift. I understand the human need to give and get gifts, but a virtual gift does nothing for me personally.
I wish someone would make it possible to send out a real-world gift through social media—oh wait, we did;) it’s called gimmeo and will be available on social media sites in early 2009.
I am sure gimmeo and other real-world gifting won’t replace virtual gifting. Whether you get it or not, people are spending money for virtual gifts. They are cheap (if you think spending a real buck on an imaginary item cheap), and cheap is easy. If it makes the recipient happy I guess it is money well spent. But please don’t send me one.
Virtual gifts are fine and dandy, but when I want a real gift, I sent my friends to my tlish.com list.