The number of apps for the iPhone/iPod Touch is nearing the 30,000 mark but hardly any application takes advantage of the network effects that lie within the Apple ecosystem. Most developers simply ignore the fact that all iPhones and iPod Touches are interconnected globally and roll out stand-alone applications. This is one of the major reasons why the vast majority of fun apps lack stickiness and are easily forgotten after a few quick bursts.
But a Tokyo-based start-up called Genkii is building a unique app that has the potential to not only let a few iPhone users connect with each other, but thousands of them – at the same time or asynchronously. Sparkle is poised to become the first virtual world for the iPhone. What’s more, it’s being developed completely from scratch, exclusively as an MMO for the iPhone/iPod Touch.
The first iteration of Sparkle, a text communication app called Sparkle IM, actually went on sale yesterday (App Store link) and costs $4.99. Sparkle IM basically brings Second Life communication to your iPhone, connecting you to Second Life (and OpenSim) grids. Users can send and receive IMs, chat, send teleport requests etc. on the go through their Second Life and OpenSim accounts.
This video shows how Sparkle IM works:
But for the average iPhone user, Sparkle 3D will be much more interesting. Once finalized, Genkii says users will get a full-fledged virtual world in 3D (the company has a track record in virtual worlds development). Sparkle 3D will have its own economy, customizable personal spaces and avatars, social networking functions, virtual goods, games, streaming audio support, etc.
Have a look at some early Sparkle 3D screens and avatar designs below.
CEO Ken Brady says the company is looking at ways to integrate Sparkle 3D with other significant platforms such as PlayStation Home and plans to support these platforms in the near future. This means that users from fixed-web virtual worlds and MMORPGS can connect with Sparkle 3D users without having to own an iPhone or iPod Touch. The app will also be available in a number of languages right from the start.
Another obvious option to expand the virtual world is to make Sparkle 3D available for browser clients, Android phones or video game machines like Nintendo’s Wii. Brady says this would be an important step in growing Sparkle and a viable option due to the way the technology is built, but right now, the focus is on developing a virtual world for the estimated 40 million iPhone and iPod Touch owners out there.
The viral potential for a mobile virtual world optimized for the Apple ecosystem could be as big as the potential for continuous monetization: sales of avatar accessories, virtual apartments (utilizing iPhone 3.0’s new subscription option), sales of in-game items, music downloads, branded spaces and conventional ads come to mind.
Currently, Genkii is completely self-funded and has been bootstrapping for over a year. The company is now actively seeking angel investment to accelerate development of Sparkle 3D. We will stay tuned.
I was wondering when we’d see an MMO for the iPhone. It would be so cool, if I could walk into a new location with my iPhone load it up and see all the people around me in the game. Would be a great way to meet people that are sitting around you (like in an airport).
Stupid game. When they will stop pushing ugly manga/anime into every possible gadget…
I think for this- its more to do with system requirements than anything else. They want something that looks good and runs good. hince: the cartoon graphics. (yep. not ‘anime’ or ‘manga’)
Not that I am a fan of SL, but this is promising stuff! cool!
-JP
http://hopedwor...os.blogspot.com
Serkan,
Thanks for a great heads up piece on an interesting mobile app company coming out of Japan. Two things I was wondering about. First, Is there any track record for Genkii in the Japanese market? In other words, are they selling into the US market first? If so, why? If not, I’d like to know a little more about how they’ve done in their domestic Japanese market. Second, do they have any obvious competitors, Japanese or otherwise?
Thanks,
Jesse
Jesse Casman
San Francisco, CA
Jesse,
Thanks for your comment.
Regarding your questions:
1)
They are a Tokyo-based company, but 3 of the 4 core members of the team are Americans and they specialize in virtual worlds. So my guess is they will go global from the start, which would make a lot of sense.
2)
There are no competitors for Sparkle 3D I know of worldwide. This will be the first virtual world on the iPhone.
Great to see you blogging more, Serkan!
I’m curious what the battery life impact is with an app like this. When browsing a virtual world in 3D, you’re using immense amounts of Data and processing power. It’s like playing Sim City on the iPhone but now the network utilization is through the roof. Double Whammy.
Regardless, this is a world-changing that will change the landscape of interaction forever. Excellent development and one I will definitely ‘buy in to’!
That is perfect!
This is pretty sweet! I think you will start to see some really elaborate apps coming out with the new ability to charge subscriptions. For one, you can create chapters that will be made available as a pay as you go reoccurring monthly add on. The best app devs will follow the money.
There was no video shows NOTHING working in the iphone.
Just screenshots that look cut and pasted into an iPhone above (i.e. mockups).
Where’s the real software???
Does it use an existing engine? (i.e. unity)
Is there a ship date?
This is not a first, and its not really news if there is no software.
Fantastic new application that will help to open the path for 3D virtual worlds in a better way. There is indeed a huge amount of people using the Iphone so there is a huge market out there for this type of innovative applications. Curious to see how it all renders and good to see it will not be 2.5D like many apps that exist today and call themselves virtual worlds.
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the only thing i need on the iphone is lux dlx
I really think that this app will be real famous and it will stay for a long time because it is a great form of IM. I really want to buy an iphone after reading this.
Mohammad Afaq
Free Website Traffic
Whoaw! Almost 30,000 iPhone apps, that’s great! As years go by, that would probably reach hundreds of thousands.
Cool… and definitely going to be more MMORPGs. But I’ve got to agree with Adam above about battery life.
The iPhone’s battery life is nothing short of atrocious. Users will only really be able to play when they’re plugged in. Apps like this will not be truly mobile until there’s better battery life.
Why aren’t dating apps allowed on the iphone?
i don’t know that they aren’t allowed. maybe match.com is just waiting for the right software to be produced. we might see something from them in the coming 3.0
WoW on iPhone will be better than stupid anime/manga.
I’m so happy for Ken Brady and his team in Tokyo.
For those who don’t believe before they see it, wait a little and you’ll discover the marvelous app (well, I’m, for one, not into virtual worlds, but this is one gateway for SNS monetization).
Woldme the English site and VVdragon the Chinese site are already about to release their 3D world to the iphone within the next couple of months
Great stuff Ken and Adam, hope this goes a long way for you and the rest of the team.
Looks too much like a IMVU kind of virtual world, which im not a fan of. I’d love to see an actual ‘MMORPG’ rather than just a virtual world.
iphone is my dream =]
This seems unnecessary but humiliatingly addictive. Bringing the Second Life idea to the palm of your hand wherever you are will make wasting time while waiting for someone fun, and even pleasurable. You could develop relationships with people, and even make a virtual date before a reality based date.
Connecting people through this network will bring iPhone users together and perhaps spark(le) a relationship between unknowns! I can’t wait for it to take over my life…
This one is really nice.I can’t wait to see the progress of Iphone
OMG What ever you do do not give up on this project this is awesome!!!
I know you will make lots of money with this game.
The Sims suck because YOU CANT INTERACT WITH ANYONE ONLY DO MISSIONS IS JUST A GAME, but THIS IS SOMETHING DIFFERENT.
still waiting for this to come out
What’s this man?? Is admin looking at these comments..I saw this 2 times in a row today..
http://www.smartbloggerz.com
If that is stealth, then you are not a douche.