Massively http://massively.joystiq.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[MV Guide: December 12-18, 2011]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/12/mv-guide-december-12-18-2011/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/12/mv-guide-december-12-18-2011/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/12/mv-guide-december-12-18-2011/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Goodbye SWG -- thanks for everything
MV Guide is a weekly rundown of the MMO gaming events planned on Massively TV.

Every week, the Massively staff logs in to play various MMOs live and in person, and we'd love for you to drop by the channel and visit. We have a combination of regular weekly games and new surprises, so you'll find a variety of titles to take a look at. During our streamed events, you can participate in the live chat, ask questions to learn about the game, and simply spend some time with Massively staff and readers. (Of course, streaming is subject to the whims of outside forces like server-side gremlins once in a while.)

You'll notice a hefty lineup, some new faces, and some special events in this week's MV Guide. Joining us will be some brand-new members of the MV TV livestream team, so make sure you stop in while they're live and give them a welcome!

Follow along after the jump to see what's on this week's schedule.

Continue reading MV Guide: December 12-18, 2011

MassivelyMV Guide: December 12-18, 2011 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 12 Dec 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-empires-onlinebiowareccpCCP-Gameschampions-onlineclone-wars-adventurescwad3dc-universe-onlinedcuodiablo-3diablo-iiieqiieve-onlineEverQuest-2everquest-iifeaturedffxivfinal-fantasy-xivgaia-onlineherotopial2lineage-2livestreamlivestreamingmv-guidemv-tvncsoftperfect-worldpocket-legendspoptropicapwesoeSony-Online-Entertainmentsquare-enixstar-legendsstar-wars-galaxiesstar-wars-the-old-republicswgswtorwhirledMon, 12 Dec 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Chris Davis of Gaia Online talks MMO marketing]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/16/chris-davis-of-gaia-online-talks-mmo-marketing/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/16/chris-davis-of-gaia-online-talks-mmo-marketing/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/16/chris-davis-of-gaia-online-talks-mmo-marketing/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

The MMO industry is an ever-changing, totally unpredictable universe of online games, from hot, massive fully-realized worlds like World of Warcraft or EVE to fun casual games like Farmville or the Agency: Covert Ops. Gaia Online takes a bit of a different approach by mixing a casual gaming and social worlds. We caught up with Chris Davis, a marketer for Gaia who handles sponsorship accounts, at E3 to discuss his game. He has his own unique take on MMOs and brand marketing, and how companies should interact with their potential customers. Chris describes why he believes mixing marketing and gaming is good for both the user and the brand.

Continue reading Chris Davis of Gaia Online talks MMO marketing

MassivelyChris Davis of Gaia Online talks MMO marketing originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 16 Jun 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisementadvertisementsadvertisingalice-in-wonderlandChris-Davise3e3-2010f2pfeaturedfree-to-playgaiagaia-onlinemmo-industrymmo-marketWed, 16 Jun 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Voice chat - zOMG!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/21/voice-chat-zomg/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/21/voice-chat-zomg/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/21/voice-chat-zomg/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Well, yes, we are happy about this, but zOMG! is the name of the MMO, not an expression of our excitement. Vivox, the company that provides voice chat in quite a few of our favorite games, has added one more to their list. They've partnered with Gaia Online to provide in game voice chat for zOMG!, their free-to-play browser based MMO.

"Gaia Online has defined the social web experience for millions of teens and young adults," said Rob Seaver, CEO of Vivox. "And voice is the ultimate social glue. By adding voice chat to zOMG!, Gaia Online proves, again, its commitment to providing a truly social experience for its players."

Vivox voice chat is live in zOMG! now for players to "gab to your heart's content using the power of your own face-hole, saving valuable keystrokes for more efficient monster bashing," according to the zOMG! monthly newsletter. True to form, zOMG! has added their own twist on it as well: players can purchase voice fonts in the storefront to give their voice a unique twist. Congratulations to Gaia Online and Vivox for their partnership!

MassivelyVoice chat - zOMG! originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 21 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f2pfree-to-playgaia-interactivegaia-onlineVivoxVivox-voiceChatvoice-chatZOMGWed, 21 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Composer Jeremy Soule on creating the music for zOMG!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/22/composer-jeremy-soule-on-creating-the-music-for-zomg/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/22/composer-jeremy-soule-on-creating-the-music-for-zomg/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/22/composer-jeremy-soule-on-creating-the-music-for-zomg/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


If you're the type of person who turns your game music off, to listen to your favorite mp3s while gaming, then this post is not for you. Anyone who has bought a game soundtrack in the last 15 years is probably aware of the name Jeremy Soule. He has worked on such mega hits as Guild Wars, Oblivion, Morrowind, Company of Heroes, KOTOR, Neverwinter Nights and many more. I guess you could say he's kinda legendary.

His latest endeavor includes music for Gaia Online's zOMG! MMO. Worlds in Motion was fortunate enough to sit down with Soule and discuss his work on this game, and his origins in the business. Since 1994, Soule has created some amazing in-game music, so working with a Flash-based MMO is something new for him. He sees it as a way for more people to hear his work, and enjoy what he creates. Check out the entire article and his official website for more on Jeremy Soule.

MassivelyComposer Jeremy Soule on creating the music for zOMG! originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 Jan 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gaia-onlinejeremy-soulemusicsoundtrackworlds-in-motionzomgThu, 22 Jan 2009 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Top industry CEOs weigh in on the cell phone MMO debate]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/09/top-industry-ceos-weigh-in-on-the-cell-phone-mmo-debate/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/09/top-industry-ceos-weigh-in-on-the-cell-phone-mmo-debate/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/09/top-industry-ceos-weigh-in-on-the-cell-phone-mmo-debate/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


After a recent Game Power Panel at this year's CES, GameCyte caught up with a few MMO big-wigs to ask the burning question: can the MMO experience extend to mobile phones? From Turbine to Gaia Online, the companies' CEOs all had differing views.

Dr. Lars Buttler of Trion World Network, and Jim Crowley of Turbine both agreed that the mobile phone is not really the place for a full-blown multiplayer experience. Although they did essentially agree with others like Brett Close of 38 Studios in the thinking that there are certainly extensions of an MMO that can be achieved through a cell. Checking the auction house, training skills or even reading quest text could all be done on-the-go. Check out the entire post over at GameCyte for some more opinions on mobile MMOs.

MassivelyTop industry CEOs weigh in on the cell phone MMO debate originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 09 Jan 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>38-studioscell-phonegaia-onlinegamecytemobiletriontrion-world-networkturbineFri, 09 Jan 2009 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Anti-Aliased: Top 5 things MMOs should learn in the new year pt. 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/02/anti-aliased-top-5-things-mmos-should-learn-in-the-new-year-pt/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/02/anti-aliased-top-5-things-mmos-should-learn-in-the-new-year-pt/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/02/anti-aliased-top-5-things-mmos-should-learn-in-the-new-year-pt/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


#2 -- Balance microtransactions with game content.

Real money trade (RMT) was big news this year. The rise of the microtransaction model was on everyone's lips. I'm not calling for a death-knell of subscription fees or anything (I like the predictability of the subscription system; I know how much I'm going to pay) but I am saying that microtransactions need to be carefully monitored.

"Just remember the first rule of actually having an avatar in an online space -- people want to look cool above everything else."
This writer's suggestion: cosmetic pieces. The item doesn't have to do something to make people love it. Take some hints from Gaia Online, Mabinogi, and City of Heroes. Their models have proven that people will pay for things -- awesome abilities or not. Just remember the first rule of actually having an avatar in an online space -- people want to look cool above everything else.

Many people may not agree with John Smedley on everything he says, but he's dead on the money with ideas like character action figures, guild calendars and pictures, and posters with your character on it and the official branding. Those items are amazing concepts, easy to produce, and a great way for an alternate revenue stream to flow into your company.

#1 -- "Kill/Quest, Level" concept is a dead horse, get on with it already!

Yes! Get on with it! This is, without a doubt, in my mind, the biggest failure of the industry today. We're following along a solved formula, and it's shooting this industry in the foot. Player needs to level, player completes quests and kills monsters, player reaches next level, player gets new abilities, player uses abilities to go complete quests and kill monsters, et cetera.

We keep asking the question, "Why don't these new games seem like they're as good?" And then we begin this in-depth analysis and begin checking every aspect of the game to find out why this feels like we've done it all before. The answer is taking a step back, looking at the model and exclaiming aloud, "Holy heck in a handwoven handkerchief, we have done this before!"

The reason we keep playing single player games is because each one has it's own twist on the core formula. Couple that with the story and personal experience, and you get a great game. Our MMO industry needs to learn this fact this year -- not next year. The quest/kill, level, quest/kill model has been done and overdone. Gameplay needs to expand past this. Even reputation grinding is nothing more than the quest/kill to level system.

"The quest/kill, level, quest/kill model has been done and overdone."
One game that has been taking off faster than a warp drive engine has been EVE Online, because it has broken from this methodology. Before you begin your complaints, yes, the grinding system is there. Doing missions to get money is the quest/kill system. What makes EVE different and attractive is that this system is not the core of the gameplay -- it is a tangent of that play. The gameplay centers around the tools offered to let users shape and mold the universe according to their wishes. Money is a requirement, but it does not only come from mining and missions; it can come from basically anything you can twist to make money. If you can dream it you can probably do it in EVE -- that's the magic. This is why EVE is simply one of the best MMOs you can wrap your hands around.

2009 has a chance to be something special. With titles like Jumpgate Evolution, Star Wars: The Old Republic, and Darkfall Online coming at us, this should be a very good year.
Colin Brennan is the weekly writer of Anti-Aliased who remembered Darkfall before the rabid comment fans ripped him apart for not mentioning it. When he's not writing here for Massively, he's over running Epic Loot For All! with his insane roommates. If you want to message him, send him an e-mail at colin.brennan AT weblogsinc DOT com.

MassivelyAnti-Aliased: Top 5 things MMOs should learn in the new year pt. 2 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 02 Jan 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anti-aliasedccpcity-of-heroescoheveeve-onlineexperiencegaia-onlinejohn-smedleylevelingmabinogimicrotransactionsnexonrmtskillssoetop5Fri, 02 Jan 2009 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Gaia Online makes modest staff cuts]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/17/gaia-online-makes-modest-staff-cuts/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/17/gaia-online-makes-modest-staff-cuts/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/17/gaia-online-makes-modest-staff-cuts/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Here's yet another news post on companies cutting back on their staff, oh boy. At least with Gaia Online it's a paltry 36 employees, 16 full-time staff and 20 contractors. That happens to be about 13% of the staff and is attributed to the less-than expected performance of zOMG!, which had around 500k players in November and just hit one million. As large as that number sounds, it's being drawn from the 11 million base of Gaia Online, so, it's all relative.

There doesn't seem to be much worrying though, as the company has said they're merely preparing for a downturn in the coming year. We get the feeling that news like this is going to keep coming over the next 12-18 months, if not a little longer. Hopefully though, it's only small cuts like this and not the sort of job loss that's starting to become expected at other well-known developers.

For those of you scratching your heads over this whole "zOMG!" game, check out Massively's first impressions for a glimpse into the beast, as they say.

MassivelyGaia Online makes modest staff cuts originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 17 Dec 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1-million11-milliongaiagaia-onlinescesoezomgWed, 17 Dec 2008 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[zOMG! beta reaches half a million players]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/16/zomg-beta-reaches-half-a-million-players/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/16/zomg-beta-reaches-half-a-million-players/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/16/zomg-beta-reaches-half-a-million-players/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Gaia Online's latest title, zOMG!, has attracted over half a million beta users, according to Worlds in Motion. This cutesy, anime-looking game was named by the players back in July of this year and has enjoyed tremendous success even this early in its life cycle.

zOMG! is a Flash-based browser game marketed primarily to children and teens. Players earn Gaia Gold by interacting with the Gaia website and can then spend said gold to customize their avatar. If you're interested in trying the beta or just looking for more information on what it's all about, check out our First Impression of zOMG!.

Gallery: First Impressions: zOMG!

First Look at zOMG!Making a characterNow, on to the MMO part of the site!Loading, loading, loadingThe subway is where you learn about zOMG!

MassivelyzOMG! beta reaches half a million players originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 16 Dec 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betabrowserbrowser-basedbrowser-gamegaiagaia-onlinezomgTue, 16 Dec 2008 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[First Impressions: zOMG!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/10/first-impressions-zomg/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/10/first-impressions-zomg/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/10/first-impressions-zomg/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


In First Impressions, Krystalle takes on a new MMORPG weekly and reports back at what the first few hours of playing it are like. Is it painful? Awesome? Are there cool mechanics? Silly quests? Find out each week as she takes an unscientific (and highly opinionated) view at a game you may not have seen. Also remember, this is not a review; simply a First Impression - as such, we always recommend you give games that seem interesting a shot and decide for yourself.

This week I head into the world of Gaia Interactive's beta MMO project, zOMG! Having never actually waded hip-deep into the Gaia community, it was certainly an enlightening experience. Some good, some bad, with a word to parents as well. Curious as to what's involved in the anime-inspired world of zOMG? Have a seat and read on, but watch out - some of the chairs bite.

Gallery: First Impressions: zOMG!

First Look at zOMG!Making a characterNow, on to the MMO part of the site!Loading, loading, loadingThe subway is where you learn about zOMG!

MassivelyFirst Impressions: zOMG! originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 10 Dec 2008 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredfirst-impressionsgaia-interactivegaia-onlinezomgWed, 10 Dec 2008 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Massively: Is this all there is?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/04/ask-massively-is-this-all-there-is/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/04/ask-massively-is-this-all-there-is/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/04/ask-massively-is-this-all-there-is/#commentsFiled under: ,

If, like me, you are seeking a break from your Wrath of the Lich King addiction, join me for another weekly installment of Ask Massively. If you are one of the two people on the Internet who play something other than World of Warcraft, feel free to look in as well. It is only a matter of time before you decide to join us in Azeroth/Outland/Northrend.

(note: Please read this with a heavy helping of tolerance for snark and sarcasm. If you think replying to this with "HEY! THERE ARE OTHER GAMES BESIDES WoW, YOU KNOW!" is a good idea, You should pay more attention.)

Our question this week comes from someone who has reached a state of profound ennui.

Dear Ask Massively,

I can't seem to find a game I want to play anymore. Call it boredom, or getting a life or even getting old... But the fact remains, I am losing interest in mmo games. It isn't that I don't want to play games, I just don't seem to get the thrill I used to from them. I think we all remember some special moment when we felt that welling up of pride, or an audible "wow" escaped our lips when we saw something that amazed us.

I don't have those feelings anymore, every game I play seems to be a copy of a copy of a copy.. The only thing that changes is the landscape and the names of the mobs..

I was hoping that you could give some suggestions as to a MMORPG that have something different to offer. Something beyond fedexing the 10 rats I just killed so I can be told to kill this guy back where I started for 80 levels.

Tharkis

Continue reading Ask Massively: Is this all there is?

MassivelyAsk Massively: Is this all there is? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 04 Dec 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>38-studiosask-massivelyeverquestfeaturedgaia-onlineultima-onlinewardog-studioswarhammer-onlineworld-of-warcraftwowThu, 04 Dec 2008 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[News From the Wider MMO World: September 16, 2008]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/16/news-from-the-wider-mmo-world-september-16-2008/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/16/news-from-the-wider-mmo-world-september-16-2008/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/16/news-from-the-wider-mmo-world-september-16-2008/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,


The MMO genre is more than World of Warcraft, Age of Conan, and Warhammer Online. Here's what's going on in the rest of the world.

World of Kung Fu opens screenshot contest
From September 15th to the 30th, VestGame Entertainment has partnered with zownder.com to create the first World of Kung Fu screenshot contest. "This contest really gives us the chance to showcase the awesome graphics and spectacular artwork that forms such an integral part of the game", says David Clarke, World of Kung Fu's North American Producer. The Grand Prize includes a permanent Xuan Wu mount and over a hundred rare items such as high level Forging Vouchers, Advanced Craftsman Charms, Sky Pearls, and much more. For more information, visit either founder's website.

Gaia Online brings Snoop Dogg and the Incredible Hulk to the virtual mall
Each month, residents of the virtual world Gaia Online have a chance to vote for their favorite real-world celebrities as part of the Celebrity Snare section of the website. As an example, the latest items to have been made available are Snoop Dogg's hairstyle, and the Hulk's torn-up purple pants. "Gaia Online is truly an extension of our users' real life interests and passions and Celebrity Snare is just another way we're enabling Gaians to customize their online persona and express themselves to the community," said Craig Sherman, CEO of Gaia Online. "The same way fans hang a poster on their bedroom wall or wear a t-shirt with their favorite band on it, we're enabling our users to establish a connection with the celebrities they admire." Further celebrities to go virtual will include Elvis Presley, Justin Timberlake, Tila Tequila, Paris Hilton, Raven Symone and Marvel's She-Hulk.

Continue reading News From the Wider MMO World: September 16, 2008

MassivelyNews From the Wider MMO World: September 16, 2008 originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 16 Sep 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aeria-gamesalbatross18bittorrentcabal-onlinedream-of-mirror-onlinedreamlords-the-reawakeningea-mythicexpansionfeaturedfiestagaia-onlinejoystiqfeaturesla-talelast-chaosnewsnews-from-the-wider-mmo-worldogplanetoutsparkrumble-fightersecret-of-the-solsticeshaiastygian-abyssultima-onlinevestgame-entertainmentworld-of-kung-fuTue, 16 Sep 2008 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Gaia Online's MMO is actually called zOMG! (and it's in beta now)]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/29/gaia-onlines-mmo-is-actually-called-zomg-and-its-in-beta-now/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/29/gaia-onlines-mmo-is-actually-called-zomg-and-its-in-beta-now/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/29/gaia-onlines-mmo-is-actually-called-zomg-and-its-in-beta-now/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

The closed beta test of Gaia Online's much-anticipated MMO has officially begun. Here's the kicker: it has a name! And that name is zOMG!. No, really. The name of the MMO is actually zOMG!. Previously, it was called Gaia Battle. That was rather generic, so this is probably a step up.

The name was chosen out of hundreds of submissions from Gaia regulars. Said Senior Producer Dave Georgeson to Wired: "it captures the spirit of our users." Those users are mostly teens. Until now, Gaia Online has simply been a casual games portal and forum community. zOMG! is an MMO built on that foundation.

If you're not familiar with Gaia Battle -- err, we mean zOMG! -- it's a browser-based game that will run on any computer that plays nice with Flash. Gameplay involves combat -- which centers around upgradable magic ring items -- and minigames. Social networking type stuff is laced in as well.

Gallery: Gaia Online MMO

MassivelyGaia Online's MMO is actually called zOMG! (and it's in beta now) originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 29 Jul 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betabrowserbrowser-basedcasualclosed-betadave-georgesonflashgaia-battlegaia-onlinenameteenswiredzomgTue, 29 Jul 2008 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Gaia Online brings home the gold with the Rejected Olympics]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/16/gaia-online-brings-home-the-gold-with-the-rejected-olympics/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/16/gaia-online-brings-home-the-gold-with-the-rejected-olympics/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/16/gaia-online-brings-home-the-gold-with-the-rejected-olympics/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Players of Gaia Online will get the chance to live out their sublimated fantasies of being Olympians starting July 21st, the start date of the Rejected Olympics. Unlike the traditional games, the Rejected Olympics will feature such whimsical events as Connect the Dots and Watermelon Chopping, competing in teams to win the gold medal. Fourth place players will take home stale bread. Seriously.

The week-long festivities end on July 27th. For more information, go check out Gaia Online's event site.

[Thanks, Kristen!]

MassivelyGaia Online brings home the gold with the Rejected Olympics originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 16 Jul 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>connect-the-dotseventsgaia-onlinerejected-olympicsstale-breadwatermelon-choppingWed, 16 Jul 2008 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[First screenshots from Gaia Online's MMO]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/09/first-screenshots-from-gaia-onlines-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/09/first-screenshots-from-gaia-onlines-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/09/first-screenshots-from-gaia-onlines-mmo/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,


We had the opportunity to take a look at Gaia Online's upcoming MMO, and it looks like some serious fun! Take a look through the Gallery embedded below -- some of these come directly from the studio, others were screenshots of the quick tour we took; it should be obvious which are which.

A couple of tidbits: the entire game is Flash based, much like Dofus; they've done away with the need for wearable armor; and there's an intriguing methodology in place for dealing with player overcrowding that can be summed up in one word: landshark. All this and more once the game launches near the end of Summer. We'll keep you apprised!

Gallery: Gaia Online MMO

MassivelyFirst screenshots from Gaia Online's MMO originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 09 Jul 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredflashgaia-onlinegallerylandsharkscreenshotsWed, 09 Jul 2008 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Gaia Online tees up its massively multiplayer online game]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/03/gaia-online-tees-up-its-massively-multiplayer-online-game/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/03/gaia-online-tees-up-its-massively-multiplayer-online-game/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/03/gaia-online-tees-up-its-massively-multiplayer-online-game/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

As we reported last April, popular teen hang-out site Gaia Online is making the leap from virtual world to full-blown MMO, further blurring the lines between the two genres. It will still have movies, malls and minigames ... just with a few more monsters. Gaia Online was a separated series of rooms, but now its filling in the lands between those rooms with impromptu games around fountains and battles with psychotic garden gnomes.

VentureBeat talks with CEO Craig Sherman and senior producer Dabid Georgeson about the new MMO world and the challenges of turning a fabulously successful social space with millions of users, into a succesful MMO. Is the world ready for another Runescape? Look for Gaia Online -- the MMO -- when it launches this summer to find out.

MassivelyGaia Online tees up its massively multiplayer online game originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 03 Jul 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>browsercasualexpansionsfree-to-playgaia-onlinekidsnew-titlesnewsrunescapevirtual-worldsThu, 03 Jul 2008 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Social Gaming Summit: Casual MMOs and Immersive Worlds]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/18/the-social-gaming-summit-casual-mmos-and-immersive-worlds/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/18/the-social-gaming-summit-casual-mmos-and-immersive-worlds/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/18/the-social-gaming-summit-casual-mmos-and-immersive-worlds/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,


Friday the 13th: An inauspicious day for the superstitious crowd, but a great day for attendees of the Social Gaming Summit, held in San Francisco. The day saw a schedule full of great panels, populated by some of the industry's finest movers and shakers, among them representatives from Gaia Online, Nexon, Three Rings, and Gamasutra, among others too numerous to list here.

A particular highlight of the conference for this blogger was the panel entitled "Casual MMOs and Immersive Worlds", which provided a lively discussion on what it means to create a virtual social space, how to monetize free-to-play content, and what exactly is a casual MMO? Trying to divide attention between listening raptly and taking notes is difficult; here is the result, along with the panelists, after the jump.

Continue reading The Social Gaming Summit: Casual MMOs and Immersive Worlds

MassivelyThe Social Gaming Summit: Casual MMOs and Immersive Worlds originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auditioncasual-gamesclub-penguineventfeaturedfree-to-playgaia-onlinejoystiqfeaturesk2-networkkart-riderlostmaple-storymassively-event-coveragemicrotransactionsneopetsnexonpanelplayerbasescionsocial-gaming-summittexas-hold-emWed, 18 Jun 2008 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Virtual Greats to sell celebrity likenesses]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/16/virtual-greats-to-sell-celebrity-likenesses/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/16/virtual-greats-to-sell-celebrity-likenesses/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/16/virtual-greats-to-sell-celebrity-likenesses/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

And not just likenesses. Metaverse developer Millions of Us intends to market likenesses, hair-styles, catchphrases, dance moves, signature moves, clothing lines, furniture collections -- you name it -- based on well-known celebs all under the banner business name of Virtual Greats. These appearances and digital accessories would be sold in dozens of virtual worlds, though you'll probably see them in Gaia Online, Habbo and Second Life first.

Deals have already been done with Justin Timberlake, Elvis Presley Enterprises, Snoop Dogg, Paris Hilton, Raven Symone, Marvel (for The Incredible Hulk), and Tila Tequila, and more are in the works.

Continue reading Virtual Greats to sell celebrity likenesses

MassivelyVirtual Greats to sell celebrity likenesses originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 16 Jun 2008 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>business-modelscultureeconomyelvis-presleygaia-onlinehabbohabbo-hoteliron-manjustin-timberlakemarvelmillions-of-usmmo-industrymouparis-hiltonraven-symonesecond-lifesnoop-doggthe-incredible-hulktila-tequilavirtual-greatsvirtual-worldsMon, 16 Jun 2008 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Should MMOGs and virtual worlds be separate?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/14/the-daily-grind-should-mmogs-and-virtual-worlds-be-separate/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/14/the-daily-grind-should-mmogs-and-virtual-worlds-be-separate/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/14/the-daily-grind-should-mmogs-and-virtual-worlds-be-separate/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Friday held the Social Gaming Summit, a meeting of the luminaries of the various virtual worlds -- Gaia Online, Neopets, and IMVU to name a very few -- in San Francisco. This blogger was on hand for several of the panels, and came away with a deeper understanding of where the demarcation between massively multiplayer online game and virtual world was drawn. On the virtual world side, developers are beginning to incorporate more and more elements of what would normally be considered MMO-only features, like quests and leveling up.

However, similar integration of virtual world-like elements in MMOs has so far remained off-spec. Chat aside, games like World of Warcraft, Lord of the Rings Online, and City of Heroes don't have features like profiles with integrated blogs for players, or spaces in which one could post photos and media for others to enjoy. Is this something that might change as the Web 2.0 landscape evolves? Are MMOs better off remaining "pure"?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Should MMOGs and virtual worlds be separate? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 14 Jun 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>city-of-heroesgaia-onlineimvulord-of-the-rings-onlineneopetsopinionsocial-gaming-summittdgthe-daily-grindvirtual-worldsweb-2.0world-of-warcraftSat, 14 Jun 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Relive prom night with Gaia Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/relive-prom-night-with-gaia-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/relive-prom-night-with-gaia-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/relive-prom-night-with-gaia-online/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

The wily developers at Gaia Online have decided to heal the wounds of high school prom by holding one of their own. From May 16th to the 18th, players will have the opportunity to crash the prom and win a real-life outfit designed by Project Runway winner Christian Siriano. Christian has also designed outfits for your avatar, available in the Gaia Store.

And if you like to dance -- and by 'dance', we mean 'dance in front of your webcam for the delight and derision of all' -- then submit your video to Gaia and you might be chosen for Internet fame! If you have lingering memories of your prom that keep you up at night, wash those horrors away with Gaia Online!

MassivelyRelive prom night with Gaia Online originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 15 May 2008 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>christian-sirianodancegaia-onlineoutfitsproject-runwayprom-crashersThu, 15 May 2008 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[ION 08: Virtual worlds for the masses]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/14/ion-08-virtual-worlds-for-the-masses/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/14/ion-08-virtual-worlds-for-the-masses/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/14/ion-08-virtual-worlds-for-the-masses/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


What's a virtual world? Why do we even call them virtual worlds when we could easily call them digital worlds, or just simply, worlds? This was just one of the many interesting topics discussed at ION 08 this year in a panel entitled, "Redefining Virtual Worlds for Mass Markert Consumption" which is quite the mouthful. So lets put things in a more understandable -- and far more interesting -- perspective.

Whether you're talking about Club Penguin, Gaia Online or Second Life the truth of the mater is that these "worlds" are here to stay and they all share similarities -- social interaction. Not only are they here to stay, but they've only just begun to grow as a market. Which is why this panel was all the more interesting. The panel includes Erik Bethke (GoPets Ltd), John K. Bates (Mindark/Entropia Universe), Craig Sherman (Gaia Online), Rob Lanphier (Linden Lab/Second Life) and was moderated by David Elchoness (Association of Virtual Worlds).

Gallery: ION 08: Game Conference gallery

Continue reading ION 08: Virtual worlds for the masses

MassivelyION 08: Virtual worlds for the masses originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 14 May 2008 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activision-blizzardassociation-of-virtual-worldsblizzardclub-penguincraig-shermandavid-elchonessentropia-universeerik-bethkefeaturedgaia-interactivegaia-onlinegopetsionion-2008ion08john-k-batesjoystiqfeatureslinden-labmindarkrob-lanphierrob-lindensecond-lifeworld-of-warcraftwowWed, 14 May 2008 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[From Virtual World to MMO: Gaia Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/30/from-virtual-world-to-mmo-gaia-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/30/from-virtual-world-to-mmo-gaia-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/30/from-virtual-world-to-mmo-gaia-online/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

"A lot of MMOs have the same experience where[ever] you go or no matter what you've done for how many people are in the area. It's a big treadmill of killing monsters and getting loot. We still have that, but we also have aboveground game like golf that people can play even if there's a battle raging around them." Dave Georgeson, Senior Producer for Gaia Online.

As Gaia Online prepares for its closed beta, we're getting a bit more of a glimpse into what this MMO version of the current virtual world is all about. In a recent interview with Dave Georgeson, he explains why they're making that transition from a virtual world to an MMO and why it will be beneficial for existing players, as well as new players.

Building an MMO from an existing fan-base is a helpful first step, just look at WoW and LotRO, but is it enough to make it last in this still-not-officially-named MMO? With over five million current Gaia Online players, you'd think an instant audience is a good thing, but the problem becomes more an issue of keeping those current users satisified with their new MMO shell, and simultaneously drawing in new players.

MassivelyFrom Virtual World to MMO: Gaia Online originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 30 Apr 2008 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>browser-basedcasualgaia-interactivegaia-onlinevirtual-worldsWed, 30 Apr 2008 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Games that could be MMOs: Pokémon]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/29/games-that-could-be-mmos-pokemon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/29/games-that-could-be-mmos-pokemon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/29/games-that-could-be-mmos-pokemon/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

The Pokémon brand is one of the largest and most successful franchises the gaming world has ever spawned. There are no less than 10 videogames, 1 trading card game, 12 movies, an animated series, 10 soundtrack CDs, a bunch of manga -- but no official MMO.

Why this hasn't already happened is beyond the imagination of this blogger. C'mon, a world in which thousands, if not millions of wanna-be Pokémon trainers are working hard to be number one, constantly pitting their captive critters against each other, and every iteration of the game franchise is only one-on-one? This isn't rocket science; it's not even science fair volcano science. But if we were to imagine a Pokémon MMO, it would look something like this:

Continue reading Games that could be MMOs: Pokémon

MassivelyGames that could be MMOs: Pokémon originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 29 Apr 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>badgesbulbasaurcharmanderelementalfeaturedgaia-onlinegengarnintendopikachupokemonpokemon-onlinerivalsquirtletrainerwiiworld-of-warcraftTue, 29 Apr 2008 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Gaia Online borrows a trick from Willy Wonka]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/17/gaia-online-borrows-a-trick-from-willy-wonka/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/17/gaia-online-borrows-a-trick-from-willy-wonka/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/17/gaia-online-borrows-a-trick-from-willy-wonka/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Gaia Online, the virtual community that boasts over 5 million players, will be present at this year's New York Comic-Con, from April 18th to the 20th. They're encouraging both existing members and people who've never played before to drop by their booth and take a chance at winning a golden ticket, good for early entrance to the beta test of their upcoming casual MMO, as yet unnamed.

They're also offering other prizes, such as an in-game Angelic Halo, Gold cards (worth varying amounts of Gaia currency), and a limited-edition ring for use in the MMO to attendees of the Gaia Panel at 5:00PM on Saturday, April 19th. Full information at their site.

If they manage to convert their existing playerbase to their MMO, they could be seen as a serious contender for size, right out of the gate. We'll keep our eyes open and our ears to the ground for more info on this as it gets released.

[Source]

MassivelyGaia Online borrows a trick from Willy Wonka originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 17 Apr 2008 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>angelic-halobeta-testcasual-mmogaia-onlinegolden-ticketnew-york-comic-conThu, 17 Apr 2008 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Craig Sherman: WoW not a success]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/09/craig-sherman-wow-not-a-success/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/09/craig-sherman-wow-not-a-success/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/09/craig-sherman-wow-not-a-success/#commentsFiled under: , ,


It appears that Gaia's Craig Sherman thinks that World of Warcraft isn't a success when compared to the hundreds of millions of "willing-to-play" teenagers it hasn't managed to claim as subscribers. A ridiculous claim, as success is a relative term -- especially when comparing free-to-play titles with something like World of Warcraft. We're not saying that games like Maple Story or Puzzle Pirates aren't good, they're just a different breed of MMOs.

Maybe we should measure MMO success by degree of pop-culture status: Has Maple Story had commercials featuring William Shatner, Mr. T and Vern Troyer? Will Puzzle Pirates become a theatrical film anytime soon? No, but that doesn't make these games any less successful in their own right. Plus, that's a ridiculous way of measuring success. There's a lot of differences in these games, but one thing is for sure -- World of Warcraft is definitely a successful game.

MassivelyCraig Sherman: WoW not a success originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 09 Apr 2008 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activision-blizzardblizzardgaia-interactivegaia-onlinemaple-storynexonpuzzle-piratesthree-rings-designworld-of-warcraftwowWed, 09 Apr 2008 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Gaia Online costs $25 million a year to run]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/16/gaia-online-costing-about-25-million-a-year/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/16/gaia-online-costing-about-25-million-a-year/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/16/gaia-online-costing-about-25-million-a-year/#commentsFiled under: , ,

When you take a look at the casual-focused Gaia Online, you probably don't think that the community-central site has been costing around 25 million each year -- well, according to company CEO Craig Sherman. It's kind of surprising to hear, since Gaia was a small start-up and has only been asking for around 100k to 500k for brands that want entry into the world of Gaia. We guess you have to spend money to make money, but that's a whole boatload of cash to throw at such a small start-up.

It seems to have paid off for the creators of Gaia Online, at least. They're reportedly starting to see deals in the higher six figures range. We're happy it worked out for them, but this is definitely a good example of how risky the MMO market can be even for any sort of game a developer might want to put out there. We shudder at the thought of how much cash has been dropped on some of the upcoming mainstream titles this year.

MassivelyGaia Online costs $25 million a year to run originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 16 Mar 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>craig-shermanfree-to-playgaiagaia-onlinemmo-marketstart-upSun, 16 Mar 2008 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GDC08: Gaia Online launching casual MMO]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/19/gdc08-gaia-online-launching-casual-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/19/gdc08-gaia-online-launching-casual-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/19/gdc08-gaia-online-launching-casual-mmo/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


At GDC this afternoon Gaia Online's Craig Sherman announced that Gaia is developing a free, flash-based to play casual MMO. Though you may presume this is just another web-based casual game, Sherman says it will be a "real MMO." It will be launching this summer and Gaia expects it to become one of the top MMOs in the world within the first few months -- after all, they already have a user-base of 5 million players who want this kind of game play, so they aren't starting from scratch. Sherman wouldn't give us a name for the game (saying that they'd solicited names from current Gaia users and received around 20,000 responses), but ensured us that it would be a full-scale MMO (with combat, etc) with a heavy social aspect. Though we're hungry for more details, summer is only a few months away!

MassivelyGDC08: Gaia Online launching casual MMO originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 19 Feb 2008 20:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingcraig-shermangaiagaia-onlinegdcgdc08gdc08fanboyshermanTue, 19 Feb 2008 20:42:00 EST<![CDATA[GDC 08: Entertainment content convergence in online worlds]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/19/gdc-08-entertainment-content-convergence-in-online-worlds/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/19/gdc-08-entertainment-content-convergence-in-online-worlds/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/19/gdc-08-entertainment-content-convergence-in-online-worlds/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,


We spent most of Monday ensconced in the GDC Worlds in Motion summit track, which made "standing room only" seem extremely spacious -- most of the sessions were packed to the gills and then some. It seems like more than a few industry types are interested in the intersections between gaming and virtual worlds. Case in point, the following session we've paraphrased (hopefully not too liberally!) from Reuben Steiger, CEO of Milllions of Us, a company that builds marketing campaigns and content for virtual worlds.

Reuben: Storytelling is the bedrock of human culture. (Looking at a slide with a real campfire on the left and a user-created campfire in Second Life on the right) -- users in virtual worlds are recreating this storytelling tradition. I'm going to make a contention: the internet has failed as a storytelling medium. Instead, the norm is bathroom humor and ridiculous jokes.

So virtual worlds: are they games or not? What defines a game -- linguists and semioticians get real worked up about it. The audience might say "virtual worlds are games without rules, competition, goals or fun." And it's hard to blame them. Extreme openness has defined virtual worlds, where fun can be in a way you define as opposed to what some game developer feels is fun. But the appeal of virtual worlds is that we can tell stories on a broader and less walled playing field.

Continue reading GDC 08: Entertainment content convergence in online worlds

MassivelyGDC 08: Entertainment content convergence in online worlds originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 19 Feb 2008 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ARGsclub-penguindisneyenitechlabsfeaturedfox-tvgaia-onlinegdc08gdc08fanboygossip-girlmillions-of-usmoureuben-steigersarah-connor-chroniclessecond-lifeSLsocial-networkssony-homestorytellingsummer-slamvirtual-worldswebkinzworld-wrestling-entertainmentwweTue, 19 Feb 2008 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Gaia Online's virtual gear gets real]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/18/gaia-onlines-virtual-gear-gets-real/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/18/gaia-onlines-virtual-gear-gets-real/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/18/gaia-onlines-virtual-gear-gets-real/#commentsFiled under: , ,

I haven't played Gaia Online at all, and we've only mentioned it once or twice here so far on Massively, but I am really impressed by their Gaia Gear online store. They are apparently taking in-game items, and recreating them in real-life form. Now, these items are all "donation items" (now known as Monthly collectibles)-- they're designed and sold by Gaia for real money, supposedly to support the server and associated costs of the game. So basically these are RMT items in-game, not special loots available only in certain places.

But it is incredibly cool that they've faithfully recreated this stuff. And I can't help but imagine what it would be like for other games to do this. What if you could buy a Perdition's Blade to commemorate all that time you spent getting one in Molten Core? Or a real-life model of a Hulk, or actual reproductions of player-created items in Second Life? I'm sure this isn't a new idea (we're already willing to pay large amounts of money to make virtual items and people real). But it is an exciting one.

[Via Wonderland]

MassivelyGaia Online's virtual gear gets real originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 18 Jan 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eve-onlinegaia-onlinemarketplaceperditions-bladereal-itemsrmtsecond-lifevirtual-storeworld-of-warcraftFri, 18 Jan 2008 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Regarding content in virtual worlds: build it, or buy it?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/09/regarding-content-in-virtual-worlds-build-it-or-buy-it/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/09/regarding-content-in-virtual-worlds-build-it-or-buy-it/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/09/regarding-content-in-virtual-worlds-build-it-or-buy-it/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

For those of you who may not be completely familiar with Second Life, one of its biggest draws is that it's a haven for content creators, as opposed to virtual worlds like There.com, which doesn't let its users build anything of their own. Now, of course, what you get in exchange for the freedom to build anything you want is having to see what everyone else is building, and this includes the infamous flying penises and other Objects You'd Rather Not Have Seen, Thanks.

But, as my friend Eric Rice recently pointed out to me, there is something to be said for not having to create your world yourself. "I don't always wanna COOK dinner", he opined, and I know what he means. In my over 2 years as a SL resident, I've not created one thing; I have neither the knack nor the interest, frankly, though I do enjoy the fruits of the labors of other residents. Shopping is great fun in SL, and probably on the top of a great many lists of enjoyable activities. Exploring is equally as enjoyable, and it's this aspect of virtual worlds that deserves some scrutiny. More after the jump.

Continue reading Regarding content in virtual worlds: build it, or buy it?

MassivelyRegarding content in virtual worlds: build it, or buy it? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 09 Nov 2007 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>creativityeric-ricefeaturedgaia-onlinekanevamassivelysecond-lifeshoppingthere.comFri, 09 Nov 2007 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Omnicom drives a stake into Millions of Us]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/10/12/omnicom-drives-a-stake-into-millions-of-us/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/10/12/omnicom-drives-a-stake-into-millions-of-us/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/10/12/omnicom-drives-a-stake-into-millions-of-us/#commentsFiled under: ,

One of the more recognizable names among metaverse development companies (MDCs) is Reuben Steiger's Millions of Us. Steiger's MoU has done work in Second Life, Gaia Online and Zwinky. Omnicom, reported by Reuters to be the world's largest advertising services company, has bought a stake in the company. A majority stake, or just a share - nobody's saying.

Inevitably, the sale is being compared to CBS's investment in rival MDC, Electric Sheep Company - a partnership which is leading to the joint release of a CSI:NY episode revolving around Second Life, and a customized, user-friendly Second Life client.

What Omnicom and Millions of Us have planned at this stage is anyone's guess - advertising is where the smart money is, of course. Could MoU be becoming the general virtual worlds arm of Omnicom? Could be.

MassivelyOmnicom drives a stake into Millions of Us originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 12 Oct 2007 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CBSCSIelectric-sheep-companygaia-onlinemillions-of-usomnicomreuben-steigersecond-lifezwinkyFri, 12 Oct 2007 02:00:00 EST