• In short: Combining a virtual environment and a social network, Kaneva,
• URL: http://www.kaneva.com
• Maintained by: Kaneva, Inc. since 2004
• Price: Free access
• Kaneva System Requirements:  Windows XP or Vista, 515 MB hard drive space, 512 MB RAM, high-speed internet, Nvidia 5200/ATI X700 series graphics card or better
•  Platforms supported: PC

Kaneva Overview

Kaneva is touted as a place for 3D friends and good times.  You can meet new people and hang out, go shopping for virtual clothes and accessories, customize a 3D home, open your own 3D dance club, among other things. 

Kaneva, inc. is a privately owned Atlanta-based company.  Founded in 2004 by Christopher Klaus and Greg Frame, Kaneva supports 2D web browsing, social networking features, and the ability to share media.

History 

Kaneva originally started as a product to help game developers build games.   The first version of Kaneva’s game platform was released in late 2004, allowing game developers to produce games.  Soon thereafter, Kaneva decided to use its own technology to develop a virtual environment that combined a 3D world, video sharing, and aspects of social networking.  In 2005, Kaneva started development on the Kaneva virtual world, which was ultimately released into beta in mid 2006.

Kaneva takes place in a modern-day setting.  It boasts a world “full of real friends and good times” and a “a more human way to connect with friends online.”

Members create avatars, digital version of themselves, and gets their own 3D space called a Kaneva City Loft.  Lofts can be customized, decorated, and furnished.  Videos, photos, music, and games can be watched on 3D televisions.  Friends can come hang out in the 3D home or one can use one of Kaneva’s public spaces to chat syncronously.  Users can dance, shop for the latest fashions, play games, watch TV and movies, and explore.

Kaneva seems to target teens.

Kaneva Screenshots

Kaneva Resources

Kaneva Official Site

Kaneva Logo and screenshots are ©2007 KANEVA, INC. All Rights Reserved. The Virtual World of Kaneva is a trademark of Kaneva, Inc.

• In short: A world targeted for teenagers featuring customizable 2D avatars, dorm rooms and other locations, and games to earn Zbucks.
• URL: http://www.zwinky.com/
• Maintained by: IAC Search and Media since April 2007.
• Price: Free
• Zwinktopia System Requirements: Flash-supported browser

Zwinktopia Overview

IAC first launched Zwinky in June 2006, a tool that allows teenagers to create and share 2D avatars, emoticons, cursor icons, and other items for teenagers to use on a blog or MySpace profile. After gaining over 4.7 million users, the company released Zwinktopia, a persistent world that provides over 28 unique locations (such as the beach, colleges, and bowling alleys) and several games and activities, including chat, shopping, events, and hanging out in customized dorm rooms. By playing these games, Zwinktopia users can also earn Zbucks, Zwinktopia’s unit of virtual currency, which they can use to purchase clothing, furniture, and various other items.

Compared to other virtual worlds, Zwinktopia is relatively unspectacular in terms of graphics or immersion. Whether it’s clever marketing, “tween baiting,” or teen branding genius, leveraged their growth substantially by first familiarizing kids with their avatar site Zwinky through aggressive marketing.Zwinky’s appeal is largely based upon these easy drag and drop customizable avatars that can be exported and used elsewhere. Unlike many other virtual environments, Zwinktopia avatars are not limited to in-world use. Avatars can be placed on blogs, websites, and social networking sites and so they are transportable all over the Web.

Some have expressed concern over some aspects of Zwinktopia. There is no age verification process and Zwinktopia does not filter language, personal details, or sexually explicit comments. Zwinktopia seems to be particularly appealing for middle school teenagers who may feel that they’ve “outgrown” some of the more protected hubs (e.g. the active filtering mechanism built into virtual worlds like Club Penguin) in pursuit of more freedom and social interaction. Zwinktopia is yet another virtual environment in the increasingly crowded space for teens.

Zwinktopia Screenshots

Zwinktopia Resources

• IAC Launches Zwinktopia at Peak of Virtual Worlds Hype, article at TechCrunch.com

• In short: A rapidly growing Barbie-themed world where girls shop for fashion, music, chat, design rooms, and play games.
• URL: http://www.barbiegirls.com
• Maintained by: Mattel since 2007
• Price: Free access, virtual items cost money
• Barbie Girls system requirements
• Platforms supported: PC

Barbie Girls Overview

Mattel, the nation’s top toymaker, released a relatively new virtual world called Barbie Girls, that targets 7 to 12 year old girls. An attempt to blend girls’ love of fashion, music, and the Web, there is much to do. Girls can create their own virtual characters, adopt virtual pets, chat with others, play games and watch Barbie themed videos, design their own room, shop with “B Bucks”, and try on fashionable clothes at a cyber mall. A Barbie-inspired handheld MP3 music device (optional, about $59.99) also interacts with the website.

Like other virtual environments designed for kids, Barbie Girl has measures to protect the safety of children. The website features word filters to block the exchange of personal information such as names, phone numbers, and addresses. Girls also can lock or allow access to their virtual room to others. A more personal chat is available to those who both have a Barbie Girl device and who have physically connected their devices into a friend’s computer docking station.

Barbie Girls has seen amazing growth since its launch; it hit the 3 million users just in its first 60 days and has been growing at the rate of 50,000 new users a day, figures which will threaten the likes of Second Life and even World of Warcraft. Some have observed that the amazing adoption of Barbie Girls sends a clear message: that virtual worlds are going mainstream and that the user base is dramatically shifting from being predominantly male to majority female. As those playing Barbie Girls grow into adults, this will lead to interesting changes as the next generation of online gaming and virtual world users will not be dominated by men.

Competitors include Zwinktopia, Habbo Hotel, Webkins, Neopets, and Club Penguin, among others.

Barbie Girls Screenshots

Barbie Girls Resources

• Barbie Girls Official Website

• In short: Kids play games, socialize, earn points, buy stuff for pets.
• URL: http://www.neopets.com
• Maintained by: Viacom/Neopets, Inc. since 1999
• Price: Free access, or $7.99/month for NeoPets Premium
• Neopets system requirements: Flash-based Web browser
• Platforms supported: PC, Mac

Neopets Overview

Neopets is a Flash-based virtual environment targeted especially for kids, with over 70 million (!) virtual pet owners. It’s set on Neopia, a planet that includes various worlds that contain unique shops, games to play, and other activities. Users create creatures called pets, and they must care for them, feed them, and keep them healthy and happy. There are over 50 species of pets, including many that are rare. Participants can complete a mission or quest in order to earn Neopets’ virtual currency known as Neopoints, or other items such as like Dark Reflectorbs. Pets can also buy, trade, and sell items at the Neopian Bazaar. This virtual world is highly commercial (perhaps a little too commercial), with lots of corporate in-game sponsors including Nestle, McDonald’s, Lego, Disney, and others.

Pets can can explore various Neopets regions, engage in quests or play games (Puzzle, Action, and Luck/Chance) for rewards, complete missions with others, and socialize. Neopets has plenty of places to visit including the Lost Desert, the Battledome, an undersea city called Maraqua, and various other locations. Neopets uses comic books to the advance storylines, which usually gets players to solve puzzles, play games, fight opponents, etc. Players may often end up collaborating or competing with others in order to receive various prizes. Neopets also offers various writing and art contests, including those run by the Neopian Times, a weekly newspaper that includes poetry, short stories, comics, and articles. Trophies and special rewards are given as rewards for contest winners.

Players can choose among a limited number of small icons to use as their avatar. There are also over 300 secret avatars that can be unlocked in various ways, including visiting certain pages or obtaining a high score at a game. When a plot of land is purchased, “Neohomes” can be built. Each room costs Neopoints to build, and these rooms can be customized with various sorts of furniture (flooring, lights, etc.).

Neopets is free, although additional features can be purchased with a Neopets Premium account. This costs $7.99 (US) a month, or $69.95 (US) a year.

Neopets Screenshots

Neopets Resources

• Neopets Official Website

• In short: An educational, hands-on simple 2D world where students earn clamshells while learning about various topics.
• URL: http://www.whyville.net
• Maintained by: Numedeon, Inc. since 1999
• Price: Free access, or purchase a “Whyville Pass” for priority access and extra features
• Whyville System Requirements: Java-enabled Web browser
• Platforms supported: PC, Mac

Whyville Overview

Whyville is an educational virtual environment targeted for children and teenagers (10-16 years old), especially geared for females. With over 1.4 million registered citizens, this town is filled with educational activities that provide “hands-on” experiences with various science projects, in an attempt to retain student interest in science and math. It is a world where kids from around the world “come to chat, play, learn, and have fun together.” Making use of relatively simple 2D Java-based graphics, kids can design their avatar’s faces, earn clamshells (the in-game virtual currency) by playing games, hang out at the beach, and go to town events at the Greek Theater. Other possibilities include starting a business, buying a car, writing for the town newspaper, or running for a seat in the Whyville Senate.

Like other virtual environments for kids, Whyville has a language filter and is monitored by a staff of “city workers.” Unlike Club Penguin, the online chat is not monitored at all times, and it’s highly recommended that parents monitor their child’s behavior and interactions online. Visitors can log on as a guest or register for free access. During busy times, you may be placed in a “waiting room” unless you have a “Whyville Pass” that provides immediate access.

Whyville Screenshots

Whyville Resources

• Whyville Official Site
• The Whyville Times