IMVU
| IMVU | |
  |
|
 Example of IMVU chat |
|
| Developer: | IMVU |
|---|---|
| Preview release: | Βeta / constantly updating |
| OS: | Microsoft Windows |
| Genre: | Instant messaging client |
| License: | Freeware |
| Website: | http://www.imvu.com/ |
IMVU is a graphical instant messaging client with more than 1 million users.[1] Currently, it is in public beta, and has been available since April 01, 2004. It is developed by IMVU, Inc., founded by Will Harvey, a video game developer and founder of There.
The primary focus of IMVU is the ability to use personalized 3D avatars and environments that let the user interact with the person they are chatting with. The secondary focus of IMVU is allowing the members to develop content that can be purchased by other members for use in personalizing their avatars and environments.
3D Chat Client
The IMVU chat client is focused on the 3D avatar and the immediate 3D environment; avatar placement is limited to nodes placed within the 3D environment. Users can click on a node to move their avatars there; click on their avatars to call up a menu of animations to perform; or click on other chat participants to perform animations with them. The chat client controls include an adjustable camera, a separate window to see friends that are currently online and to change the avatar's appearance.
Membership
IMVU membership is free, allowing users to register an avatar name, utilize the 3D chat client, purchase virtual content, and customize a homepage. Free accounts are denoted by the prefix 'Guest_'. Users can purchase their avatar name to remove the 'Guest_' prefix, and to participate in the content creation program. To buy an account name, the base price is $8.00; promotional credits cannot be used to buy a name. Access to restricted material is limited to accounts that have purchased an Access Pass.
Economy
IMVU contains its own economy with a currency system based on IMVU credits. The credits are used by members to purchase virtual items like fashion pieces (hair, clothes, skins, and accessories), pets, and 3D scenes. Credits can be purchased via a variety of payment methods, through IMVU or third-party resellers. Additionally, IMVU provides free promotional credits to encourage member participation and referrals.
A primary element of IMVU's economy is member-created content; consequently, IMVU allows members to participate in the Content Creator Program. Members can use IMVU provided software utilities to create virtual products, and can sell their products by listing them in the online IMVU product catalog. Content creators earn credits when their items are sold, and are allowed to resell the credits they earn.
Access Pass Controversy
The Access Pass, or AP as many users refer to it, has been a source of controversy in the IMVU community. It was originally intended to allow access to non-"Restricted" content. Many users bought it in to access mature or "Adult" content. Due to concerns expressed by their payment processors, IMVU recently changed its Terms of Service to disallow "Adult" content in IMVU, terming it "Unfit for IMVU" or UFI. "Restricted" content was consequently limited to content similar to that allowed in an R-rated movie. As "Adult" content had been previously submitted, sold, and purchased, IMVU had to remove the newly UFI items from users' inventories. IMVU additionally refunded users the credits spent on such items. Many AP purchasers continued to be irate as they believed that such content was and would continue to be allowable, since to purchase and use an AP one was required to self-certify they were 18 and have a valid credit card.
See also
References
- ^ "IMVU Information." IMVU: 3D Avatar Chat Instant Messenger & Dress Up Game. 2007. IMVU. 6 Oct. 2007 <http://www.imvu.com/catalog/web_info.php?section=Info&topic=aboutus>.
External links
Press
This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)
