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MTV Virtual Worlds09.16.08 |
Run on Makena’s platform, the 3D virtual world is very similar to There.com. Virtual Laguna Beach, the first virtual world released, allowed users to run clubs, host events, play, chat, and shop.
Basics
Publisher: MTV, developed by Makena Technologies
Launch Date: 2006
URL: http://www.vmtv.com
Number of registered accounts: Over 600,000 members
Target Audience: Ages 13+
Cost and subsequent subscription fees: Free to play, however users can upgrade their account to a premium MAX account to rent a home and purchase special items at auction. To upgrade to a premium account, users are charged $5.95 a month.
General Description: MTV has released eight virtual worlds based on their popular television shows, with more in the works. Run on Makena’s platform, the 3D virtual world is very similar to There.com. Virtual Laguna Beach, the first virtual world released, allowed users to run clubs, host events, play, chat, and shop. There is also a developer community where users can create and auction their own objects off to other users.
Technical
Platform: PC; Internet Explorer only
2-D, full 3-D, or other: 3D virtual world
Special hardware required (upgraded video card, sound card, etc): None
Language availability: English
Option for authoring (can users create and build?): Users can design, create and sell objects to other members. Within the first 30 days of vMTV’s release, user created items outnumbered MTV created items on the auction house at over 4 to 1.
Design tools available: Since vMTV is run on Makena’s There platform, vMTV uses the same development tools as There.com. There is a StyleMaker tool, which allows users to take a snapshot and lay it onto an in-world item or piece of clothing. Users can also use other programs, such as Photoshop or 3D studio max to design objects, clothing, and create paintjobs for existing items.
Compatibility (does it span multiple platforms or programs?): vMTV only works with Internet Explorer running on a PC.
Search (does the world offer a way to search users and/or places?): There is a complete listing of virtual spaces in vMTV available under the places tab on the virtual site. Users can learn more about the specific areas, or click to teleport to the zone. Users can travel between the 8 different worlds through this search function. Users can search people only by searching for an avatar name.
Security (is there protection against hacking, identity theft, or theft of IP?): All items have to go through an approval process. Each item is checked by MTV and when released to the public, the items cannot be copied or duplicated. Users cannot create inappropriate or copyrighted material.
Can the virtual world be accessed through mobile devices: MTV is pushing for a multiplatform release of a variety of their applications, virtual worlds included.
Can the virtual space be accessed offline: No.
Is the world persistent? (Does the world continue when the user logs off): Yes.
Legal & Management
Entry (what personal information is required?): Birthdate and email address
Is a free trial account available (if so, what are the account restrictions)? Basic accounts
Are there age restrictions: All users must be 13 years of age or older.
User Profiles (what do they contain?): Users can input photographs, friends, images, blog entries, and virtual world events. Profile pages display shout outs, groups that the user belongs to, and character levels.
Privacy management (protecting personal data, information sharing with other companies): Personal information is not shared with other companies. Users control how much or how little info they wish to share about their real information.
If a premium membership exists, what benefits are there to upgrading? Premium members can use voice chat, access special MAX member only catalogues, rent a house, and host events at their personal home. MAX members also get a monthly stipend of MTV$1000 to spend as they wish. Premium members can trade with one another and purchase special member only vehicles.
Can access be restricted to designated groups? Premium members can create and invite others to clubs. Access to users’ personal spaces can be restricted as the user sees fit.
Intellectual Property management (who owns users' creative works?): Content creators own and are responsible for their own creative works.
Are there in-world moderators: There is 24 hour moderation in vMTV.
Management of abusive behavior: Users can be banned or suspended by in-world moderators depending on the severity of the offense.
Virtual Space
Avatar description (are they customizable?): Avatars are customizable but must stay in human form. Users can import clothing, change facial features and hairstyles, and adopt a pet.
Is in-world property ownership available? Users can rent homes if they acquire a premium membership.
What are the common meeting spaces (and how many do they accommodate)? The virtual hills is a popular hangout spot for users to chat and play. Users have the same capabilities as in There.com, such as car racing, paintball, public chat areas, and pets.
Video or animation capabilities: Users can integrate video and sound in their owned spaces. Also, MTV has official videos and radio stations available throughout the virtual world.
Are there any restrictions on what users can create in their "owned" space? Users may not create any content deemed inappropriate, including sexual, racist, or violent content that may be offensive to other users. All objects are reviewed before being accepted into the virtual world.
Example of a prominent corporation present in the virtual world: Specific MTV shows are present in the virtual world. VMTV has live concerts and special celebrity appearances in world, where fans can meet and chat with popular bands.
Socialization/Communication
Does the world include in-world instant messaging? Yes
Out of world instant messaging? No.
In-game email? Yes.
Blog space? Yes, built in to a user’s profile.
Screenshot or photo albums? Users are able to add photos of themselves and their avatars on their personal profile page. Photos taken in-world can also be uploaded to the personal profile page.
Can other users be blocked or ignored? Yes
Is there language filtering? Users can customize their own language filter for use in vMTV.
Economy
Does the virtual world have currency? vMTV’s official currency is the MTV dollar, or MTV$.
How does the user obtain currency in-world? Users can purchase currency directly from MTV at a rate of MTV$900 for $5.00 minimum purchase with a credit card.
Can a user convert real world cash to in-world currency? Yes, users can purchase MTV$ directly from MTV’s website.
How does the company assist with in-world trade? (Official commerce sites/auction sites/etc): MTV hosts an in-world auction house for users to buy and sell items from one another. For premium members, there is a special store where only premium members can purchase items.
Does it cost money or currency to upload user created content? There is a submission fee for each item that is uploaded into MTV’s virtual world.
Educational Presence
Prominent educational, government and corporate organizations known to be using this product for educational purposes: ThinkMTV, Pepsi
Examples of areas in which instruction is currently offered: None, however Pepsi is doing research and surveys regarding pop culture and music and the relationship of Pepsi to these topics. Pepsi has found important information regarding how teens perceive their company and how television and the internet is influencing their ideas.
Are there special privileges for instructors? No.
Are there virtual classrooms or meeting areas? Not applicable.
Strengths of this product as an educational or learning tool: None.
Opportunities for Philanthropy
Prominent educational, government and corporate organizations known to be using this product for philanthopic purposes: None known.
Are there zones or areas reserved for promoting real life issues? No.
Do users find the virtual world an appropriate place for philanthropy? No, users are for the most part interested in socializing, listening to music, clubbing, and meeting bands.