|
Cyworld09.16.08 |
Cyworld is a US adaptation of the popular Korean virtual world, where members can socialize and make friends, both in and out of the virtual world.
Basics
Publisher: SK Communications - Korea
Launch Date: US Version - 2006
Number of registered users: Unknown, though the Korean site receives roughly 20 million unique hits a month
Target Audience: Ages 13+
Cost and subsequent subscription fees: Cyworld is free to register and use. However, Cyworld is based on a microtransaction model, and users often find themselves shelling out cash to purchase virtual items. To purchase Acorns, the currency of Cyworld, users can pay real cash at a rate of 10 Acorns to $1.00.
General Description: Cyworld is a US adaptation of the popular Korean virtual world, where members can socialize and make friends, both in and out of the virtual world. In South Korea, upwards of 90% of the population in their 20s own Cyworld accounts. Cyworld is similar to Myspace and Facebook, allowing users to connect with people of similar interests or related friends.
Technical
Platform: Web based - Java
2-D, full 3-D, or other: 2D Sprite based virtual world, web based
Special hardware required (upgraded video card, sound card, etc): None
Language availability: English, Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese, Chinese
Option for authoring (can users create and build?): Users can decorate a personal space, otherwise there are no options for user creation.
Design tools available: Not applicable.
Search (does the world offer a way to search users and/or places?): Cyworld users can search for other users and view their profile, videos, photos, sketches, home, and minime. Many users have elaborately detailed profiles to attract new friends.
Security (is there protection against hacking, identity theft, or theft of IP?): Users cannot create original content.
Can the virtual world be accessed through mobile devices: No
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?): First name, last name, email address, gender, birthdate, country, zip code
Is a free trial account available (if so, what are the account restrictions)? All accounts are free.
Are there age restrictions: Users must be 13 years of age or older.
User Profiles (what do they contain?): Photos, videos, music, friends list, sketches, blog, guestbook, and game scores are all available on a user’s profile site.
Privacy management (protecting personal data, information sharing with other companies): Personal information is not shared with other companies.
If a premium membership exists, what benefits are there to upgrading? There are no premium memberships.
Can access be restricted to designated groups? No.
Intellectual Property management (who owns users' creative works?): Users cannot create content.
Are there in-world moderators: Users can send comments and complaints through email to Cyworld moderators.
Management of abusive behavior: Users can be banned if their behavior is deemed inappropriate.
Virtual Space
Avatar description (are they customizable?): Avatars are customizable in pose, skin, facial features, mood, clothing, and accessories. For beginning users, there are many choices to make your minime appear unique, but to truly obtain rarer items, users must purchase items from the shop for cash.
Is in-world property ownership available? Yes, users are given a miniroom to decorate as they choose.
What are the common meeting spaces (and how many do they accommodate)? Cyworld uses forum threads for its members to talk and mingle. Users can post threads under any subject they like, within appropriate guidelines.
Video or animation capabilities: None.
Are there any restrictions on what users can create in their "owned" space? Users cannot create any content, only purchase and place content that is created by Cyworld.
Example of a prominent corporation present in the virtual world: Imeem music player, which can add music to a user’s profile page.
Socialization/Communication
Does the world include in-world instant messaging? Yes.
Out of world instant messaging? No.
In-game email? Yes.
Blog space? Yes, tied in with the profile page.
Screenshot or photo albums? Yes.
Can other users be blocked or ignored? Yes.
Is there language filtering? Yes.
Economy
Does the virtual world have currency? Yes, Cyworld’s official currency is the Acorn.
How does the user obtain currency in-world? Users can purchase Acorns directly from Cyworld, play virtual games, or click on sponsors’ websites to earn Acorns.
Can a user convert real world cash to in-world currency? Yes, at a rate of 10 Acorns for $1.00.
How does the company assist with in-world trade? (Official commerce sites/auction sites/etc): Users can gift items to other members through mail.
Does it cost money or currency to upload user created content? Not applicable.
Educational Presence
Prominent educational, government and corporate organizations known to be using this product for educational purposes: None, however users have created their own interests groups to teach and guide others in a variety of subjects.
Examples of areas in which instruction is currently offered: Language learning assistance, Stock Trading
Are there special privileges for instructors? None.
Are there virtual classrooms or meeting areas? Each club has its own personal page; clubs have been using these pages to teach lessons and have open forums for question and answers.
Strengths of this product as an educational or learning tool: Users can learn and receive personal assistance in learning in a low stress environment, without grades or teachers or pressure. Having users help users to accomplish goals allow those learning to be more comfortable and become more involved in the learning process.
Links to some institutions or organizations currently using this product for learning:
* Stock Trader’s Club
(URL) http://us.cyworld.com/club/common/club_main.php?clubid=208000000943
* Group for English Language Learning Support
(URL) http://us.cyworld.com/club/common/club_main.php?clubid=208000002051
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? There may be individual clubs devoted to philanthropy, but there are so many clubs that if there are philanthropic clubs, they are not apparent.