IMVU
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This article or section contains information about computer software currently in development. The content may change as the software development progresses. |
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| IMVU | |
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 Example of IMVU chat |
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| Developer: | IMVU |
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| Preview release: | Βeta / constantly updating |
| OS: | Microsoft Windows |
| Use: | Instant messaging client |
| License: | Freeware |
| Website: | http://www.imvu.com/ |
IMVU (Instant Messaging Virtual Universe[citation needed]) is a graphical instant messaging client (3D chat) currently in beta stage with more than 3 million users. [1] It is developed by IMVU, Inc., by Will Harvey, a video game developer and founder of There, a similar 3D virtual world.
The primary focus of IMVU is the ability to use personalized 3D avatars and environments that let the user interact with the person they’re chatting with. Full 3D scenes make users feel as if they are sitting with a friend in a coffee shop, on a Ferris wheel, etc. 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.
IMVU members receive a personal homepage at no cost. Coding for IMVU homepages is similar to Myspace.
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[edit] IMVU 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. Each of these virtual items average $0.50 and are largely created by other members. Credits can be purchased via a variety of payment methods, including credit card, PayPal, SMS, and money order. IMVU gives free promotional credits to encourage member participation, referrals, and new users. Credits can be earned by member developers through the creation and sale of content in IMVU.
[edit] IMVU Developers
A primary focus of IMVU is the member-developed content; consequently, IMVU actively encourages the members to participate in the Developer Program. The Developer Program allows members to develop and sell virtual products. Developers have access to the IMVU software used in creating and submitting new virtual products, and can sell their products by listing them in the online IMVU product catalog. Developers are allowed to resell the credits they earn.
Professional Developer (ProDev) status is awarded to select developers who have shown “excellence in aesthetics and creativity”. It is the ProDev’s products that are showcased in public and trade demos, and these are the developers that are at the top of the list for potential 3rd party contracting with IMVU. Most IMVU developers strive to become a ProDev because they are then not required to pay submission fees (in credits) to submit their items to the IMVU catalogue, and their virtual items are featured first in the catalogue listings. When awarding ProDev status, IMVU looks for developers who meet some of the following criteria:
- Developer creates aesthetically pleasing catalog shots with high production value
- Developer displays their clear, recognizable brand or logo on those catalog images
- Developer achieves 40,000 sales in a calendar month
- Developer earns 1,350,000 credits in a calendar month (this includes promotional credits).
- Developer achieves 100,000 sales of any one product
- Developer is nominated by IMVU staff for excellence in aesthetics, creativity, innovation, or peer mentorship
All developers are required to follow copyright laws and to exhibit behavior that is appropriate and benefits IMVU. Verified violations will cost developers their status, and often result in total account banning. To become a developer, an online payment is required; using IMVU credits is not allowed.
[edit] Promotional Credits
Encouraging the activity of members is currently a major goal of the IMVU project. To this end, IMVU provides free promotional credits to active users in a variety of ways:
- New Products Page: Users who check the New Products page will receive free credits. You earn 50 credits in a 24 hour period per user. [1]
- Free Spin: Operated like a slot machine, the Free Spin page can earn users 0-500 credits once in a 24 hour period. True to its gambling nature, users can take a chance by spending 75 credits to take another spin at the wheel. When the other spin is taken, the 24 hour timer resets back to zero.[2]
- Invite Friends: Building a beta community takes work on the part of every member, and IMVU rewards that work with credits. Members can email friends and family information about IMVU and when these friends and family become members, the referring user earns 500 credits. The referring user will then earn another 500 credits after the 1st chat that the invited user has, and then again after the 5th chat.[3]
Recently, IMVU discontinued giving developers the promotional credits used to purchase their items. Currently, when a developer would have earned promotional credits from the sale of an item, the developer is given one 'developer token'.
[edit] IMVU Tutorials
Most IMVU tutorials are created for new and beginning developers, but there is also a slowly growing number of tutorials for other aspects of IMVU use. The following are helpful and reliable sources:
- WaltzingMouse Tutorials – Creating textures, animations, and still accessories are addressed here. [4]
- Mayu22 Tutorials and Templates – A new developer tutorial, color chart, and templates are available from this page. [5]
- Keef Tutorials – A full line of well-illustrated tutorials for IMVU developers is available here. [6]
- Lolaness Tutorials – Aimed mostly at home page modifications, there are a variety of tutorials here. [7]
- Taunt Tutorials – Video tutorials on product submission, photoshop texturing, and item derivation. [8]
- Oy! Designs Developer Tutorials – A series of illustrated tutorials for beginning IMVU developers. [9]
[edit] Furries
IMVU has become a home for many Furries, and there is even a furry-themed gateway page.[2] Due to the large amount of user-created products, there is a large selection of fur covered skins, ears, tails, whiskers, even products to make your avatar have an animal head. There also exists a webring/community for IMVU furries [10].
