Virtual Worlds 2007 - Demographics – Where they are and Where They are Headed

The curve for the early adopter curve is flattening out and the need for a more accessible interface is they key. One of the big challenges is orientation via 3^rd party company (branding opportunity) is an emerging trend. A separate sentiment is the deep desire for a browser based / mobile device as a way to connect to the virtual worlds.  One of the trends is that general worlds create communities based on interests  while vertical worlds are based on specific use – Football Superstars. Other sports themed worlds will follow. The draw is not for early adopters but for specific interests. Nicak from KZero did a fantastic job presenting great information!

A unique point  I discovered is that IBM Continues to work on cross-world avatars. How interesting would it be to be able to take reputation, inventory, and finances with us between platforms. The demographic guys were really bullish on Whyville and Club Penguin are expected to expand rapidly. Whyville is attracting international users while Club Penguin has the strongest friend invite technology. 

Some of the demographic point provided by Parks Associates showed that 6% of us broadband users visit virtual worlds. Teen flash and web based words are much more popular in part because of ease of use. Challenge is the small active concurrent user base. Moreover social networks still trump virtual worlds because of the ease of use.

Market truths first market research project in SL. Producing reports on the perception of brands in SL. Better perception of RL brands. Attitudes towards brands are slowly improving. This could possibly be contributed to growth and influx of more tolerant mainstream population. The key is to maintain users and keep them active after they create account. Managing the lifespan of an avatar is going the be a key determinant in the long term success of the any of the virtual worlds.

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Comments

[nic mitham]

wow, that was a quick post - no mention for k zero in the post?

[Randy]

Nick - K zero now gets a link - because I care!