Massively is giving away 100 Metaplace invitations!
We've got all sorts of great news today about the upstart startup Metaplace! They've got a new round of funding, a brand-new name, and company founder Raph Koster sat down for us for an in-depth conversation about their plans. They've offered us the unique opportunity to get you involved in the fun, and as a result we have 100 invites to pass out to participate in the grand expiment of Metaplace.
Just like any of our giveaways, entering couldn't be easier. This time entering is just crazy easy; all you have to do is head over to the Metaplace.com website and enter this code into the input box there:
MPMASSIVELY
Once your invite code is in, you'll be able to avail yourself of the really excellent Metaplace experience. You'll be able to test the service and start your own world in the next iteration of the virtual space concept! But hurry! There are only 100 codes available for Massively readers, and first come first serve! Head over there, get signed up, and make sure to tell us how it goes! We'll check back with you in a month or so to see how it's going.
For full details on the new round of Metaplace funding, read on below the cut.
Update: From comments it looks like we're all out folks. Try again next time!
METAPLACE LANDS $6.7 MILLION IN FUNDING
Brings Power and Ease of Creating Virtual Worlds to the Web
SAN DIEGO, Calif., October 22, 2008 -- Metaplace (formerly known as Areae, Inc.) today announced it has raised $6.7 million in financing from existing investors Charles River Ventures and Crescendo Ventures and new investors, Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz. This round brings the company's total financing to $9.4 million, positioning it for strong growth as it builds out the world's first open platform that allows anyone to create virtual worlds on the Web.
Founded by massively multiplayer gaming industry veterans, Raph Koster and John Donham, Metaplace strives to give everyday users the power to create, share and live in their own virtual worlds. They can socialize with friends, build their own space and grow their community as easily as they browse and navigate the Web today. The company also unveiled an invitation-only program to its site and officially changed its name to Metaplace from Areae, Inc.
"Building virtual worlds has always been the purview of large companies with deep pockets," said Raph Koster, co-founder of Metaplace. "Our vision at Metaplace is to combine the ubiquity and ease of the Web with the immersive and addictive nature of video games to give everyday users the power to create a network of worlds based on their interests be it community, games, education or business. In the coming years, we will experience the Web as an ecosystem of virtual worlds where we collaborate, share and engage in commerce and Metaplace is leading the way there."
"Metaplace is a company that is bringing the impossible within reach of consumers by combining the best of Web technology with the best of virtual world storytelling," said John Borchers of Crescendo Ventures. "The company has the team, track record and technology to fundamentally reshape users' expectations of virtual worlds by unlocking a new era of user driven creativity and community."
About Metaplace
Metaplace is the world's first open platform that harnesses the power of the Web to allow anyone to create, build and live in their own unique virtual world. The company's vision is to enable users to build a network of worlds - from community to games to education to business -- creating an ecosystem where they collaborate, socialize and conduct commerce forming new societies and economies as we do in the real world today.
