Social networking meets MMOs at Avatars United
Social networking already intersects with gaming through GAX Online, but there's a newer MMO-centric community that's growing in popularity. Combine the anonymity of being identified only as your avatar with a way to connect with gamers across many MMOs and virtual worlds, and you've got Avatars United. It's like Facebook for your virtual personas.
Avatars United has found favor with a number of EVE Online players, according to an interview in the most recent issue of E-ON; EVE players account for roughly 40 percent of the sign-ups. Certainly part of the draw is that Avatars United makes use of EVE Online's API, allowing character data to be displayed along with the other features you've come to expect from a social networking space. Namely -- messaging, blogging, photos, and video. Avatars United isn't just a site for EVE gamers though, and is seeing growing popularity with players from the entire gamut of major MMO titles out there, ranging from Age of Conan to World of Warcraft.
Thor Olof Philogéne, CEO of Enemy Unknown -- the company behind Avatars United -- was interviewed over at ArsGeek, and discussed the niche he identified for networking between MMO players. The interview also touches on the avatars-only philosophy behind Avatars United and "recognizing virtual identities as personas in their own right."
