Twinity’s All-New Female Avatars

COMING SOON – VIRTUAL SINGAPORE http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=87504127317&ref=ts

You may have noticed that Twinity’s female avatars were ready for a makeover. So as of today, please welcome Twinity’s new female avatars!

Your new female avatar is visible when you log in to Twinity. We have remodeled her entire body, giving her a more oval face, a more elegant neck and shoulders, and much more female body proportions. Her animations have also been tweaked to give her a slinkier walk, as well as more feminine moods and facial expressions.

All your current avatar settings still apply. However your new avatar will still look different, because of her new head and body shape. You will probably need to adjust your body and face settings to get the perfect look, but these kind of problems should be easy to remedy. In some cases we recommend repeating PhotoFit to get a more genuine facial appearance.

We have also improved Twinity’s female avatar creation tools, letting you set your female avatar’s waist and hip size, and give her a more accurate age. Your previous outfits have been given an optimized fit and hairstyles have been remodeled. And for the very first time, additional jewelry options are available, such as rings, bracelets, and necklaces. For those of you looking to update your wardrobe, there are also many new summer clothes to choose from.

We hope you enjoy the new female avatar and look forward to your feedback! Take part in our mini survey below and tell us what you think about the new female avatars, or if you have more to say, drop an email to support@twinity.com

via Twinity blog » Blog Archive » Twinity’s All-New Female Avatars.

Twinity offers new forms of customer interaction

A new virtual world based on real cities is offering customers a unique way to interact with brands. But is it just another gimmick or a lucrative avenue in the world of customer experience?

By Chris Middleton

Virtual worlds offer customers and businesses new ways of interracting online, creating innovative brand extensions and sales channels for companies, and giving customers new forms of brand experience – that’s the view of Dr Mirko Caspar, co-founder and CMO of Metaversum, the Berlin-based company behind the development of virtual online environment Twinity.

Unlike the superficially similar Second Life, which many brands and organisations already have a presence in, Twinity aims to model real-world cities as virtual locations that customers can ‘walk around’ in avatar form. Its first virtual city, Berlin, is online and accepting customers and visitors. More cities, including London, are planned.

“If you want to share experiences and communicate online in the most human, emotional and direct form possible in any medium, then you have the advantage of a virtual world.”

Mirko Caspar, co-founder and CMO, Metaversum

The company was founded in 2006 by Caspar and Jochen Hummel, CEO. “We believe the next major trend on the internet will be shared experiences with real people,” says Caspar. “The ideal platform for this is a virtual world featuring real cities and real people.”

The company believes that modelling real locations is better for business than the ‘fantasy kingdom’ approach of Second Life. It may attract customers who are unable to visit a real city, but who may still wish to learn more about it and perhaps buy products or services from local businesses.

Caspar explains that enterprises of all sizes and private individuals can purchase pixel-based real estate in these virtual cities and open stores and offices there, which customers can visit online.

read more: http://www.mycustomer.com/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=134165&d=101&h=817&f=816

Join Twinity: https://aplink.wordpress.com/2009/02/03/join-twinity/

click to join twinity - powered by real life

Twinity Exclusive: THE SPIRIT enters Twinity

Sony Pictures and CineStar have teamed up to bring THE SPIRIT to Twinity, the 3D online world developed and operated by Metaversum. From 2 February, before the official movie release of this comic strip adaptation, Twinity’s community can look forward to a host of themed events, a competition, and the chance to win some exclusive prizes. A particular highlight is a THE SPIRIT mask, which enables its wearer to see virtual Berlin in the look of the movie.

Make sure you sign up for a FREE account in twinity – http://www.twinity.com

Berlin, 29 January 2009 – It’s the turn of a new masked superhero to enter the 3D online world Twinity: THE SPIRIT, the latest movie to be promoted by Sony Pictures and CineStar in Twinity’s virtual CUBIX cinema before the official movie release.

For the very first time, the Twinity 3D community can get into the spirit of the movie outside the cinema as part of the THE SPIRIT promotion. Wearing a THE SPIRIT mask transforms the entire online world into the look of the comic strip adaptation – in black-and-white and brilliant red. Twinity is inviting all its masked members to take part in a screenshot and machinima competition. The most creative photos or movies shot in THE SPIRIT look and submitted to contest@twinity.com by 28 February have the chance to win exciting themed prizes.

Movie Trailer The Spirit : 1 million + views – launching in Twinity, 3D online world Feb 2nd 2009

Worlds In Motion – Metaversum Announce New Partnerships For Twinity

Berlin-based developer Metaversum has recently made a couple of announcements concerning their 3D MMO Twinity.

They’ve partnered with browser game developer Bigpoint, with a focus on a presence for the developer within the Twinity world, to “give members a new meeting place in which to find out more about the latest browser games from Bigpoint and take part in exclusive competitions and events.”

They’ve also partnered with Zitty, a Berlin-local city listings guide, which includes opening a interactive Zitty “editorial office” and a monthly live broadcast of the guide’s “Reader’s Lounge” events.

“We have gained another top-class partner for our virtual world Twinity in the form of Bigpoint. This cooperation will enable us to add another facet to the strong spectrum of entertainment we already offer in Twinity”, said Mirko Caspar, CMO of Metaversum.

via Worlds In Motion – Metaversum Announce New Partnerships For Twinity

Twinity on BBC’s Click program – itsReal

Over the weekend, Twinity was featured in a Click episode on the BBC. You can watch the episode by choosing your preferred video format and bit rate from “The Show” section on that page. The piece on Twinity starts at about the 1 minute mark and continues for about 8 minutes. There’s also a written piece about Twinity accompanying the show.

Wouldn’t it be weird if you could create a copy of you, so there were two of you wandering around, in two places at the same time.

The piece does a good job of showing the vision of Twinity – enhancing your real life.

Jochen Hummel, Metaversum: “With Twinity you are not escaping from your life but rather you are enhancing your life. It is a platform for doing a lot of things. Some people want to stay in touch with friends and family, you can do this in Twinity.”

…

It’s a social environment for meeting people, visiting galleries, or online shopping. Users are encouraged to create avatars that look just like them so they’ll be recognised, and to use their real names.

It’s also a space for virtual tourism. The realism of this platform could help you plan a trip here, or just help you get your bearings before you arrive.

It’s a fun piece to watch. Enjoy!

Check out the Click Program : http://www.bbcworldnews.com/Pages/ProgrammeMultiFeature.aspx?id=18

Remember to JOIN twinity www.twinity.com its FREE and meet up to 80,000 other Twinizens !

Twinity on BBC’s Click program – itsReal

Check out the Click Program : http://www.bbcworldnews.com/Pages/ProgrammeMultiFeature.aspx?id=18

Remember to JOIN twinity www.twinity.com its FREE and meet up to 80,000 other Twinizens !

Direct from the twinity blog

Over the weekend, Twinity was featured in a Click episode on the BBC. You can watch the episode by choosing your preferred video format and bit rate from “The Show” section on that page. The piece on Twinity starts at about the 1 minute mark and continues for about 8 minutes. There’s also a written piece about Twinity accompanying the show.

Wouldn’t it be weird if you could create a copy of you, so there were two of you wandering around, in two places at the same time.

The piece does a good job of showing the vision of Twinity – enhancing your real life.

Jochen Hummel, Metaversum: “With Twinity you are not escaping from your life but rather you are enhancing your life. It is a platform for doing a lot of things. Some people want to stay in touch with friends and family, you can do this in Twinity.”

…

It’s a social environment for meeting people, visiting galleries, or online shopping. Users are encouraged to create avatars that look just like them so they’ll be recognised, and to use their real names.

It’s also a space for virtual tourism. The realism of this platform could help you plan a trip here, or just help you get your bearings before you arrive.

It’s a fun piece to watch. Enjoy!

Check out the Click Program : http://www.bbcworldnews.com/Pages/ProgrammeMultiFeature.aspx?id=18

Remember to JOIN twinity www.twinity.com its FREE and meet up to 80,000 other Twinizens !

Mirko Caspar to Speak at Virtual Worlds Forum London – itsReal

Metaversum’s Mirko Caspar CMO for Twinity will be speaking at the Second VWF, if in London between 6 & 7 October 08 – drop by and catch up with him, he knows all the stuff u want to know about twinity (wink) – his panel are speaking on….

Web 2.0 strategy and virtual worlds

Integrating virtual worlds into your web 2.0 strategy – harnessing social networks, virtual worlds and MMOs to create community

• Playing to the strengths of social networks and virtual worlds – what are they each good at?
• How can they be mixed and for what? What role might casual gaming play in their integration?
• What should a mass market casual virtual world look like?
• How interested are social network players in adding virtual worlds to their offerings? How is partnering developing?
• Will virtual worlds grow into social networks themselves? How good are they at supporting them?
• Looking at the collision of mobile social networks and virtual worlds – where will people consume?

Raph Koster, President, Metaplace
Marco Behrmann, CIO & Entropia Universe Community Director, MindArk PE AB
Mirko Caspar, CMO & Co-founder, Metaversum
Burckhardt Bonello, Founder & CEO, sMeet
Stuart Dredge, Freelance journalist and blogger, covering games, music and technology

Metaversum Twinity Real World Media Event – itsReal

Metaversum – Twinity opens for global PUBLIC beta – itsReal – Mayor Opens Virtual Berlin – whilst Twinity becomes open beta Metaversum GmbH, developer and operator of the 3D online world Twinity, today entered its public beta phase. At the press conference in Berlin, Berlin’s mayor Klaus Wowereit opened the virtual counterpart of Germany’s capital city in Twinity.

Berlin’s mayor Klaus Wowereit opened the virtual counterpart of Germany’s capital city in Twinity

Singapore, London, and many other international metropolises are set to follow in the near future. Read more at: https://aplink.wordpress.com

Metaversum - Twinity opens for global PUBLIC beta - itsReal

Key to Virtual City Berlin

Mayor of Berlin, Klaus Wowereit, opens Virtual Berlin

Information on Metaversum and Twinity:

Metaversum develops and operates the 3D online world Twinity. Twinity links the real with the virtual world based on realistic replicas of the world’s most vibrant metropolises in 3D. Twinity members can experience virtual cities first hand, engage with real people in real cities, create personal avatars, design and live in 3D homes, communicate with friends, work or just have fun together. Twinity adds an extra dimension to real life and real cities, expanding and enriching it with all the possibilities of a virtual world. Twinity is currently in its public beta phase. Founded in July 2006 and financed by leading venture capital firms, Metaversum has offices in Berlin and Kiev. For more information, see http://www.metaversum.com and http://www.twinity.com.

Media Release: Twinity opens for global PUBLIC beta – itsReal

Mayor Opens Virtual Berlin – whilst Twinity becomes open beta

Metaversum GmbH, developer and operator of the 3D online world Twinity, today entered its public beta phase. At the press conference in Berlin, Berlin’s mayor Klaus Wowereit opened the virtual counterpart of Germany’s capital city in Twinity. Singapore, London, and many other international metropolises are set to follow in the near future.

Singapore, 07 September 2008 – At a press conference in Berlin Metaversum GmbH gave the starting signal for the public beta phase of its virtual world Twinity. During this test phase, internet users can venture out and explore virtual Berlin from anywhere in the world. Singapore, London, and many other international metropolises are set to follow in the near future.

During the launch event, Berlin’s mayor Klaus Wowereit was presented with the symbolic key to the virtual city. “Innovative projects from Berlin like Twinity enable people from all around the world to experience the creative metropolis of Berlin on the internet. This opens up a whole new dimension to Berlin. We’re especially happy to see how many new international visitors and inhabitants virtual Berlin has already gained in the last few days,” commented Wowereit.

Germany’s capital is the first city to be rendered in the virtual world. Twinity members can now experience virtual Berlin first hand. From the Brandenburg Gate to Alexanderplatz and Hackescher Markt, members can visit virtual galleries, bars, and clubs, go shopping, meet new people, and even move in and furnish their own virtual apartments. During the public beta phase, Twinity will be constantly tested and updated, new content will be added, and the platform will be optimized with the help of member feedback.

“Our vision is clear,” said Jochen Hummel, CEO of Metaversum GmbH. “This is a trusted environment within a virtual world, lifelike, and based on real metropolises. People can live, work, and have fun here. They can also beam themselves straight into the world’s most attractive cities with a single click. With the launch of our public beta phase, we have laid the foundation for Twinity’s international rollout.”

Pictured: Jochen Hummel, Berlin's mayor Klaus Wowereit & Mirko Caspar

All those interested in visiting Twinity can now register for the public beta at www.twinity.com.

VWN Reports: Twinity opens outdoor Berlin – itsReal

Twinity Heads Outdoors with Berlin

Metaversum announced last week that its upcoming mirror world, Twinity, had begun opening outdoor areas in its private beta. The virtual world is built around real-world metropolises, but, until now, avatars had been limited to indoor spaces. Sections of Berlin, now open, are the first to get the treatment, but Metaversum says it is already at work on other regions of the city as well as additional international metroplises.

“We are currently testing about 6 square kilometers around the Hackescher Markt and Alexander Platz districts of Berlin,” Dr. Mirko Caspar, CMO Metaversum, said via email. “As a comparison, this area is approximately the size of 100 islands in Second Life. This represents just a small part of what we are planning to implement, with much more to come in the near future.”

Metaversum has previously talked about its goals as “selective mirroring.” Rather than trying to model the entire Earth–re-creating Google Earth with avatars–the goal is to pick and choose the highlights. That’s particularly true at the beginning. Later, Metaversum will look at other options and consider opening the world–and its open spaces—to third parties.

“Our vision is that people using real identities and realistic avatars are looking for a familiar environment to extend their real lives into a virtual space,” explained Caspar. “We have chosen to replicate the most vibrant major cities of the world first – the rest we will handle as opportunities arise. If anyone wants us to build a dedicated outdoor space or a city that is not on our roadmap, we’ll definitely look at the proposal. In the future, we will consider allowing certain third-party developer partners to work on realistic outdoor environments.”

For other mirror worlds, like Everyscape, part of the business model is in bringing real-world businesses to its virtual spaces. The beta of Twinity already features in-world attractions, groups, and businesses, and opening the outdoor space of the Hackescher Markt creates more opportunities for the galleries, cafes, and shops from real Berlin.

“It is a central part of our business model,” Caspar explained. “We already have a lot of real-world businesses with their real-life locations in Twinity’s virtual Berlin: shops, galleries, clubs, cafés, bars, etc. Some sell virtual goods, some already link to their online shops and offer their real world products. Metaversum and our growing base of third-party developers help real world businesses create their virtual locations in Twinity. Through this collaboration, businesses in Twinity are able to interact and engage directly with both a local and international user base by offering virtual, real and augmented services. Connecting and linking real and virtual spaces is at the core of our vision.”

Courtesy: VWN