IMVU: The Official Guide

Instant messaging took off like wildfire in the late 80’s and early 90’s thanks to the efforts of AOL.  Several other companies started jumping into the market with their own variations of the popular communication tool.  Program developers started to come up with ways for designing a unique picture, or avatar, for each user.  Of course this led to people adding various types of features and ornaments to their picture in a way to express themselves.  Eventually video became available to use as an avatar.  But all of this was very limiting.  The actual conversations were simply words typed onto a blank screen.

But how cool would it be if that avatar could come to life and act along with the words being typed?  A surprised statement could be accompanied by wide eyes and gaping mouth of the avatar.  A big smile or laughing motion could signal happiness from the avatar.  That is the exact premise that started the IMVU service. 

In 2004 IMVU introduced a truly three dimensional system in which avatars appear to come to life. The avatars can move through different chat rooms and carry on conversations with the people that they encounter. Conversation balloons similar to those found in comic strips appear above the avatar’s head to display the conversations.

IMVU is so appealing due to its simple use.  People can log on to the IMVU site and register for free.  From this point people can design their avatar according to their tastes and preferences.  Since the site is accessible through the web people from all over the world can register as users.

One of the most popular features of IMVU is the customization of the avatars.  As of this writing the IMVU catalog contains over 4 million items.  Each day thousands of new items are created and added to the catalog as well.  Users can purchase these goods in order to change the entire appearance of their avatar from the clothes to their hair even the items within their room or the entire room itself.

Another appeal of the IMVU experience is the chance to meet new people. Looking around at different individuals and seeing the latest trends and fashions displayed in wide variety is a lot of fun for many people. The chat rooms make it possible to meet people in a unique fashion. Instead of roaming around to different places and hoping to meet someone interesting, users can choose different chat rooms as a way to meet. These rooms can be created by VIP level users. Currently there are over 50,000 rooms that users can visit. These rooms offer a broad range of unique themes such as a wedding reception or beach lovers. Users can scan through the different rooms looking for topics and hobbies that interest them and enter the room to mingle and chat. The owners of the rooms have the ability to change the décor and even the size of the room. This makes the whole experience exciting and interesting since things are not static and boring, but rather evolving and innovative.

One of the more recent additions to IMVU is the availability of 3D games. Playing games has been a social experience for people for ages. Charades, card games, board games and video games are all popular among friends whenever they get together. IMVU has expanded on this popular past time by adding new games to its platform.

So far Heyzap, OMGPOP, and Viximo have partnered with IMVU to provide 3D games for users. Users can put their unique avatar into the game, making it fun and exciting for the participants. Virtual items can be purchased within the game during play through the use of the virtual money that users have. The nature of these games is meant to be a social experience such as Top Modelz. This game allows users to trade away pictures of their avatars as well as pictures of other user’s avatars. During the trading users can make or lose virtual money.

The goal behind the games is to provide users another way to interact and socialize. After all, there are only so many ways to modify the looks of an avatar or a room. Once those options have been exhausted people will want to find a new way to spend time with their friends on IMVU. The games provide an outlet for this need.

The IMVU social experience is apparently popular and growing. The company has provided public information indicating that there are over 50 million people registered as users with IMVU. In addition to this staggering number is the fact that 2 million people were added within the past month. The size of the user base and the tremendous growth in recent weeks signifies that more people are enjoying the attributes of the IMVU social site and are spreading the word among their friends.