Zwinktopia
Posted by RossZwinktopia is a virtual world for Zwinky avatars to interact. In Zwinktopia, users can explore the world, chat with others Zwinkies and earn Zbucks playing games. Zbucks can be used to buy clothes for your avatar or other accessories.
Over five million people use Zwinky avatars to represent themselves on websites and blogs. Zwinky also has browser toolbar with avatar and Zwinktopia access built in. The Zwinktopia universe is owned by InterActiveCorp, which also owns SmileyCentral and Cursor Mania.
In September 2007 Zwinky incorporated pay for virtual currency into their immersive world letting users purchase batches of “Zbucks”, their virtual curency, instead of having to earn them. They join a growing group of other tween sites with paid virtual economies as well (Club Penguin, Habbo Hotel, Gaia). Users can purchase them using PayPal or credit card at a rate of about $10 for 2,000 Zbucks. With the Zbucks, users will be able to purchase their own avatar accessories or furnish their virtual rooms in Zwinktopia. Zwinky is not only making money from the Zbucks, but also through sponsorships and sales made through the virtual goods.
Zwinky is one of IAC’s properties.
Original Copy: http://www.crunchbase.com/company/zwinky
