Korean company finds VR success with "Minihompy"

The Korean company Cyworld has found a successful forumla for virtual environments, reports Jonny Evans of Wired News.

According to the article, Cyworld is a a social networking site that lets members build their own virtual living rooms, called "minihompies." The default free minihompy contains a journal, a message board, and images, but can also be outfitted with fee-based add-ons, such as legal background music, avatars, and furniture, which helped create $54 million in revenue last year. The article says Cyworld had 13 million users in 2004, and 90% of all Koreans aged 24-29 are members. The site generates 3.8 billion page views per week.

The 3D technology is basic, as shown in this online art exhibit which compares Koreans' minihompies with their real living spaces. I am speculating that the reason for the basic 3D display technology could be related to the fact that minihompies can be accessed via mobile phones.

The Wired article says Cyworld expanded to China this year, and will launch in the U.S. in 2006.