Skype Founders Invest in 3D Virtual World Frenzoo

Ambient Sound Investments (ASI), which was created in 2003 by four founding Skype engineers, will acquire a stake as part of a Series A funding in Frenzoo, the Hong Kong-based, 3D social networking platform. ASI founders include Ahti Heinla, who serves as Chief Architect at Skype, Priit Kasesalu, Senior Developer at Skype, Jaan Tallinn, another Senior Developer at Skype, and Toivo Annu, former Head of Engineering at Skype. Terms of the upcoming acquisition have not been disclosed.

Frenzoo, currently in private beta, aims to be a centralizing hub for teen culture, providing a space for young adults to connect with friends and experience fashion. Users can create their online persona with 3D avatars, and participate within Frenzoo by interacting with virtual clothing, mixing and matching a variety of branded clothes, furniture, accessories and other lifestyle items. Frenzoo is looking to be an ideal advertising network for big brands looking for creative ways to penetrate the teen demographic. In a move similar to Second Life, items within the Frenzoo game will be virtual replicas of branded items, that players can incorporate into their 3D online space.

Other virtual world games that are good for brand marketing include CyWorld, which has recently launched its own fashion directive along side its Eyespot video editing addition, Habbo, and Sony Home.

Enter 9Dragons: Acclaim's Kung Fu MMO Has Launched With 5 Payment Methods

Los Angeles, CA (May 19, 2007) - Acclaim Games announces the Commercial Launch of 9Dragons, a FREE TO PLAY martial arts Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game (MMORPG) for PC, and introduces the all new Item Mall. Think of the world of Hero, House of the Flying Daggers, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Drunken Master rolled into one. In the game, you can rise from a beggar on the streets to a master of Kung Fu as you train with some of the greatest masters of ancient China. With over 500,000 registered subscribers, 9Dragons is one of the fastest growing MMORPGs in the US and Europe. While 9Dragons remains free to play, the commercial launch features the release of the in-game Item Mall, where players can easily purchase various virtual items using Acclaim Coins. Purchasable items include elixirs, healing herbs, and unique outfits for those players who demand that their characters really stand out. Players who want to bundle new features can purchase Premium Packages that offer Kung Fu boosts and other features that can enhance gameplay.

Online item purchases are done in-game using a simple click and buy interface. Players can easily purchase Acclaim Coins with their credit card, bank account, or a variety of other payment methods using safe and trusted online payment services to ensure secure online transactions (using PayPal, Click&Buy, or PayByCash).