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Most Virtual Gaming Support Is
U.S.-Based
Gavin
O'Malley
MediaPost
October 15, 2008
Venture capital and media firms invested over $148.5
million dollars in 12 virtual worlds-related companies
during the third quarter of this year, according to a
new report from market research and media company
Virtual Worlds Management.
That brought the total investment in virtual worlds for
this year to over $493 million--the vast majority of
which came from U.S.-based venture capital and media
firms, according to Christopher Sherman, executive
director at Virtual Worlds Management.
"That's where nearly 100% of the investment we measured
came from," said Sherman. "There's obviously investment
supporting the Asian virtual world market, but that
information isn't available to measure."
The bulk of the U.S.-based investment is in the
entertainment space, with all but $22.4 million going to
developers of worlds with strong "gameplay" elements,
ties to media brands, or the youth sector. Seven virtual
worlds aimed at kids and teens accounted for $35.6
million in the third quarter of this year.
"Youth worlds are constantly on the rise, and investors
remain interested in backing them as long as they can
find unique propositions," said Sherman. "The enterprise
market holds a lot of promise for future growth, but
it's completely immature."
The investment numbers were down from earlier quarters
this year--a trend the report attributes to an overall
decrease in venture capital investment this year. The
virtual world space, however, could potentially weather
hard economic times better than other sectors, according
to Sherman.
"Even when the economy is taking a downturn, consumers
still want to have fun," he said. "And in the enterprise
arena, corporations are just beginning to see the
cost-saving implications of virtual worlds, and virtual
conferencing in particular."
In the third quarter, MMO publisher Trion received $70
million from a single financial institution and Act II
Capital, among other investors--more than any other
player in the space.
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