Virtual Worlds Forum

Here's one of the more fun promotional strategies I've seen for an MMO. Chinese firm Beijing Perfect World Network Technology is holding a huge love-themed event called the Love Me, Marry Me Large Group Wedding of Thousands of Game Players. It's based on Perfect World's Legend of Martial Arts MMO, and lasts until the end of this year. The translated press release doesn't make it super-easy to work out exactly what's happening, but there'll be three stages: 'Familiarities and Challenges: Fighting for Treasure', 'Luxuriance and Elegance: Wedding Dress Show', and 'Tribute and Extravagance: Honeymoon in Laffitte Chateau'. It's a contest, though, with couples competing to win a place in the final group wedding in the real world, with cash prizes also on offer. The Event is considered to be one of the top online game associated events and is attracting massive participation. It's a good example of a virtual world taking its promotion back out into the real world, although cultural differences mean the West has yet to see many games like Legend of Martial Arts, let alone this kind of ambitious marketing scheme. Legend of Martial Arts website