Rocketon is a virtual world, currently in closed alpha, which aims to create a virtual world on top of the 2D web. The basic idea is simple enough: to a browser extension which will allow users to create avatars which can then move around over the top of web pages, talking to other avatars if they happen to be on the same page. In that respect, it's very similar to Me.dium, a browser extension which allows chat, although without avatars, around a particular web page.
Rocketon takes this further, however, with a couple of extra dimensions. It includes multiplayer games, which gives the communication more of a purpose – one can see children using this as a way to play together on the internet with their friends. It has a wider scope than 'walled garden' virtual worlds, by encompassing the whole of the internet, but remains a destination in its own right. They are also following the well-trodden path of avatar customisations and what looks like the root of a microtransaction economy – they have an in-world currency which can be used to buy accessories.
The main business model, however, will be brands. Rocketon sees itself as a very easy way for brands to create a virtual world aspect to their site – it requires little to no development work and will presumably work out far cheaper than building out their own custom world. Rocketon also has the advantage of a persistent identity across the micro virtual worlds of individual sites.
Rocketon will face a substantial hurdle in adoption, however; it will potentially take many more users than would normally be expected in order to create a community, given that the avatars will be scattered all over the web. Rocketon has $5.8m in VC funding. Embedded below is a demonstration video.
0 comments