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PC-Based 3D Virtual Worlds to Reach 33 Million Users in 2013

New report from Parks Associates defines value chain for 3D Virtual Worlds

DALLAS, Oct. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- An increasing number of industry players in the value chain will help push 3D virtual worlds into a sustainable industry, reaching 33 million registered users by 2013, according to Virtual Worlds: the Internet of Avatars. This new report from Parks Associates details the evolution of the virtual world value chain, which has added a variety of different companies and providers in its relatively short period of existence.

"3D virtual world platform companies, world operators, and full-service agencies form the core of the virtual world ecosystem, providing services to consumers, media companies, advertisers, and enterprises," said Yuanzhe (Michael) Cai, Director, Digital Media and Gaming, Parks Associates. "But content and application developers and service providers are becoming increasingly important."

These entities provide content, activities, and applications that enhance the usability and user experience of virtual worlds. In addition, several new solution providers have emerged to provide enterprise-class virtual world services.

"Without appealing content and applications, virtual worlds are nothing but empty shopping malls," Cai said. "The industry needs to move beyond its obsession with user-generated content and make 3D virtual worlds more interesting to average consumers."

Virtual Worlds: the Internet of Avatars defines the 3D virtual world value chain, profiles leading companies, examines industry and consumer trends and dynamics, forecasts market growth, and offers recommendations to large media companies, technology companies, consumer brands, marketers, and Internet companies.

Parks Associates will distribute a free whitepaper "Virtual Worlds and Social Media" at the Virtual Worlds London conference, October 20-21, 2008.

For information, visit http://www.parksassociates.com or contact 972-490-1113, sales@parksassociates.com.

About Parks Associates

Parks Associates is an internationally recognized market research and consulting company specializing in emerging consumer technology products and services. Founded in 1986, Parks Associates creates research capital for companies ranging from Fortune 500 to small start-ups through market reports, primary studies, consumer research, custom research, workshops, executive conferences, and annual service subscriptions.

Each year, Parks Associates hosts executive thought leadership conferences CONNECTIONS(TM), with support from the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA(R)), and CONNECTIONS(TM) Europe. In addition, Parks Associates produces the online publication Industry Insights in conjunction with the CONNECTIONS(TM) Conference series.

SOURCE Parks Associates