Developer UOneNet set to release a new Chinese virtual world in 1Q 2008

Beijing-based virtual worlds developer UOneNet plans to launch a new virtual world called “uWorld in” 1Q 2008. uWorld is a massive 3D virtual community that allows users to live, interact, and conduct business together. Users of uWorld will be able to purchase virtual real estate, start businesses, create social circles, and make and sell virtual items. Alpha testing for uWorld will begin in December 2007.

Along with Hipihi, uWorld would be the second virtual world announced in China. While other sites claim to be virtual worlds, UOneNet said these sites tend to be smaller in scale or are mainly 3D malls for users to purchase virtual items. UOneNet believes it can differentiate itself from the competition through its robust technology. The company said that one weakness of virtual worlds is they often contain “bugs” and cannot handle an upsurge in users. The company has been focusing on building a reliable backend, including its own proprietary technology called UniG, which is being used to build uWorld. The founder of UOneNet, Eric Ye, was a former software architect at IBM and has a masters degree in engineering from the University of Southern California (USC).

UOneNet plans to design the virtual world to appeal to Chinese users by adding more in-game tutorials and content creation tools. Recently, the company conducted focus groups with Chinese users who had used Linden Lab’s Second Life. One of the key findings was that Chinese users often wandered around and didn’t know what to do. Eric Ye, founder of UOneNet said, “To adapt to Chinese Internet users in our product design, we put more into in-world tutorials and examples to guide users, also help them form social and economic circles . We give them a sense of achievement when they accomplish something. Chinese users are creative but many are not technology savvy.” uWorld is also being designed with a softer color palate to appeal to Chinese users.

Currently, UOneNet is operating with a mixture of angel and venture funding. The company has 60 employees total.