YoWorld

YoWorld
Developer(s)
Platform(s)PHP and Smartfox Server
ReleaseMay 8, 2008
Genre(s)Virtual world
Mode(s)Single-player with multiplayer interaction

YoWorld (formerly YoVille) is a browser-based virtual world game which was released on May 8, 2008. It is developed by Big Viking Games.[1] The game operates on the freemium model, and is supported through microtransactions, as well as a voluntary in-game ad program. The game itself is free-to-play, however, players can purchase in-game currencies or enroll in special programs and offers to improve their game-play experience or help them progress faster, using real money.

Users can create a virtual avatar, and enter the virtual world. Within YoWorld, players can earn virtual coins and currencies (like YoCoins and YoCash) in-game by completing various jobs and tasks in-game. They can also purchase more with real money. Users can then use these funds to purchase and decorate new homes, purchase more clothing and gear for their avatars, adopt pets, or even take advantage of the game's virtual economy, and make investments by buying, selling, and trading items with other players. Other activities in-game include mini-games, hosting parties, socializing and chatting with other users, and role-play. The game is currently available on the social media platform, Facebook, as a browser-based game. It can also be accessed through Facebook's Game Room platform.

The game was originally released and developed by Tall Tree Games in 2008. That same year, the game was purchased by gaming giant Zynga, inspiring other later titles like FarmVille and CityVille.[2][3][4] Tall Tree Games was the original name for the game's current company, Big Viking Games, who sought to acquire the game back from Zynga after its closure was announced on January 10, 2014.[5] The announcement of the game's closure led to months of organized virtual in-game protests, and boycott threats from passionate fans towards Zynga.[6] Throughout these months, negotiation took place between Zynga and Big Viking Games, which eventually concluded with the decision to allow the game to continue running with Big Viking Games as its new developers.[7][8] The acquisition came with re-branding the game, from YoVille to YoWorld.[9][10]

  1. ^ "YoWorld". Big Viking Games. Retrieved June 29, 2018.
  2. ^ "Silicon Valley firms join $29M round for social networking game company Zynga". July 23, 2008. Retrieved March 4, 2023 – via The Business Journals.
  3. ^ "Zynga Raises $29 Million B Round (Led By Kleiner Perkins) and Buys Virtual-World Facebook App YoVille – TechCrunch". techcrunch.com. July 23, 2008. Retrieved June 29, 2018.
  4. ^ "G4TV". g4tv.com. Archived from the original on June 29, 2018. Retrieved June 29, 2018.
  5. ^ "Zynga to shut down YoVille game". SiliconBeat. January 1, 2014. Archived from the original on June 29, 2018. Retrieved June 29, 2018.
  6. ^ "Game On: Thousands of YoVillers Rally for Doomed Virtual Town". NBC News. Retrieved June 29, 2018.
  7. ^ Tassi, Paul. "Why Big Viking Wants To Save 'YoVille' From Zynga's Axe". Forbes. Retrieved June 29, 2018.
  8. ^ "#SaveYoVille Succeeds: Zynga Sells Game Back to Creators for Relaunch". NBC News. Retrieved June 29, 2018.
  9. ^ "YoVille Renamed YoWorld And Officially Acquired From Zynga By Big Viking Games – TechCrunch". techcrunch.com. April 24, 2014. Retrieved June 29, 2018.
  10. ^ "YoVille lives: Zynga agrees to let developer Big Viking Games take over operations". VentureBeat. April 2, 2014. Retrieved June 29, 2018.