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Habbo Introduces Dual Currency Economy
10.12.2008
- Users Can Now Buy Virtual Goods with Credits or Rent Virtual Effects with ‘Pixels’
Helsinki, December 10, 2008 - Habbo, the world’s largest virtual world for teenagers, today announces a dual economy in the virtual world. From now on, Habbo users will be rewarded for spending time on the site with ‘pixels’, a currency that allows users to rent a diverse range of special effects for their avatar and virtual room.
The ‘pixel’ economy compliments the existing ‘credit’ system; Habbos can exchange real money for virtual credits in order to buy items such as virtual furniture (furni), clothes and accessories. Pixels and credits can also be used together to purchase special items.
The simple way to earn pixels in Habbo is by logging in regularly – the longer you stay online the more pixels you earn. Habbos also receive pixels by completing ‘Achievements’ (in-world tasks), and by joining the Habbo Club (a paid-for members club).
Users can rent a number of special effects to invigorate their virtual rooms and avatars for a set period of time. New effects include hover-boards that let Habbos glide around the virtual world, a ‘frozen’ avatar that turns a Habbo into a moving block of ice, or bubble machines that blow bubbles into virtual rooms. The pixel economy will be constantly developed based on user feedback.
Sampo Karjalainen, the co-founder of Habbo comments, “Habbo has always encouraged users to express their own creativity. Credits allow users to buy innovative and exciting clothes, furni and accessories to personalise their virtual experience.” He continues ”Now pixels let Habbos rent new accessories and effects, to create a constantly changing and engaging virtual environment and I really look forward to seeing how this experience is adopted by the users.”
