LOS ANGELES & GOTHENBURG, Sweden--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SEE Virtual Worlds®, an entertainment company developing a virtual reality universe of connected planets tied to licensed franchises, today announced that Guinness World Records, the ultimate global authority on record-breaking, has confirmed their record for the ‘Most Expensive Virtual Property Purchase’. SEE Virtual Worlds recently acquired the rights to Planet Calypso from MindArk, the company behind the virtual 3D environment Entropia Universe, for a record-breaking $6 million USD. Planet Calypso is the first planet in the Entropia Universe and has been successfully running since 2003 with more than 950,000 registered accounts from 200 countries and territories with $428 million USD processed in player-to-player transactions in 2010.
“Virtual worlds are continuing to shine and grow within the gaming industry and our Guinness World Record complements our support for the future prosperity and progress of the space," said Martin Biallas, CEO of SEE Virtual Worlds. “The purchase of Planet Calypso is a testament of our commitment to the social online game world and is just one of the many steps we are taking in the thriving industry.”
“We’ve seen enormous growth in the amounts for which digital property can be bought and sold over the last five years, and it’s great to finally see the first multi-million dollar virtual item change hands,” said Gaz Deaves, Editor of the Guinness World Records Gamer’s Edition. “Guinness World Records is dedicated to chronicling all that is extraordinary and exceptional within the interactive gaming space and this acquisition certainly qualifies.”
SEE Virtual Worlds is the publisher behind the highly anticipated Planet Michael, a first-of-its-kind interactive gaming and social experience that truly celebrates Michael Jackson’s artistry and his messages of love and peace, and a Universal Monsters world featuring Van Helsing and Universal Studios’ legendary line of cinematic monsters. The company also recently acquired the assets of First Planet Company, now rebranded as “SEE Digital Studios,” which will continue to enhance Planet Calypso.
Guinness World Records 2011 Gamer’s Edition is currently available in bookstores and in eBook format. SEE Virtual Worlds’ record will be featured in next year’s edition.
For additional information about SEE Virtual Worlds and SEE Digital Studios, please visit: www.seeglobalentertainment.com
For game updates and to register to become a part of Planet Michael, please visit: www.planetmichael.com
For additional assets and information please visit: http://bhimpact.gamespress.com/client_page.asp?i=181
About SEE Virtual Worlds®
Special Entertainment Events, Inc. ("SEE") has been in the business of themed entertainment for over a decade. For SEE, this is a process of utilizing known entertainment titles and franchises in new and innovative ways to increase brand awareness and create lucrative additional revenue streams for licensors and project investors. SEE has worked with some of the most iconic names in show business, including Star Trek and Titanic. SEE has received numerous awards for excellence in touring attractions and other themed entertainment projects.
SEE Virtual Worlds, LLC (“SEE VW”) is one of the newest members of the Los Angeles-based SEE family of companies. A natural extension of the company’s core licensing business, SEE VW and its affiliated and related companies bring the world of themed entertainment online. Through a virtual reality universe of connected planets, participants interact with their favorite motion picture, television, sports, and music properties. Using the state-of-the-art Entropia Universe platform, the real cash economy is incorporated in each planet, enabling participants to earn money through gameplay. For more information on the SEE family of companies and their products, please visit http://www.seeglobalentertainment.com.
About SEE Digital Studios AB
SEE Digital Studios AB ("SEE Digital Studios") is a subsidiary of SEE Virtual World Calypso, LLC. SEE Digital Studios maintains and creates updates for Planet Calypso, a free download, no subscription MMORPG with a real cash economy, and will develop new themed planets for the Entropia Universe. For more information on SEE Digital Studios please visit: http://www.seeglobalentertainment.com.
SEE is a trademark of Special Entertainment Events, Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. All Rights Reserved. SEE Virtual Worlds is a registered trademark of SEE Virtual Worlds, LLC in the U.S. and/or other countries. All Rights Reserved. The Universal Studios Monsters are trademarks and copyrights of Universal Studios, Licensed by Universal Studios Licensing LLLP. All Rights Reserved. Entropia Universe is a trademark of MindArk PE AB in Sweden and/or other countries. All Rights Reserved. Planet Michael is a trademark and copyright of SEE Virtual World MJ, LLC in the U.S. and/or other countries. All Rights Reserved. Planet Calypso is a trademark of SEE Virtual World Calypso, LLC in the U.S. and/or other countries. All Rights Reserved.
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