Report: Virtual World Investments Equal $161 Million Dollars in Q2 2008

Virtual Worlds Management today announced results of a study of transactions relating to virtual worlds companies. The findings show that media and venture capital firms have invested more than $161 million dollars in 16 virtual worlds-related companies during the second quarter of 2008. These results do not include two companies that were acquired for undisclosed sums.

"Interestingly, neither of the companies that were acquired, GirlSense.com by IAC and PixVerse by hi5, have actually produced virtual worlds. The former is a virtual fashion site and social network and the latter produces apps for social networks," notes Joey Seiler, Virtual Worlds Management author. "Both, however, have been discussed, or self-described, as having potential for virtual worlds, showing an eye toward the future. Those, combined with 4 investments in pre-launch companies, highlight the still emerging nature of the industry. We should see some exciting new developments at the Virtual Worlds Expo taking place September 3-4 in Los Angeles."

$184 million dollars was invested in 23 virtual worlds in Q1 2008, putting the full worth of investments for the half year at $345 million. A full list of investors for Q2 2008 can be found here.