Meez

Meez

Meez Logo
Type of site	Avatar
Owner	Donnerwood Media
Created by	Donnerwood Media
URL	http://www.meez.com
Commercial	Yes
Registration	Recommended

Meez is a social entertainment website that allows users to create their own animated avatars, or "3D I.D." graphics, for the Web, to play casual games with their avatars, and to use them in customizable Rooms on social networks like Facebook.

File:FGraffitiAni150.gif

Female animated Meez

Users choose the gender of their human Meez, characterize them with appearance options, dress them in MeezMaker clothing, and add animations and backgrounds to further display their interests and hobbies. After creation, Meez "snapshots" (either JPEG or GIF) can be downloaded or exported for use in websites, social networking profiles, blog posts, and discussion forum signatures. Meez can also be used along side casual games where the gameplay drives the emotions of the Meez.

Meez launched on March 28, 2006. One of a small group of "online entertainment" web services developed by Donnerwood Media, Meez's CEO is Sean Ryan, former VP of Music Services of Real Networks.

Part of the wave of self expression in Web 2.0 technology, Meez describes itself as an outlet for personalizing web users’ Internet experience.

Using Java technology, Meez is entirely browser-based. It works on Windows, Macintosh, and Linux PCs. Upon its relaunch on December 1, 2006, Meez became compatible with most Internet browsers (including Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox) on both Macintosh and Windows computers.

Features

MeezMaker

Users customize their Meez by browsing through the MeezMaker. Items to choose are organized into categories: Clothing, Animations, Accessories, and Backgrounds. In addition to these basic categories, the MeezMaker also has a number of themed buttons which group items based on interest, such as: Lil' Mama, Tokyo Street, Warped Tour, Anime, and Moms. Currently there are over 120 themed categories and over 6,000 items

Most of the items available in the MeezMaker are free to choose, but there are some clothes, animations, accessories, and backgrounds which require an online payment. Meez uses its own currency, called "Coinz," to use in the Meezmall for more exclusive items.

Partners

Meez works with a number of groups and individuals to add specially branded pieces to its MeezMaker. Meez partners include Major League Baseball, US Soccer, Outward Bound, Angels and Airwaves, and specialty retailer Metropark.

In August, 2007, Meez launched its mobile service with partner Vringo, and in September, 2007, Meez launches its Games Channel by partnering with publishers such as iWin and Last Day of Work.

In October, 2007, Meez released chat integration with AOL Instant Messenger. Similar to, but not the same as, competitor avatar WeeMee's AIM integration, Meez users' avatars will appear in the chat window and react to chat triggers. See

In January, 2008, Meez launched its in-browser world on Facebook, called Meez Roomz and Games. It allows Meez users to customize their rooms, chat with friends, share music and video, and play online games.

See AIM Triggers below.

Widgets

Meez also has a number of widgets available which allow users to watch their animated Meez on their computer desktops.

AIM Triggers

Under construction

External links

• Meez
• Meez Roomz and Games Facebook application
• The Meez Insider corporate blog

Reviews

• "Express Yourself - For a fee" Forbes.com
• "Virtual Wardrobe: Get your alter ego all dolled up" San Francisco Chronicle
• "Break-dance online with Meez.com" ZDNet
• Time Magazine's Five Worst Websites