Gaia Online is an anime and games site. It was opened to the public on February 18, 2003 by Gaia Interactive, a group earlier known as AniHQ, consisting of Derek Liu and some of his business partners.
Users of the site, known as Gaians, are able to create a customizable avatar, for which they can purchase outfits using gaia gold, which is earned by browsing the site, playing games, and posting on the forums.
As the site is free, there are some ways the administrators have set up to gain revenue - these include Gaia-themed posters, shirts and hats. They also give donors in-game rewards of limited-edition gifts.
Gaia relies on donations and advertising. As a thank you gift for the users who donate, the site admins introduced monthly collectables (donation items) in June 2003. Users receive one 'Thank You Letter' for every $2.50 given. A letter can be opened for the user's choice between two collectably monthly items, and can only be opened after the 15th of the month it is from.
Originally the website was named Go-Gaia, but in May 2004 became Gaia Online.
In June 2006 it was reported that Gaia Online received venture capital funding from Benchmark Capital and Redpoint Ventures.
The "goal", target audience, and theme of Gaia have been debated amongst users since its beginning in 2003. Originally, it started off as a resource website with a linklist, but it was openly stated by Derek Liu (username "Lanzer"), the founder, that the website was moving towards that of a social gaming one
Each user can have one avatar per account, although there is no limit to accounts owned by a single user. Around 58% of users are 18-21, 26% in the 13-16 range, and the other 16% are 12 and under or 20 and older. There are also some users as old as 60+, although the aforementioned age group isn't seen as often on the forums.
Users can play mini games to earn different kinds of game currency, such as Gaia gold, casino tickets, and university credits. Other activities that earn gold include posting on the message boards with other users and entering contests in the arenas, or simply lurking on the site. Items are also received through 'Daily Chance' and random 'Rare Events.'
When making an avatar, the user can customize it by selecting gender, skin and eye color, and hair style and color. Hair style and color can be changed by paying Gaia gold at the Salon Durem.
When users first log onto their Gaia account they receive a starter set which includes four outfits and furniture (older Gaians started with just one outfit). When a user has earned enough currency, they can buy additional items from NPC shops, or from other users via the marketplace. They can also choose to 'quest' until they have enough gold to buy expensive items. Gaians are also known to 'quest' for avatar art and even pets.
Gaians can browse and comment each other's profiles, talk over private message, add people as friends, chat in forums, play various games, and explore and socialize in Towns.
Gaia has continually updated its site with new items, games, avatar features, and plot updates. Major plot events are usually accompanied by manga story-lines. |
