Frenzoo. Games with Style.

Avatar Style On The Go - Frenzoo shares Mobile and HTML 5 direction

 Coming support will let users enjoy Frenzoo on iPhone, iPad, Android and other devices.

 
HONG KONG, April 8, 2011 - Today, Frenzoo, the web 3D style experience announces plans for "Avatar Style on the Go".  "If you look at our users whether girls, teens and adults, mobile is a big part of their life." said CEO and Co-Founder Simon Newstead. "It's makes a lot of sense to take our web service beyond Windows and OSX and out to mobile platforms."

In the short run, Frenzoo will leverage its existing 3D engine, Unity as the core for native iOS and Android apps. And with Unity to support the coming Flash “Molehill” release, this enables another option for Android and other flash capable mobile browsers.  Longer term, Frenzoo views HTML5 and WebGL as essential for growth and unification, and is tracking of the evolution of specifications and platform implementations.  

1) Native iOS and Android apps

Frenzoo.com uses the Unity 3D engine, which already supports native hardware acceleration on iOS and Android.  As a leading 3D engine on those platforms, it is a straightforward project to port a native Frenzoo app.  With a streamlined interface and feature set, this would serve both as an "on-the-go" extension for Frenzoo web users as well as a standalone offering for new users.

2) Native Flash support

Later this year, Adobe will release its Flash Player with 3D acceleration support ("Molehill"). With the Unity feature to export to Flash announced and now in development, it means Frenzoo.com can run in browsers that support Flash.  For web users, this means no additional plugin to download, and will enable a mobile “full web” experience for platforms such as Android. We look forward to see increasing support for accelerated 3d in Flash on mobile hardware.

3) HTML5 - WebGL support

WebGL as part of the HTML5 set of specifications shows great promise to unify the experience across multiple platforms.  Frenzoo has been designed in a modular, abstracted manner that allows new 3D technologies to be integrated. Whilst not all modern browsers today support WebGL, we believe in the future they will, and we will be ready for that by integrating a WebGL 3d layer and also migrating all the user interface over to HTML5.

The first phase of mobile support will begin in Q3 of this year.

About Frenzoo

In development since 2008, Frenzoo Ltd. (www.frenzoo.com), is the first browser-based 3d style experience with user generated content.  The destination allows users to create an avatar, meet people and virtual chat in animated 3d scenes, express their style and create fashion and content and play, all in their Internet browser.

Press Contacts

Simon Newstead, Co-Founder & CEO
Email: simon@frenzoo.com
Skype: simon-hk

Illustration Contest Winners

We have a lot of artistic talents on our 3d world, in different forms:

• Those great at style and virtual photography...
• Others who create and texture...
• 3d modelers and animators and the list goes on!

For this special user contest, the focus was back-to-basics - illustration on paper, on a free theme.

Competition was fierce but ultimately 3 very worthy winners were selected:

WINNER - Yadira

 

2ND PLACE - Ninja Destiny

 

3rd place - Zuzuboogaliboo

Congratulations winners!

Introducing the Creator Pass. $US 6.95. For life.

We at Frenzoo love nothing more than launching new features into the arms of our growing community.

And one very important feature we have launched earlier today: the brand new Creator Pass.

With this single pass, you can upload 3d items to the shop from Blender, Collada, 3D Max, Maya, Sketchup as well as also texturing and deriving from other peoples templates to make your own shop items.  It's perfect for those who like to make items using Photoshop or GIMP. 

(Previously texturing and deriving were only available as part of the VIP monthly subscription)

The reaction this morning has been great, with several new purchases already.

Also people with old Pro passes have been upgraded free to the new Creator Pass.

"I love the news!! I have so many seamless textures that I want to sell and I was just looking into it last week how to upload textures but saw that I couldnt as a pro creator. Now I can."

LovedWarrior, 3d Modeler and animator (as heard on the forum)

At only $US 6.95 for lifetime pass as a beta special, it's a steal. 

Get one now

Less is more

While we are constantly adding new features to Frenzoo, we also often take out features or simplify them.

One example is the profile page which we changed yesterday.

Before it used to automatically load the 3d scene and avatar of the person whose profile you were visiting.  Whilst cool, it caused a lot of confusion from newbies in usability tests who thought they could chat directly with that person there.

Also for active Frenzooians who just want to visit a profile to leave quick wall posts or see what is happening it was overkill to load the full 3d scene in every case.

So, we heard all the feedback and have changed the behavior.  Now when you visit any profile, your own included it will default to a 2D snapshot pic of the users avatar, with a button to allow you to go ahead and load 3d as well:

Then after clicking the "switch to 3D" button, you view the full 3d:

Sometimes it's all the little things that make the difference right?

Congratulations Winners - 1st CCT Creator Awards on Frenzoo!

Creativity on Frenzoo just keeps growing, and now it's time to appreciate the Best of the Best so far!

On behalf of the CCT Content Creators Team and Frenzoo, I'm proud to announce the winners of the 1st Bi-Annual Creator Awards!

Entry was open to all, and spanned a number of different categories, ranging from scenes and furniture, clothing, accessories, cosmetics, hair and more.

And now for the winning entries...  Here they are:

The full list -

Congratulations to all the winners! 

Simon Newstead
CEO & Co-Founder, Frenzoo.com

ps - Special thanks to Liquidlight, Pikabo ICU, LdyDth and all the members of the CCT for holding this community driven awards and making it a success!

Frenzoo.com Launches Furniture Creation in the Cloud

Mesh import from 3D Max, Collada supported on new Unity powered tool

HONG KONG, June 24, 2010 - Today web 3d world Frenzoo.com launches a browser-based furniture creator. 

The easy-to-use inbuilt tool allows users to make and sell virtual items, without needing separate software or design experience.  The tool gives freedom to add and mix details, patterns and transparencies using templates which are uploaded by Pro creators.

"Frenzoo has always been a fun place to enjoy creating 3d fashion and avatar looks.  Now we're expanding to furniture and props." said Simon Newstead, CEO & Co-Founder of Frenzoo.  "From sofas to swimming pools this will mean more choice in the shop, more atmospheric scenes and for creators, a new category of item to sell."

Mesh import with native 3D Max and Collada interface
Pro 3D creators can now start uploading any type of mesh to be a furniture templates.  Templates support mesh as well as animations and avatar spots.  For example, an animated cat template complete with petting animation could be uploaded, for other users to derive from. Templates can be imported from native 3D Max plugins as well as via a Collada interface, supported on Maya, Blender, Sketchup and other packages. 

Texture upload option
VIP creators can also choose to upload their own textures for these furniture templates, as an alternative to using the inbuilt tool.  This is ideal for those experienced designers who prefer to use their own software such as Photoshop or GIMP.

Availability
The new furniture tool is now in live beta at frenzoo.com/beta/create.php 

About Frenzoo

In development since 2008, Frenzoo Ltd. (www.frenzoo.com), is the first 3d online world with user generated content on the web.  The destination allows users to create their avatar, meet people & 3d chat in animated virtual scenes, express their style and create content, all within their Internet browser.  Mod sims and 3d asset import from packages such as 3D Max and Blender are also supported.  The Frenzoo team is based in Hong Kong, and has been developed with seed investment from Ambient Sound Investments, established in 2003 as an equal partnership by four founding engineers at Skype Technologies.  Frenzoo has a partnership with leading virtual content producer Anshe Chung Studios (ACS).  Frenzoo leverages the power of the Unity 3d engine, used by leading entertainment companies such as Electronic Arts and Cartoon Networks.  The lightweight plugin installs in seconds without any reload of the browser, and enables Frenzoo to deliver rich 3D content rendered in hardware, enabling high quality graphics, avatars and animations.

Press Contact
Simon Newstead, Co-Founder & CEO
Email: simon@frenzoo.com
Skype: simon-hk

Frenzoo: simon_is_yeti

Free Creator Pass Trial - limited time offer!

To celebrate the launch of the new male avatar on Frenzoo, we're launching a special program.

Now experienced creators can try out to create and sell items on Frenzoo free for a month.  

During the trial creators can upload textures and derive from templates, on their own account.

Creators also will have their own permanent shop and will keep all proceeds from sales, forever.

Earned Gold coins can be kept on Frenzoo, transferred or converted into real money or other virtual currencies on AnsheX / FMX.

Requirement
- You have created items items on other 3d worlds or have high quality textures that you have made.
- You agree to submit at least 2 items during the trial.
- There is no need for payment or credit card, shop submissions can be made using free silver coins.
- There is no peer review process, items are available for sale instantly

Notes
- Trial creators will NOT receive all benefits of the normal VIP, including gold coins allowance, however they will be able to upload and sell items.
- The free trial will last a period of 1 month from date of first submission to allow a for a creator to add to the Frenzoo catalogue.
- To be eligible a creator must show an example of their work, or have their work available for the Frenzoo team to check.

Duration
- This program will open for entry in June and July 2010 only.
- The program is eligible for the first 20 qualified creators only.

Get your free trial now!
- Email your username example item to creators@frenzoo.com

Cristiano Diaz and Leelu - this is for you!

First it was a comment by a friend of the site Cristiano Diaz: "I can't make my Frenzoo avatar look older than a 10 year old boy!"

Then it was a biting post by one of our own - intern Leelu blogging about Frenzoo's lack of testosterone:

 

BEFORE

"One of our biggest weaknesses when it comes to masculinity is our male 3D avatars. Guys like to plume their feathers, or, in humanity's case, beef it up a bit. The most popular items for guys are skins with rippling muscles. The only problem is that the skins do not match the rest of the body. Heads stick out like a sore, effeminate thumb."

Hearing it come up over and over prompted some heavy drinking soul searching amongst the design team.  

Well, a short month later it's time for us to hit back with an all new look for the men of Frenzoo.

That's right, beginning today all male avatars on the virtual world of Frenzoo will be upgraded to a more realistic look that represent more of what masculinity is all about... (Hugo Boss aftershave commercial?)  And feel free to buy lots of creator skins and accessories to beef things up further.

Here's an example:

 
 Face

 
 Default body

AFTER

To state the obvious, we think it looks more manly.  

Perhaps even enough to tempt Leelu to return to Hong Kong for a second internship? (we miss you!)

ps - thanks Cris, nothing like a comment like that to jolt you into action :)

And the best illustrators on Frenzoo are...

...AnimeMeg27 and xoxskittlesxox, according to the results of the May 2010 "Illustrator of the Month" contest - Draw Your Own Avatar on the Frenzoo.com 3d world

For the very first time we had joint 1st place winners, as the officiating judge karlt both thought they were outstanding in very different ways:

"This really captures the character and style of your own avatar. The strokes and shading are fantastic, and portray of the face is realistic and excellent. The glamorous pose and the detailed stockings add sexiness to the overall feeling. This is one of the sexiest killer I've even seen!"

"It looks very eye pleasing. The colors are sharp and fresh, and the excellent shading makes the character stand out. I like the detailed face and clothes, especially the stripes on the doublet which help create the cylindrical feeling of the arms. Nice posing. Besides, the cuteness makes her look like one of the famous Manga characters. The little cute version of the avatar also adds fun to the picture!"

Both win a bunch of virtual prizes as well as a Wacom tablet to help them move their digital art into overdrive!

In second place was an amazing sketch by creator Dalriada:

Finally in 3rd place a very soft and detailed illustration by Ninja Destiny:

There are a bunch of special mentions that can be seen in the contest thread.  My personal favorite amongst the special mentions is a simple but edgy piece with personality by Naomix Sexy:

Congratulations to everyone who joined this huge contest. Great to see the art scene in Frenzoo alive and well!

Sculptris - amazing free new 3d creation tool that imports to Frenzoo

It's a hot topic around creator and virtual world circles at the moment.

A week ago, a fantastic tool called Sculptris was released as a free download.  Unlike more complicated 3d packages, this lightweight program makes creation intuitive and easy to pick up, akin to modelling virtual clay. Check out what can be done with it:

If you're a keen gamer you'll probably notice similarities to the awesome Spore creature creator from EA, except this can be generalized to any type of mesh, not just creatures.

The good news is that it outputs a format that is easy to import into other packages and then imported into the Frenzoo.com web 3d world.  In fact within 20 minutes of installing the tool we had created our first mask from scratch and it was live in world:

 

Made in minutes. Scary huh?

 

Imported to max, polys reduced then uploaded (no texture, just testing)

Bingo, it's live in Frenzoo, ready to scare noobs

It's exciting to see these types of user friendly 3d tools starting to permeate around the net.  No doubt we'll see lots of weird and wonderful Sculptris works showing up in Frenzoo.com soon...

Long live creativity!