stub 5 Online Virtual Worlds We Almost Forgot About - Gaming.net
Connect with us

Best Of

5 Online Virtual Worlds We Almost Forgot About

Published

 on

Browser-based virtual worlds used to be all the rage once upon a time. Things have since changed, of course, and I haven't the slightest clue what happened to the likes of Flash games and Newgrounds, as well as all the other associated handles that employed similar products. But even though the golden age of web-based gaming has since passed, our memories of playing them are still very much alive and kicking.

Glossing over the timeline of virtual worlds that rocked the internet during the early noughties, it's actually a surprise to see some of them still churning out content. Many phased into the archives years ago, and some have weirdly managed to stay afloat with the smallest inflatable boat known to mankind. However they all turned out, there's no denying the fact that each of them gave us plenty of memories to cherish for years to come. But which worlds in particular unlock the most nostalgia? Well, let's take a trip down memory lane, shall we?

 

5. Habbo Hotel

Habbo Hotel is one of those web-based games you probably tried and loved years ago, or tried to mesh with recently and absolutely hated. Like marmite, its virtual world can either leave you craving more, or steer you well away from every feature it tries to employ. Either way, having 22 years under its belt just goes to show that it remains relatively popular among online gamers.

The idea was simple enough: create an avatar, build an apartment, explore the hotel amenities, and meet new friends. Not a great deal has changed in the formula over two decades on the market, though with nearly a million players still logging in to play it, I suppose it doesn't really need to alter its recipe in order to bolster its reputation.

 

4. Coke Music

One of the virtual worlds that seemed to vanish without a trace was Coke Music, a spiritual successor to the Habbo Hotel platform. Coke Music was a themed world that persuaded players to invest in the in-game currency to help flesh out unique personal apartments. Like Habbo, players could create an avatar, design a home, and meet other users in one of many lobbies.

One particular thing Coke Music boasted was a music platform, which players could use to produce music and then perform on stages. The in-game currency, Decibels, could then be given to performers by audience members, which would open up new opportunities to help expand the gameplay. Unfortunately, despite its popularity, Coke Music merged into CC Metro, a less popular version of the game. By 2010, both worlds were canned.

 

3. IMVU

A game that has managed to stay afloat after all these years is IMVU, a 3D virtual world that surprisingly manages to hold well over 7 million monthly active users to this day. Like other platforms from the same genre, IMVU cast its focus on coursing players to meet new friends and develop a second life from the comfort of their own homes.

Since 2004, the social networking platform has only continued to evolve and broaden its ambition. Although its player numbers have dwindled to a fairly low level over its eighteen year tenure, its place on the Metaverse is still very much brimming with potential. Chances are, the game will still be knocking about in another ten years from now.

 

2. Bin Weevils

As a way to cash in on the web-based virtual world concept, 55 Pixels Limited teamed up with Nickelodeon to form Bin Weevils, a UK-based platform that combined online games with social activities. Sadly, despite holding a million or so concurrent players, it eventually reached its use-by date in January 2020, where it was quietly removed from the system without notice.

After Adobe made the decision to scrap its Flash Player counterpart, Bin Weevils was forced to establish roots in mobile gaming. Unfortunately for the creators, it was a failed attempt, and before long it soon became destined for the archives. Long story short, its virtual world shut its doors in 2020, and nobody has heard from it since. Poor Bin Weevils.

 

1. Club Penguin

The Arctic-themed open-world that was Club Penguin was once considered to be the best virtual world of its kind. Standing next to the likes of Habbo Hotel, the Disney-owned platform boasted an equal amount of online games and activities that the whole family could enjoy.

Although Club Penguin has since disbanded, its memory lives on in the Metaverse as one of the few founding fathers that helped pave the way for thousands of other up and coming virtual worlds. Whether it will come back in the distant future or not is unclear, though judging by its spin-off game Club Penguin Island being something of a flop, it seems incredibly unlikely. Still, never say never.

So, what did we miss? Are there any virtual worlds we should have included in this list? Let us know over on our socials here or down in the comments below.

 

Looking for more content? You could always take a look at one of these lists:

5 Best-Selling Mobile Games of 2021

Prime Gaming: 5 Essential Games To Play Right Now

Jord is acting Team Leader at gaming.net. If he isn't blabbering on in his daily listicles, then he's probably out writing fantasy novels or scraping Game Pass of all its slept on indies.