Sulake launches virtual world Bobba Bar for mobile users

by Jacquie Bowser, Brand Republic 09-Nov-09, 11:30

LONDON - Sulake, the creator of online world Habbo Hotel, has launched Bobba Bar, a virtual bar for mobile phone users that allows them to make friends and date people from all over the world.

Bobba Bar consists of bars, cafes and clubs where users can chat to other "bar guests", over 17 years of age, by creating avatars.

Users can create their avatars from a variety of designs for the face, body, hair, skin and clothing. There are more than one billion combinations to choose from.

To talk to each other, users type in text that appears as speech bubbles on other users' phones.

Bar guests can invite friends to join by using SMS, email and Twitter. Visitors can also get free virtual drinks by chatting to the virtual bartenders.

Bobba Bar is a continuation of Sulake's past mobile experiments, including research project Mini Friday and Bobba beta for Nokia phones.

Based on user feedback, the service has been modified into an easy-to-use social meeting place.

Bobba Bar is a free download from the iTunes App Store for iPhone and iPod touch users. It is also available at Nokia's OVI store for Nokia smart phone users.

Sampo Karjalainen, co-founder and chief creative officer of Sulake, said: "We're really excited to launch our new mobile virtual bar. As the first virtual hangout for the iPhone, iPod touch and Nokia smart phones, Bobba Bar makes it fun to meet and make friends on the go."

At present there are no advertising or sponsorship opportunities, however Sulake hopes to introduce Apple's new facility for payments within iPhone applications by Christmas — this will be in the form of virtual content purchases.

Sulake said that in the future it may include opportunities for advertising/sponsorship within Bobba, as it already does with Habbo Hotel.