is this it???, page-32

I attended loads of social media and digital media conferences ine called AdTech the biggest global digital media/social networking conference in the world - this in 2009 discussed in one panel that virtual worlds including Habbo, Second Life and Neopets (who I worked for) were on the decline from the most popular time I am not sure of the exact figure. It doesnt say they are dead nor did I but did say the sites are generally down - brands now have sites like facebook etc to make cheap applications wherethey can also be spending marketing dollars which weren't about years ago hence there are more choices for ROI for brands (plus its all about being new, innovative in social media).

. Heres a link to the slides presented at Adtech

http://www.futurelab.net/blogs/marketing-strategy-innovation/2009/03/games_virtual_worlds_are_dying.html

Here's some other online info:

http://blog.games.com/2010/03/01/mourning-the-decline-of-3d-virtual-worlds/

http://www.virtualgoodsnews.com/2009/11/the-9-suffers-an-earnings-decline.html


Casual gaming actually means sites that people go online to for short period of times to play games- virtual worlds is probably the correct reference here (casual gaming is the industry term its habit to use it think sites like Mini Clips and Addicting Games)

BUT ...................................

This technology is basically not virtual worlds or like Second Life I have done some research it is like a gaming
Facebook. i said I would look into it when i had some time (hence why no reason to be "suspicious" FAR too busy day trading!)

Hot Shot Media is developing a novel ?photo networking? platform, creating spontaneous social interaction and representing the best of social networking and photo management in an exciting and distinctive convergence. It is a unique blend of social networking and photo sharing, free of the traditional barriers. The Hot Shot Media team is actively creating an engaging virtual community based around a core premise of photo engagement, incorporating a number of highly motivating social games and contests as well as extensive photo management and sharing tools.

This is the best I could find - like I said I would check it out i am not sure how many people knoew exactly what they were buying into earlier talking virtual items etc

http://www.egoli.com.au/announcements.asp?s=MMZ&a=12470

So here is revenue model (unclear but main point i was making) Most online business in this space, particularly thosein the social networking arena, start gaining material revenue and certainlypositive revenue only after a very significant lead time; and that revenueprimarily comes from advertising.

Not so in the case of the HotShot model.

It isforecast to generate revenue from commencement and its financial success is notdependent, at all, on advertising income. I am a bit confused as MMZ do the advertsising mind you (its a sales and marketing advertsising agreement) but they say MMZ will benefit from different revenue streams so who knows

MZ mind you only see the revenue from sales and marketing so you are not investing in Hot Shots or the technology just the revenue from sales and marketing bear this in mind when reading above

I agree with the Bill Gates comment - this could go either way in my eyes so I wish you luck I'll stay out from now on as I am not an investor in MMZ but I wish you great fortune! Just be aware you are investing in amedia company not a Facebook as such but that may not be a bad thing ?