Viwawa, an online site offering multiplayer versions of games including mahjong, big five, sushido, and checkmate played via online avatars, is extending its marketing effort from Southeast Asia to Hong Kong and Macau.
Viwawa’s business model is focused on raising revenue from the sale and enhancement of the avatars (known to players as ‘wawas’) rather than on selling the games themselves, thus ensuring service providers don’t risk coming into conflict with Hong Kong and China’s strict controls of online gambling.
Viwawa and Disney Online recently announced that Viwawa’s Disney avatar creation engine has been launched in Hong Kong with a celebratory contest for the best dressed Disney avatar.
Contestants will have the chance to win Viwawa merchandise, gaming gold, and several Disney MP3 Players.
“By engaging Hong Kong subscribers with the Disney avatar creation engine we expect to further expand Viwawa’s market in Southeast Asia and to solidify Viwawa as the hottest online casual gaming site,” said Viwawa president Chris Low.
“The expanded partnership with Disney Online brings a new level of appeal to Viwawa and will have Hong Kong gamers playing into the wee hours of the night,” he added.