The flagship mobile platform and virtual world Highrise developed by Pocket Worlds has recently reached over 40 million users in time for the release of Highrise 4.0.
Highrise Studio, a new offering on the mobile platform, provides a set of development tools aimed at simplifying the creation of immersive worlds and games in Unity. This includes 3D game modes, environments, assets, and avatars, all of which can be seamlessly deployed into Highrise 4.0, serving as a hub for user-generated content.
The platform boasts a user base where the majority of users and creators are women. User growth has surged by 16.9% in 2023, with 680,000 weekly active users spending an average of 90 minutes playing in the virtual world.
Empowering Creators and Monetization Opportunities
Creators on the platform have access to a revamped version of the Highrise world in Unity, allowing them to enhance their monetization potential. Through the Creator Exchange program, creators can earn income based on engagement time and sales, with nearly $500,000 distributed to creators in the previous year.
Additionally, users have the ability to design their own clothing lines within Highrise and participate in competitions. Over 5,000 designers have created unique items in 2023.
“At Pocket Worlds, our focus is on developing cutting-edge technology that empowers creators to craft the next generation of immersive experiences,” stated Anton Bernstein, CEO of Pocket Worlds.
“Through Highrise, we aim to foster connections and enable individuals to experience a sense of belonging and connection through creative, virtual worlds.”
Bitkraft Ventures commended Pocket Worlds for perfecting the community aspect of gaming in 2021, when the firm led the studio’s Series A funding round.
