by Lisa Manfield

The woman carefully selected her outfit from among the many options: short black skirt, slinky mauve top, black heels. She smoothed her blond locks, applied a ruby gloss to her lips and set out for the club. As she made her way along the streets, people waved and shouted greetings. Well, to be accurate, they messaged hellos on-screen. Some were so bold as to invite her to join them in the adult-oriented VIP room. But she was on a mission: to attend Redlightcenter’s launch party in Vancouver. Online. As an avatar.

Fifteen hundred real live people partied at Plush Nightclub, a bricks-and mortar club in downtown Vancouver, while large flat-screen monitors on the walls displayed images of online avatars doing the same in a virtual club. It was a unique fusion of urban nightlife and virtual reality. “Basically, we had a synchronized party,” said Zak Zarry, marketing director for Redlightcenter.com (RLC). “We had 300 people online [as avatars] and two big screens at the club showing what was happening in the virtual world. We were broadcasting the DJ into the online world, where we also had girls dancing in cages.”

Gone are the days of one-dimensional online dating. Since October 2006, singles have been able to meet, mingle and even get intimate at RLC before taking their trysts to the real world. “It’s like MySpace but 3D. You can physically meet people in a virtual world,” Zarry said. Conversely, using computer stations at the club, onlookers can see who’s online and connect with people they’d like to meet. “They can do a pre-meet,” Zarry said. “It’s a good icebreaker.” 

Quarter million avatars 
A massive multiplayer social centre with 250,000 members worldwide, RLC facilitates those virtual connections with features that are making many singles swoon. What’s the allure? “The graphics are absolutely amazing. It looks like real life,” said Michal Russell. She attended the live launch party in Vancouver, took a trial run through the online world and signed up for membership on the spot, along with about 50 others. “It’s the coolest thing I’ve ever seen. If you can’t get to the party, you can go online and see people live at the club.”

But it’s more than just fancy graphics attracting users to this party. Considerably racier than your average multiplayer game, RLC allows users to hook up for a little virtual action via their avatars. “For $20 per month you can get naked and have cybersex,” Zarry said.

Anyone can sign up for free, but only paying members have access to VIP areas where their naked cyber-egos can get up-close and personal in remarkably realistic simulations. Nonetheless, the entire site is decidedly adult-oriented, with corridors displaying sexy pinups and plenty of users eager to meet—and make—their match.

Like many social networking sites, users can set up a profile page, upload pictures and search for other members based on shared interests. What’s unique about RLC is that members can customize their avatars and hang out online in bars and art galleries. “You can even take a date to a movie or a show,” Zarry said.

Online dating 2.0

People used to meet in bars and singles clubs. Then the Web took off and we had Lavalife and Match.com. Now Redlightcenter.com is trying out a new mode: using sexy avatars to facilitate real-life hook ups. And before visiting the site, be warned: it is a decidedly adult destination.

“For $20 per month you can get naked and have cybersex.” — Zak Zarry, Redlightcenter.com

It’s a safe way to meet people and have fun, Zarry added, with 150 volunteers moderating the online world, looking out for minors and offering assistance as community protectors. For Russell, a single mom often home in the evenings with her four-year-old son, RLC has enabled her to move beyond the textual constraints of getting to know people through instant messaging or email. “I’ve met people from around the world [on RLC], and it’s neat to see them as opposed to getting an e-mail,” she said. “You can see what they’re wearing and it feels more interactive.”

Russell said she has dated guys she’s met on regular dating Web sites, but with RLC “you get more of a sense of who people are when you can see the gestures they make [through their avatars].” She admits she hasn’t tried the adult areas yet. “I use it more as a way to find new friends because it’s better than MSN,” she said. “And I love the fact that they always come out with new things.”

In fact, RLC followed up its successful launch with an innovative online rave party, which sought to duplicate the rave environment in every way. This included the availability of virtual drugs. “They could dance, smoke weed and drink,” Zarry said. “People can explore these things in a completely safe manner.”

For Russell though, it’s really all about clothes. She enjoys taking the time to dress her avatar up, and has even made her own clothes using Photoshop. “It takes me 10 minutes to pick out an outfit,” she said, “but my ass looks good online.”

SIDEBARS

Definition
Avatar: A digital representation of a player in a virtual world. avatars can be a symbol, a cartoon image, an animal, a character or a more photo-realistic image.

Dating the old-school way
Mateless and pressed for time but prefer flesh to pixels? A more traditional dating service might suit your needs better than a sexy avatar. Enter Equal Chemistry Exclusive, a new matchmaking service for busy executives who lack the time it takes to find the perfect long-term partner.

Based in Toronto, the company is run by Tory Howat and relies on more traditional social networks. Howat plucks potential matches from cafés, running clubs and other public places. Aimed specifically at male executives, the service is offered nationally. “There are almost too many ways to meet people these days. At work, at bars, online, in your neighbourhood, etc., but how do you determine who is right for you in
 
a limited amount of time,” Howat said. “I have no database, no secret formula and definitely no ‘casting calls.’ I work very hard to match people that have common interests and similar life goals, and then let chemistry take over from there.”

At a cost of $20,000 per year for six matches, you’d better hope the chemistry is perfect. For more info, go to www.equalchemistry.com