A start-up based in Menlo Park, Calif., Vivaty is constructing 3-D virtual chat rooms, which people can add to any web pages and social networking profiles on the sites where they spend most of their time. The firm has been gradually working on its technology for the last three years and will start a private test period on Facebook prior to a wider, real-time introduction this summer.

The technology firm will convert a flat profile page into a 3-dimensional live chat room. The users select characters for representing themselves from a list of funky avatars - a must for any such service - and then proceed to a seaside villa, gothic urban warehouse or any such interesting environment. They can, with videogame-like precision, navigate the virtual space that could display their Facebook photos hanging from the walls along with a YouTube video being played on a widescreen TV. Up to 15 other users can select avatars and join at the same time (and the same room) for text-based live socialising. The chief executive at Vivaty, Keith McCurdy stated, “We wish to take all content on the Web and thus, move it to a more visually immediate, immersive experience.”