Habbo relaunches website for easier navigation

LONDON - Habbo, the virtual world for teenagers, has relaunched its website with quick menus and personal 'landing' pages to give users easier access to the activities they most value.

The new design gives members improved access to their personal pages, friends and groups and also provides new users with a simplified introduction into the virtual world.

Users can now revamp their personalised Habbo character with more accessories, including hats, belts, jewellery and facial hair, as well as gas masks, paper bags and hairstyles.

The new layout was based on research undertaken by Sulake, publisher of the site, into the features that its teen members most value. These included chatting with other users in guest rooms, making new friends and building their own new rooms.

The landing page provides an illustrated insight into the virtual world and simplifies registration to a one-step process.

The Habbo website first launched seven years ago and now has more than 82m registered characters.

Phil Guest, managing director of Habbo Europe, said: "Since launching in 2000, Habbo has continued to grow and attract a loyal teen audience.

"However, the online landscape has changed radically: teens are engaging in a wide variety of online media and they are sophisticated consumers.

"We want to ensure that we remain true to the original concept of Habbo: providing a creative and fun environment for teens, whilst being both relevant and engaging."