Over 8 million users have registered to play Sony Online Entertainment's Free Realms, the free-to-play virtual world game.

Driving the sign-ups has been the constant addition and evolution of content for the game, said SOE, with new features and events encouraging socialising and interaction.

"Free Realms is more than just a virtual world for our players; it is a portal for imagination," commented John Smedley, president of Sony Online Entertainment. "A place where players transform their house into a jumping maze for friends to compete or a petting zoo that boasts all their pets."

"Our job as developers is to listen to and predict what they want and give them the tools that inspire and compel them to share their experiences with eight million others."

The game was a hit when launched last year, with over 3 million users signing up in under two months.

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