For those big into social media, it's an interesting method of measuring your influence online. For those who enjoy business games, it's a fun stock market simulation where people are the commodities. And for those who like meeting new people online, it's a large and active community.

Today, the site has launched virtual branded items which users can invest their virtual money in. The first item to be offered is a virtual Xbox 360, which provides players with an additional stream of virtual income once they've purchased it. Those who spend their Eaves on the 360 will also be able to unlock an Empire Avenue Achievement by posting "Xbox FTW" as a status update on Twitter or Facebook.

"Early in 2011 we saw Empire Avenue as a great place for brands to interact with consumers in a very different manner," said Matt Singley of the social media agency Singley + Mackie, who represent the Xbox brand. "The Eaves are a great way to have a balanced transaction with our fans -- not only can they buy shares in us, but we can buy shares in them! It's been a big win for everybody involved."

The new branded items offer benefits for players and brands alike -- for players, they're a tangible reward for them to spend their hard-earned virtual currency on, as well as a means of publicly showing their "allegiance" to specific brands that mean something to them. For the brands themselves, it's another outlet for marketing and advertising as well as being able to engage directly with their fan base.

Sign up for Empire Avenue and float yourself on the social stock market at .