Gaia Online is an anime-themed forums-based website. Opened to the public on February 18, 2003^[4] by Gaia Interactive, Gaia first began as an "anime linklist with a small community,"^[4] but it was openly stated by founder Derek Liu (username "Lanzer") that the website was moving towards that of a social gaming one.^[5] It eventually became the forum-based website it is now.^[1] Big-Boards.com reports Gaia is the largest forum on the Internet,^[6][7] with over a million posts made daily,^[1] over a billion posts total,^[1] and over 2.5 million unique users each month.^[1][3] Gaia also won the 2007 Webware 100 award in the Community category.^[8]

Users of the site, known as Gaians, create a customizable avatar for which they can purchase items using virtual currency called Gaia Gold, which is earned by engaging in many activities, including Gaia's many Flash games. Gold can then be used to purchase online items, which can be equipped onto the user's avatar, stored in the user's inventory, or placed in the user's Gaia Home, a virtual, furnishable house.^[9] Also, they can now buy items for their own virtual car.

Users may also purchase special, month-specific items called Monthly Collectibles with real currency.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaia_Online