Napster has debuted a metaverse for music, featuring virtual hangouts where artists can host events, showcase content, and monetize their spaces.
An advocate for the open metaverse, TerraZero is also involved in the development of the virtual experience, which kicks off with the signing of independent Chicago rap, funk, and R&B artist Ric Wilson. The firms aim to bring about a change in the way fans interact with their artists on a digital music platform.
According to Napster CEO Jon Vlassopulos, these kinds of virtual metaverse-style worlds have only been available on platforms like Fortnite and Roblox. But now, anyone will be able to access these fun, engaging artist hangouts straight from their browser.
He continues by saying that Ric Wilson’s virtual hangout is an example of what their partnership with TerraZero will deliver in 2024. This would happen as they look to roll out the ability for any artist on Napster to have their own virtual hangout space to connect with their fans directly. It would also unlock new revenue streams and ways for artists to express themselves creatively.
Napster and TerraZero will create metaverse for artists https://t.co/3k1zS4CdXg
— GamesBeat (@GamesBeat) January 16, 2024
What fans and artists can access
According to the reports, fans of Ric Wilson will have the opportunity to chat with him on the Napster platform. While exploring the platform, users can also enjoy listening to his music. Additionally, Wilson has plans to release a single and perform live in this virtual space.
In the future, Napster and TerraZero have plans to expand these hangouts by adding artists and introducing games with prizes. They promise to also soon offer concert tickets for sale along with digital merchandise. The CEO comments on this by saying,
“Napster has always been the original innovator in the music space, so partnering to bring immersive virtual experiences to life that leverage our Intraverse Technology Platform for their millions of users made complete sense.”
The Intraverse Technology Platform, created by TerraZero, acts as the foundation for building spaces where artists can gather and connect.
Music and the metaverse in recent times
Napster’s story isn’t the first in the integration of music in the metaverse. Soundscape, developed by Groove Science Studios, is attempting a musical metaverse built using Unreal Engine 5 with its illumination and reflections system, Lumen. Soundscape promises performances from Deadmau5, Evanescence, Slash, and more.
The studio announced in a press release that their goal is to create an experience similar to attending a music festival. The virtual platform will include worlds, personalized avatars, and the ability to listen to your own music streaming service, which is synchronized with an AI engine that reacts to the audio. They also introduced a feature called Soundtag, a tool that adds psychedelic elements to the soundscape.
Late in 2023, renowned rap artist Notorious B.I.G., also known as Christopher Wallace, also made a resurrection of sorts through a gaming experience designed specifically for hip-hop enthusiasts within the Sandbox metaverse.
All these ventures aim and promise to transform the digital music platform experience within the virtual space. Only time will tell how Napster’s foray into the metaverse, in collaboration with TerraZero, will change the music industry’s digital landscape.
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