The metaverse continues to attract interest from the best and biggest brand names in the world, covering a broad range of sectors, including art, entertainment, sports, and fashion.
Here MetaNews covers some of the big industry hitters making inroads in immersive worlds. We also take a look at the major Texan metropolis that has digitized itself, making it one of the first U.S. cities to join the metaverse.
Go back in time and captivate the world like @ElvisPresley with his electrifying presence 🎤👑
This epic collection features 3,000 Avatars, each with its own distinctive traits ready to shine in the metaverse 🕺
Get on the allowlist now: https://t.co/R1lrr9kFyx pic.twitter.com/uT9bL7S5Ea
— The Sandbox (@TheSandboxGame) August 2, 2023
The King of Rock & Roll
The Sandbox is releasing a 3,000-strong collection of Elvis Presley NFT avatars. The collection comes in cooperation with the Elvis Presley Legacy Council. According to details released by Sandbox, the avatars are fully playable and will unlock unique features and content in their virtual world.
Holding an Elvis avatar will also confer voting rights in the Elvis Legacy Council DAO, allowing members to vote on issues related to Presley’s digital expansion.
“We believe in a world where Elvis fans participate and shape the direction and future of the Elvis Presley Digital Estate.” said the DAO at the time of the announcement.
It's here! 📲 ✨ Visit us at The Met to transform 5,000 years of art into exclusive @Roblox virtual items with our new app Replica.
Download Replica for free on iOS and Android to start exploring the Museum. Powered by @Verizon #TheMetReplica pic.twitter.com/MYaoUuoMKX— The Metropolitan Museum of Art (@metmuseum) August 4, 2023
Bringing art to the metaverse
Sandbox may be bringing rock to its metaverse, but Roblox is going highbrow in association with The Met and its latest innovation – the Replica app.
The idea is somewhat similar to the augmented reality game Pokemon Go. Using the Replica app, visitors to the famous art gallery will capture digital twins of real-life objects including Greek helmets, Japanese warrior armor, and even the iconic staw hate donned by Vincent van Gogh.
The items will then be wearable in the Roblox metaverse. The Met hopes the experience will resonate with children first and foremost but also hopes for broader appeal.
Kenneth Weine, Met spokesman said, “The app’s ultimate goal is to introduce children to The Met’s treasures. However, its universal appeal ensures that art lovers of all ages can embark on this captivating journey.”
Copenhagen Fashion Week
Metaverse Fashion is coming to the beautiful city of Copenhagen in cooperation with Copenhagen Fashion Week.
The event runs from August 8-12 with daily in-game experiences and challenges powered by Drest, “the ultimate fashion playground.”
Lucy Yeomans, founder and CEO of Drest said. “It was a great opportunity for us to allow our audience to discover these purpose-driven Nordic brands.”
Users will face various fashion challenges during the event, dressing avatars according to style briefs and fashion brands. Once each challenge is complete, the Drest community votes on the best design.
The (virtual) Open
Golf’s premier sporting event now has its own metaverse thanks to a collaboration with the Royal & Ancient (R&A) and VR games creator Golf 5.
Neil Armit, Chief Commercial Officer at The R&A said, “We have created The VR Open so that fans can engage with the Championship like never before using technology and the Metaverse.”
The VR Open is taking place between July 15 and August 19, so it’s too late to qualify for the competition now, but there’s always next year.
This Texan city just got digitized
Finally, the Texan city of San Antonio also joined the metaverse with the 210 Plaza.
Visit San Antonio describes the project as “the digital embodiment” of San Antonio, the second largest city in Texas after Houston.
Founded as a Spanish mission in 1718, San Antonio has a long-held reputation as one of the most beautiful cities to explore in the U.S. – and it is even navigable by foot. The city hopes that digital visitors translate into real tourism in the future.
“The goal is to leverage this cutting-edge medium to capture the attention of a new, younger audience and inspire them to come and explore our beautiful city firsthand,” said District 4 Councilwoman Adriana Rocha Garcia on Facebook.
and then