Linux Foundation's open plan, Accenture back volumetric video, & VR goes to space?
Linux Foundation's open plan, Accenture back volumetric video, & VR goes to space?
This week...Linux Foundation make plans for open metaverse, AltspaceVR sails into the sunset, and the world's first sharia compliant metaverse is launched.
Good morning Metaverse Business Brief readers. Let’s jump into the most relevant news from the immersive world in our weekly roundup.
Top Stories
Linux Foundation plan for Open Metaverse. The non profit organisation has established a new Open Metaverse Foundation, which aims to provide a collaboration space for organisations to drive standards for open source software and scalability within the metaverse. The group proven popular, attracting founding members like the Chainhub and Cloud Native Computing Foundations.
AltspaceVR to be shut down. After the troubling news emerging from Microsoft last week, it can be confirmed that they are also now sunsetting the AltspaceVR platform on March 10th. The decision has been made as immersive focus within Microsoft has shifted towards the Mesh platform. Altspace has been in trouble before, having been saved by Microsoft in 2017.
World’s first Sharia-compliant metaverse created. The Netverse project has been launched by BF Net on the Algorand blockchain. The move to create a Sharia-compliant metaverse is said to be a massive step forward for digitalisation in the islamic world. Alongside implementing a new halal ecosystem, Netverse has a mission of contributing to social good through initiatives like the ‘netversity’ universal education project.
NBA & Meta extend multiyear partnership. In a deal which is set to excite basketball fans in the immersive world, The NBA will bring a new space to Horizon Worlds - the NBA Arena - which will host 52 current season live matches in VR for free. The move only stands to strengthen the presence of the sports corporation within the metaverse, improving on a previous branding deal by introducing experiences.
In Funding
Gemba secure $18 million funding. The UK based Corporate VR training platform have announced the funding within a series A round - led by Parkway Venture Capital, with the money going towards continued global expansion.
Accenture back Forma Vision. The strategic investment through Accenture Ventures Project Starlight backs Seattle based Forma Vision’s 3D volumetric video technology. Although the investment figure hasn’t been disclosed, the move will be a huge boost as Forma Vision look to accelerate growth and expand operations.
Emperia raise £8 million in series A funding. The London based startup develop virtual stores for fashion brands. Within clients already including Lacoste, Dior, and Ralph Lauren, the brand are well poised to use the investment to progress with the delivery of revolutionary digital experiences in their preferred fashion, with design and presentation informed by data analytics.
Keep an eye on
Oreo launch a new VR metaverse experience. The 'Oreoverse’ has been launched to celebrate a new limited edition flavour - dubbed the ‘The Most Oreo Oreo’. The experience is accessible to all Meta Quest 2 and Quest Pro headset users, and features a variety of interactive games.
Woodstock World brings spirit of the 60s to the Metaverse. The new 3D virtual environment has been developed by Sequin AR, with the full partnership and blessing of the producers of the 1969 music and arts festival. The platform will use archive content alongside motion capture to allow fans to interact with history in real time.
Pedigree place a paw in Decentraland. The dog food manufacturer have founded the ‘Fosterverse’, a virtual world which looks to find dogs in the real world a home and raise money for animal shelters. Users are encouraged to interact with virtual pets and chat to fellow users about the fostering of real-world dogs.
Vection Technologies shoot for the stars. The firm, also known as VR1, are looking to produce a fully immersive VR platform called ‘Lunar City’, using cameras and sensors that will be held onboard Nasa’s Artemis space modules and aircraft to produce a real-time experience for the public.
Events to be at
February 14 Online | Insights Live: Art and the Metaverse: From Creation to Market
March 14 Online | Insights Live: The Great Debate: Entertainment in the Metaverse – LBE vs Home Entertainment
April 11 Online | Insights Live: Growth of Web3 and Retail
March 16 Paris | Virtuality Web3 Summit
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Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, and your best memories from AltspaceVR to team@aixr.org.
January 30 2023 Edition - Issue 4