The metaverse is a 3D virtual world that supports gaming, purchase and sales of Web3 assets. As it were, the metaverse has enjoyed exclusive financial support from Meta, formerly Facebook, in the form of investment. However, here we are; things keep unfolding. The following are fall outs from the virtual world this June.
Hexagon Live 2023: Nvidia’s Jensen and Hexagon’s Paolo Builds an Industrial Metaverse, The Omniverse.
During the Hexagon Live 2023 event, Rev Lebaredian, Vice President of Omniverse and Simulation Technology at Nvidia, was heard explaining that in the realm of 3D printing and computational technology, the groundbreaking fusion of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data is redefining approach to problem-solving. According to him, it’s the modern alchemy. Insight on how neural networks are being repurposed for practical application could not be more topical. The Hexagon Live 2023 took place at Caesars Forum in Las Vegas. It was also the stage to reveal a major evolution in its already fruitful partnership with Nvidia. The guest list at the event included representatives from Microsoft, AWS, Red Bull Racing, Stratasys, and 3D Printing Industry.
Speaking at the event, Paolo emphasized his roots as an engineer and his appreciation for problem-solving. He shared his experience working on the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) project at CERN, referring to it as “the world’s largest fridge” due to the extreme cooling required for the operation of its massive magnet systems, demonstrating the need for creative problem-solving in the field of engineering. He outlined Hexagon’s aim to digitize everything and create “digital twins” of everything from small components to entire cities. These digital twins are not just virtual models but the foundation of an improvement journey towards more quality, productivity, and competitiveness. In the words of Paolo Guglielmini, the CEO of Hexagon:
“Hexagon and Nvidia have been partners already for a very long time across our businesses. And you know how much it has been in the press and in the spotlight in the last couple of months because of advances in AI and the role that their technology play to accommodate for the explosion of artificial intelligence algorithms. We’re here to talk about your innovation, the phenomenal problems that you’re going to tackle using Hexagon technologies. We wanted to build digital twins of anything from small components, all the way to entire assemblies, all the way to industrial facilities and cities.”
Meta Launches VR Subscription Service Quest+
In a bid to restore its reputation and recoup some of its lost fortune, Meta has launched a virtual reality (VR) game subscription service. This is a modification of its approach to the VR headset market, which it dominates, amidst heavy investment and a lack of interest in “metaverse” virtual world applications. This new VR game subscription service, which he dubbed Quest+, gives users access to two selected games each month, and if the user adds those games to their library they will remain available as long as the user continues subscribing. If events make the user’s subscription to elapse, access to the games is lost until a resubscription is done. The two monthly games will be valued up to $60 (£47), in theory making the subscription price of $7.99 per month or $59.99 per year an attractive one. People’s concerns remain whether the user would like the particular two games Meta has chosen in any given month. This new subscription service will save users from having to hunt around for individual games in the Quest store to buy.
It is worthy of mention that Facebook changed its name to Meta in 2021 in a bid to distance itself from Facebook-related data scandals and to emphasise a “metaverse” future it envisaged based on VR headsets and virtual interactions in 3D worlds. The following was elicited from a statement that followed an announcement made by the Meta Chief Executive, Mark Zuckerberg:
“Subscription services have been a great way to get more bang for your buck as far back as the Blockbuster days. We’re excited to give gamers on Meta Quest a new way to explore all their headsets have to offer.”
RAF and Lockheed Martin Sign on to Red 6’s Military Metaverse
Lockheed Martin, Red 6, and Korea Aerospace Industries are working towards integrating Red 6’s Advanced Tactical Augmented Reality System (ATARS) into the T-50 platform and related ground-based training systems. This information was captured from a statement released on the 20th of June by the three entities involved in the partnership. It was no mere coincidence that the news came out on the same day that Red 6 announced a strategic agreement with the UK’s Royal Air Force and National Security Strategic Investment Fund to supply augmented reality technologies in support of the UK military flight training ecosystem. In the words of Daniel Robinson, CEO and Founder of Red 6:
“A training environment that allows for the combination of virtual assets visually represented in the real outdoor world has never existed until now, and in the US alone the technology should be able to train an additional 200 pilots a year, representing a significant step towards eliminating the roughly 2,000 frontline pilot shortfall the US is currently experiencing. The way we traditionally do training is every time I go up to fly and train I need someone to go fly and train against.”
Pilots trained using augmented reality compete against the same skilled flight personnel, but Red 6 have opened up the capacity to engage in scenarios where there are so many opponents that it would be prohibitively expensive to train against, and train in problem sets where the opponents have capabilities and profiles that match the most sophisticated airframes modern peer-adversaries possess. With the addition of the ATARS system, as well as being able to simulate within-visual range dynamic environments, Red 6 are able to render entire landscapes and theatres, bringing a new dimension to training not seen before.
The Sandbox Kicks Off its Singapore Lion City Partner Day, Paving the Way for Web2 Brands to Embrace the Metaverse
One of the leading decentralized gaming virtual world, The Sandbox, has announced the unveiling of a Singaporean neighborhood which it dubbed Lion City. The Sandbox is a subsidiary of Animoca Brands and this announcement was made at the inaugural Singapore Partner Day Event. The plan for the building if this neighborhood has been in motion for about 9 months and has 512 virtual LANDS in the decentralized virtual world. The neighborhood will showcase more than 30 different global and regional brands and IPs that represent Singapore’s culture through sports, fashion, entertainment, and technology alongside established Web3 natives to participate in The Sandbox metaverse. This Lion City project is aimed at fostering collaboration and innovation, which will bring together, for the very first time, all Singapore ecosystem partners under one roof. In the words of Sebastien Borget, The Sandbox Co-Founder & COO:
“The Sandbox team has laid the foundation for expanding Metaverse opportunities in Singapore by partnering with over 40 brands and IPs. Additionally, we have certified 8 local agencies and will continue to onboard new partners, positioning Singapore as a global hub in Web3 and the Metaverse. Through the creative use of NFTs, we aim to empower talented individuals and inspire new job opportunities. On our Singapore Partner Day, we introduced these partners, shared our long-term vision, and highlighted the Lion City as a cultural hub.”
Singapore was picked as an anchor point for The Sandbox in the Southeast Asia region because of its culturally rich and diverse business metropolis. The island nation has consistently positioned itself as a hub for innovation and Web3 advancements owing to its conducive regulatory environment for emerging technologies. Through Singapore’s supportive and collaborative ecosystem, companies will be able to explore new digital frontiers and test decentralized technologies. Over 400 global brands are already on board the project, including Singapore’s DBS Bank, MM2 Asia, ONE Championship, Mighty Jaxx Group, Spa Esprit Group, METAVI, Technology Development Centre (TDC) of Institute of Technical Education (ITE), UKISS, Bandwagon, Renovi, Affyn, 8sian, The Engineers, Metaskull by Jacky Tsai x Froyo Games, Fabric of Reality, CreativesAtWork, Memotics, FXMedia, Kappou, The Parlour, Manifest, Vaniday, PengWine, LOFI, A11YVERSE, AK Theatre, Food Bank SG, 1-Group, Aventis Learning Group and Zodium. Studio partners serving the Singapore market include Smobler Studios, CGame Studio, Oceanus Media Global, iCandy Interactive Limited subsidiaries Lemonsky Studios and Hashcode Studio, New Moon Studios, Pangu by Kenal and Clevereen. Other ecosystem partners building the metaverse together include OKContract, Golden Equator Group, DIFY and Peatix.
A New Metaverse Network Plots an Escape from Meta’s ‘Walled Gardens’; Improbable Sets Up MSquared
Few years ago, Facebook changed its name to Meta with the goal of emphasizing its deep interest in the metaverse virtual world. This change came with lots of hype as most techies were quick to follow the trend. As the hype fades amid jaw-dropping losses, risible selfies, and the generative AI boom, reality is setting in and things are taking a sharp turn. There now seem to be competing visions among metaverse stalwarts. There’s a visible division between the centralized camp, such as Meta and Roblox, and the decentralized camp. Improbable has pitched its tent in this latter camp. The company spent a decade building immersive virtual worlds, from military simulations to K-pop parties, before pivoting to building metaverse infrastructure. While the unicorn’s focus (and fortunes) have fluctuated, Improbable’s faith in open spaces has persisted. To promote interconnected in the metaverse, Improbable has launched a new venture: MSquared, a network of metaverses.
MSquared hopes to dismantle the barriers of ringfencing which has characterized some metaverse like Roblox. Using a suite of technologies, services, and standards — as well as $150m (€138m) in funding — the project promises to power a nexus of interlinked worlds. If all goes to plan, the virtual experiences will extend across multiple platforms and an interoperable economy. Whitehead, Improbable’s Co-founder and Chief Product Officer compares the concept to international travel. In this analogy, virtual worlds are akin to individual nations with open borders. If you want to visit a new country, you just bring your wallet and possessions with you. Upon arrival, your digital assets could be accessed through blockchain-enabled decentralised identities and cryptocurrencies, or traditional Web2 log-ins and digital goods, like Fortnite outfits and tools. In the words of Herman Narula, Co-founder and CEO of Improbable:
“We have seen how walled gardens and closed networks exploit the people that spend time on the services for the benefit of few. We want to contribute to ensuring the metaverse holds its promise of being a network of meaning that unlocks creativity, social interaction, and economic opportunities, free from gatekeepers.”
Expert Opinion
It seems that just two years after Mark Zuckerberg launched his metaverse into orbit, the metaverse is crashing back to Earth. More disconcerting is that while his investments in the project is blowing up like a puff of smoke, other techies are rushing into his virtual world and cashing out big time. From what we see, it seems the metaverse still has some prospects. Whether or not these other stakeholders will wrest the paddle from Zuckerberg will only unfold in due course.