What is Otherside?

Otherside is a metaverse, a shared virtual space where players can own land, engage in collaborative experiences, and participate in a dynamic narrative. It was created by Yuga Labs, the creators of the popular NFT collection Bored Ape Yacht Club.

The Otherside community, also known as “Voyagers,” has been eagerly anticipating the launch of this metaverse. And with the announcement of their migration to MSquared, the possibilities for Otherside have become even greater.

What is Improbable’s MSquared?

MSquared is a suite of powerful tools designed to help developers build expansive and interconnected metaverses. It leverages a technology called Morpheus, which specializes in handling massive simulations with thousands of players operating in shared spaces.

In simpler terms, MSquared provides the infrastructure and technology for creating vast, connected virtual worlds. And Otherside’s migration to this network opens up a world of possibilities for players and developers alike.

The Potential Benefits of Migrating to MSquared

The Otherside community is eagerly anticipating the launch of their metaverse. As they migrate to Improbable’s MSquared, they can expect several potential benefits. With Improbable’s infrastructure, the metaverse can handle a large number of players without experiencing lag or other technical issues. This means that the metaverse can expand and accommodate more users, offering a smoother experience for everyone. 

One of the most exciting aspects of MSquared is its potential for interconnected metaverses. Otherside can potentially connect and interact with other metaverses that are also using MSquared. This creates a vast and interconnected virtual world, opening up new possibilities for collaboration, trading, and cross-platform experiences within the Otherside community.

Upcoming Events and Tools for Voyagers

The migration to MSquared is just the beginning for Otherside. Yuga Labs has announced that a major multiplayer event will take place in July, giving players a taste of what Otherside has to offer.

Additionally, a World Builder ODK (Open Development Kit) will be released, providing Voyagers with the tools and resources to build within the metaverse. This will enable community members to create their own unique experiences and contribute to the growth and development of Otherside.

Conclusion

The partnership between Yuga Labs and Improbable marks an exciting milestone for Otherside and its community. With the migration to MSquared, the potential for this metaverse has expanded significantly, offering scalability, interoperability, and new tools for Voyagers to create and explore within the virtual world. As more information about Otherside is unveiled through upcoming events and releases, it’s clear that this metaverse has a bright future ahead.

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Beyond Gaming: The Metaverse’s Role in the Enterprise Sector

While popular platforms like Roblox have positioned the metaverse primarily as a gaming and social interaction platform, its real potential lies in the enterprise sector. As Augmented and Virtual Reality Research Analyst Matilda Beinat explains, “This new landscape, driven by digital twins, simulations, and computing technologies, is gaining equal relevance and attention as the ‘consumer’ metaverse.”

The Industrial Metaverse: An Emerging Development

One notable development in the industrial metaverse is Siemens’ collaboration with NVIDIA to create an AI-enhanced digital twin ecosystem for industrial automation. Other major players, including IBM, Microsoft, Ansys, Cisco, AWS, Accenture, and Qualcomm, are also actively contributing to the metaverse’s development and application in different industries.

While Meta’s rebranding has brought the metaverse into the mainstream consciousness, companies have capitalized on its potential for years. The metaverse is revolutionizing various industries with advanced technologies, from healthcare and manufacturing to education and automotive.

Furthermore, The World Economic Forum (WEF) recently published a report highlighting the increasing influence of metaverse technologies in the manufacturing industry.

Metaverse’s Growing Impact Across Sectors

Despite its immense potential, the metaverse faces significant challenges, particularly in security and privacy. However, as companies continue to invest in this space, these concerns are being addressed, making the metaverse a more secure and viable option for businesses. “Companies that have been integrating these metaverse technologies are seeing significant returns on investment, improving customer satisfaction, and a boost in overall company performance,” Beinat says.

According to ABI Research’s “Metaverse State of the Market” report, the metaverse is not just a buzzword but a rapidly evolving landscape with tangible benefits. As businesses integrate metaverse technologies, they are witnessing significant returns on investment, improved customer satisfaction, and enhanced overall performance.

In conclusion, the metaverse is more than a virtual world for gamers but a dynamic space with unlimited business potential. With its market value projected to keep increasing by 2030 and major corporations investing in its development, the industrial metaverse is set to revolutionize various industries and drive significant growth. 

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The Potential of Metaverse Technologies

The LSE report highlights how immersive and virtual technologies, along with artificial intelligence, can transform Europe into a global leader in innovation. By leveraging these technologies, users can deeply engage with various environments, from retail and gaming to medical diagnostics and supply chain management.

Europe’s Economic Challenges and Opportunities

Despite being home to some of the world’s most innovative and technologically advanced countries, Europe has seen a decline in its contribution to global GDP. From 25% in 1990, it has dropped to just 14% today. Additionally, the EU is struggling with a significantly lower net inflow of foreign direct investments compared to the US. The report suggests that while Europe has the necessary infrastructure to capitalize on the metaverse, several obstacles need to be addressed.

Strategic Recommendations for Growth

The study recommends creating a pan-European hub for immersive technologies—referred to as the “Airbus of the metaverse.” This initiative, supported by long-term funding, aims to address innovation challenges and encourage the integration and manufacturing of these technologies in Europe. Such a hub would accelerate the deployment of these technologies and help establish standard specifications across the continent.

The LSE report offers policymakers key recommendations to unlock metaverse technologies’ full potential in Europe. These include establishing a European Innovation Network, creating access to skilled talent through specialized degrees and immersive technology education in existing programs, and fostering demand and open innovation through government support in procurement and standardization efforts.

By implementing these strategies, Europe can overcome current barriers and position itself as a global leader in the metaverse. The report outlines a roadmap for integrating these technologies into the European economy and showcases their applications across various sectors. From automotive companies like Porsche to retail giants like IKEA, European organizations are already utilizing the metaverse to enhance their operations.

Joining the Next Digital Revolution

The metaverse has the potential to be a game-changer for Europe’s economy. By leveraging these technologies, Europe could regain its position as an innovation hub and attract much-needed foreign investment. Policymakers must act on the recommendations outlined in the LSE report to create a strong and competitive metaverse industry in Europe. With the right strategies and support, Europe can join the next digital revolution and unlock its full potential for growth and prosperity. 

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Collaborating for a Larger Audience

Meta has been investing in mixed reality technologies for over a decade, and by partnering with global technology leaders, they hope to bring this experience to an even larger audience. According to a recent blog post, third-party hardware manufacturers can now create a new wave of mixed-reality devices by utilizing their Meta Horizon OS, which powers the Meta Quest headsets.

Meta Horizon OS: The Heart of Mixed Reality

The Meta Horizon OS, explicitly designed for the Meta Quest headsets, will now act as the backbone for a range of new mixed-reality hardware. With its advanced technology and emphasis on social interaction, this operating system aims to provide a more intuitive and connected user experience.

To push the boundaries of standalone headsets, Meta has developed technologies such as inside-out tracking, self-tracked controllers, and hand, eye, face, and body tracking systems. They have also created tools for blending the digital and physical worlds, like high-resolution Passthrough, Scene Understanding, and Spatial Anchors. These investments have led to an operating system that is currently used by millions of people.

A New Generation of Meta Quest Devices

Meta’s partnership with industry leaders has resulted in the development of new devices based on the Meta Horizon OS.

ASUS’s Republic of Gamers is creating a performance-oriented gaming headset. Moreover, Lenovo will leverage its experience from co-designing the Oculus Rift S, along with its extensive expertise in engineering top devices like the ThinkPad laptops, to create mixed-reality devices aimed at enhancing productivity, education, and entertainment.

Last year, Xbox and Meta collaborated to introduce Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta) to Meta Quest, enabling users to play Xbox games on a large virtual 2D screen in mixed reality. Building on that partnership, they are now developing a limited-edition Meta Quest inspired by Xbox.

An Ecosystem for Developers

With the Meta Horizon OS, developers can now access a comprehensive suite of tools to create immersive mixed-reality experiences. Additionally, they can take advantage of integrated content discovery and monetization platforms, such as the rebranded Meta Horizon Store, to reach a wider audience and expand their business ventures.

Moreover, the Meta Horizon OS’s social infrastructure allows users to carry their identities, avatars, and social connections across virtual spaces. This enables developers to incorporate these social features into their applications, creating a more connected mixed-reality ecosystem.

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Addressing Global Cadaver Shortages with Digital Solutions

The global pandemic has worsened the shortage of cadavers for medical training. In response, Veyond Metaverse has created a 5D anatomy platform that mimics traditional cadaver-based education. This platform allows for interactive and repeatable dissections, providing ongoing training and helping meet the increasing global need for anatomical study resources.

The integration of Apple Vision Pro into Veyond Metaverse’s platforms allows for real-time collaboration and support during surgical procedures through their Veyond Connect platform. This advancement enhances surgical precision and efficiency, reflecting the company’s dedication to pushing the boundaries of healthcare technology. 

Enhanced Capabilities with Apple Vision Pro

Apple Vision Pro allows Veyond Metaverse to enhance surgical procedures and educational practices with its exceptional visual clarity and user-friendly interactions. According to the announcement, extensive testing has confirmed these technologies’ effectiveness.

According to Dr. Raymond Thein, a prominent figure in digital surgery, “Our recent endeavors, notably the world’s first 5D digital surgery, underscore the transformative impact of XR technology on healthcare.” He also highlights Veyond Metaverse’s role in setting new medical training and practice benchmarks.

Adam Choe, a visionary at Veyond Metaverse, expresses his optimism for the future: “We are at the cusp of a new era in medical education where our anatomy platform will become the gold standard.” With their innovative technologies and partnerships, Veyond aims to transform anatomical knowledge acquisition and enhance surgical skills globally fundamentally.

Metaverse Healthcare

Healthcare in the Metaverse is revolutionizing medical services by bringing them into virtual environments. This approach offers significant benefits for both healthcare professionals and patients. It enhances patient engagement, improves access to care, and provides flexible, cost-effective solutions.

Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies are crucial. VR creates immersive 3D environments for more personalized doctor-patient interactions, and AR aids in disease identification and surgical diagnostics. Moreover, Holographic imaging allows patients to view their internal organs and medical records in 3D, enhancing their understanding of their conditions.

Furthermore, the Metaverse can also transform medical training. VR simulations allow medical professionals to practice complex procedures safely, developing critical skills without risk. Virtual surgeries offer trainees hands-on experience without physical contact, preparing them for real-life operations.

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Rewards for NFTNYC Attendees

As part of the launch event, Upland is offering exclusive rewards to NFTNYC attendees who participate in the Share & Build platform. These include a unique #NFTNYC2024 NFT game piece and an exclusive signup bonus. In addition, three “hidden property” NFTs will be released in Upland’s fully occupied Manhattan area, adding to the excitement of the launch.

The Share & Build Airdrop Series is split into different chapters. After completing each chapter, participants receive a unique Block Explorer NFT, which acts as an interactive game piece in Upland. By collecting and burning Chapter Block Explorers, participants can earn an exclusive NFT.

The First Chapter – Social Engagement Rewards

The first chapter, which focuses on social engagement rewards, will run for three weeks. Participants can earn points by interacting with Upland’s content on X, such as following the Upland account and participating in various social media activities.

Ten reward levels are available, and the multiplier for points awarded to participants will depend on their social engagement and statistics. At the chapter’s end, all points gathered are turned into SPARKLET on the Upland platform.

The campaign also introduces tailored missions on Upland, providing another opportunity for users to acquire SPARKLET tokens in preparation for the upcoming Sparklet Token Event. Upcoming missions will be revealed within the app and categorized into two groups: tasks tailored for newcomers to Upland and another set for veteran players.

Expanding the Use of SPARKLET

SPARKLET (formerly SPARK) is Upland’s essential utility token, powering the GameFi builder and creator economy. Over the last two years, it has garnered considerable community support, with over 130,000 holders. 

Furthermore, with 87.25% of community votes backing its White Paper, Upland is seeking to extend the usability of its token outside its virtual environment.

Upland, based in Silicon Valley, California, has a clear vision of creating a vast digital open economy through its metaverse platform. In addition to trading virtual properties, Upland offers a variety of activities, such as strategy games and social interactions. 

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TOZ Universe

At the centre of the TOZ Universe lies a vibrant community, complete with 3D Profile Avatars (FAM NFTs) and the animated world of ANIPANG. This digital space champions the ethos of free expression and creativity, values that ALTAVA deeply shares. By weaving ALTAVA’s innovative virtual fashion into the fabric of the platform, the partnership promises to elevate the metaverse experience, granting users unprecedented avenues to customize their digital selves.

Andy Ku, the Founder and CEO of ALTAVA Group, remarked on the collaboration’s potential, “We are excited to embark on this journey with TOZ Universe. Our collaboration represents a fusion of creativity, technology, and community engagement. Together, we aim to push the boundaries of digital fashion and elevate the metaverse experience for users worldwide.”

Crafting a Connected Digital World

The alliance leverages ALTAVA’s AI-driven 3D fashion technology prowess to enhance the TOZ Universe. Efforts will be concentrated on integrating ALTAVA’s fashion assets into the metaverse, encouraging a rich tapestry of community interaction, and ensuring these designs are compatible across diverse virtual landscapes. This strategy broadens the horizon for user creativity and fosters a more interconnected digital ecosystem.

Echoing the enthusiasm, Richard Kim, COO at TOZ Universe, highlighted the transformative potential of this partnership, “TOZ Universe is excited to collaborate with ALTAVA to unlock the full potential of digital fashion within our metaverse. By integrating ALTAVA’s AI-based 3D fashion assets, we are empowering users to personalize their avatars and express their unique identities in the virtual world.”

Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Singapore, ALTAVA has quickly become a digital fashion leader, collaborating with luxury giants such as Prada, Fendi, and Balmain. Furthermore, with the support of notable investors, ALTAVA has continually digitally pushed the envelope, creating immersive virtual products and experiences that pave new paths for the industry.

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Innovating Virtual Experiences

Known for its high-quality HDRP graphics and immersive gameplay, TCG World is a platform developed by professionals from AAA studios. It utilizes Unity to deliver a complete space for gaming, business, and social interactions. The project sets out to offer users endless opportunities for exploration, creativity, and entertainment within its virtual world.

The heart of this partnership is addressing the challenges of scalability and transaction costs in the metaverse and blockchain spaces. By leveraging SKALE’s scaling technology, the platform plans to eliminate gas fees, thereby improving accessibility and user engagement. This move aims to make the platform more user-friendly and encourage future innovations.

A Game-Changing Collaboration

David Evans, CEO and Founder of TCG World, emphasized the significance of this partnership, stating, “Collaborating with SKALE is a game-changer for TCG World and our community. SKALE’s technology enables us to scale our universe in ways previously thought impossible, removing barriers and opening up a world of opportunities for users to explore, create, and connect.”

Similarly, Jack O’Holleran, CEO of SKALE, expressed enthusiasm about the alliance, noting the compatibility of TCG World’s vision with SKALE’s objectives to equip developers with robust tools for creating future technologies. “We’re excited to see how TCG World leverages SKALE’s gas-free blockchain to enhance their platform and redefine what’s possible in virtual worlds,” said O’Holleran.

As TCG World and SKALE unite their efforts, they pave the way for a more accessible and engaging digital universe, potentially transforming the metaverse landscape. Furthermore, this collaboration highlights a future where the virtual experience is limitless.

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A Flourishing Creative Ecosystem

Updates to the Game Maker tool and platform infrastructure, along with new earning opportunities, have led to remarkable success for creators on The Sandbox. Since 2021, creators have received over $30M from asset sales, royalties, and funds dedicated to supporting them. The Sandbox says this is just the beginning for creators as the platform and its creative community evolve.

At the inaugural Creators Day in Hong Kong last November, The Sandbox announced a self-publishing tool that allows users to launch their own Experiences and monitor their performance. Since this announcement, over 1,000 Experiences have been published, showcasing a wide range of creativity, from adventure and racing to replicas of famous cities. The Game Maker tool has been instrumental in bringing these diverse ideas to life.

Encouraging Creation with Challenges, Tools, and Assets

To increase the number of high-quality Experiences, The Sandbox launched the Builders’ Challenge on February 12. This ten-week competition rewards creators based on player engagement, with five weeks remaining to win a share of the prize pool. In celebration of the 1,000 Experiences milestone, The Sandbox is introducing an additional 500,000 SAND reward pool for the top ten creators, increasing the total reward to the Builders’ Challenge participants.

The past year also saw a big uptick in using The Sandbox’s creation tools, Game Maker and VoxEdit, with more than 330,000 creators and 200+ professional studios actively engaging. The release of Game Maker 0.9 introduced new gameplay mechanics and improved visuals, further fueling this creative momentum. Additionally, the community has developed 3,300 unique Voxel assets, with over 500,000 copies minted.

The Sandbox continues to support its creator community through interactive programs like Game Jams, which have attracted over 2,500 creators in 2024 alone. Overall, with nine more Game Jams and substantial prizes from the Builders’ Challenge on the horizon, The Sandbox is committed to providing myriad opportunities for creators to monetize their work, making it an exciting time to be part of this decentralized virtual world.

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Industry leaders are taking notice, with 92 percent of executives actively exploring ways to incorporate metaverse technologies into their operations. The WEF report, titled ‘Navigating the Industrial Metaverse: A Blueprint for Future Innovations,’ predicts that the global market for industrial metaverse will reach $100 billion by 2030, bringing about major transformations in industrial value chains.

Core Technologies Driving the Industrial Metaverse

The industrial metaverse, as outlined by MIT and Siemens, creates digital twins of complex systems like machines, factories, cities, and transportation networks. This digital environment offers participants immersive, real-time, interactive, and continuous simulations that mirror the real world. Furthermore, such advancements will enable sectors ranging from automotive to healthcare to address complex real-world challenges through digital solutions.

At the core of the industrial metaverse are four key technologies – digital twins, spatial computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and blockchain, according to the report. These technologies work together to create a blended reality, eliminating physical limitations and allowing for greater agility, adaptability, and real-time interactions. AI and quantum computing will enhance digital twins, simulating real-world objects, to revolutionize processing capabilities and enable highly accurate and speedy simulations of complex scenarios.

Challenges and Opportunities Ahead

While the potential of the metaverse is immense, navigating its complexities poses significant challenges for industry leaders. The WEF report emphasizes the need for cross-industry collaboration to develop the necessary capabilities and ecosystems to leverage the benefits of this technology fully. It also stresses the importance of a responsible, ethical, and economically viable approach towards harnessing the power of the metaverse. The report outlines critical considerations for stakeholders embarking on this journey.

Economic Impact and Future Projections

The economic impact of the metaverse looks to be substantial, with a projected value of $900 billion by 2030. Virtual experiences are expected to contribute two-thirds of this figure, highlighting the significant role of the industrial metaverse in shaping industries and driving future innovations. Moreover, by the decade’s end, the industry metaverse sector alone is predicted to generate $100 billion in global revenues, surpassing both consumer and enterprise sectors combined.

In conclusion, the WEF report highlights the growing importance of metaverse technologies in the US manufacturing sector. With its potential to revolutionize product design, development, and operational efficiency, as well as its significant economic impact, the industrial metaverse clearly stands to shape the future of various industries. Collaborative efforts and responsible implementation will be crucial in harnessing the full potential of this emerging technology.

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