KDDI launches “Open Metaverse Network”

KDDI, STYLY, monoAI technology, and REALITY XR cloud announced the launch of the “Open Metaverse Network,” Japan’s largest metaverse alliance that connects multiple metaverse platforms.

This alliance enables companies and municipalities considering business utilization of the metaverse not only to use a single metaverse platform but also to connect multiple metaverse platforms and incorporate real-world spaces for multidimensional project planning. It offers comprehensive services, from consulting for smooth implementation and solving business challenges to event planning and spatial content production.

As the metaverse market expands, corporate demand for its utilization is increasing. Beyond short-term usage for marketing and promotion, companies are expected to create new value in unique virtual experiences as a new customer touchpoint to enrich their appeal and convey service content on an ongoing basis, such as through corporate media or enriched product catalogs. However, corporate representatives face challenges like not knowing which metaverse platform to use for specific business purposes among the many options or how to optimally utilize platforms they already use.

This alliance’s metaverse utilization consulting can propose the most suitable platform from the distinctive metaverse platforms offered by the four companies based on each company’s needs. It also enables simultaneous deployment across multiple platforms for broader outreach. For planning and production, the alliance provides event planning tailored to the metaverse users of each platform or collaborative events leveraging multiple platforms, spatial construction in the metaverse, and production of CG and 3D model content.

Role of each company

• KDDI: Secretariat (general contact), consulting, metaverse/digital twin production
• STYLY: Production and distribution of XR content to real urban spaces and living spaces
• monoAI technology: Space creation of web metaverse
• REALITY XR cloud: Metaverse event space production, user-linked campaign production

Features of each platform

Showcase

As a showcase event for this alliance, “Sakura Virtual Fes 2024” will be held from March 15 to March 31, 2024, featuring entertainment events in interconnected conceptual spaces across the different platforms, such as virtual music concerts by rock bands and K-pop artists, as well as talk events by comedians and voice actors.

The four companies aim to contribute to the development of the entire metaverse industry by combining the strengths of their respective platforms while expanding their reach not only domestically but also globally. They also aspire to realize an open metaverse concept that enables avatar mobility and ID integration across each other’s platforms.

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