Focusing on the metaverse and virtual content fields, hot news emerges in an endless stream. Every Sunday, "New Voice Pro" will continue to update valuable developments and opinions in this field around the world in the previous week.
Compilation | Fan Jiaheng
1. Meta’s VR application store charging policy has been criticized by developers
Regarding the charging policy of VR application stores, Meta is facing criticism from more and more developers. Some developers pointed out that although Meta CEO Zuckerberg has strongly criticized the charging policy of the Apple app store in the past, Meta still insists on adopting a charging model similar to that of a smartphone app store in the VR app store.
Currently, Meta’s Oculus Quest 2 is currently the most popular VR head-mounted device in the world. Through its application store “Quest Store”, Meta takes 30% of the fees from users’ purchases of VR applications, similar to Apple and Android app store charges.
Some VR game developers believe that although Meta does provide amazing hardware devices and provides app store services, the 30% commission rate is too high.
Meta said that unlike iPhone users, Quest users can install apps outside the official store through the third-party app store SideQuest, or use the less restrictive and more experimental app store App Lab.
But in practice, these alternatives have limited impact. According to Sensor Tower, SideQuest has been downloaded just under 400,000 times, while the Oculus app has been downloaded 19 million times. App Lab, meanwhile, still takes a 30% cut of purchases.
Zuckerberg has previously complained about Apple's "monopoly rents" and criticized the App Store's approval and management processes. But not long ago, Oculus announced that its “social VR experience game” Horizon Worlds will charge a 17.5% “platform fee” on top of the 30% digital purchase tax.
Currently, in order to consolidate its advantages in the field of VR app stores, Meta has acquired many good VR games, such as fitness games BeatSaber and Supernatura.
At the same time, Meta is taking more stringent review measures for its VR app store, similar to how Apple handles its mobile app store. This has also led to criticism and complaints from many developers. Chris Pruett, director of content ecosystem at
Meta, said that Meta found that loose standards caused many users to become frustrated with low-quality content, so the company chose to play more of a gatekeeper role for and . But developers say that the review process of the Quest App Store is even longer than Apple's.
2. Former Google CEO Schmidt : Not optimistic about the short-term development of the Metaverse
At the Aspen Ideas Festival held in Colorado, USA this week, when asked how the virtual world affects global relations At the time, former Google CEO Eric Schmidt said: "There is no consensus on what the Metaverse is, although one company has changed its name (to Meta) to define it."
He does not Determine how the digital world of the future will actually impact the daily lives of ordinary people.
It’s a common sentiment: In a recent Axios survey, nearly two-thirds of respondents said they weren’t sure what the Metaverse was, and 58% said they were neither scared nor afraid of the concept. Not excited.
Schmidt doesn’t buy into the concept of selling virtual land for unknown uses in the future, saying that even if individuals, companies or governments do need to own virtual land, that will be in the distant future.
3. The author of "Avalanche" starts a metaverse business
The author of the novel "Avalanche" Neal Stephenson (Neal Stephenson) recently started a new project.This startup, Lamina1, co-founded by Stephenson and Peter Vessenes, co-founder of the Bitcoin Foundation, is trying to build an "open source and decentralized metaverse" using blockchain technology . Early investors include Reid Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn.
"Snow Crash" is recognized as the first to propose the concept of the metaverse. Stephenson, 62,’s vision for Lamina1 (which means “first layer” in Latin) is to make it easier for people who want to build Metaverse applications to do so through tools like smart contracts.
He did not want to reveal too many details, but said that these experiences will be set in the story world of "Avalanche". He insists Lamina1 will not become the Neal Stephenson Show. In the long term, the goal is to have a large number of third-party developers using their infrastructure, making their own products and pursuing their own goals, he said.
Although Stephenson is best known for writing high-concept novels, he has always worked in technology. Until 2020, he was chief futurist at augmented reality startup Magic Leap, and he was the first employee at Jeff Bezos' aerospace company Blue Origin.
He has deep connections in the technology world, and his readers include many company founders like Bill Gates and Twitter founder Jack Dorsey .
4. Meta ends encryption project Novi
Meta announced on Friday that its encryption project pilot Novi will be discontinued. Starting July 21, users will no longer be able to top up their Novi accounts. Starting September 1, Novi app and Novi on Whatsapp will no longer be available and users will not be able to log in to their Novi account.
Novi is a digital wallet that allows users to transfer money instantly using cryptocurrencies without any fees. Meta launched Novi in beta last October, with Coinbase as its hosting partner. Zuckerberg, the founder of
Meta, announced on June 22 that Facebook Pay will be renamed Meta Pay. Additionally, he launched a digital wallet for the virtual world.
5. Ebay submitted trademark applications covering Metaverse, NFT, etc.
Ebay submitted two trademark applications to the US Patent and Trademark Office last week, covering products and services related to NFT and Metaverse.
Mike Kondoudis, a trademark attorney licensed by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, wrote on Twitter on Tuesday: "Ebay is about to enter the metaverse." He explained that the documents show Ebay's interest in virtual goods marketplaces, online retail stores with real and virtual goods, Plans for NFT exchange and NFT trading.
The day before Ebay submitted these two trademark applications, the company announced that it had acquired the NFT trading market Knownorigin.
Ebay CEO Jamie Iannone said at the time, "Ebay is the first stop for users around the world to find perfect, rare collectibles, and with this acquisition, we will continue to maintain our leadership position as our community is adding more and more digital collections."
This month, McKinsey & Company said virtual worlds could generate $5 trillion in revenue by 2030. "By 2030, more than 50% of live events can be held in the virtual world." Citigroup predicts that by 2030, the Metaverse may bring an opportunity of 13 trillion US dollars, with 5 billion users, and Goldman Sachs believes that the Metaverse is an $8 trillion opportunity.
6. AR game developer Niantic has canceled four game projects and will lay off 8% of its staff
Niantic, a world-renowned independent game company, recently canceled four projects in development and will lay off 8% of its staff, including two previously announced projects. : AR game "Transformers: Heavy Metal" and a collaboration with theater company Punchdrunk, as well as "Blue Sky" and "Snowball" whose details have not been announced.
Niantic was founded in 2010 and had great success with Pokémon Go, a game launched in 2016 that brought billions of dollars in revenue to the company. Later, the company launched games such as "Harry Potter: Wizards Unite" and "Pikmin Bloom", but both failed.
Niantic CEO John Hanke told employees in an email that the company needs to further streamline its operations and control costs to better weather any economic storms that may arise.
However, according to a piece of information on the NBA’s official website, Niantic will continue to cooperate with the NBA to launch an AR mobile game called NBA All-World. The game allows users to find and select active NBA players near their community based on geographical location and recruit them. They enter their own team to play.
7. How do fashion brands enter the metaverse? Alison Bringé, chief marketing officer of
Launchmetrics, recently published an article that believes that the rise of the metaverse is a major challenge for luxury brands and a huge opportunity. Social games and NFT can provide opportunities for the digital development of fashion. Powerful opportunity. Launchmetrics is a leading global marketing company for fashion, luxury and beauty brands.
Blind pointed out that for fashion brands, there are at least three ways to help enter the metaverse world.
First of all, you can enter the metaverse by holding activities within the framework of a video game. Brands can be showcased in new ways through digital events such as fashion shows or immersive experiences in the creative director’s world. In new ways, artists can enjoy an unfettered experience in the Metaverse.
For example, Gucci partnered with Roblox in 2021 to invite visitors to take a unique journey through the virtual Gucci Garden on the platform.
Through its partnership with Fortnite, Balenciaga has created a series of Balenciaga X Fortnite skins that users can purchase for their in-game avatars. They have also appeared on 3D billboards around the world, gaining even more attention.
In addition to positioning themselves as trendsetters, Blind noted that brands can also use avatars to drive traffic back to their own e-commerce channels or sell wearable designs directly.
Second, participate in the NFT craze. uses NFT to create digital versions of clothes. By fusing physical and digital collections, brands can give digital value to their collections. NFT allows brands to come up with the craziest ideas without any material or logistical constraints. Furthermore, the scarcity psychology and limited editions that drive NFT craze could become real assets for luxury brands.
For example, Dolce & Gabbana launched its first NFT work, Collezione Genesi. Buyers will receive physical and digital collections and can participate in future Dolce & Gabbana haute couture fashion shows. In this way, NFTs can become true brand assets, as buyers can be encouraged to engage with fashion brands over the long term and encourage brand loyalty.
Brands can also offer truly exclusive opportunities, such as early access to limited edition products or events, by launching NFT communities.
Third, accept cryptocurrency payments.
Blockchain helps protect the authenticity of luxury goods. It prevents counterfeit products and gives customers confidence that what they are buying is authentic. In addition, the traceability system developed on the blockchain can help reduce the operating costs of fashion brands by providing better data management and supply chain management capabilities.
8. Rome launches VR sightseeing bus
Starting from June 23, tourists can take the VR bus to roam in the Roman archaeological area and enjoy the grand scenery of the Roman Empire era from the windows. This 16-seater minibus is equipped with cutting-edge 3D technology. It departs from the Piazza di Santa Maria delle Toto in Trajan’s Column every day and travels in the invisible city from 16:20 to 19:40. Each journey lasts 30 minutes. .
Visual effects experts worked with archaeologists to create VR scene displays for passengers such as the Imperial Forum, the Colosseum, the Palatine Hill, the Coliseum, and the Marcello Theater. The 3D display of OLED screens on all car windows can be appreciated with the naked eye. The motorized curtains will lower from time to time, allowing passengers to compare the past and present as they tour.
In addition to visual special effects, this immersive experience also includes olfactory elements. The in-vehicle system releases pleasant aromas to remind travelers of historical monuments. The ancient Romans burned incense to offer sacrifices to the gods. They themselves also like to use spices, applying them at least three times a day.
