Web3 technology has been rapidly evolving, with new innovations being introduced every day. One of the most exciting new inventions is the metaverse, a virtual world that allows people to express themselves through extended reality elements such as AR and VR, without the need for special devices. Many global brands have adopted these virtual worlds into their working strategies to stay relevant to new-gen trends. In this blog post, we’ll focus on the top 10 brands that are running successful metaverse development projects.
1. Meta (Formerly Facebook)
Global tech giant Meta, formerly known as Facebook, made a bold move into the metaverse space by transforming its name and creating its own virtual world. Meta already has Horizon Worlds, a VR-enabled platform, which the firm plans to improve into a full-fledged virtual world. The company also plans to involve elements such as non-fungible tokens across its existing platforms as a move to popularize Web3 before going full-fledged into metaverse applications.
2. Nike
Sportswear brand Nike ventured into the metaverse through Nikeland, a virtual store on the Roblox platform. Additionally, it acquired RTFKT, a company specializing in creating virtual sneaker NFTs. Both moves provided Nike with the much-needed kickstart to advance in the Web3 space. Due to its retail appeal, we can expect Nike to bring in phygital experiences to its loyal customers in many ways.
3. Hyundai
South Korea-based global automobile manufacturer Hyundai also forayed into the metaverse space with Hyundai Mobility Adventure, a game inside the Roblox ecosystem. The company has targeted this platform toward the Gen-Z population to build its brand presence while offering them opportunities to learn the related technologies involved. The carmaker’s metaverse also provides experiences on sustainable transportation in the future, offering an idea of how transportation works in an environmentally-friendly world.
4. Samsung
Samsung, a global leader in communication devices, has entered the metaverse realm with a virtual store named 837x. Modeled after the real-world Samsung outlet at 837 Washington Street, New York City, this Decentraland-based metaverse platform offers gamified experiences to users. A user can explore, participate in missions, win rewards, and purchase NFTs inside the 837x platform. The brand has said the application will have regular upgrades to cater to the needs of the evolving tech-savvy consumers.
5. Adidas
German-based global sportswear firm Adidas has delved into the Web3 space with its own and collaborative NFT collections in OpenSea. These included works with popular collections such as Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC). The metaverse venture of Adidas primarily focuses on the brand’s original expertise — sportswear. People can style their avatars with digital apparel NFTs (part of the Ethereum-native Into the Metaverse collection) they can use inside the virtual world. The brand even offered redeemable NFTs that users can burn to have the products’ physical version.
6. Nvidia
As a giant in graphics card manufacturing, it would be wrong if Nvidia didn’t step into metaverse development. The company has been developing Omniverse, a tool that enterprises can use to create their own metaverse spaces. The Omniverse tool helps businesses to create rich metaverse applications using the Universal Scene Description (USD) protocol that can help in developing large-scale virtual worlds. This move from Nvidia is undoubtedly a breakthrough for startups and individual creators aspiring to adopt Web3 technology for business.
7. H&M
H&M, a multinational fashion brand, started its metaverse development campaign by introducing virtual clothing and later expanding into a virtual store. With a mission to make virtual fashion accessible to everyone, H&M empowers its customers to become designers by offering garment customization. These virtual apparel are not only great for social media flaunting, but also for use in video games and virtual worlds.
8. Microsoft
Microsoft has also been developing the Microsoft Mesh platform, a mixed reality platform that allows users to interact with each other in virtual environments, regardless of their physical location. With Mesh, users can create and join meetings, play games, and collaborate on projects in a shared virtual space.
In addition to Mesh, Microsoft has also been working on Project Natick, an initiative that aims to create underwater data centers that could power the metaverse. By placing data centers underwater, Microsoft hopes to reduce the energy consumption and carbon footprint of running large-scale virtual worlds.
9. Adobe
Adobe, the leading software tool provider, has also ventured into the metaverse business space with tools like Aero and Substance 3D. These tools allow creators to build and design immersive AR and VR experiences, including 3D models and animations. Additionally, Adobe has partnered with companies like Ben & Jerry’s and the Smithsonian Museum to provide virtual photography and augmented reality experiences.
One of the unique aspects of Adobe’s metaverse offerings is its collaboration with the Content Authenticity Initiative (CAI). This initiative helps creators ensure that the products they create using Adobe’s tools can be traced and verified, making it easier to maintain authenticity and prevent fraud in the metaverse.
10. Starbucks
The global coffee chain, Starbucks, has also made strides in the metaverse with its Starbucks Odyssey NFT collection. This collection includes various virtual items, including digital coffee cups and coffee farm experiences in Costa Rica. The NFTs are available for purchase using cryptocurrency, and users can redeem them for various benefits in the virtual and real worlds.
Starbucks has marketed its foray into Web3 as an extension of its existing rewards program, with the goal of providing customers with new and exciting ways to interact with the brand. With the success of the Starbucks Odyssey NFT collection, it’s clear that the brand’s metaverse strategy is paying off.
Conclusion
The examples of these top 10 brands demonstrate that metaverse technology is rapidly evolving and that businesses need to stay ahead of the curve to remain competitive. Entrepreneurs can take advantage of this opportunity by considering how metaverse technology can improve their products, services, or overall customer experience.
From virtual stores and NFT collections to mixed reality platforms and underwater data centers, the possibilities of the metaverse are virtually endless. As we move towards a more Web3-enabled world, it’s clear that the metaverse will play an increasingly important role in how we interact with each other and the world around us.
FAQs
What is the big brand on metaverse?
Global retail behemoths like Walmart, Nike, Adidas, and Balenciaga are now building up their stores in the metaverse to prepare for a new digital market that is tipped to be the next big thing in the virtual world after establishing their global brick-and-mortar empires and e-commerce businesses.
What is the first brand in the metaverse?
Hyundai stand out as one of the first brands in the metaverse from the automotive industry. Last year, they launched a virtual experience metaverse space on Roblox called ‘Hyundai Mobility Adventure’, which showcases future mobility lifestyles in the metaverse across five zones.
What is the metaverse, and why are brands interested in it?
The metaverse is a virtual shared space where users can interact with each other and digital objects in a three-dimensional environment. Brands are interested in the metaverse because it offers a new avenue for marketing, engagement, and sales. It provides an opportunity for them to create immersive experiences for their customers, showcase their products and services, and explore new revenue streams.
How are brands building their presence in the metaverse?
Brands are building their presence in the metaverse by creating virtual stores, experiences, and events. They are partnering with metaverse platforms such as Decentraland, Roblox, and Second Life to create custom-branded spaces and products. They are also using NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) to sell virtual assets and experiences. Additionally, some brands are developing their metaverse platforms, such as Nike’s NikeLand and Gucci’s virtual world, where users can interact with their products and brand in a unique way.
