Disney Metaverse: Mickey Mouse goes to blockchain
The Walt Disney Company has previously shown the interest in harnessing the massive potential of VR and AR in its own metaverse. And Disney has already begun animating different characters in alternate realities this year.
The Walt Disney Company is the media conglomerate that owns Marvel, Pixar, and 20th Century Studios. It has been producing animated films for children and adults for the past 100 years. The Disney franchise is extremely popular. The company generated revenue of $67.4 in 2021.
However, the company's owners are not going to rest on their laurels. They are actively exploring the potential of Metaverse to create exciting stories in which viewers can become active heroes of magical stories. Disney has also recently released an AR short film starring Brie Larson. It demonstrates the concept of the future of virtual Disneyland.
A full launch of one of the most vibrant metaverses is scheduled for Disney's 100th anniversary. The company was founded on October 16, 1923). However, Robert Chapek, CEO of the Walt Disney Company, emphasizes that it's not worth speaking about the exact timing just yet, as the project is large-scale and complex.
The Disney Metaverse: Here’s what we already know
Even though the company is keeping most of its plans under wraps, a few details can be figured out from rare management statements and insider information.
1. Mike White, a former CEO of Apple Arcade, will develop and coordinate the Metaverse strategy. He will also be in charge of developing a new storytelling technique.
2. It is planned to use blockchain technology to ensure monetization of their activities in the Metaverse. Disney has already released an NFT collection known as "Golden Moments," featuring popular movie characters and scenes. The company receives a 6% commission for each sale of these tokens.
The Simpsons. Source: VeVe/Disney
3. Interactive storytelling will breathe life into tales and stories in the Metaverse.
4. Well-known 2D characters will now be represented as 3D objects. Users can interact with them from the comfort of their homes.
5. There are also rumors of a story mode that allows users to step into character storylines and experience their favorite movies from a first-person perspective.
6. Disney has partnered with e-commerce platform Obsess to launch a virtual store to celebrate the company's 100th anniversary. Mickey Mouse and Goofy fans will be able to visit the Disney-themed virtual store to purchase various unique digital products, including original soundtracks, rejected movie songs, funny avatars, rare character images, etc.
The company will build a huge virtual Disneyland in addition to NFT characters. Fans will buy tickets to virtual carousels and roller coasters that feel just as good as the real ones. It will provide extremely realistic experiences to people who can’t attend Disneyland in reality. The level of immersion is so high that users report experiencing nausea while virtually riding. Programmers are trying to fix this problem now.
What technologies will be used in the Disney Metaverse?
AI (Artificial Intelligence) will be used in the system that initiates data exchange among physical things embedded with software. This will allow for the creation of digital “twins,” enabling users to create their online presence and meet 3D virtual characters, hop on rides and hang out with friends within the Disney Metaverse.
Also, Artificial Intelligence will help to make 3D representations of these characters that are animated and can have customized interactions with fans.
AR is widely accessible on most smartphones today. Hence, there is no need to buy expensive headsets to experience elements of the Disney Metaverse. Augmented reality facilitates the projection of virtual objects onto the user’s real world with the help of cameras, sensors, and image processing.
VR technology will be used in the second phase of the Disney Metaverse World construction. This is about a virtual theme park. Users will need VR headsets, meta-suits with sensors, and other gear to feel more immersed in VR. Thus, group visits to virtuality will be possible. Even better, you can pass the challenge in the role of your favorite character.
The Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disney Metaverse. Source: VeVe/Disney
The team is now testing some components, including augmented reality movie releases, NFT collections, and 3D characters on smartphones. We assume that all of them will be merged into a single huge centralized Metaverse, with Disney dominating the entertainment sector by providing a virtual voyage inside a fairy tale.
