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Hangzhou-based augmented reality glasses manufacturer, Rokid Inc., has successfully concluded a strategic investment round led by NetDragon Websoft Holdings Ltd., expanding its Series C funding round to $112 million. This investment, spearheaded by NetDragon, boosts Rokid's valuation to $1 billion, according to a report from Bloomberg. The funds will be utilized to drive international expansion, with Rokid's founder and CEO, Misa Zhu, expressing optimism that the new investment and partnership will reignite the company's growth trajectory despite pandemic-induced setbacks. NetDragon, known for its focus on education and massively multiplayer games, aligns its expertise with "metaverse" technologies—highly immersive 3D spaces where users engage in various activities. This complements Rokid's specialization in augmented reality (AR), blending holographic computer-generated graphics with the real world to create mixed reality experiences for education and gaming. Established in 2014, Rokid pioneers augmented reality glasses and the fully open-source artificial intelligence voice interactive operating system YodaOS. Its consumer product line includes the Rokid AR Joy glasses, offering a lightweight, flexible entertainment and work experience with a floating screen directly in front of the user's eyes. While not operating in true AR, these glasses provide a monitor-like experience. For industrial users, Rokid produces robust AR glasses for diverse applications, from AI-powered smart inspection to assisting remote collaborators in the field. The strategic partnership between Rokid and NetDragon, spanning five years, aims to craft next-generation interactive metaverse experiences. This collaboration leverages Rokid's technology prowess and NetDragon's expertise in internet and mobile platforms. Dr. Simon Leung, NetDragon Group Vice Chairman, anticipates AR becoming a vital channel for metaverse interactions, especially in education and gaming. The partnership is poised to design products with enhanced user experiences, propelling the go-to-market efforts for AR-enabled product offerings. Metaverse technologies, combining real-world and computer-generated elements, find applications in diverse fields, from training industrial workers to assisting field technicians with helpful guides overlaid in their vision. Remote collaboration is facilitated, enabling collaborators to share the same perspective as on-site technicians. Misa Zhu looks forward to expanding opportunities by leveraging NetDragon's knowledge in education and gaming, as well as their global sales network. The collaboration between NetDragon and Rokid is anticipated to inject fresh momentum into product development, fostering breakthrough innovation within the industry.

HONG KONG, Nov. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- NetDragon Websoft Holdings Limited (Hong Kong Stock Code: 777), a globally recognized leader in cultivating internet communities, has successfully concluded a strategic investment amounting to US$20 million in Rokid Corporation Ltd ("Rokid"). This significant investment is not only a testament to NetDragon's commitment to innovation but also marks the beginning of a robust 5-year strategic partnership between the two entities, aimed at exploring and seizing the vast array of opportunities within the dynamic realm of the metaverse. Rokid, a distinguished player in the augmented reality (AR) industry, stands as a pioneer with a strong focus on human-computer interaction technology. The company, founded in 2014, is at the forefront of developing cutting-edge hardware and software products, including AR glasses and the YodaOS operating system. Rokid's innovative solutions, encompassing speech recognition, natural language processing, optical display, semiconductor platforms, and hardware design, have garnered global recognition. NetDragon's expertise, particularly in scaling internet and mobile platforms in gaming and education sectors, positions the company as a strategic investor with a keen eye on the potential of AR technologies in shaping the future metaverse landscape. With a history of successful titles like Eudemons Online, Heroes Evolved, Conquer Online, and Under Oath, NetDragon has established itself as a reputable online game developer in China. In recent years, the company has expanded its portfolio to include online education, aspiring to create the largest global online learning community. The collaborative efforts between NetDragon and Rokid are anticipated to accelerate the development of next-generation interactive user experiences, positioning AR as a central channel for user interaction in the metaverse. This collaboration is expected to usher in breakthrough innovations, particularly in education and gaming, creating a synergy that will redefine the possibilities within the metaverse. Dr. Simon Leung, NetDragon Group Vice Chairman and Executive Director, expresses excitement about the investment, foreseeing AR as a pivotal technology for enabling the metaverse in the years to come. Dr. Leung envisions AR as a key element in enhancing user interactions within the metaverse, broadening the scope of use cases, and, notably, influencing education and gaming. Misa Zhu, Founder and CEO of Rokid, shares enthusiasm about having NetDragon as both an investor and a close strategic partner. Recognizing Rokid as a leading unicorn in the rapidly growing AR industry, Zhu looks forward to leveraging NetDragon's knowledge in education and gaming, as well as their expansive global sales network, to explore new opportunities. The collaboration between NetDragon and Rokid is poised to inject fresh momentum into product development, fostering breakthrough innovation in the industry. This partnership announcement comes at a time when both companies are making significant strides in their respective fields, setting the stage for a transformative journey into the evolving metaverse landscape. As the metaverse continues to captivate imaginations worldwide, the collaboration between NetDragon and Rokid represents a compelling alliance at the intersection of technology, innovation, and the future of human-computer interaction.

The strategic alliance between READYgg and Aptos Labs signifies a significant milestone in the widespread adoption of Web3 technology. Aptos Labs, backed by prominent investors such as a16z, Jump Crypto, Binance Labs, and PayPal Ventures, brings robust blockchain expertise to the collaboration. READYgg, leveraging blockchain and game development technology, is poised to facilitate the seamless integration of up to 15 million web2 players into the dynamic world of web3 gaming. The partnership harnesses READYgg's extensive network and Aptos Labs' blockchain proficiency to transition gamers onto the Aptos blockchain, renowned for its rapid time-to-finality, ensuring an unparalleled gaming experience. Early access whitelisting, commencing on November 20, allows players to secure a preview of upcoming releases scheduled for December 6. READYgg, having solidified agreements with over 20 major web2 publishers, plans to onboard four of these publishers onto the Aptos blockchain by the end of 2023. This strategic move incorporates web3 elements, including non-fungible tokens (NFTs), into popular titles such as Runestone Keeper, Rescue Robots Sniper Survival, Minijuegos, and ToroFun. David S. Bennahum, CEO of READYgg, expresses enthusiasm about bridging the gap between web2 and web3, highlighting the tools developed by READYgg to seamlessly introduce traditional publishers to a web3 audience. Christina Macedo, COO and co-founder of READYgg, emphasizes the user-centric approach, ensuring millions of web2 gamers can enjoy web3 gaming without navigating a steep learning curve. Aptos Labs, co-founded by Mo Shaikh and Avery Ching, has secured over $400 million in funding from top-tier investors, positioning itself as a key player in the web3 gaming landscape. Mo Shaikh, CEO of Aptos Labs, views the partnership as a catalyst for delivering studio-quality web3 games, enhanced user experiences, and compelling ownable assets. The collaboration aims to expand the possibilities of web3 gaming, offering a user experience on par or superior to web2 counterparts. As READYgg advances its vision to democratize access to web3 game creation, the partnership with Aptos Labs becomes a pivotal step towards mass adoption and scalability in the evolving landscape of web3 gaming.

Two digital artworks inspired by the legendary Vincent van Gogh have made a significant impact in the crypto sphere, collectively commanding a staggering $2.5 million. The first NFT, a digital reinterpretation of Van Gogh's masterpiece, astonishingly sold for $1.3 million, closely followed by the second, which earned $1.27 million. These transactions, executed in Bitcoin, not only showcase the increasing value of digital art inspired by classical works but also underscore the growing role of Bitcoin in the NFT marketplace. The Van Gogh-themed NFTs, identified as numbers 132 and 283, were sold for 35.9999 BTC and 34.9999 BTC, respectively, on the Bitcoin network. This sale not only emphasizes the rising prominence of Van Gogh-inspired digital art but also highlights the expanding influence of Bitcoin within the NFT ecosystem. Amidst this surge in interest, the Musée d'Orsay has unveiled its distinctive digital collectible initiative. Drawing inspiration from the renowned artist, thve museum plans to mint exclusive NFTs on the Tezos blockchain. This innovative project includes an augmented reality experience and a digital artwork by French artist KERU, capturing the essence of Van Gogh's artistic brilliance. The recent high-profile sales serve as a revitalising force for the NFT market, which experienced a downturn in recent months. Moreover, these successes align with the latest data from CryptoSlam.io, indicating a 40% increase in global digital collectible sales, suggesting a robust recovery. These groundbreaking sales set new benchmarks in digital art auctions and signify a revival in the market. In conclusion, as the realms of traditional art and modern technology converge, these transactions represent a pivotal moment in the evolution of art collecting in the digital age.

Music tech studio CreateSafe secures a $4.6 million seed funding round to introduce TRINITI, an artistic intelligence platform reshaping the music industry. Over five years in development, CreateSafe's tools aim to empower a transparent music landscape. The partnership with Grimes brought innovative creative tools to the public, including the Record Deal Simulator, offering visibility into historically complex contracts for the first time. Led by cryptocurrency and blockchain tech investment firm Polychain Capital, the funding will propel TRINITI as a comprehensive music platform, handling creation, publishing, administration, distribution, and marketing. Backed by Crush Ventures, Anthony Saleh, Paris Hilton, MoonPay, and others, TRINITI aims to revolutionize the industry by shifting focus from algorithms to artist-centric business models. TRINITI, Grimes' brainchild, marked a significant milestone in music creation, consumption, and monetization. With over 1,000 songs created since its May 2023 launch, TRINITI garnered recognition, naming Grimes one of Time Magazine's "100 Most Influential People in AI 2023." The platform facilitates easier licensing and monetization for artists and rights holders, providing tools to manage consent, credit, and compensation. CreateSafe's CEO, Daouda Leonard, envisions TRINITI as an operating system for the new music business, pioneering an age of exponential creativity and empowering creators. TRINITI includes personalized AI tools, enabling multiplayer collaboration and independent creators to collaborate with favorite artists and producers. The platform offers Voice Transformation & Cloning, Sample Generations, Chat, Distribution, and Management tools, turning inspiration into a song and visuals within seconds. CreateSafe's partnerships with TuneCore and Slip.stream further empower artists to monetize generative AI-created music. With TRINITI, the studio opens its doors to global artists, ushering in a new era of musical experiences with cutting-edge technology.

Amazon Web Services (AWS) and the NFL are teaming up to capture the attention of Gen Z through a cutting-edge AI-powered game. Called "Playbook Pass Rush," the online game, available on app stores and the website, allows players to devise offensive and defensive plays using real-time NFL data, incorporating a predictive feature called pressure probability. Developed by AWS using Amazon Titan technology, the collaboration aims to educate fans, particularly Gen Z, on the real-time application of advanced statistics during NFL games. Ari Entin, Principal of Sports Marketing at AWS, emphasizes that the interactive game serves as a brand marketing tool to showcase pressure probability—a predictive model assessing the likelihood of each defender creating pressure during plays. The game relies on four AI models based on an extensive dataset comprising over 90,000 plays from the past five years of football, which launched across NFL properties in 2023. While the current player count remains undisclosed, the NFL and AWS are actively promoting the game through organic content on social media platforms such as Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and Facebook. Mike Band, Senior Manager of NFL Next Gen Stats Research and Analytics, notes that the game is an effective way to raise awareness and understanding of the stats among fans. Several NFL players, including Kelvin Beachum of the Arizona Cardinals, Tyrod Taylor of the New York Giants, and Orlando Brown Jr. of the Cincinnati Bengals, who share an interest in AI, actively promote the game on their social media channels. Despite the strategic promotion, the budget specifics for this initiative remain undisclosed. According to Pathmatics, the NFL spent over $44 million on advertising in 2023, up from $31 million in 2022, while Amazon spent over $4.1 billion in 2023, up from $3.8 billion in 2022. Lauren Papes, an Associate Partner at Prophet, emphasizes the educational aspect of the game, citing increased fan engagement and potential new revenue streams as key benefits. The collaboration exemplifies the growing role of generative AI in shaping marketing strategies for major sports organizations.

Darewise, a leading Web3 game developer, is embarking on a groundbreaking collaboration with Altava, a trailblazer in fashion-tech. The partnership will see Altava's state-of-the-art AI-powered digital wearables platform integrated into Darewise's gaming metaverse, Life Beyond. This strategic alliance is poised to elevate the digital fashion category within the gaming metaverse, serving as a pivotal bridge between the virtual and real worlds. This announcement comes on the heels of Darewise's recent collaboration with Horizen Labs, marking a significant stride in the integration of its ecosystem token on the Bitcoin network. Benjamin Charbit, CEO of Darewise Entertainment, highlighted the tangible application of interoperability in this collaboration, stating, "ALTAVA is pioneering the creation of digital wearables that are inherently interoperable. This collaboration not only enhances Life Beyond but also fortifies the broader metaverse ecosystem anchored in the Bitcoin network. We're particularly excited about the upcoming launch of its BRC-20 token." Altava, known for its collaborations with The Sandbox and esteemed brands like Fendi, LVMH, and Prada, brings its AI-driven platform to empower brands and creators to seamlessly design and integrate digital fashion into their metaverses. Andy Ku, CEO of Altava, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, "Our AI-powered digital wearables platform, combined with Darewise’s cutting-edge technology, will enable unprecedented levels of creativity, self-expression, and brand engagement within the world of Life Beyond." This collaboration not only enriches the gaming experience but also promises a new frontier in digital fashion innovation within the metaverse landscape.

Game7, a prominent web3-focused gaming community, has recently unveiled its comprehensive report, "State of Web3 Gaming 2023," providing an insightful snapshot of the current landscape within the web3 gaming industry. This extensive analysis, conducted by Game7's Core Contributor George Isichos, delves into critical data, trends, and insights drawn from an examination of over 1,900 blockchain games, 1,000 funding rounds, and 170 blockchain ecosystems. Isichos emphasized the report's commitment to a neutral assessment of the broader web3 gaming ecosystem, prioritizing core game development challenges over tokens and speculation. Key findings reveal the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region as a leader in web3 game development, hosting 40% of developers, with North America closely following at 30%. The USA emerges as the primary market for web3 game developers (30%), followed by South Korea (12%), the UK (6%), Singapore (6%), Vietnam (4%), and Australia (4%). The report tracks the evolution of web3 gaming investments post the 2022 market correction slowdown. By Q3 2023, investments in blockchain gaming reached $1.5 billion, with over $800 million directed specifically to web3 gaming. US-based projects secured over $4 billion, while France, Canada, Singapore, and Hong Kong received funding ranging from $0.66 to $0.9 billion. Despite market challenges, the gaming sector saw significant blockchain growth, with 81 new networks targeting gaming announced in 2023, marking a 40% increase from the previous year. Distribution remains a major hurdle for the web3 gaming stack, with over half of the games inaccessible on mainstream platforms. However, platforms like the Epic Games store displayed growing support, featuring 69 web3 games by October 2023, compared to just two in June 2022. The report highlights the substantial migration of web3 games across different networks, intensifying competition among blockchains. Notable choices in 2023 were Polygon, Immutable, and Arbitrum. Web3 gaming, with its potential to revolutionize the industry, offers players new monetization avenues, decentralized governance, increased interoperability, and enhanced user experiences. As the report concludes, web3 gaming holds the promise of creating a more sustainable, equitable, and enjoyable gaming experience for all. #Web3Gaming #GamingIndustry #BlockchainInnovation

In a strategic move that underscores its commitment to innovation and staying at the forefront of emerging opportunities, Spacenet Enterprises India Limited (NSE: SPCENET) has announced a significant milestone following its strategic investment in BillMart.com, a Mumbai-based bill discounting fintech platform. The company is making waves in the digital entertainment landscape with the acquisition of a substantial stake in String Metaverse Limited, a cutting-edge Web3.0, Esports, Real Money Games, and Casual Games platform. This visionary investment by Spacenet solidifies its position as a dynamic force in the ever-evolving world of Esports, Real Money Games, and Casual Games. String Metaverse Limited, with a presence in India, Hong Kong, and Gift City, is actively expanding its esports platform across India, the Middle East, South East Asia, and Europe. The recent launch of its dedicated platform, https://esports.stringmetaverse.com/, is designed to empower esports players, streamers, and influencers, providing them with opportunities to actively participate and generate revenue streams. The move into String Metaverse reflects Spacenet's forward-thinking approach and commitment to capitalizing on the immense potential of the esports industry. The timing of Spacenet's strategic move aligns with the promising trajectory of the Indian gaming industry, as indicated by a recent Lumeki report. Projections suggest that the digital gaming industry in India is set to achieve remarkable growth, reaching ₹62,000 Crores by 2028, more than double the ₹26,000 Crores recorded in 2023. With approximately 57 Crore gamers and a growth rate of 12%, India's gaming landscape is becoming a pivotal contributor to the global gaming arena, boasting 1540 Crore downloads. In addition to its esports venture, Spacenet Enterprises India Limited is pleased to announce outstanding financial performance over the last six months, reporting a remarkable 400% growth in net profit for the first half of 2023-24 compared to the previous year. This financial achievement underscores Spacenet's commitment to delivering substantial value to its shareholders and stakeholders. Prakash Dasigi, Executive Director of Spacenet Enterprises India Limited, stated, “After a successful stake acquisition in BillMart, our second venture into String Metaverse Limited reaffirms our confidence that both investments will yield exceptional returns, potentially ranging from 50-100x for our shareholders over the next 3-5 years." Ganesh Meenavalli, Director and Head of Global Esports Operations at String Metaverse Limited, confidently predicts that the Indian esports community, comprising more than 20 million Gen Z enthusiasts, will lead the global esports scenario, potentially surpassing traditional sports like cricket in popularity by the next decade. The strategic acquisition of String Metaverse Limited serves as a testament to Spacenet's commitment to innovation, diversification, and seizing opportunities in high-growth sectors. With esports poised to become a major global phenomenon and Spacenet's remarkable financial performance, the company is strategically positioned for a future of sustained success and growth.

The United States Marine Corps (USMC), the premier maritime land force of the nation, is venturing into the realm of the metaverse to enhance the training of its personnel. According to a report by Military.com, CGI Federal Inc., a prominent information technology (IT) company, is playing a pivotal role in facilitating the integration of metaverse technology into military training initiatives. Contrary to the metaverse concept presented by tech giant Meta Platforms during its 2021 rebranding, CGI's approach is distinct. Victor Foulk, CGI's vice president for emerging technologies, explained to Military.com that their focus is on forging a closer connection between the real and the surreal. Currently in the development phase, this initiative involves scanning and replicating objects and integrating them with real-world mechanics, physics, and geolocation. Horace Blackman, CGI Senior Vice-President for Defense, Intelligence, and Space, expressed the belief that the amalgamation of the Metaverse and military logistics systems will bring about a revolutionary transformation in the way defense organizations conduct training, strategize, and prepare for future challenges. He anticipates that this approach will set a new benchmark for other federal agencies. Major Jeff Plateen, the operations officer for Blount Island Command in Florida, emphasized the practical challenges faced in military logistics, stating, "Everything’s too far apart to really consolidate our assets as we set the theater." He highlighted the need for a solution that allows local commanders to track their assets efficiently and understand incoming logistics. The simulated environment provided by the metaverse will serve as a testing ground for logistics before extending its application to other military domains. This move aligns with a broader trend, as global entities explore the potential of the metaverse for various applications. In September, Defense News reported that German startups were incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) into the metaverse to enhance autonomy and self-learning for military purposes. The German military supported this initiative through a substantial COVID-19 subsidy package totaling $540 million. The metaverse is not confined to military applications alone. Technologies like virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (MR), and more are regarded as gateways to the metaverse. Recently, Ohio State announced plans to use these immersive technologies for training first responders to handle real-world emergencies. Experts anticipate that head-mounted devices (HMDs), a crucial component for experiencing the metaverse, may initially find their way into professional sectors like the military, healthcare, and science before becoming mainstream. However, as the metaverse gains momentum, concerns arise about potential links between civilian and military metaverses, posing cybersecurity threats. As of now, the global metaverse market is valued at $82 billion, a figure projected to soar to $936 billion by 2030, according to the data aggregator platform Statista. While a military metaverse diverges from the vision presented by Mark Zuckerberg, the potential interconnection of 'civilian metaverse' and 'military metaverse' raises valid concerns regarding cybersecurity and the safeguarding of sensitive information.

In a significant development, the Texas State Securities Board has accused a network of companies operating under the "GS" brand, with ties to Germany and controlled by Josip Dortmund Heit, of engaging in fraudulent activities related to digital assets and a proprietary metaverse. The entities in question, including GS Partners, GS Smart Finance, and GS Wealth, are alleged to have conducted three rounds of metaverse property sales starting in September 2021. Investors were enticed with the opportunity to purchase XLT Vouchers or BNB Chain tokens representing ownership of one square inch of a unit in the G999 Tower metaverse at a price of 9.63 USDT per voucher. However, after failing to reach the targeted $175 million raise for the offering, the token's value plummeted to less than 0.0000049 USDT on PancakeSwap. Regulators argue that these entities, including the creation of products like Lydian World metaverse tokens, gold tokens, G999 coin, and Elemental Certificates, were involved in unregistered security offerings. Consequently, the Texas State Securities Board has initiated an emergency enforcement action, demanding that the GSB group cease and desist from such activities within the state. This comes on the heels of warnings from the Ontario Securities Commission and other Canadian provinces regarding GS Partners' lack of registration for doing business. The unfolding situation underscores the growing need for vigilance and regulatory oversight in the evolving cryptocurrency landscape. Stay informed for further updates on this matter.

Sam Altman isn't the sole high-profile OpenAI executive departing the company this Friday. Shortly after Altman's dismissal, attributed to the board's loss of confidence in his leadership, co-founder and former board chair Greg Brockman disclosed his resignation on X. Initially, when OpenAI disclosed the "leadership transition" and the appointment of CTO Mira Murati as interim CEO, it was stated that Brockman would step down as chairman but continue in his role at the company, reporting to the CEO. However, within a few hours, this plan changed. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Brockman shared the message he sent to OpenAI staffers: "Hi everyone, I'm incredibly proud of what we've collectively built since our humble beginnings in my apartment eight years ago. We've weathered challenging and rewarding times together, achieving remarkable feats despite facing numerous obstacles. However, in light of today's developments, I've decided to resign. I genuinely wish each of you nothing but success. I maintain my belief in the mission of developing safe AGI for the benefit of all humanity." OpenAI took the tech community by surprise with the unexpected announcement of Altman's termination earlier on Friday. The company, widely credited for sparking the current surge of interest in artificial intelligence, especially following the explosive popularity of ChatGPT.