UAE’s Sharjah to launch metaverse city

Sharjah, the third most populous city in the United Arab Emirates, will launch a massive metaverse city as a way to boost tourism, officials have announced.
The “Sharjahverse” project will use a combination of real-world 3D videography and generative AI to highlight the numerous landmarks, adventure and family-based activities in the emirate, the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCDTA) said on October 10.
The project will involve a partnership between SCDTA and artificial intelligence ecosystem Multiverse Labs.
The virtual city Sharjahverse will encompass the entire Sharjah at about 2,590 square kilometers. Multiverse Labs said the project would bring the emirate to a global audience, boost its tourism economy and create metaverse jobs for local employees at Sharjah’s iconic sights.
A number of select destinations and attractions will be featured in the first phase of the project. The platform will soon be live on SCDTA’s website and be accessible to any device.
The authority added that it also has plans to extend its support in the creation of tourism-related NFTs.
SCTDA chairman Khalid Jasim Al Midfa said: “Transforming the mass market tourism industry towards next-generation, sustainable practices requires a new way of thinking. Virtual tourism in Sharjahverse will provide unprecedented access to almost any location, personalized guest experiences and enhanced entertainment. Multiverse’s groundbreaking and AI-driven approach will help push the limits of imagination and promote Sharjah as a destination of excellence.”
Nike leads D&G, Tiffany and others in revenue from NFT sales
Hakuhodo DY Holdings, VRC to jointly develop 3D avatar services
‘REALITY XR cloud’ new service aims to help clients hold metaverse-based events
Binance signs NFT partnership with Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronaldo
Meta to hold Metaverse Expo Japan 2022
Japan’s economy ministry establishes Web3 policy office
Hackers have stolen US$86m worth of NFTs since 2020: report
The Sandbox invests US$1.7m in Hong Kong firm to build metaverse
Animoca Brands KK raises US$45m from investors including MUFG Bank
RTFKT to launch Clone X Forging Season One
Japanese university starts issuing NFT certificates
Nike leads D&G, Tiffany and others in revenue from NFT sales
NEO TOKYO CLASH event gives Shibuya crossing cyberpunk twist
Manga, anime artists launch Web3-based project
JR West to showcase virtual Osaka Station in summer VR show
The Sandbox invests US$1.7m in Hong Kong firm to build metaverse
Collaboration aims to bring global anime fans to Virtual Akihabara
Meta’s Horizon Worlds expands to UK
Game studio Murasaki B.V. raises 1.5 million euros in seed round
Mark Zuckerberg releases new avatar after original version mocked online
BŌSŌ TOKYO jazzes up Shibuya Scramble Crossing with XR and NFTs – an interview with the pioneers in unprecedented project
Hello Kitty and Friends NFTs to be released in August
Collaboration aims to bring global anime fans to Virtual Akihabara
Japanese university starts issuing NFT certificates
Mark Zuckerberg releases new avatar after original version mocked online
Nike leads D&G, Tiffany and others in revenue from NFT sales
[NFT.NYC] From oil painting to NFT, Goro recounts his journey and imagines how the world will look like in 50 years
Meta’s Horizon Worlds expands to UK
JR West to showcase virtual Osaka Station in summer VR show
Netflix K-drama Extraordinary Attorney Woo launches NFTs to raise autism awareness