Epic Games raised $ 2 billion to advance its vision to build the metaverse, with Fortnite’s maker valued at $ 31.5 billion. The investment came from tech giant Sony and Kirkbi, the family company behind The Lego Group. Both companies contributed $ 1 billion to the financing round. Epic Games said yesterday (April 11th) that all three companies “highly value creators and players” and want to create entertainment that explores the connection between the physical and digital worlds. Earlier this month, the toy company announced a “long-term partnership” with the Lego Group that focused on creating a family-friendly metaverse. “As we revisit the future of entertainment and gaming, we need partners who share our vision,” said Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic Games. “We found it in our collaboration with Sony and Kirkbi. “This investment will accelerate our work to create the post-universe and create spaces where players can have fun with friends, brand names can create creative and immersive experiences, and creators can build a community and thrive.” said Sweeney. Epic Games and The Lego Group have shared three principles they agree on in their metaverse collaboration, focusing on the security and privacy of children in digital spaces and giving users the tools to control their digital experience. “Part of our investment is focused on trends that we believe will affect the future world in which we and our children live,” said Sbiren Thorup Sørensen, CEO of Kirkbi. “This investment will accelerate our commitment to the world of digital gaming and we are pleased to invest in Epic Games to support their ongoing development journey, with a long-term focus on the future post-universe.” The idea of metaverse has grown in popularity since Facebook changed its name to Meta last October and bet its future on AI, AR and VR developments. Microsoft first unveiled Mesh last year, a virtual platform that helps people feel like they’re in the same room with each other. Last November, the company shared its plans to integrate this technology into Teams for 2022. Last January, Microsoft announced plans to acquire Activision Blizzard, the video game giant behind Call of Duty and Candy Crush, in a $ 68.7 billion deal. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said the acquisition would help the world’s largest software maker in the “dynamic and exciting” gaming world, which will play a “key role in the development of metaverse platforms”. Accenture recently shared details of its own steps in the post-universe, creating a digital site called Nth Floor, where employees from around the world can meet for presentations, socialize and engage in immersive training. Metaverse is not the only market in which Epic Games has recently expanded. Last month it announced the acquisition of the Bandcamp online music store, along with plans to expand the store internationally and add new features. 10 things you need to know directly in your inbox every day. Sign up for the Daily Brief, the Silicon Republic summary of major science technology news.
