Copenhagen (AFP) – Japanese giant Sony and Danish parent company Lego announced on Monday a $ 2 billion investment in US gaming company Epic Games for its project to join the metaverse vision for the future of the Internet.
Dozens of tech companies are rushing to invest in building the post-universe, a relaxed term that covers the growing ecosystem of interactive online worlds, games and 3D meeting places that are already attracting millions of users. In the form of video games, such as Epic’s Fortnite, the precursors of metaverse already exist in a minimalist way, with people gathering not only to play, but also to interact and participate in events. “The $ 2 billion (€ 1.84 billion) in funding is aimed at advancing Epic’s vision for building the post-universe and supporting its continued development,” the three companies said in a joint statement. Sony, already a shareholder in Epic Games, and Kirkbi, Lego’s parent company, are each investing $ 1 billion, the companies said. “All three companies value creators and players highly and aim to create new social entertainment by exploring the connection between the digital and the physical world,” they added. The investment raises Epic Games’ valuation to $ 31.5 billion, the US game studio said. With 350 million users worldwide, the Fortnite game is free to download, but generates billions in revenue from players purchasing additional items for their characters, including clothing. The game quickly became a global phenomenon, to the point that some games are now watched live by millions of viewers. © 2022 AFP
