Meta rolls out its new metaverse ID system
After complaints about privacy issues arose regarding using personal social media accounts, Meta is abandoning the old way of logging into its metaverse. Meta officially rolls out its new metaverse ID system called "Meta accounts and Meta Horizon Profiles".
Now it is going to be easier for users to enter the metaverse. There is no more need to link the company's virtual reality (VR) devices with personal accounts on Facebook and Instagram.
The global launch will be gradual. Users can still connect their traditional accounts with their new virtual accounts through the Accounts Center and also still have access to all of the old VR purchases and downloads.
The new ID system gives users "more flexibility and control" with its privacy setting options such as: Open to Everyone, Friends and Family, and Solo. Now, If you skip selecting your privacy options, Friends and Family will be picked automatically.
Notably, You will also have the option to set your Meta Horizon profile to private, and you can review and approve follower requests so that only your followers can see who you follow and who follows you.
Ready Player Me raises $56M in Series B led by a16z
Ready Player Me has closed a $56 million funding round led by Andreessen Horowitz (a16z). As we already know, it is a cross-game metaverse avatar platform that allows users to explore virtual worlds with one consistent identity.
The new funds will be used:
To expand the team from 51 members to 100.
To shift its focus from developer-centric tools to user-centric ones.
To enable users to create and sell avatar-related items such as outfits.
Ready player Me handles about 5 million avatars from across some 3,000 partners. Any supported metaverse experience is compatible with avatars made using the company's system. You can carry your appearance between virtual worlds.
Investors also include Twitch co-founder Justin Kan, Roblox co-founder David Baszucki, and Kevin Hart's Hartbeat Ventures.
"Our bigger vision is to connect the metaverse through avatars…There may be metaverse [experiences] owned by big companies, who will make all the rules, but there is a vision of an open one where people can travel, built by millions of developers, where no one controls the whole thing. Like the internet. We're trying to push the world towards that metaverse." says Timmu Tõke, co-founder and CEO of Ready Player Me.
Beijing reveals a two-year metaverse innovation plan
China wants to be a global leader in metaverse development. Yes, China is known for its anti-crypto stance, but since early 2021, the government has expressed interest in the Metaverse concept.
Beijing municipal government has announced a two-year metaverse innovation and development plan that will be implemented from 2022-2024.
The plan calls for all districts to adhere to the rules set forth in a recently released Web3 innovation program, build technological infrastructure at a city level, and promote its use in various fields, including education and tourism.
The development program will integrate technical tools like 3D visualization and GIS (Geographic Information System) to build a visual urban space digital platform.
The plan's primary objectives are to aid Beijing in developing a benchmark city for the digital economy and to encourage the growth of industries related to the metaverse.