The Japanese giant Sony and the parent company of the Danish Lego announced on Monday the investment of 2 billion US dollars in Epic Games, publisher of the video game phenomenon Fortniteto finance its efforts to develop the “metaverse”.
These new online universes, accessible via augmented and virtual reality, are the subject of massive investments by big names in technology like Facebook, who see in them the future of the sector.
In the form of video games like Fortnitethe metaverse (contraction of meta and universe) already exists in a minimalist way, with people coming together not only to play, but also to interact and participate in events.
The US$2 billion fundraising “aims to further the company’s goal of building the metaverse and supporting its continued growth,” say Lego, Sony and Kirkbi — the parent company holding the world’s number one toy Lego.
Sony, already a shareholder of Epic Games, and Kirkbi, a new entrant, are each investing one billion, specify the three groups in a joint press release.
“All three of them greatly value both creators and gamers, and want to create new social entertainment by exploring the connection between the digital and physical worlds,” they add.
The investment brings the valuation of Epic Games to 31.5 billion dollars, specifies the American publisher.
With 350 million users worldwide, his game Fortnite is free to download, but generates billions in revenue as players purchase additional items for their characters, including clothing.
The game quickly became a global phenomenon, to the point that certain games are now followed live by millions of spectators.