With all the talk about the metaverse, there is still a lot of variation in how this new virtual space is being defined and envisaged. AR (augmented reality) company Niantic, for example, is setting its sights on what it calls the “real-world metaverse” and believes that these new technologies shouldn’t take us out of the real world, but rather enhance the way we explore and experience it.
Niantic, which created the popular Pokémon Go AR mobile game and recently partnered with deadmau5’s new company PIXELYNX on a music AR game, has now announced a partnership with the NBA and NBPA to develop a new NBA-themed geolocation AR game.
The game is called NBA All-World and will “place NBA fans into the real-world metaverse,” according to the NBA. Sports leagues have been exploring new ways to engage with fans, from launching NFT collections to building out full digital twins of their venues, but the NBA is claiming a first with this new game.
“NBA All-World represents an industry first in sports games, as an original, real-world AR game that will appeal to casual and core NBA fans alike,” said Marcus Matthews, Senior Producer at Niantic. “We’re creating and designing a game that empowers players to represent where they’re from and showcase the culture of their neighborhood.”
NBA All-World is free for anyone to play, and allows fans to find and compete against NBA players in their neighborhoods and recruit them to their teams. Fans will be able to play mini-games and, and the game will also include custom sneaker and apparel drops for players to collect and enhance their team’s performance.
The game will soon be soft launching and will initially be available in limited areas for beta testing. Fans can currently sign up to be notified when the game is available in their country.
“Through our partnership with Niantic, NBA All-World will provide fans across the globe the opportunity to fully immerse themselves into the energy and excitement of the NBA,” added Matt Holt, Head of Consumer Products at the NBA. “Evident in the name of the game itself, we look forward to engaging with our fans around the world through this captivating experience.”