By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief The Walt Disney Company and Epic Games have entered into an historic deal that will transform and accelerate the development of the metaverse. As part of a deal that will undoubtedly have competitors shaking in their boots, Disney has also invested $1.5 billion to acquire a sizeable equity stake in Epic Games. Much of the attention being … [Read more...] about Analysis: How Disney’s Deal With Epic Games Will Transform the Metaverse
Virtual Reality
Toikido Taps Former Sanrio Exec Sabrina Segalov as New Licensing Director
TLL Staff The high tech entertainment brand Toikido has appointed former Sanrio exec Sabrina Segalov as its new Licensing Director. Segalov will work directly with Chief Commercial Officer Will Ochoa and US managing director Darryl Lai. Segalov joins Toikido after nine years working as senior licensing manager at Sanrio Global Ltd. Prior to that time she also worked on … [Read more...] about Toikido Taps Former Sanrio Exec Sabrina Segalov as New Licensing Director
Aquifer Motion Uses AI to Allow Characters to Engage With Fans
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Advanced artificial intelligence programs from companies like Aquifer Motion are allowing fictional characters to engage directly with their fans, ushering in a new type of licensing. TLL first covered Aquifer Motion in October last year when the company signed a deal with licensor Cloudco Entertainment to create personalized messages for … [Read more...] about Aquifer Motion Uses AI to Allow Characters to Engage With Fans
Warner Bros. Is Recreating the Ready Player One Metaverse, In The Metaverse
Fiction Becomes Reality, as Warner Licenses Readyverse Studios to Create a Real Version of the Metaverse as Depicted in the Novel and Film Ready Player One By Allison Watkinson TLL Reporter Futureverse has launched a new web3 initiative called Readyverse Studios to bring Ernest Cline's Ready Player One sci-fi franchise to the metaverse. Readyverse Studios was created by … [Read more...] about Warner Bros. Is Recreating the Ready Player One Metaverse, In The Metaverse
Universal Music Places Big Bet on A Musical Metaverse
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Universal Music Group has just launched a massive new metaverse project on Roblox, in partnership with virtual world developer Supersocial. The two companies collaborated on the creation of Beat Galaxy, which they describe as "an innovative new music hub on Roblox, the immersive platform for communication and connection." In doing … [Read more...] about Universal Music Places Big Bet on A Musical Metaverse
The Voice Launches Virtual Fashion Line With VBG on Roblox
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief The hit singing competition The Voice has created a new virtual fashion line for metaverse denizens on the Roblox platform. The new line was put together through a partnership between ITV Studios and the Virtual Brand Group, which is a company that creates metaverse experiences for brands. VBG first burst onto the licensing scene in a big … [Read more...] about The Voice Launches Virtual Fashion Line With VBG on Roblox
Nelvana Releases First Videos Based on Piñata Smashlings
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Children's studio Nelvana has produced six new Piñata Smashlings short videos in partnership with Toikido. The partnership also appears to be just the beginning for the two companies, as Nelvana says it is now working on a full animated series. Toikido is a UK-based company that created Piñata Smashlings and the 'Piñataverse' with … [Read more...] about Nelvana Releases First Videos Based on Piñata Smashlings
Barbie Fans Can Build Their Own DreamHouse on Roblox
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Barbie is now officially everywhere, entering the metaverse for the first time on Roblox with the launch of Barbie DreamHouse Tycoon. IP-owner Mattel says the new interactive game on Roblox was developed in partnership with Gamefam, a leading metaverse game developer and publisher. Gamefam specialized in creating connected experiences with … [Read more...] about Barbie Fans Can Build Their Own DreamHouse on Roblox
Who’s News: Roblox and Banijay Make Key Appointments
By Allison Watkinson TLL Reporter The Roblox Corporation has appointed former Warner Media CEO Jason Kilar to the company’s board of directors. “I am honored to join Roblox, a company I have long admired and cheered from afar as they leaned into the future,” said Kilar. “Roblox is changing the way people come together and changing how creators can create delightful … [Read more...] about Who’s News: Roblox and Banijay Make Key Appointments
Toikido Smashlings Guarantee Some Cheesy Content in Chuck E. Cheese Deal
By Allison Watkinson TLL Reporter Toikido has entered a licensing partnership with Chuck E. Cheese for an in-store and online promotional campaign focused on the Piñata Smashlings Roblox game. The new collaboration will enable players of the Piñata Smashlings Roblox game to engage with licensed Chuck E. Cheese characters as in-game Smashlings. This licensing … [Read more...] about Toikido Smashlings Guarantee Some Cheesy Content in Chuck E. Cheese Deal