Quick take:
- Corp has partnered with The Sandbox to launch its metaverse journey.
- The Hong Kong-based public service company want to create new and immersive experiences in the virtual world.
- The State-owned public transport operator and property developer will build a virtual railway space to create unique, fun and immersive experiences.
MTR Corporation has partnered with The Sandbox to launch a virtual railway service, allowing users to participate in experiential gaming activities. The state-owned public transport and real estate developer announced Thursday that it is launching its Web3 journey to create new and immersive experiences in the virtual world.
“The next station is – The Sandbox!”, MTR wrote in a statement announcing its entry into the metaverse craze. It will be the first global transport operator to join The Sandbox metaverse and seeks to build a railway-focused virtual space to create unique, fun and immersive experiences.
The latest product announcement is part of MTR’s mission dubbed “Go Smart Go Beyond”, which aims to adopt advanced technologies and innovative initiatives in order to keep cities moving in tandem with industry trends.
MTR has pounced on the trendy buzzword called the metaverse, which is an immersive 3D space featuring interactive virtual worlds to bring its imaginative ideas to reality. MTR has bought a plot of land in The Sandbox’s metaverse, where it will be able to interact with its customers, especially the younger generation.
The company is building an immersive virtual station on the digital plot, which will mimic and gamify the physical railway environment, allowing its users to “enjoy an MTR journey on many levels that stretch the imagination beyond taking a train ride.”
“There will be endless new possibilities including driving a train or even operating a railway station and unlocking exciting adventures in this constantly evolving space,” the company wrote in a statement.
MTR is also planning to introduce a railway museum to showcase the moments that MTR intersects with the communities and cultures of Hong Kong.
Commenting on the company’s plans for Web3 and the metaverse, Dr Jacob Kam, Chief Executive Officer of MTR Corporation said: “To pursue continuous enhancement, we challenge our status quo and keep abreast of new technology trends. This foray into the metaverse allows us to venture into the virtual space to build a fun place to interact with our community while at the same time also seize opportunities that would add to our real-world experience beyond bounds.”
Mr Sebastien Borget, COO & Co-Founder of The Sandbox highlighted the important role that public transportation will play in shaping the future of both the real world and the metaverse.
“I recall my first time in Hong Kong, it started with a MTR’s train ride and I’m looking forward to seeing MTR Corporation play this role of onboarding people into the new opportunities offered by the Metaverse and connecting them via digital interactions and creative expression that are built and owned by the community,” Borget said.
Stay up to date:
