Walmart Digs Deeper Into Metaverse With Minecraft Partnership

Core Insights - Walmart is expanding its metaverse initiatives by collaborating with Minecraft to create an interactive gaming experience called "Skyward" [1][2] - The gaming experience allows players aged 13 and older to explore different planets in search of a "Golden Child" and is complemented by Minecraft-themed merchandise available on Walmart's eCommerce site [2] - Walmart has been steadily increasing its presence in the metaverse, recently launching "Walmart Unlimited" in partnership with Spatial and Unity [3][4] Group 1 - Walmart's partnership with Unity enables developers to integrate Walmart's commerce APIs into their games, facilitating real-time sales of physical products across more than 20 platforms [4] - The company aims to connect physical and digital realms, providing authentic experiences to customers in familiar environments [5] - The rise of artificial intelligence has revitalized interest in virtual reality and extended reality, benefiting Walmart's metaverse efforts [5] Group 2 - Other companies in the XR space, such as Infinite Reality, have also seen significant investment, raising $3 billion in January [6] - Meta, despite its initial confidence in the metaverse, is now reassessing its strategies, particularly regarding its Horizon Worlds platform [6][7] - Meta's CTO has indicated that the current year is critical for determining the future success of their metaverse initiatives [7][8]