VR46 Metaverse, Animoca Brands, Gravitaslabs join forces to build innovative Web3 experiences for motorsport enthusiasts
Initial roadmap consists of debut of "ValeVerse" on The Sandbox and a ValeVerse Pass that will grant access to digital items, physical benefits, and immersive experiences for Valentino Rossi fans
26 September 2023 - VR46 Metaverse, a company of nine-time MotoGP™ world champion Valentino Rossi, today announced a partnership with Animoca Brands and Gravitaslabs to jointly explore innovative gaming and Web3 activations across metaverse platforms, including a brand new motorsport experience called “ValeVerse” on The Sandbox, in a roadmap that also includes the launch of digital collectibles and other immersive experiences for motorsports enthusiasts.
In ValeVerse, players will test their abilities and skills by facing a series of quests for the opportunity to collect rewards. The associated ValeVerse Pass will grant owners access to exclusive benefits, including raffles for signed merch, race tickets, and an exclusive meet-and-greet with Valentino Rossi. ValeVerse's official collection of assets on The Sandbox will also include digital items - ranging from iconic bikes to avatars - allowing users to express their passion for the sport, be inspired, and even create their own gaming experiences.
ValeVerse's experience and official collection on The Sandbox mark the first step of a long-term vision in which VR46 Metaverse, Animoca Brands, and Gravitaslabs will drive the strategy and creation of digital assets and metaverse games across the automotive and motorsports segments, and create opportunities for new collaborations across Animoca Brands’ sizeable ecosystem. VR46 Metaverse's goal is to increase existing activations to other Web3 and metaverse platforms, including the exclusive collection with the world-famous artist Mad Dog Jones and the Roblox gaming experience "Moto Island".
More information about ValeVerse and its roadmap can be found on the website at www.vr46metaverse.com/valeverse
Jean Claude Ghinozzi, CEO of VR46 Metaverse, said: “We are thrilled to partner with Animoca Brands and Gravitaslabs to jointly launch this exciting project to further extend the fandom of VR46 Metaverse experiences across other Web3 and metaverse platforms, and we are excited to offer fans new levels of connection and engagement with our world."
Valentino Rossi said: “This partnership will further expand the range of experiences that VR46 Metaverse offers the motorsport community, enhancing the connection with fans all around the world; I really can’t wait to see what we can achieve together with our partners Animoca Brands and Gravitaslabs.”
Will Griffiths, vice president of commercial strategy of Animoca Brands, said: “I’m very pleased to work with Valentino Rossi, VR46 Metaverse, and Gravitaslabs to bring this racing legend to life in the metaverse across multiple activations. There will be many ways we can create wondrous experiences for Valentino to connect with fans all over the world.”
Chris Lewis, CEO of Gravitaslabs, said: “Our partnership with Valentino Rossi’s VR46 Metaverse will bring a new level of fan engagement and Web3-oriented experiences to one of the world’s most well-known motorsports legends. There will be nearly endless opportunities for fans of motorsport, Valentino, and VR46's other riders, to be more connected and even be rewarded by their engagement in Web3, and we’re incredibly excited to start this collaboration.”
About VR46 Metaverse
VR46 Metaverse is a company dedicated to developing the VR46 brand in the gaming industry and Web3 environment. VR46 Metaverse creates unique content and experiences for fans of Valentino Rossi and motorsport enthusiasts all around the world. Founded in 2022, the company is a joint venture between the 9-time motorcycle world champion and The Hundred Media Holding.
About VR46 Brands
VR46 is a group of companies by Valentino Rossi, created to manage different projects in motorsport. These include: VR46 Racing Team, founded to support emerging riders; VR46 Riders Academy, an innovative project to provide professional and sport-related support to young Italian riders throughout their career; VR46 Metaverse, a company that develops the VR46 brand in gaming and Web3; and VR46 Racing Apparel, a sport merchandising project inspired by Valentino Rossi’s revolutionary vision.
About Gravitaslabs
Gravitaslabs works with partners to define and execute their Web3 strategies, in many cases, helping them build entirely new lines of business derived via the Web3 paradigm. From creating and deploying branded custom virtual worlds to building brands’ presence inside The Sandbox and other metaverse platforms, Gravitaslabs serves companies across automotive, sports, and fashion. For more information and updates about Gravitaslabs, visit its website.
About Animoca Brands
Animoca Brands, a Deloitte Tech Fast winner, a Fortune Crypto 40 company, and one of the Financial Times’ High Growth Companies Asia-Pacific 2023, is a Web3 leader that leverages blockchain to deliver digital property rights to consumers around the world to help establish the open metaverse. The company develops and publishes a broad portfolio of products including original games such as The Sandbox, PHANTOM GALAXIES™, Life Beyond, and Crazy Defense Heroes, and products utilizing popular intellectual properties from the worlds of sports and entertainment, such as The Walking Dead, Power Rangers, MotoGP™, and Formula E. It has multiple subsidiaries, including The Sandbox, Blowfish Studios, Quidd, GAMEE, nWay, Pixowl, Forj, Lympo, Animoca Brands Japan, Grease Monkey Games, Eden Games, Darewise Entertainment, Notre Game, TinyTap, Be., PIXELYNX, WePlay Media, and Gryfyn. Animoca Brands is one of the most active investors in Web3, with a portfolio of over 450 Web3 investments, both directly and through Animoca Ventures, including Yuga Labs, Axie Infinity, Polygon, Consensys, Fireblocks, OpenSea, Dapper Labs, Yield Guild Games, Alien Worlds, and many more. For more information visit www.animocabrands.com or follow on Twitter or Facebook.
Contact: press@animocabrands.com