Numerous extended reality (XR) firms have stepped up their investments in the Metaverse with acquisitions and funding, leading to a major leap in capital to develop the rising spatial communications platform.
Additional firms also revealed the latest iterations of their platforms, which included a trove of fresh updates and new features for users.
The following are our top picks in extended reality (XR) from the previous week. Please join our regular updates by signing up for our newsletter at https://www.xrtoday.com/sign-up/ for the latest XR news!
HSBC Opens Metaverse Investment Portfolio
British banking giant HSBC Holdings launched a fund for Metaverse investors in Hong Kong and Singapore, global media reported last week.
High and ultra-high net worth investors are set to profit from HSBC’s Metaverse Discretionary Strategy portfolio, which aims to build computing, infrastructure, experience, virtualisation, and interfaces for the spatial communications platform.
OpenSea Accepts Credit Card Payments for NFTs
NFT marketplace OpenSea revealed last week it would integrate credit card payments to allow users to buy non-fungible tokens (NFTs) without a crypto wallet.
OpenSea’s MoonPay platform allows Visa, MasterCard, and American Express purchases, with expanded support for Apple and Google Pay and storage of acquired NFTs on e-wallets for customers.
Epic Games Unveils Unreal Engine 5.0
Epic Games debuted version 5.0 (UE5) to creatives working on real-time 3D (RT3D) content, which features a list of key updates such as improved workflows and fresh interface tools.
Upgrades to the platform included enhanced rendering functions, greater lighting controls and custom character animations, path tracing, and immersive sound adjustments, among others.
Niantic Acquires NZXR in Metaverse Push
Niantic, a leader in augmented reality (AR) technologies, announced last week it had acquired AR firm NZXR to develop multiplayer experiences for gamers.
The firm, which has collaborated with Qualcomm and Epic games, now aims to boost Niantic’s AR presence in a move similar to the AR giant’s buyout of veteran immersive firm 8th Wall.
