Fans of the popular singing competition show, The Voice, now have the opportunity to immerse themselves in a new and exciting virtual reality experience that allows them to coach their own star. The Sandbox, a decentralized gaming platform developer, recently announced its partnership with Virtual Brand Group (VBG) and ITV Studios, the production company behind The Voice, to launch “The Voice Coach Battle” in the metaverse.
In this metaverse experience, fans can step into the shoes of a celebrity coach, sitting in one of the show’s iconic red chairs, and make their selection by hitting the big red button. The game adapts to each choice made by the virtual coach, providing a realistic and immersive experience similar to the actual show.
Beyond being a gamified version of The Voice, this metaverse experience also allows fans to engage with the 25th season of NBC’s The Voice from within the game. By correctly predicting which contestants will advance to the next round and ultimately win the show, players will be rewarded with nonfungible tokens (NFTs) on a weekly basis.
Participating in the NFT-driven competition also offers the chance to win a live recording experience of The Voice in one of the five countries where the show is aired, bridging the gap between the physical and digital realms.
Justin Hochberg, the CEO of Virtual Brand Group, believes that experiences like “The Voice Coach Battle” are paving the way for the transformation of television. He explains that social gaming platforms provide an opportunity for content to connect with the younger demographic, thereby increasing the global value of TV formats. Hochberg also notes that metaverse and Web3 interactive social games are perfectly suited to the content consumption habits of a generation that grew up with social media and the creator economy.
Hochberg predicts that within the next two years, all major global series will offer a parallel gamified experience that runs in real-time and is integrated into the physical show itself. This shift towards immersive and interactive entertainment in the metaverse is revolutionizing the way we engage with our favorite TV shows and is likely to shape the future of the industry.
In conclusion, the collaboration between The Sandbox, Virtual Brand Group, and ITV Studios has brought forth an innovative metaverse experience that allows fans to become celebrity coaches on The Voice while also participating in the show’s current season through NFT-based predictions. This fusion of virtual and physical worlds is transforming the television landscape and catering to the preferences of the younger generation. It is only a matter of time before other popular series follow suit and embrace the gamified, real-time experience offered by the metaverse.