M2 MONITOR: JAN 7, 2022
This week’s top news includes:
- Qualcomm and Microsoft partner to expand AR for the metaverse
- Disney patents AR for theme park rides
- Sony announces the PlayStation VR2 and new VR controller
- Nvidia embraces the metaverse with consumer-focused software and marketplace deals
- SQUARE ENIX President discusses importance of metaverse
INDUSTRY NEWS FOR THE WEEK OF: JAN 7, 2022
Alienware launches Concept Nyx to focus on cloud gaming
AT&T teams exclusively with NVIDIA to give gamers a 5G boost with GeForce NOW offer
GameStop shares surge on plan to enter NFT, crypto markets
Remedy Entertainment and Tencent to create a multi-cooperative game codenamed Vanguard
Roblox pauses service in China as it takes ‘important transitory actions’
Samsung Launching Video Game Streaming Platform on Smart-TVs
How Google Is Trying To Boost Itself Into The Metaverse
LOTTE unveils ultra-reality metaverse life platform
Metaverse and NFT Curator Overeality Closes $5MM Round with DHVC
Nvidia embraces the metaverse with new software, marketplace deals
Netflix Looks Well-Equipped for Transition Into the Metaverse
Nike is headed into the ‘next era’ of digital commerce as its metaverse strategy evolves
Shanghai Has Included Metaverse In Its Plan For Development
SQUARE ENIX HOLDINGS – A New Year’s Letter from the President
Alibaba bets on virtual meetings in the metaverse with DingTalk AR glasses
Avataar secures $45 million Series B funding led by Tiger Global
Chinese startup dives into ‘underwater metaverse’ with AR goggles
Disney patents AR without headsets for theme park rides
HTC sales rise 20 percent on metaverse enthusiasm
Israel’s Zoog partners with Snap to expand its AR services
MeganeX Announced: Lightweight SteamVR Headset From Panasonic Owned Shiftall
Sony announces the PlayStation VR2 and new VR controller
ThirdEye Announces Razor MR Glasses, Expands into Consumer Metaverse with New Lightweight Solution
Amazon Profits Double While Q4 Operating Income Plunges
Envision launches the Creators Portal content creators to buy and sell their media content
Intel’s MCM Design Patent Could Be A Sneak Peek At Future Arc Gaming GPUs
Nvidia Deal to Buy Arm From SoftBank Is Off After Setbacks
Software company Caliverse works with Mimic Productions to produce digital humans
INVESTMENT INDEX FOR THE WEEK OF: JAN 7, 2022
| DATE | TYPE | COMPANY | INVESTORS – ACQUIRERS | AMOUNT (M) | CATEGORY | FOCUS | CITY |
| 1/1/22 | Investment | Overeality | DHVC | $5.0 | Metaverse | NFT Curator | Palo Alto |
| 1/3/22 | Investment | XR Casino | BOTS | – | AR | Casino Gaming | San Juan |
| 1/3/22 | Investment | Verofax | Benson Oak Ventures, 500 Startups, Wami Capital, Vernalis Capital | $1.5 | AR | Asset Digitization | Abu Dhabi |
| 1/3/22 | Investment | LionRocket | ID Ventures, Daesung Private Equity, Harang Invest, IBK Industrial Bank of Korea, T Investment | $5.5 | Tools | Digital Humans | Seoul |
| 1/5/22 | Investment | Virnect | STIC Ventures, Lotte Ventures, Hanwha, KTB Network, KB Investment, KDB Investment Bank | $30.0 | AR | Industrial | Seoul |
| 1/5/22 | Investment | Zupee | Nepean Capital | $72.0 | Games | Mobile | Mumbai |
| 1/5/22 | Investment | AGBO | Nexon | $400.0 | Games | Los Angeles | |
| 1/5/22 | Investment | Ennoconn Corp (Foxconn) | $40.0 | Metaverse/5G | Servers | ||
| 1/6/22 | Acquisition | Hell Let Loose IP from Black Matter | Team 17 | $62.0 | Games | MMO | |
| 1/6/22 | Acquisition | The Label | Team 17 | $40.0 | Games | Indie Developer | |
| 1/7/22 | Acquisition | Monster Games | iRacing | – | Games | Racing Sim | Northfield |
| 1/7/22 | Investment | Avataar | Tiger Global, Sequoia India | $45.0 | Tools | Ecommerce platform | Bangalore |
| Source: M2 Insights | |||||||
