Abu Dhabi Yas Island is Coming to the Metaverse
A joint effort by several stakeholders in Abu Dhabi digital ecosystem and other entertainment companies will power the creation of Yas Island in the metaverse.
Yas Island is coming to the metaverse to deliver a virtual world-class tourist experience to users. The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, with several stakeholders like Miral, Abu Dhabi Motorsports Management, Aldar, Flash Entertainment, twofour54, and Yas Island, will bring the initiative to light, offering a virtual experience of life in Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island.
The Yas Island Metaverse, upon its launch, will allow users from anywhere in the world to interact with the sights and sounds of Yas Island. Expectedly, the virtual ecosystem will feature cultural attractions, theme parks, sports attractions, real estate, and numerous special events. In the Yas Island metaverse, users can socialize, create content, gather together, play, and transact (shop for goods and services).
As part of every user’s unique experience, customizable avatars will represent them in the digital ecosystem, and users may also enjoy surprise rewards for experiencing Yas Island in the metaverse. Using their avatars, Yas Island metaverse visitors may buy or build homes, access member-only golf courses or special events, enjoy theme park adventures, and access the world-class racing circuit for motorsports.
According to Saood Al Hosani, the undersecretary at the Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi, the department is committed to innovation, and it invites the world to experience the thrills and adventures of Yas Island from anywhere in the world. Additionally. Al Hosani reiterates the purpose of the Yas Island metaverse offering, touting it as a perfect highlight of the lifestyle, culture, and entertainment available in Abu Dhabi, which will allow every user to enjoy a personalized experience of all the Emirate has to offer.
The CEOs of Aldar and Miral, Talal Al Dhiyebi and Mohammed Abdalla Al Zaabi, are also talking up the Yas Island metaverse project. In different statements, they expressed pride in being part of the project, representing the next phase in Yas Island’s evolution. According to these stakeholders, the Yas Island metaverse will put Abu Dhabi on the global map digitally and highlight the emirate’s commitment to being at the forefront of the digital evolution.
The Yas Island metaverse is currently being developed, drawing inspiration from leading Metaverse ecosystems like Roblox and The Sandbox. The project is powered by Super League Gaming, one of the world’s leading metaverse gaming developers. The Yas Island metaverse is expected to go live in Q1 2023, and it will be open to virtual visitors worldwide. The Yas Island metaverse is yet another milestone for the digital ecosystem in the UAE. Several brands in the country have expressed their desire to create or invest in metaverse-related projects, with telecoms giant e& announcing a metaverse world earlier in October. With the ecosystem set to grow in leaps and bounds over the next five years, more activity and announcements should be expected as the UAE positions itself as the digital capital of the world.
