Hong Kong-based film production company National Arts Entertainment Group announced it is building a simulation of the Xiqiao Shan filmmaking studio in the metaverse while cinemas remain shut due to local Covid restrictions. 

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Fast facts

  • Xiqiao Shan filmmaking studio is known for its panoramic film shooting scenes of the National Palace Museum, Kowloon Walled City, Hong Kong Street, and Shanghai Street. 
  • In the metaverse, users will be able to interact with virtual music concerts, film sets, talent quests, and movie clip production, along with other immersive online entertainment experiences.
  • The film-themed metaverse will also contain an e-commerce platform imitating Shanghai Street malls, where users can purchase non-fungible tokens (NFTs). 
  • The project is a joint venture between the studio’s parent firm, National Arts Group, management and production company National Treasure, and Filipino crypto exchange CryptoSX holding company First Bullion.
  • With the coronavirus shutting physical entertainment venues such as cinemas in Hong Kong, the entertainment industry is taking to the metaverse to offer socially-distanced virtual experiences to patrons.
  • This year, the Sundance film festival took place in the metaverse, and digital content marketplace MContent held an immersive virtual reality film screening in Dubai to announce the launch of its “Cineverse.”