L W Petersen for Landian
Interview – Edited for Publisher
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| Interviewer | Wonsuk Yang, Junghun Lee, Eunjin Kwan | Deloitte Insight Korea |
| Interviewee | A Yavorsky | CEO Landian |
Introduction: Landian
Landian exists so people, businesses, organizations, and cultures can engage in the Metaverse unencumbered and without limitations. Moreover, becoming anyone or anything is limited only by the imagination. One’s ability to evolve and thrive is determined by the level of effort.
At Landian, our focus is to build on the collective growth of virtual worlds by making them more interactive, accessible, and easier to navigate.
Rewarding creativity and social interaction is what all great societies have in common. That is why Landian is packed with exciting incentives that stimulate user engagement and commerce. Plus, it is governed by a shared value system that benefits founders and users.
The Metaverse is a virtual environment that gives users the opportunity to create experiences and engage with others from around the world. The Metaverse is inevitable, and yet the concept is far from new. Over decades we have come to depend on similar adaptations centered on commerce, social interactions, and unique interpretations of personal expression.
Welcome to the world of Landian and the Metaverse’s next evolution of cooperation, communication, storytelling, and emotional responses without the impediments often created by distance, time, money, race, and religion.
Q1. Define words like “metaverse” and “avatars.” Then, describe their benefits for users.
The metaverse is an evolution of today’s internet. It also breaks down social barriers so people can engage with others without prejudice or judgment. Think of it as a platform or a world built on top of the internet. The metaverse is a new paradigm for creating immersive virtual user experiences, including how we communicate, share ideas, and do business. We have a long way to go in its development, but in the ideal metaverse, anyone at any time would enjoy immersive experiences without the need for cumbersome hardware.
An avatar is a user’s self-identifying character in the metaverse. And, thanks to scanning technology, it is entirely customizable. One can identify as a ‘meta human’ that closely resembles oneself, a version thereof, or someone with very different features. It can also take on other forms, like an animal, dragon, or fairytale creature. You can be anything or anyone in the metaverse, making it an ideal place for introverts or those who feel awkward in social settings.
In addition, avatars in the metaverse create a cultural shift with their ability to adapt or transform in various social environments. For example, a Metahuman (avatar) can don a tuxedo in a ballroom setting, change their look to fit a rock concert or after-party, or slip into a swimsuit for a day at the beach. Scenarios like this are infinite and diverse.
Q2. What technologies and infrastructure are in place to enhance Landian’s digital customer experience (DCX)? Are you considering investing in these areas?
Yes. In Landian, we’re using biometric and haptic sensors to capture body and facial movements. We’re also investing in various digital scanning technologies that help to build digital twins of architectural structures. As a result, entertainment venues and stadiums can exhibit the same characteristics and features as their real-world counterparts. Similarly, these technologies can recreate people and reconstruct historical artifacts.
Regarding investment, we’re always looking for hardware and software technologies that leverage our ability to create more realistic elements and immersive experiences with less effort. Also, tools like Google Sketch and AutoCAD help to facilitate a platform-based ecosystem for producing premium content, assets, and other systems.
All combined, our investments in technologies and infrastructure are paving the way for Landian to become a decentralized marketplace with endless and unparalleled opportunities. Merchants can sell real and virtual products anywhere, from a chair to a building, a musical instrument to an orchestral concert, and all with a smart contract. In summary, we at Landian are creating a platform to allow people to create new experiences and the constructs and venues that house them.
Q3. Can other metaverse channels (e.g., Roblox, Zepeto, etc.) be integrated or linked?
That’s a good question and an especially relevant one. The buzz around this topic has increased in the news and social media. Here’s how I see it. The metaverse, including Landian, is a decentralized space that no one centralized entity controls. The users and creators vitalize each metaverse within. In my opinion, each metaverse should evolve in its way. We know the demand for cross-compatibility between different metaverse platforms in other languages. This may be why many are pushing toward a kind of unified interoperability. For example, there’s an idea that companies like Meta, Sandbox, and Roblox can operate a mutually-compatible metaverse platform. However, this sounds to me like an odd concept.
Think about a browser on the internet. We can choose Chrome, Edge, Safari, or whatever browser we choose. From a perspective that sees the metaverse as an evolved and immersive version of the internet, platforms are best suited to be their worlds. It may be that universal platforms allow other Metaverse access in the future.
Q4. What are the limitations of XR devices, networks, and other technical aspects? /When are the perfect realization, commercialization, and popularization of realistic content possible?
That depends on your preferred experience. Most users employ mobile devices, rather than virtual or augmented reality devices like Oculus or Hololensprefer, to explore and experience the metaverse. I am mentally and physically exhausted after an hour or so of wearing a VR set. We overcame the same hurdles when television went from analog to digital and video games went retro to extended play. It’s just something most people aren’t yet used to.
As you know, Google is reintroducing the XR lens project, and Apple is developing a headset that will be amazing. So in terms of creating a more familiar experience, each will steer us in the right direction.
There is yet to be one answer because, regarding convenience and acceptance, the consumers’ activity on any given metaverse platform will determine how quickly and widely XR headsets and glasses are adopted. Furthermore, the full potential of the metaverse won’t be actualized until XR devices are fully integrated with the human neurological organization.
Q5. Are you pursuing partnerships or mergers and acquisitions with hardware, software, content, and application (platform) companies? If so, what synergies do you expect?
Yes, quite a few. Since Landian is a platform, we’re working with many international developers. About 400,000 people, not including users, are currently working inside Landian. More partnerships are in the making, from e-commerce to gaming and everything in between. In addition, we create platforms for universities and people working in education and coordinate directly with governments to map out smart city simulations five to ten years in the future.
When it comes to partnerships, there are many solutions. In terms of hardware, we work with various companies worldwide offering native installations for devices, from the point they were shipped down to integrations with social media and chat. We’re also working with global sports leagues and federations seeking an app for stadium integrations that enhance the fan experience. In addition, we collaborate with many companies in the motion and visual capture arena, including those specializing in case streaming live events, or what we call meta-broadcasting, which gives people a concert or sporting event experience without paying a subscription or channel package fee.
As you can see, many different things are happening inside the meta space. My favorite project currently involves motion capture production. Artists, dancers, and even fighters come to our studio to gear up in motion data collection devices. We use that data to render everything from music videos and gameplay to fight simulations in the meta space. Watching humans effectively teach computers how to move is exciting and fun.
Q6. There is a gap between the hardware and software development phases. What are your thoughts?
The gap is tightening. Remember cell phones in the 1980s and 90s? We called them “brick cell phones” only five years after they first emerged; people were sporting handhelds. We expect similar trends in XR headsets that will soon become lighter and more wearable.
The most significant issues facing today’s headset users are convenience and processing speeds. As you know, Apple’s innovative AR glass is currently in development. And thanks to the “M2 chip,” these devices soon to hit the market will combine superior chip processing power with low latency technology to perform better, weigh less, and be more energy efficient. Thus, solving many of the most pressing user issues.
I believe that within five years, we’ll see people injecting chips into their eyes, brains, or wherever. But, of course, this will make most people feel very uncomfortable in the beginning.
Q7. Do you think XR device companies like Meta or Apple will create ecosystems for operating exclusively on their Metaverse platforms?
No. Those companies are going to specialize in user experiences. For example, iPhones were created so users could access any website on the world wide web. So, ultimately that’s what we’re going to see. It would be arrogant to assume any company could control entire metaverse platforms or the XR industry through vertical integration. It would be like someone saying they would take over the world wide web.
Q8. Blockchain technology is essential for developing and operating metaverse platforms. Are you applying a system of blockchain technology to your platform?
Yes. Landian uses blockchain technology for smart contracts. All assets, once created, are stored on the blockchain. So, from a building to an item of clothing, a non-fungible token can take the form of anything you have in the metaverse.
Our contract layers effectively monetize many of the creations we offer users. For example, if you buy a piece of land in Landian but need to learn how to build inside the metaverse, you can submit a proposal or request to the marketplace. You could say, “I envision someone making me a concert venue or a stadium.”
Smart contracts in the marketplace can take your vision to the next level. For example, plan a concert with an event coordinator, and secure an artist through a tour manager who, in turn, hires an influencer to sell tickets. Each intelligent contract layer ensures everyone is compensated with no question or doubt about who gets what and when or how. Everything is built-in through smart contracts, from beginning to end.
We believe blockchain technology is the best way to do business because it prevents any single company or person from taking total control.
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