Fiction Becomes Reality, as Warner Licenses Readyverse Studios to Create a Real Version of the Metaverse as Depicted in the Novel and Film Ready Player One
By Allison Watkinson
TLL Reporter
Futureverse has launched a new web3 initiative called Readyverse Studios to bring Ernest Cline’s Ready Player One sci-fi franchise to the metaverse.
Readyverse Studios was created by Futureverse co-founders Shara Senderoff and Aaron McDonald, alongside novelist Ernest Cline and Ready Player One film producer, Dan Farah.
“The future has arrived even more quickly than I imagined,” said Cline. “With Readyverse Studios, we have the opportunity to leverage the revolutionary technology Futureverse has been building for several years to bring to life the best possible version of the metaverse,” added Cline. “I’m confident with this team, we have the brightest minds and biggest hearts in place to lead us into the next chapter of our collective future… a future that would make Wade Watts and James Halliday proud.”
In its first major rights partnership, Readyverse Studios has signed an exclusive licensing agreement with Warner Bros. Discovery to bring the Ready Player One franchise to the metaverse.
The studio intends to create a real version of the open metaverse depicted in Cline’s Ready Player One novel and its film adaptation by Warner Bros. Pictures. The Readyverse will be built utilizing Futureverse’s extensive suite of web3-based technology.
“We are thrilled to be at the forefront of technology, embracing its potential while continuously exploring new and exciting ways to integrate it within fan experiences across our brands and franchises,” said Warner Bros SVP, Josh Hackbarth. “Ready Player One has become a cultural touchstone, inspiring technology innovators, creators, and visionaries and we’re excited to be partnering with Readyverse Studios to introduce these unique characters, immersive environments and more to the metaverse across web3.”
In addition to Ready Player One, Readyverse Studios maintains the exclusive web3 licensing rights to all future IPs developed by Ernest Cline. Readyverse aims to develop a multi-world metaverse experience for mass consumers that features numerous licensed IPs across games, augmented reality experiences, VR technology and more.
This open metaverse experience will be based on principles such as community-owned infrastructure, decentralization, provable digital ownership, web3 security and inter-operability.
Futureverse and Readyverse Studios plan to officially launch the interactive Readyverse platform in 2024.
“We could not be more excited to be sharing this unprecedented news with the world today,” said Senderoff and McDonald. “With Ernie, Dan and our partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery, we have the unique opportunity to help bring the metaverse to life beginning with the IP that first showcased its potential. This is just the beginning of our collaboration with both Hollywood and global brands as we set out to develop a path for beloved commercial IP to shape the future of online entertainment, gaming, and social experiences.”
Additional Readyverse licensing partnerships will likely be announced throughout the next year.
“Readyverse Studios will offer exciting new metaverse opportunities for Hollywood studios, talent, and brands to create new revenue streams and creative outlets for brand expansion while offering consumers the ability to enjoy the promise of the open metaverse,” said Readyverse Studios co-founder, Dan Farah.
Futureverse is an AI and metaverse technology company that creates open, scalable and interoperable digital experiences, games and apps.
The company maintains a large digital collectible community and has created a large footprint within the metaverse through strategic partnerships with global brands and IP.
Futureverse recently signed with the Creative Artists Agency for representation across film, TV, sports, music, consumer products and more.