NFTs in M’sia this week: Penang puts the “AR” in art, and a local P2E game for… kids?

Previously, we covered the news on plenty of nature-related NFTs that have cropped up. They include a collaborative ape project by Katun, and a new marketplace set to go live soon.

Today, new and familiar projects are beginning to take shape, and we can confidently say that the Malaysian NFT scene is getting more exciting.

An AR art exhibition in Penang

Penang has always been known to me as one of Malaysia’s more artsy states with an emphasis on heritage. 

Perhaps it’s the infamous “The Awaiting Trishaw Paddler” mural in Georgetown that comes to mind when I think of the island. That street depicting the life of Penangites is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, after all.

Now, it looks like the creative communities in Penang are bringing its art into the digital realm. Hin Bus Depot introduced an ​​augmented reality (AR) NFT exhibition at its gallery and events space.

Called NOW, the exhibition is presented by Aboud Fares. He’s a Syrian-born sculptor based in Penang who’s showcasing 3D works created using VR headsets and modelling software. 

The AR sculptures can be viewed using the Perk Reality app by scanning the QR codes scattered around the gallery. Featured sculptures can be purchased in form of NFT from OpenSea, or through Aboud Fares’ page on the Perk Reality website. 

NOW will be open to visitors from February 11 to 27.

The idea of a fully AR-based exhibition open to the public sounds like a cool idea, but I’ll admit that it does take a lot away from the physical art browsing and appreciating experience.

Those who still enjoy the traditional art gallery visit may find the scenes of visitors standing around the gallery with eyes locked on their screens to view the works a little sad.

However, this is an effort to bring physical artworks into the digital realm, where audiences can enjoy the interactive element of the works, as opposed to just viewing them in 2D on NFT marketplaces like OpenSea.

As mixed reality (MR) media grow more common, perhaps it’s on us to get used to these newer experiences.

Remember the MegaBabyVerse?

As a quick refresher, we’ve previously reported about a Malaysian metaverse project called the MegaBabyVerse being developed by OVR Token X Network. Essentially, the buildings inside its virtual city will have units sold as NFTs.

Thus far, the team have reported that the MegaBabyVerse is 80% ready, and are leasing out units for their virtual properties to the public. It’s now open for the public to explore too.

Entering the MegaBabyVerse, you’d first be dropped off at the OVR City Centre where you’ll get to check out the OVR Hospital, OVR Hotel, VI-Residence, and OVR VI-Mall, to name a few.

Browsing the OVR VI-Mall, you’d notice that some shop lots are already occupied by tenants, such as 101 Stella Healthy & Beauty and Cubienet.

Here, you’ll find external links to the shops’ contact details, and a shopping cart icon that leads to the OVR marketplace to purchase featured items sold at these shops.

The placements of businesses in the MegaBabyVerse’s mall are reminiscent of ad spaces sold by magazines or billboards. You won’t exactly find much information inside the virtual stores themselves, but from the external links they lead you to. 

The same will likely apply to hotels promoting their packages in the OVR Hotel, and private clinics and specialists promoting their services in the OVR Hospital.

As it is still early days, it can be said that this is just the beginning of more opportunities to create increasingly interactive spaces within the metaverse. One day, we could even shop directly from the virtual store the way we would IRL.

A P2E game for kids

From what we know, there’s yet to be a Malaysian-made play-to-earn (P2E) game in the market, until now.

Centre Of Digital Assets Malaysia (CODAM) is planning to launch a P2E game for kids as a school holiday programme. Briefly, CODAM aims to educate Malaysians about cryptocurrencies, blockchain tech, and digital asset management. These goals will also be instilled via its P2E games.

Image Credit: Centre Of Digital Assets Malaysia

The school holiday programme will be separated into two groups for primary and secondary school kids who are already interested in gaming. 

On a phone call, a CODAM representative told Vulcan Post that the project is meant to open up high school students to future career opportunities in blockchain tech and digital assets.

The representative was able to tease that their games will be similar to Roadblock (where you move cars around to let another car exit) and certain PS5 games. CODAM will only reveal more details during its official launch.

Featured Image Credit: NOW / MegaBabyVerse / 123rf.com