Sony and Manchester City are building a metaverse, but they need to prove why we should visit

Sony builds amazing virtual worlds for its games, and now the company is starting to build metaverse worlds as well. The company showed a glimpse at a metaverse-y experience it is building with Manchester City. Sony isn't bringing the same high-quality, must-play approach to this soccer focused hangout.

The experience, which Sony and Manchester City are calling a "proof of concept," will let fans participate in activities at a virtual version of the team's stadium with their own custom avatars. In clips from an official video, virtual characters run around the stadium and on the field, dancing and celebrating. Iwamoto said that players will be able to communicate in a new way withavatars, 3D images and other unique expressions.

Virtual recreations of big highlights from multiple angles are included in the proof of concept. There is an impressive clip from the point of view of the goalkeeper as they try to keep track of the ball.

A new video shows how Sony recreated the footage and data of the Manchester City players in this metaverse space. Fans could watch a video of a player juggling a ball in a virtual space on a stage where they could see it. It reminded me of the time J.J.Abrams showed off a Star Wars video. A player was put in the middle of the field as a group of people cheered him on.

The digital player recreations aren't as impressive as things like the Luka Doni Meta Human and the virtual stadium and avatars aren't nearly as high fidelity as the PS2 hits. It makes sense that the graphics don't match what you'd expect from a console-quality game since the metaverse appears to be built for lower specced devices.

The partnership was announced in 2020. Sony and Manchester City both referred to the work as a proof of concept. We don't know when we'll be able to use it or why this will be a better way for fans to connect.

Participants will be able to create their own avatars on their phones. In an email, Yo Kikuchi, a Sony spokesman, said that the app is set to be released in 2023, but it is unclear if the highlights, virtual stadium, and avatars will be included. We requested clarification. The countries and regions where it will be offered are still being considered. The virtual stadium will be at Sony's booth.

I don't know what you'll be able to do in this virtual Manchester City world, the metaverse continues to be an inconsistent concept. It seems like you will be able to see captures of actual players, be in the same space as other avatars, and watch replays from many angles, but I am not sure that all of that will provide a better experience for sports fans.

Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge

Sony has thrown its weight behind the idea of the metaverse, so this probably won't be the last time they talk about it. The company's first priority is to make a metaverse around entertainment. Sony has a lot of resources in video games, film, technology, and more.

It can probably get some good advice from some of the best developers of engaging virtual worlds after Sony invested more than $1 billion in the company. The company has a portable motion- tracking system. The PSVR2 is a major upgrade from the original PSVR and could become a big platform for virtual environments. At least you can swallow the high price of hardware.

It is not surprising that Sony is working with Manchester City. It needs to be proven that it will be a better way to feel connected to other fans than just watching soccer.