Nike will Have Its Own Metaverse with Branded Sneakers

Based on the concept of Web3, Nike IT specialists have developed the .Swoosh platform - this metaverse will unite fans of the well-known sports brand. Here they will have the opportunity not only to buy virtual sneakers for themselves, but also to participate in their creation, then receiving a reward for each pair sold.

At the end of 2021, Nike, one of the largest sportswear companies in the world, acquired digital studio RTFKT, which specializes in creating collectible NFT items for the metaverse. Already in April 2022, the famous brand presented the world with the first model of virtual shoes - Nike Cryptokicks sneakers, and now it is actively preparing to launch something global - a whole Web3 platform. She has already been given a name - .Swoosh. On this platform, anyone can buy virtual products placed there.

At the moment, beta testing of the platform is being completed. Registration will open on November 18th. The first collection of Nike virtual shoes, accessories and apparel on .Swoosh will launch in January 2023. US dollars will be used to pay for purchases here. But cryptocurrency settlements are not expected, although all transactions will be registered in the Polygon chain.

Ron Faris, head of Nike Virtual Studios, noted that .Swoosh was designed not only as a marketplace, but primarily as a space for creativity, where you can see a lot of designer virtual items, buy something for yourself or trade with someone. something, as well as to create new digital goods. And that is not all. By purchasing virtual sneakers, the owner will be able to virtualize them by pre-ordering their physical copy, discuss their appearance with designers using tokens, and wear them to their avatar in the game. In addition, members of the .Swoosh metaverse will be able to enter contests to compete for the ultimate prize - the right to design virtual Nike products with the brand's top designers and earn a percentage of sales.

.Swoosh is not Nike's first virtual universe. She already has a separate Nikeland space inside the Roblox metaverse, coming out in November 2021. According to data obtained by Roblox, more than 26 million users have already visited Nikeland since its inception. By launching .Swoosh on a personal platform, Nike gains independence - the company will not need to use a dedicated “corner” on other platforms.