The next big evolution of the Internet has given rise to immense opportunities for many. Ona a global level, companies like Facebook and NVIDIA are already investing heavily in the metaverse. But companies in the country are not too far behind as well.

With a gamer base of more than 2.7 billion, India has been ranked number one in mobile gaming download. Besides this, tech giants and several startups are coming up with breakthrough ideas for customers to collaborate with each other in the Metaverse. Here’s a look at some startups that are making the right noise in this arena

1.LOKA

Found in 2020 by Krishnan Sunderarajan in New Delhi, the platform offers 3D versions of cities and places in the country. For example, Marine drive in Mumbai, Connaught place in New Delhi etc. Players have to participate in live experiences and this is fuelled by third party apps.

It is India’s first multiplayer gamified virtual metaverse which is based on 3D maps of real locations. You can visit a multiplex in the game or go to your favourite Chinese restaurant and order starters. With a feel, culture and vibe essence to it, LOKA has a Metaverse in which you can do lots of stuff like collaborate and socialise with other players.

2.Zippy

A virtual world for runners. People will now be able to run marathons in cities, or even go on trails and runs, with their friends or even go solo. This will be in tandem with the real kinematics of real -world runners like using treadmills or sensors or even fit bits.
Founded by Sunny Makroo, it will connect runners from various locations and provide a safe and enjoyable environment

3.Bolly Heroes

Bolly Heroes is a Bollywood in the metaverse. It is being built in collaboration with various production houses, gaming studios, brands, celebrities etc. Partners Paperboat design Studios, Fantico and Vistas Media Capital have also bought a limited NFT Collection called ‘Bollyverse’

India is taking a leap into NFTs. Bollywood is a religion and @BollyHeroes are building a parallel BOLLYVERSE on top. Each NFT holder earns rewards. Not just jpegs. #NFTs #Metaverse #CryptoGaming Pre-register now and be a part of exclusive sale of 250 Legends and 10k Hero NFTs pic.twitter.com/HPWvk6tQ5h

— Bolly Heroes Bollyverse (@BollyHeroes) September 14, 2021

The NFT collection will enable people to create a ‘Bollyverse’ in which they can write and produce their own stories. They can also act in them. This will allow them to make game shows, films etc. Bolly Heroes offers three types of NFTs and each NFT is rewarded with revenue share and incentives.

4.Tamasha.Live

Found by IIT alumnus Saurabh Gupta and Siddharth Swarnkar, the company is making a real money gaming avenue, that will disrupt gaming, using live social engagement.

5.OneRare

The country’s first play to earn food metaverse game, found by Gaurav Gupta and Supreet Raj in March 2021. Participants will have to assert their favourite dish. They will have to follow recipes and farm the right ingredients to get their dish to unlock the Dish NFTs successfully. With only One Dish NFT of every recipe only one person will own the ‘One Rare Dish’ in the entire world.