Aptos Labs & NBCUniversal Join Forces for Web3 Fan Experiences and Gaming

Aptos Labs has teamed up with NBCUniversal to embark on a comprehensive development deal aimed at enhancing fan engagement through Web3 experiences, customer loyalty programs, and gaming initiatives. This partnership leverages Aptos’ proven experience in crafting immersive fan experiences for prominent Universal films to build on NBCUniversal’s existing Web3 projects.

Aptos, which previously created “Free Renfield the Game” in March 2023 to promote the film “Renfield,” will be expanding its scope with NBCUniversal. In this game, participants were able to search for bugs granting superhuman abilities, which they then matched to specific movie scenes to win unique digital collectible prizes. This initiative merged gamification with film promotion in a novel way, showcasing the potential of Web3 technologies in entertainment.

Fast-forward to September, Aptos rolled out a suite of back-end media, augmented reality filters, digital art, and various prize-winning opportunities for “The Exorcist: Believer” ticket buyers through the Fandango platform. These efforts underscore how Web3 solutions can enrich traditional fan experiences by introducing elements of augmented and virtual reality, along with collectible NFTs, into the mix.

NBCUniversal has clearly demonstrated a strong interest in Web3, as evidenced by its other Web3 engagements, such as a digital scavenger hunt conducted during Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios in Hollywood and Universal Orlando Resort. This event was developed in collaboration with MoonPay, a blockchain payment system, further cementing NBCUniversal’s commitment to integrating blockchain technologies into its fan experiences.

Greg Reed, the Vice President of Technology Partnerships at Universal Pictures, highlighted the evolving media and entertainment landscape, emphasizing that modern fan experiences and preferences are significantly shaping the industry. This statement illustrates the strategic importance of NBCUniversal’s long-term alliance with Aptos for staying ahead in the dynamic media environment.

Owned by telecom giant Comcast, NBCUniversal boasts a vast portfolio that includes DreamWorks film studio and the Peacock streaming service. By joining forces with Aptos, NBCUniversal aims to integrate advanced Web3 solutions into its offerings, providing fans with cutting-edge, interactive experiences.

Aptos, founded by ex-Meta leaders Mo Shaikh and Avery Ching, launched their proof-of-stake blockchain in October 2022. This blockchain employs a programming language initially developed for Meta’s aborted Diem stablecoin project. Aptos’ blockchain supports various services, including the decentralized crypto exchange PancakeSwap, Chingari, an Indian social media platform, and Overlai for intellectual property rights protection.

In August, Aptos took a significant step forward by incorporating Microsoft’s artificial intelligence tools from the Azure OpenAI service. This integration aims to attract the financial services sector, underscoring Aptos’ ambition to expand its footprint beyond media and entertainment into broader applications, with the potential for substantial impacts across multiple industries.