NASA Metaverse. NASA recently announced that it has partnered with Epic Games to present a “challenge” to game developers. The challenge is to deliver Mars-based virtual reality assets and experiences to help prepare for an eventual trip to the Red Planet (Mars).
NASA and Buendea are currently collaborating on a Mars XR operations support system using Epic Games’ Unreal Engine 5. NASA MarsXR Challenge participants will gain exclusive access to this VR environment, which includes Martian gravity and weather, realistic Martian terrain, and assets such as vehicles and clothing.
At the same time, this challenge will be hosted by the HeroX platform infrastructure, which allows organizations to crowdsource solutions for unique projects. Developers will use Unreal Engine 5 to create Mars assets and experiences that will ultimately be used in NASA’s Mars XR Operations Support System environment.
Of course, developers will not be allowed to develop end-to-end Mars simulations. MarsXR will feature a “world” with more than 400 km2 of Martian terrain, a day-night cycle, real weather, simulated Martian gravity, and assets including spacesuits and rovers. Developers will then be able to add to these assets or use existing assets to create their own custom experiences.
The challenge attracted great interest and more than 150 teams participated, most of which were teams of 1-2 people. It is possible to see significantly more participation in the next few months. Streams include participants from around the world, including Kenya, Iran, Ukraine, South Korea, Taiwan and more. Creating a Mars simulation experience or metaverse universe is clearly an exciting opportunity for developers.
HeroX Platform shared the participation link of this competition with a prize of 70 thousand dollars on Twitter. If you are a game developer, we recommend that you start working on the NASA Metaverse with your team now in order not to miss this award.
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