Israel intends to invest millions in the development of apps and games for the Metaverse virtual reality platform, sources said Tuesday.
Ynet has learned that Deputy Foreign Minister Idan Roll is expected to announce the three million shekels investment into the platform at a Tuesday conference dedicated to the subject of the Metaverse.
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Israel expected to announce a three million shekels investment in the Metaverse
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The Metaverse platform is a concept of an all-encompassing virtual reality environment branded as “the future of the internet” by Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, which works to advance the platform. Meta aims to use VR and AR (augmented reality) technology to "transport" users to an all-virtual interactive environment.
"From the moment I entered the Foreign Ministry I realized that our attitude must be changed," Roll is expected to say during the conference.
"We know that visiting Israel is the surest way to connect with the country. In the wake of the COVID pandemic, few people came to Israel and the discourse of [anti-Israel] hatred on social networks reached new heights, especially among the liberal young generation.
“Therefore, it is critical that we create additional channels to experience Israel and share the Israeli story. Today, with considerable progress in realizing the Metaverse vision, we need to be the first to embrace the benefits inherent in it.”
Roll is also expected to announce the first step of the venture, which will apparently focus on the hugely popular online game platform and game creation system Roblox - which caters mainly to young audiences, and which was previously blasted for predatory practices, using child labor, and for acting as a safe haven for online predators.
The Foreign Ministry plans, among others, include the development of a game called "Treasures of the Holy Land," in which participants will have to search for archeological finds and thus learn about the connection between the people of Israel and the Land of Israel.
In another game, "The Falafel King," users will be tasked with setting up and maintaining a falafel stand, with the end-goal being to expose the users to the multiculturalism of Israeli society.
Another game will focus on Tel Aviv, and will allow users to make a virtual relocation to the first Hebrew city as employees of a high-tech company.
In addition, the ministry plans on giving lectures and performances at the Metaverse, as well as virtual tours of museums and special events, for example as part of the Pride Parade in Tel Aviv or Independence Day celebrations.