Ocean Race partners with Virtual Regatta and Accenture to launch metaverse experience

Ocean Race, Virtual Regatta, and Accenture have joined forces to create an innovative metaverse event that offers a new way for fans to experience the iconic yacht race. The newly launched product allows players to participate in restricted online games, connect with other fans, and gain access to exclusive club stats.

According to Richard Brisius, the head of Race in Ocean Race, the partnership with Virtual Regatta and Accenture was based on a mutual understanding as adventurers and forerunners. The goal of the collaboration is to provide a modern alternative for people to immerse themselves in the activity of the ocean, which has been the core mission of Ocean Race since 1973.

Philippe Guigné, creator and Head of Virtual Regatta, stated that the metaverse is a current happening that ensures individuals obey all-digital contest villages physically and virtually. The three companies aim to promote e-commerce opportunities by helping brands showcase their digital goods and services in the space, including clothing vendor Helly Hansen, who is a collaborator of the race.

Metaverse event to promote ocean conservation

The primary objective of the metaverse event is to promote ocean conservation, in line with the association’s sustainability proposals. To this end, the product provides a feature that gathers ocean information, an awareness section for tourists to learn and download learning policies to motivate young people between 6 to 16 years about ocean protection.

David Treat, co-chief of Accenture’s Metaverse Continuum business group, said that the metaverse would steer a new time in our digital existence, conquering restrictions, creating new opportunities, and connecting communities. The Virtual Regatta Offshore and Inshore race versions will attract over 200,000 players, with seven International Monohull Open Class Association (IMOCA) legs and three V065 Sprint stages.

 “Our collaboration with The Ocean Race and Virtual Regatta is helping reinvent how people engage with the race and protect our oceans while creating value for all stakeholders.”

David Treat, Co-Chief Metaverse Continuum Business Group, Accenture

The Ocean Race metaverse pilot experience (in partnership with Virtual Regatta and Accenture) will be available for use on a limited basis soon. The pilot experience will begin with the final week of Leg 3 of the race from Cape Town to Itaja, Brazil.

About the platforms

Ocean Race is a racing competition that has existed since 1973, and this year’s edition is the 14th, starting from Alicante on 15 January 2023. Also, the race will explore nine iconic cities worldwide and end in Geneva, Italy, in the summer of 2023.

Virtual Regatta games started in 2006 and have enabled people to compete with the physical world’s sailors since then. Virtual Regatta is now the exclusive partner of World Sailing and co-organizer of the “eSailing World Championship” and the “Nations Cup” on Virtual Regatta Inshore.

Accenture is a renowned global professional services company that enables businesses and governments worldwide to build their digital capabilities and revenue. Also the organization operates in over 120 countries and has a workforce strength of 700,000+

Photo credit: Accenture