Outside launches Outerverse to rival Metaverse

BOULDER — Outside Interactive Inc., an outdoor-focused media and tech company that publishes, among numerous titles, Outside magazine, today has unveiled plans for the Outerverse, which it described as “an adventure-minded, wellness-driven alternative to the Metaverse.”

According to a press statement, “Outerverse represents the first comprehensive foray into Web3 technology by a major consumer media company. Unfolding over the course of 2022, the platform will consist of three primary parts: an NFT marketplace (Outside.io), a community-oriented creator platform, and an Outside-branded loyalty token. All of the elements will be built in partnership with blockchain innovator SuperLayer.io. NFTs, or non-fungible tokens, are digital assets that represent real-world objects such as art or music.

“The emergence of NFTs, cryptocurrency, and Web3 systems is a game-changing development for media,” Robin Thurston, CEO of Outside, said in a written statement. “Our vision is really bold: We want to harness these new technologies to get the next generation of adventurers outdoors, and we want to infuse blockchain culture with the values that our followers hold dear. Big Tech wants you to live a virtual life; we’re creating experiences and content that will help you live a real life. The Outerverse is a place where technology exists to fuel adventure, inclusivity and sustainability.”

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By early June, the company plans the release of a limited-edition NFT called the Outerverse Passport. “Starting today, followers can register at Outside.io to get notified when they can purchase the passport, a unique piece of digital art that comes with real-world benefits along with early access to NFT mintings from Outside as well as dozens of well-known influencers, brands, and nonprofit partners,” the company said in a press release.

Outside will then collaborate with artists to produce collectibles that celebrate its audience’s favorite athletes, destinations, and races, with a portion of the proceeds going to organizations working on sustainability and diversity, equity and inclusion.

The company said that the Outerverse will be built on the Solana blockchain, whose proof-of-stake approach uses less energy than its competitors. 

“Outside will also calculate, report, and neutralize 100% of the footprint of the Outerverse — in addition to actions it’s already taken to make the entire company carbon-neutral by the end of 2026. And 20% of the net revenue from the sale of every new NFT will be distributed to a select group of nonprofit partners,” the company said in the press statement.

“The NFT initiative is just the first milestone in a roadmap that will redefine many aspects of our business,” said Thurston. “The Outerverse will also feature a platform that will enable creators to publish content to very large audiences and directly benefit from the engagement and revenue they drive. It will be a home for the world’s best storytellers and artists, with more than 10 well-known creators and athletes already on board to co-create and co-own this new ecosystem.”