South Korea’s Lotte Group has announced a strategic partnership with Arbitrum, a layer 2 Ethereum blockchain network, to launch its new virtual platform Lotte Caliverse.
Unveiled at CES 2025, the project aims to merge digital and real-world interactions by integrating shopping, gaming and entertainment into a unified metaverse experience.
Caliverse will leverage blockchain technology to ensure secure and seamless transactions while delivering innovative features powered by Unreal Engine 5.
Source: CaliverseWhat is Rakuten Caliverse?
Lotte Caliverse is designed to provide an immersive digital environment with real-world applications in retail, entertainment and gaming. Key features include:
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- Virtual Shopping: Users can explore a virtual shopping mall featuring luxury brands such as Givenchy and Tomorrowland. Items purchased in the virtual world will be delivered to customers in the real world.
- Entertainment activities: Virtual concerts and events, including performances by K-pop and global artists, will allow users to experience live entertainment in digital form.
- gamble: The platform offers interactive games, including Caliverse: Invasion, where users can collaborate or compete in multiplayer scenarios. Future updates are expected to enable users to design custom games.
To enhance the user experience, Caliverse incorporates advanced technologies, including naked-eye 3D applications and artificial intelligence-driven interactive elements. These features are designed to make virtual worlds more accessible and engaging for users without requiring additional hardware.
Caliverse is available for download now from the official website, with regular updates and content expansion planned throughout the year.
Source: CaliverseWhy did Rakuten choose Arbitrum?
Rakuten selected Arbitrum as the blockchain foundation for Caliverse because of its ability to efficiently handle high transaction volumes. Arbitrum’s Layer 2 solution enhances the performance of blockchain applications by reducing transaction costs and ensuring low latency, making it ideal for complex virtual ecosystems such as Caliverse.
Steven Goldfeder, CEO of Offchain Labs, said: “Arbitrum’s blockchain is an ideal home for Lotte Caliverse, providing industry-leading 250 millisecond block times to ensure high-quality performance in virtual worlds and gaming experiences.”
Blockchain integration will also support secure digital transactions, allowing users to purchase items, participate in events, and interact within the Metaverse without delays or interruptions.
