"WYSIWYG Studio Highlights VFX Technology with Metaverse Acceleration"

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyungsoo] Hana Financial Investment stated on the 7th that the 'Metaverse' is rapidly growing, especially among the MZ generation, and expects WYSIWYG Studio to benefit from this trend.

Researchers Choi Jaeho and Yoon Munsu from Hana Financial Investment explained, "Metaverse is a word combining Meta (transcendence) and Universe," and introduced it as "a 3D virtual world where political, economic, social, and cultural activities can be conducted in a virtual space."

According to market research firm Strategy Analytics, the global metaverse market is expected to grow rapidly starting this year, with the hardware market related to the metaverse projected to reach approximately 300 trillion KRW by 2025.

Researcher Choi Jaeho explained, "The reason for the accelerating growth of the metaverse is the creation of a non-face-to-face communication environment triggered by COVID-19," and added, "It is also due to the development of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) hardware devices, as well as the introduction of ultra-high-speed 5G mobile communication capable of real-time response."

He said, "Representative companies providing metaverse services include Naver Z's 'Zepeto', Roblox's 'Roblox', Microsoft's 'Minecraft', and Epic Games' 'Fortnite'."

Furthermore, he emphasized, "With the rapid growth of the metaverse ecosystem, a competition for dominance among big tech companies has begun," and noted, "Facebook has released the VR headset 'Oculus Quest 2'." He added, "Microsoft has also launched the VR device 'HoloLens 2', and Samsung Electronics, Apple, and Sony are also developing VR devices."

Researcher Choi stated, "The content market is also moving quickly centered around the 'Metaverse'," and explained, "As it has become difficult to hold traditional offline events or exhibitions, virtual spaces combining CG and VFX technologies are being created and held online."

The performing arts sector, including theater, concerts, and musicals, is also producing content by integrating VR, shifting the paradigm from offline to online and from reality to virtual. Even after the end of COVID-19, it is expected to establish itself as a new genre.

Researcher Choi emphasized, "Attention should be paid to WYSIWYG Studio as the metaverse ecosystem grows," and explained, "WYSIWYG Studio produces related content such as VR, AR, and MR based on CG and VFX technology."

Additionally, "CES 2021 held in Las Vegas, USA, last January was the first-ever event held online," and introduced, "WYSIWYG Studio received favorable reviews for unveiling technology that implements exhibition spaces as extended reality (XR) virtual spaces."

He said, "WYSIWYG Studio already possesses excellent production technology," and added, "The possibility of building its own 'Metaverse' platform through mergers and acquisitions of various related companies cannot be ruled out."