Challenging Naver Zepeto... SKT Unveils New Metaverse Platform 'Ifland'

[Asia Economy Reporter Seulgina Jo] SK Telecom has unveiled a new metaverse (3D virtual world) platform called ‘ifland’ to compete with Naver Zepeto, which boasts over 200 million global users. The platform significantly enhances social features to allow not only the MZ generation, who are familiar with the metaverse concept, but all generations to easily express themselves through various avatars and participate in activities such as forums, concerts, and small gatherings in virtual spaces. SK Telecom, which previously attracted attention with the world’s first 'metaverse entrance ceremony,' plans to accelerate the popularization of the metaverse through this new platform.

◆ "Anyone Can Easily and Conveniently Experience the Metaverse" Launch of 'ifland' Targeting the MZ Generation

According to SK Telecom on the 14th, ifland is SK Telecom’s new metaverse brand that intuitively and emotionally expresses the surreal image of the metaverse. The name embodies the meaning of a space (land) where countless possibilities (if) to become, do, meet, and go come true.

The most notable feature of the ifland platform unveiled that day is its focus on simplifying processes and usability so that anyone can easily and conveniently enjoy the metaverse world. It improves user convenience compared to SK Telecom’s existing virtual reality (VR) services such as 'Social VR' and 'Virtual MeetUp,' targeting the needs of the MZ generation.

Upon launching the application, the user’s avatar and profile appear at the top of the screen, allowing them to check their current status, while a list of currently open metaverse rooms is displayed at the bottom. If users register their interest in upcoming rooms in advance, they receive a participation alert 10 minutes before the start. Users can also receive alerts when friends they follow log into ifland. The method of directly creating metaverse rooms has also been greatly simplified. A button to create a room is always active at the bottom of the app screen, so anyone can create a room by simply entering a title.

To allow users to express their unique personalities in various ways, the types of avatars and emotional expression actions have been significantly upgraded. Users can create their own distinctive virtual alter egos by choosing from over 800 costumes (appearance, clothing, etc.), including gender, hairstyle, avatar height, and body shape, and interact with diverse avatars. The number of emotional expression motions, which allow users to convey their thoughts and expressions through simple avatar movements, has been expanded to a total of 66 types.

SK Telecom has prepared 18 themed virtual spaces within ifland, such as a large conference hall, outdoor stage, rooftop, school sports field, and campfire room, which users can freely choose according to their needs. Various themed spaces will continue to be updated in the future. Each virtual space in ifland allows users to additionally select backgrounds such as weather, time of day, flooring, and wallpaper by theme, enabling different concepts even within the same themed room according to user preferences.

Additionally, in the untact era, ifland has built a communication environment that allows sharing desired materials such as documents and videos to facilitate meetings, presentations, and conferences using the metaverse. The current maximum number of participants in a single room is 130. SK Telecom explained, "we plan to continuously expand the capacity to upgrade the platform so that large conferences with hundreds of participants can be conducted smoothly."

◆ Challenging Naver Zepeto, Popular for Its 'Avatars'... Optimized for Gatherings and Communication

SK Telecom is strongly expressing its intention to preoccupy the promising metaverse market through ifland. This is based on the judgment that the ‘metaverse economy,’ where people enjoy and consume in virtual worlds, has become an unstoppable trend. According to market research firm Strategy Analytics (SA), the metaverse market is expected to grow rapidly from this year, with related revenues estimated to reach $280 billion by 2025. It is anticipated that new markets will be formed as new technologies such as virtual currency, Internet of Things (IoT), cloud, and smart health connect in the future.

In particular, the launch of the new metaverse platform ifland is also an official challenge to Naver Zepeto, which has established itself as a global platform ahead of others. SK Telecom focused on optimizing the metaverse space for 'gatherings and communication' while utilizing various avatars and alter egos, which are considered key factors in Zepeto’s popularity. This is based on the belief that metaverse platforms will become core channels of a new SNS culture.

ifland enhances social functions to enable new networking formations within the metaverse space. Users can add brief introductions of their interests or hobbies in their profiles, which can be viewed by others in the same metaverse room at any time. Additionally, networking formed in the metaverse space is maintained continuously by allowing users to follow avatars they are interested in. These social features are expected to motivate users to create another lifestyle in the metaverse space and continuously visit it.

SK Telecom plans to hold large-scale events such as major domestic and international forums, lectures, festivals, and concerts in ifland, as well as regularly operate experiential content like movie screenings. Through this, the company aims to further accelerate the popularization of the metaverse.

Jinsu Jeon, Head of SK Telecom’s Metaverse Company, said, “ifland will support a full-fledged metaverse life with various content tailored to the needs of the MZ generation and enhanced social functions,” adding, “We hope customers enjoy a fun and meaningful metaverse life through ifland, whether in small intimate gatherings or large-scale events.”

ifland is first released based on the Android OS and will gradually expand its service range to iOS and VR devices such as Oculus Quest OS. The ifland app can be downloaded from One Store or Play Store.