PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds creator wants to build a “metaverse” but says it might take 15 years and can’t explain what it will look like yet

Brendan Greene, the modder-turned-millionaire who created the popular battle royale game PUBG: Battlegrounds, has plans to develop his studio’s next game as a “metaverse”, although he is cautious about using that term. The upcoming project, currently named “Artemis”, is still in the early stages of development, with the studio focusing on the underlying technology. Greene anticipates releasing two other games before Artemis, meaning it could be 10-15 years before it is launched.

Artemis is envisioned as an internet-like platform where users can create and share content, although specific details about the nature of this content have not been disclosed. Greene acknowledges challenges in moderating this user-generated “multiverse of worlds” and addressing issues like copyright infringement. Despite these uncertainties, he expresses confidence in the project.

In an interview with IGN, Greene shared, “[Yes], it’s a big vision, but I’ve got a good team of industry professionals and they don’t think it’s that crazy. I want to build a metaverse because I don’t think anyone else is. The Metaverse is a 3D internet where users can create their own worlds operating on the same protocol, like HTTP. That’s the goal I aim to achieve with Artemis.”

Details about the gameplay and features of Artemis are still vague, with Greene drawing comparisons to Star Trek’s Holodeck and Minecraft’s survival mode. He hints at utilizing the world-generation technology being developed for their survival game Prologue: Go Wayback in the creation of Artemis. However, Greene emphasizes that Artemis is years away from completion and may take time to gain popularity.

Greene envisions Artemis as a platform for endless possibilities, likening its evolution to the early days of the internet. While he acknowledges the initial emptiness of such platforms, he believes in the potential for a vibrant “multiverse of worlds” to emerge over time.

Despite Greene’s enthusiasm, skepticism surrounds the ambitious nature of Artemis, especially in comparison to existing user-generated content platforms like Roblox. Other game studios are also exploring similar concepts, such as Fortnite’s creative tools and Everywhere by Build A Rocket Boy. It remains to be seen how Artemis will differentiate itself in this competitive landscape.

While Greene’s vision for Artemis is lofty, its success remains uncertain. The concept of a metaverse is not without challenges, including moderation and user safety. Greene’s reluctance to embrace NFTs in Artemis showcases his cautious approach to integrating emerging technologies.

For now, Artemis exists as a speculative venture with potential but unproven value. Its ultimate impact and reception among players remain to be seen. Will it achieve the grand vision Greene envisions or face obstacles along the way? Only time will tell.