Dunn, Pierre, Barnett & Company Canada Ltd

Croquet Corporation announced today the availability of Croquet OS, the first open Metaverse operating system (OS), which features a bit identical shared virtual machine operating within the browser of any device, and the alpha of its Microverse IDE, a virtual world development environment. Based on open, standards-based browser technologies that are cross platform to any device, these products enable web developers to create multiuser Web and Web3 virtual worlds in the Metaverse that can be published anywhere.  

Croquet OS is the only open, browser based operating system that unites the web and the Metaverse. The OS loads instantly from any URL or QR code during entry to a virtual world with web, mobile or AR/VR devices. It uses synchronization, live data and persistence services from its globally deployed Croquet Reflector Network to enable ultra low-latency, low-bandwidth shared experiences. Any Metaverse developer can integrate Croquet OS as infrastructure to enable multiuser shared experiences and achieve perfectly synchronized shared social interactions.

Microverse IDE is a development and deployment environment built on Croquet OS that empowers developers to rapidly deliver interoperable, standards based Web and Web3 virtual worlds. Powerful portal technologies in the IDE allow secure interoperability between one world and another. With Microverse IDE, developers and designers collaboratively build and iterate on Microverse spaces, which can then be published anywhere.

The Croquet Reflector Network is deployed globally by Croquet and its partners on edge or 5G networks. Croquet Reflector Network is a system of lightweight stateless microservers called reflectors that can be deployed on public or private networks.

In the case of 5G networks, reflectors are deployed on the MEC for maximum Metaverse performance. Croquet OS makes every 5G device a portal to the Metaverse and every 5G network an important part of Metaverse infrastructure. Croquet OS delivers latencies as low as 10-15 ms on public networks and 2-5 ms on private networks.

Because Croquet OS is built on open web standards and browser-based technologies, it has equal applicability for Web and Web3 developers. While traditional developers may deploy virtual worlds standalone or to existing and new web properties, Web3 developers can integrate Croquet OS and the Microverse IDE easily with decentralized blockchain deployments, NFT services, cryptocurrencies and other decentralized Metaverse user experiences.

"Using open, standards-based web technologies to produce interoperable virtual worlds that can be published anywhere is a powerful approach to solving a very hard problem," said David A Smith, Founder and CTO of Croquet. "Open technologies usually win. The web is everywhere, on every device with a screen. It has the largest community of developers in the world. And portals based upon open web standards will make the Metaverse truly independent and interoperable."

Virtual worlds on the Metaverse will be deployed in many places outside of the large, centralized, proprietary "Megaverses" like Meta and Roblox. Use cases include 3D virtual worlds published on company websites, industrial virtual control rooms and digital twins, and shared reality sports fan experiences at the stadium and at home.

"The Metaverse constantly struggles with thorny issues of managing decentralized, distributed computing while avoiding the lure of the centralized, proprietary platforms," said Avi Bar Zeev, Metaverse pioneer and Croquet Advisor. "Croquet has taken a fundamentally novel approach that makes this as easy as writing local code or no code at all. It has the potential to provide an open, standards-based way forward that leverages the power of the web to create truly independent, interoperable Metaverse worlds."

Croquet OS is available today. Microverse IDE is in private alpha with ten key customers. Interested developers can join the wait list for the open beta scheduled for June 2022 at croquet.io/beta.

Croquet welcomes partnerships with interactive and advertising agencies, systems integrators, web development shops and Metaverse transformation companies to build Metaverse spaces, worlds and applications on the Croquet OS. For more information, please contact [email protected]. The company also has a special partnership program for 5G and other carriers for unique commercial and infrastructure opportunities. Contact [email protected].

About Croquet
Croquet Corporation is on a mission to build an open, democratized Metaverse with Croquet OS, its web standards based operating system for the Metaverse. Based on browser technologies that are cross platform to any device, it delivers virtual worlds on the Metaverse that can be published anywhere and be accessed today by hundreds of millions of Internet and mobile users. Croquet OS makes development of multiuser Metaverse virtual worlds simple for 16M JavaScript developers. Croquet was formed in 2018 and is funded by SIP Global Partners and a group of experienced technology and financial industry veterans. Visit www.croquet.io.

JuJu Smith-Schuster, Monique Billings, Jalen Suggs, Cameron Brink and Zaire Wade are among the popular athlete-creators to join direct-to-fan social network Momento NFT and mint exclusive NFTs on the app for their fans and other collectors. The first collections will launch today.

In partnering with Momento NFT, the five new athlete-creators can turn their own experiences into limited-edition social NFTs and monetize them, allowing legions of fans to own and collect NFTs directly from their favorite players and receive autographed merchandise and personal livestreams with them. Before Momento NFT's launch, creators had to rely on traditional social media channels to monetize their work through paid advertising and growing their likes and shares. Momento NFT removes these challenges and saves creators time by giving them a consolidated platform through which they can own, control, and monetize their own content.

The Momento NFT athlete-creators are:

• JuJu Smith-Schuster: Star receiver of the Kansas City Chiefs, gamer and social media creator.
• Monique Billings: Veteran forward with the Atlanta Dream, sports broadcaster, and fashion model.
• Jalen Suggs: Rising star of the Orlando Magic.
• Cameron Brink: All-American championship forward with the Stanford Women's Basketball team and social media influencer.

"I can't wait to share my experiences with fans in ways I never even imagined. Momento NFT is bringing athletes and fans together in a game changing new way so that we all can be part of this exciting world of NFTs," said Billings.

"NFTs are revolutionizing the player-fan experience, and I'm hyped to create some limited-edition moments through Momento's app that reward my fans for being so loyal and passionate," said Suggs.

"I love interacting with fans which is why I'm thrilled to be partnering with the crew at Momento NFT to create exclusive NFT content so that my fans feel closer and can share in my own incredible experiences," said Wade.

Fans are at the heart of the NFT experience, and as the athletes create content through the app, it will be promoted across fan groups. For those fans who buy the NFTs, they will also receive autographed merchandise and exclusive one-on-one livestreams with the athletes.  For this launch, Momento NFT partnered with OneTeam Partners, a licensing, marketing and multimedia company that specializes in commercializing the group rights of athletes.

As Momento NFT expands its global reach and builds its network of creators, it is committed to offering fans greater access to moments they may otherwise not be able to experience while giving creators more opportunities to transition into the metaverse.

To learn more about Momento NFT, visit https://momentonft.com/

About Momento NFT
Led by CEO Julian Rodriguez, CTO Sudesh Banskota, and CMO Nelson Sarco, Momento NFT is a direct-to-fan social NFT App that allows fans to own viral moments from their favorite creators and unlock perks like meet & greets, autographed merchandise, and more. Be among the first to create or own your own NFT moment by downloading the app here: https://www.momentonft.com.

Valentino Rossi, nine times world champion and one of the most famous sports stars of all time, makes his web3 debut by setting up a company dedicated to create and develop unique contents about the VR46 brand in the metaverses, in gaming universe and in the NFTs (non-fungible tokens) environment.

VR46 Metaverse is the result of a joint venture with The Hundred, the Italian media holding that will provide its know-how to develop virtual experiences for the fans of "The Doctor" around the world, motorsports enthusiasts and gamers. The joint venture behind the foundation of VR46 Metaverse was promoted by Nicola Volpi, lead investor at The Hundred.

"Entering this massive project is an exciting venture that I've decided to embark on with a structured approach, in partnership with high-level players," said Valentino Rossi. "I am thrilled to be able to reach fans all over the world, bringing them the atmosphere and enthusiasm of VR46 through new technologies."

The project has a multi-year roadmap, starting in 2022 and guaranteeing ongoing support in the years to come. The purpose of VR46 Metaverse is to create, inside persistent virtual worlds, a global platform dedicated to "The Doctor", the VR46 Racing Team and the Academy, where fans of the rider and all motorsport enthusiasts will be able to meet VR46 official riders, interact with other users, and even race against each other's.

Jean Claude Ghinozzi, an executive with proven international experience gained at Microsoft, Activision Blizzard and Electronic Arts, will lead the VR46 Metaverse project as CEO of the joint venture. The first contents developed by the new company, expected as early as in 2022, will immediately offer immersive and engaging experiences to both Valentino Rossi's historic fan base and new audience generated by the rise of these new technologies.

VR46 is a group of companies owned by Valentino Rossi and created to manage different projects in Motorsport across the board: VR46 Racing Team, founded to support emerging riders from Moto3 to MotoGP, and already world champion in 2018 with Francesco Bagnaia; VR46 Riders Academy, an innovative project to provide professional and sport-related support to young Italian riders throughout their career; VR46 Racing Apparel, a sport merchandising project inspired by Valentino Rossi's revolutionary vision.

The Hundred, founded in 2019 by Vincenzo Macrì (current CEO of the company), Marino Giocondi and Leonardo Bongiorno, is a media holding specialized in company building with digital talents, athletes and content creators. In 2021 the company closed a round of fundraising for 5 million of euros, promoted by Nicola Volpi, lead investor of a pool of high-profile investors, and supported by Antonio Zaccheo.

Jack Astors now serves delicious bowls and salads including the:

• Tuna Poké Bowl that features a sweet soy-marinated tuna poke, paired with seasoned jasmine rice, mango, avocado, pickled ginger, watermelon radish, fresh arugula, cucumber, red onion, gochujang sauce, miso dressing, green onions, sesame seeds and fried taro root.
• Thai Coconut Curry Bowl, made with a rich yellow Thai coconut curry sauce, combined with seasoned jasmine rice, roasted turmeric cauliflower, sweet potato, snow peas, carrot, cucumber, miso dressing, green onion, peanuts, cilantro and fried taro root.

• Korean Rice Bowl that offers seasoned jasmine rice, layered with fresh kale, avocado, pickled red onion, watermelon radish, carrots, cucumber, gochujang sauce, onion chips, green onion, sesame seeds and soft-boiled egg, then topped with miso dressing.
• Buddha Salad that combines fresh arugula and mixed greens, layered with fresh herbs, quinoa, cucumber, watermelon radish, green apple, strawberries, mangoes, seed, nut and fruit blend, goat cheese and honey dijon vinaigrette.

ABOUT JACK ASTOR’S

Jack Astor’s Bar and Grill, commonly known as Jack Astor’s, is a well-established casual dining chain with approximately 40 locations across Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Nova Scotia in Canada, as well as New York in the United States. Each location features a vibrant restaurant and full bar, designed to deliver an energetic, social dining experience. Jack Astor’s is corporately owned and operated by Service Inspired Restaurants (SIR Corp.), headquartered in Burlington, Ontario.

Known for its bold flavours, playful attitude, and lively atmosphere, Jack Astor’s specializes in great food and even better times. The brand’s mission is simple: make you laugh—and, depending on your tolerance for heat, maybe even cry. Behind the humour, however, is a serious commitment to quality. Jack Astor’s takes genuine pride in using fresh ingredients, preparing dishes in-house, and delivering consistent, crave-worthy meals.

Guests are encouraged to try signature favourites such as Jack’s Chicken Fingers, which are made from fresh, never-frozen chicken tenders, hand-seasoned and cooked to order. The menu also features a wide selection of burgers, wings, bowls, salads, and shareable plates, alongside a creative cocktail program and rotating drink specials.

Whether you’re stopping in for a casual lunch, a night out with friends, or a celebratory gathering, Jack Astor’s delivers a high-energy dining experience that blends quality food, approachable fun, and an unmistakably bold personality.