San Antonio has joined the metaverse with the launch of its 210 Plaza.
Screenshot via 210plaza.com/Metaverse/
San Antonio Express-News
Melissa Manno, Staff writer
Exploring the Alamo City doesn’t have to involve the sweltering summer sun. You can do it without leaving the comfort of your air conditioning.
Visit San Antonio this week announced the launch of its new 210 Plaza, making it one of the first cities in the United States to enter the metaverse — a virtual reality platform designed for people to socialize, work and play.
On the website, users can select an avatar and navigate through a simulated plaza while learning about the city’s history, food, arts and culture.
“The goal is to leverage this cutting-edge medium to capture the attention of a new, younger audience and inspire them to come and explore our beautiful city firsthand,” District 4 Councilwoman Adriana Rocha Garcia wrote on Facebook.
Described as a “digital embodiment” of the city, the immersive platform intends to bring the beauty of San Antonio to audiences regardless of physical location. It serves as a resource for those planning a visit to the city, encouraging them to utilize the digital visitor center stocked with links to guides, maps, blogs and an event calendar to make the most of their future stay.
Users can tune into “Culture Shock,” a podcast series hosted by local artist Gio DiZurita that discusses the cultural fabric of San Antonio. They can watch “Keeping it Real,” a culinary show hosted by “Star Wars” actor Greg Grunberg that features local restaurants like 2M Smokehouse and the Jerk Shack. The augmented reality theater, situated in the shadow of the Tower of the Americas, showcases a mini film carrying themes “representing the magic of the 210.”
Garcia, who sits on the Visit San Antonio board of directors, said the platform will continue to “evolve and enhance the customer experience, eventually showcasing captivating content that encourages travel to our beautiful city.”