WATCH: Welcome to the 'Miniverse' racing experience

MANILA: Mini USA and its creative agency Pereira O’Dell have teamed up with Meta Horizon Worlds creators to bring the Miniverse virtual racing game to life. 

With the Miniverse, this is the first time an automotive brand has teamed up with Meta’s Creative Shop to create a presence in Meta Horizon Worlds. Mini is currently one of only a handful of global consumer brands to pioneer a virtual brand experience with Horizon Worlds creators.

“The Mini brand is all about fun and has always stood apart from others in how it brings this fun to life in cheeky and unconventional ways, Mini USA Brand Communications Manager for Rah Mahtani said.

“Mini is excited to collaborate with Meta’s Creative Shop...offering the fun of customizing and racing Mini in this groundbreaking virtual reality.”

Debuting at the 2022 Cannes Lions: International Festival of Creativity, the Miniverse experience is now available in Meta Horizon Worlds to all Meta Quest 2 headset users in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

Upon entering the Miniverse, users can engage with other players and select their own unique Mini for competitive head-to-head racing.

Players can customize their Mini cars for the track, change its colors, add bonnet stripes, and topping it with a contrast roof — one of Mini’s signature design features. Players can also fit their avatar racing suits just like the ones worn by the Mini John Cooper Works Race Team in real life and unlock other Mini vehicles, including a special EV model. 

Up to four drivers at a time can play in the Miniverse. To add to the challenge and fun, Miniverse spectators can engage and either help or create chaos. They can press buttons to flick cars off a ramp, or to block them with “whack-a-mole” style pins, or even to help friends with timely speed boosts.

People can also experience the Miniverse on their mobile phone through a new Facebook and Instagram AR effect. 

Launched in 2021, Meta Horizon Worlds is a free social experience that allows people to play and connect through virtual reality. People can discover new places with friends, compete in action-packed games and interactive experiences, and design worlds of their own or be inspired by others.

“As more brands think about how they will show up in these new immersive spaces, the Miniverse is a great example of how brands can partner with these pioneering VR creators to bring a community together and drive value for the brand," VP Global Head of Creative Shop Nicky Bell expressed. 

Watch the fun of the Miniverse here. 

Photos from Mini USA

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