Singapore-based metaverse architect Smobler has unveiled Sonik Satellitez, a groundbreaking music-driven game developed in collaboration with Music For Good, a non-profit founded by indie rock icon Inch Chua. The game is part of Smobler’s Metaverse for Good initiative, designed to create meaningful digital experiences. Set in a retro-futuristic city powered by music, players embark on an engaging journey from music students to professional DJs or producers. They can choose between roles as a guitarist or drummer, each with unique quests, while interacting with NPCs modeled on real musicians, including Inch Chua, who serves as an in-game mentor.
Music For Good is Chua’s latest endeavor to nurture young talent in the music industry. Known for her transformative contributions to Singapore’s music scene, she aims to bridge industry gaps by fostering creativity and skill-building. This non-profit focuses on empowering youth through innovative initiatives that blend arts and culture with cutting-edge technology. Chua described the partnership with Smobler as a union of shared values, emphasizing the potential of phygital experiences to inspire future creators. The initiative has also gained support from The Sandbox, a leading open metaverse platform, which highlights the integration of cultural events and interactive social engagement.
Sonik Satellitez reflects Smobler’s dedication to its IDEALS framework—emphasizing inclusivity, diversity, equity, and sustainability. Beyond its gaming elements, the collaboration between Smobler and Music For Good celebrates the evolving intersection of music and media, highlighting the importance of staying innovative in the digital age. The initiative will also feature prominently at Web Summit 2024, where Inch Chua and Smobler’s co-founder will discuss the role of virtual worlds and gaming-as-a-service in shaping the future of technology and creativity. We talked to the rock icon to find out more about this new endeavour for young musicians.
What drew you to collaborate with Smobler and The Sandbox? How did this partnership come about?
Our collaboration with Smobler and The Sandbox was driven by a shared vision to bridge the gap between music, creativity, and virtual experiences. The Sandbox’s metaverse offers vast potential for building immersive, engaging spaces that can bring people together through music, and this aligned perfectly with our mission at Music For Good.
At Music For Good, we place great emphasis on long-term values, and it was essential for us to partner with organizations that not only possess the technical expertise but also share our commitment to public good. In a rapidly evolving space like Web3, it’s easy to get caught up in flashy buzzwords, but philosophy is equally important. We wanted to collaborate with partners who genuinely believe in the power of music and creativity to make a positive impact. Smobler and The Sandbox stood out to us because they exemplify these values: a long-term,sustainable approach to innovation and a passion for creating meaningful, positive experiences.
Their vision of developing immersive and socially-driven virtual spaces resonates deeply with our goals, and it made perfect sense for us to align with them in building something that goes beyond entertainment to create real value for the community.
Can you share a bit about the game's development process? What challenges and highlights have come up so far?
The game development process has been an absolute blast. Working with the Smobler team has been incredibly smooth and collaborative. Our goal was to create a virtual space inspired by reality, and it was exciting to incorporate familiar icons from Singapore’s rich music history into the game.
Like any game development plan, we started with ideas based on what we thought wouldresonate, but we quickly realized that the process is all about flexibility. It's about creating something with room for growth and improvement, especially with input from the community. The true magic happens when the players and the community become part of the development journey, sharing their feedback and helping shape the game into something truly special.
The highlight so far has been seeing the virtual world come to life, particularly as we integrate local music culture and create engaging experiences for the players. As we continue to develop, we look forward to further evolving the game with the support of the community.
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How does the game aim to support or promote young musicians?
The game offers a rich mix of Singaporean music history lore as Easter eggs scattered throughout, allowing players to learn about the roots of local music. The social hub spaces within the game provide a platform for young musicians to connect, share, and engage with others. Future plans include collaborating with local artists to create in-game assets or special campaigns, allowing them to promote their music directly within the game. This could involve releasing special avatars or integrating music tracks by these artists into the gameplay itself. The Web3 space presents new frontiers for experimentation, and as part of Music For Good's mission in audience and capability development, we aim to collaborate with artists and music entities to help figure out how the metaverse can support musicians’ growth and visibility.
Are there any educational elements in the gameplay to help players learn about music?
Yes, the game incorporates educational elements designed to teach players about music in a fun and interactive way. Through quests, rhythm-based games, and local music trivia, players will learn about various music concepts, from historical figures in Singapore’s music scene to basic elements of music theory and rhythm. These educational components are seamlessly integrated into the game, ensuring that players can enjoy and learn without feeling like it’s a traditional learning experience. As they progress through the game, players will gain insights into the cultural significance of music and how it plays a role in shaping communities.
What role does the virtual game space play in promoting Music For Good?
The virtual game space, like Sonic Satellites, plays a critical role in supporting Music For Good by offering new avenues for creativity, skill development, and innovation. With the rise of digital interactions, particularly during the pandemic, we recognized the importance of creating virtual spaces where communities could gather, learn, and engage with music in an interactive way. By exploring new technologies like Web3 and the metaverse, we aim to stay ahead of trends, providing young people with the tools to express themselves and explore the future of music and creativity. The game is a safe, engaging, and educational space for musicians and fans alike to connect, create, and grow
