Virtual world
Audi e-tron Sportback stars in the world’s largest Virtual Expo.
Tired of being cooped up in doors – why not duck over to Tokyo and the Virtual Market 4, and test drive the Audi e-tron Sportback while you’re there.
30 April, 2020
This year, more than one million 'virtual visitors' are expected to make their way to VKET 4
What started as a Japanese online community event has grown to become the world’s largest Virtual Expo, and this year, the Audi e-tron and e-tron Sportback have slipped into the immersive virtual world.
Created by Japanese company Hikky and presented in VRChat from April 29 until May 10, Virtual Market 4 (VKET 4), is made up of 43 ‘worlds’ as well as the central world which is called ‘Para-real Tokyo’.
Each of the ‘worlds’ is unique, with some representing a virtual recreation of physical structures – like the virtual shopping mall that is the Avatar Showcase. Another is a virtual representation of a large temple that is overseen by horned protectors. Inside is a beautifully detailed marketplace where 161 content creators showcase their creativity. There are others that are extraordinary futuristic super cities, worlds based on nursery rhymes, ancient civilisations and so much more. Indeed, the imagination of the creators is the only limiting factor in the worlds of VKET 4 – and their imaginations and talents must be seen and experienced to be believed.
Para-real Tokyo is the centre of this virtual universe and it is here that the major sponsors are integrated into the virtual landscape – complete with virtual Tokyo Tower, giant transformers and sports arena.
Last year the online event attracted 710,000 international visitors, and this year the online expo is expected to eclipse one million visitors.
Audi is the first car manufacturer to use NKET 4 as a presentation and experience platform for the all-new Audi e-tron Sportback, an unusual yet ideal format for showcasing the vehicle’s features and talents ahead of its market launch of the Audi e-tron Sportback in Japan and beyond.
Within VKET 4, the Audi e-tron Sportback is parked at selected locations in Para-real Tokyo and visitors who move around the various worlds as 3D characters or avatars are able to interact both with the vehicle and with Audi avatars that are on hand live to explain functions and answer questions.
If a visitor touches the vehicle, they are guided to a very special virtual Audi stand, which in this case is a virtual reinterpretation of the Audi Meteorite installation that was in place at Munich airport and also in Shanghai in 2019.
Here visitors can not only investigate the Audi e-tron Sportback, its systems and myriad features, but also take guided virtual test drives around the Meteorite. So, while the outside world is temporarily off limits to us all, there are potentially 44 virtual worlds just waiting to be explored.
VKET 4 is an extraordinary universe that will take you far from the confines of your home base and allow you to experience not only the Audi e-tron Sportback, but a world that perhaps you weren’t even aware of. Until the Audi e-tron and Audi e-ton Sportback are officially launched Down Under, it will certainly provide a taste of what is to come.
Audi is the first car manufacturer to use NKET 4 as a presentation and experience platform
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