Thirdverse
Thirdverse is a Tokyo-based VR/XR game studio founded in 2020 that develops and publishes multiplayer VR titles (including X8, Soul Covenant, and Hello Kitty Skyland) and Web3/blockchain games for global consumer audiences across Meta Horizon Worlds, PSVR 2, and other XR platforms.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2020
- HeadquartersTokyo, Japan
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingSoftware
What Thirdverse does
Thirdverse is a Tokyo-headquartered VR/XR game studio founded in 2020 that develops and publishes multiplayer virtual reality titles for consumer audiences. Its product portfolio spans five core in-house games — Swords of Gargantua (VR sword fighting), Altair Breaker (VR action), X8 (VR hero shooter), Soul Covenant (VR narrative JRPG), and the announced Hello Kitty Skyland (social VR world) — plus Everyone's Fruit Mountain on Meta Horizon Worlds. The company also maintains a Web3/blockchain gaming line anchored by a Polygon partnership and a planned Captain Tsubasa blockchain title, with distribution across Meta Horizon Worlds, PlayStation VR 2, and other XR platforms.
The underlying technology stack is built around native VR/AR game development with optional blockchain integration, rather than AI or enterprise SaaS infrastructure. Thirdverse monetizes primarily through one-time game license sales via platform app stores, supplemented by transaction-fee economics on its Web3 titles. It serves two persona segments — VR gamers seeking multiplayer hero shooters, sword combat, and JRPG experiences, and social VR users drawn to branded IP experiences such as Hello Kitty Skyland. Go-to-market is product-led through platform storefronts, augmented by brand-IP partnerships (Sanrio) and strategic corporate investors/advisors (Masi Oka) that bridge Japanese IP with global XR distribution.
The business is venture-backed, having raised approximately $49 million across multiple rounds since 2020 from investors including MZ Web3 Fund, JAFCO, KDDI, Animoca Brands, B Dash Ventures, Mitsubishi UFJ Capital, and individual investors such as incoming CEO Masaru Ohnogi. The company operates dual legal entities (Thirdverse, Co., Ltd. in Japan; Thirdverse, Inc. in the USA) and reported headcount of 51–100. Pricing for individual VR titles is not publicly disclosed and follows standard consumer gaming app-store conventions.
Thirdverse firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Thirdverse
- Legal name
- Thirdverse, Inc.
- Website
- https://thirdverse.io
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2020
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Thirdverse is a Tokyo-based VR/XR game studio founded in 2020 that develops and publishes multiplayer VR titles (including X8, Soul Covenant, and Hello Kitty Skyland) and Web3/blockchain games for global consumer audiences across Meta Horizon Worlds, PSVR 2, and other XR platforms.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Thirdverse industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Virtual Reality Gaming / XR Game Development
- NAICS
- All Other Amusement and Recreation Industries (71399)
- SIC
- Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)
- akta.pro primary industry
- VR/AR/XR Game Studios (MPAFAAAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Metaverse & Social Virtual Worlds (BPAMAKAF), In-Game Asset Standards & Infrastructure (NFT items, marketplaces, royalties, asset registries) (FSAPAGAE)
Keywords
Where Thirdverse is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tokyo
- HQ country
- Japan
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices2 records
Markets served
Thirdverse business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- VR Game Sales: Direct sales of VR games through digital platforms and app stores, including titles like ALTAIR BREAKER, X8, SOUL COVENANT, and SWORDS OF GARGANTUA distributed on Meta Horizon Worlds and PSVR 2
- Web3/Blockchain Games: Development and distribution of blockchain-based games with partnership with Polygon, including plans for Captain Tsubasa blockchain game
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels3 records
Thirdverse product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Thirdverse is a next-generation XR (VR/AR) game studio that develops, publishes, and operates multiplayer virtual reality games for major platforms including Meta Horizon Worlds and PlayStation VR 2. Its portfolio spans hero shooters, narrative action JRPGs, sword fighting, social VR worlds, and 3D puzzle games, alongside a growing line of Web3/blockchain-integrated games developed in partnership with Polygon. The company also offers B2B contract development, AR experiences, and XR consulting to enterprise clients across entertainment, healthcare, education, and other industries.
Product overview
Thirdverse is a next-generation XR (Extended Reality) game studio that develops immersive virtual reality and Web3 gaming experiences. The company's product portfolio consists of multiple standalone VR games spanning different genres, including hero shooters (X8), narrative action JRPGs (Soul Covenant), sword fighting (Swords of Gargantua), and social VR worlds (Hello Kitty Skyland). They also publish on third-party platforms such as Meta Horizon Worlds (Everyone's Fruit Mountain). Thirdverse operates across all XR platforms with global reach, combining VR gaming with Web3 technologies for blockchain-based gaming experiences.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Hello Kitty Skyland: Social VR world in partnership with Sanrio, featuring Hello Kitty characters in an immersive virtual environment.
- SOUL COVENANT
- X8
- ALTAIR BREAKER
- SWORDS OF GARGANTUA
- EVERYONE'S FRUIT MOUNTAIN
Products and services
- Hello Kitty Skyland A social VR world built in partnership with Sanrio that lets players dive into an immersive Sanrio-themed virtual environment centered on the Hello Kitty brand. Aimed at VR gamers and social VR users seeking branded IP-driven social experiences.
- Soul Covenant A VR narrative action JRPG that delivers immersive storytelling and combat mechanics in virtual reality. Targeted at VR gamers seeking narrative-driven action experiences.
- X8 A VR multiplayer hero shooter offering fast-paced combat and team-based gameplay in virtual reality environments. Targeted at competitive VR shooter fans.
- Swords of Gargantua A VR multiplayer sword fighting game featuring realistic combat mechanics and cooperative gameplay in virtual reality. Targeted at VR combat and melee-action enthusiasts.
- Altair Breaker A VR action game featuring battles against alien monsters; part of Thirdverse's initial VR title portfolio alongside X8 and was planned for expansion to PSVR 2.
- Everyone's Fruit Mountain A 3D multiplayer action puzzle game available on Meta Horizon Worlds, offering cooperative puzzle gameplay in a virtual environment.
- B2B XR Solutions and Contract Development Enterprise offering covering VR game development, AR experiences, B2B solutions, contract development, and XR consulting for organizations across gaming, entertainment, healthcare, education, manufacturing, retail, and real estate industries.
Companies that use Thirdverse
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Thirdverse technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Thirdverse partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Masi OkaminorEmmy-nominated actor and producer Masi Oka joined Thirdverse as Strategic Investor and Advisor to bridge Japanese IP and global XR entertainment. He brings expertise in Hollywood adaptations of Japanese IPs.
- SanriocorePartnership to create Hello Kitty Skyland - a brand-new Social VR world based on Sanrio's iconic Hello Kitty IP, scheduled to arrive in 2025.
- PolygoncoreStrategic partnership with Polygon blockchain platform to launch a blockchain game based on Captain Tsubasa IP. This represents Thirdverse's Web3 gaming strategy and blockchain integration capabilities.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Thirdverse competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Resolution Games: Stockholm-based VR-native game studio (Demeo, Angry Birds VR, Cook-Out). Closely comparable as a pure-play VR multiplayer developer shipping across Meta and PlayStation platforms.
- Owlchemy Labs: Austin-based VR studio behind Vacation Simulator and Job Simulator. Comparable as a multi-title VR developer focused on social/multiplayer experiences on Meta Quest.
- nDreams: UK VR game studio and publisher (Phantom: Covert Ops, Fracked). Comparable as a VR-exclusive studio publishing multiplayer/action titles across major headsets.
- Fast Travel Games: Stockholm-based VR game studio (Wraith: The Oblivion - Afterlife, Cities VR). Comparable as a niche VR developer publishing premium titles on Meta and PSVR platforms.
- Schell Games: Pittsburgh-based studio developing VR/AR titles including I Expect You To Die. Comparable as a multi-genre XR game studio with a long VR track record.
- Rec Room: Social VR platform with user-generated games. Comparable through its social VR world and multiplayer formats that compete with Hello Kitty Skyland for engagement.
- VRChat: Cross-platform social VR platform with user-created worlds. Comparable as a social virtual world experience competing for the same social VR audience on Meta and SteamVR.
Emerging players
- Animoca Brands: Hong Kong-based Web3 gaming and metaverse investor/operator (also a Thirdverse investor). Comparable as a Web3 gaming ecosystem participant that overlaps with Thirdverse's blockchain game strategy via Polygon and Captain Tsubasa.
- Mythical Games: Web3 game studio behind NFL Rivals and Blankos Block Party. Comparable as a blockchain-native game studio pursuing mainstream IP partnerships similar to Thirdverse's Captain Tsubasa bet.
Broad incumbents
- Sony Interactive Entertainment: Console and VR platform owner (PlayStation VR 2) and major game publisher. Comparable as both a distribution partner and the dominant incumbent whose PSVR 2 ecosystem Thirdverse depends on for reach.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Thirdverse social profiles
Digital presenceThirdverse financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Thirdverse leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Thirdverse funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds9 records
Investors29 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Thirdverse M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Thirdverse
What does Thirdverse do?
Thirdverse is a next-generation XR (VR/AR) game studio that develops, publishes, and operates multiplayer virtual reality games for major platforms including Meta Horizon Worlds and PlayStation VR 2. Its portfolio spans hero shooters, narrative action JRPGs, sword fighting, social VR worlds, and 3D puzzle games, alongside a growing line of Web3/blockchain-integrated games developed in partnership with Polygon. The company also offers B2B contract development, AR experiences, and XR consulting to enterprise clients across entertainment, healthcare, education, and other industries.
Is Thirdverse a public or private company?
Thirdverse is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Thirdverse founded?
Thirdverse was founded in 2020. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Thirdverse based?
Thirdverse is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, in the Asia region.
How does Thirdverse make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. VR Game Sales are the primary driver. The others are web3/Blockchain Games.
Who are Thirdverse's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Resolution Games, Owlchemy Labs, nDreams, Fast Travel Games, Schell Games, Rec Room and VRChat. Emerging players are Animoca Brands and Mythical Games. Sony Interactive Entertainment is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Thirdverse have an API?
No public API is recorded for Thirdverse.
What industry is Thirdverse in?
Thirdverse's product category is Virtual Reality Gaming / XR Game Development. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAFAAAE, VR/AR/XR Game Studios, with a secondary code of BPAMAKAF, Metaverse & Social Virtual Worlds. Its NAICS code is 71399 and its SIC code is 7990.