[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"nav-categories":3,"article-netflix-acquires-ready-player-me-a-step-toward-gaming-avatars-and-a-metaverse-ambition":70},{"data":4},[5,37,57,64],{"name":6,"slug":7,"categories":8},"Productivity","productivity",[9,13,17,21,25,29,33],{"id":10,"title":11,"slug":12},17,"Branding","branding",{"id":14,"title":15,"slug":16},19,"Marketing","marketing",{"id":18,"title":19,"slug":20},20,"Work","work",{"id":22,"title":23,"slug":24},34,"Community","community",{"id":26,"title":27,"slug":28},21,"For newbies","for-newbies",{"id":30,"title":31,"slug":32},24,"Investment","investment",{"id":34,"title":35,"slug":36},22,"Finance","finance",{"name":38,"slug":39,"categories":40},"Tech","tech",[41,45,49,53],{"id":42,"title":43,"slug":44},28,"Technology","technology",{"id":46,"title":47,"slug":48},32,"Artificial Intelligence","artificial-intelligence",{"id":50,"title":51,"slug":52},26,"Security and protection","security-and-protection",{"id":54,"title":55,"slug":56},31,"YouTube Blog","youtube-blog",{"name":58,"slug":59,"categories":60},"News","news",[61],{"id":62,"title":58,"slug":63},18,"quasanews",{"name":65,"slug":66,"categories":67},"Business","business",[68],{"id":69,"title":65,"slug":66},16,{"post":71,"published_news":98,"popular_news":165,"categories":235},{"title":72,"description":73,"meta_title":72,"meta_description":74,"meta_keywords":75,"text":76,"slug":77,"created_at":78,"publish_at":79,"formatted_created_at":80,"category_id":30,"links":81,"view_type":86,"video_url":87,"views":88,"likes":89,"lang":90,"comments_count":91,"category":92},"Netflix Acquires Ready Player Me: A Step Toward Gaming Avatars—and a Metaverse Ambition?","Netflix has taken a significant stride in bolstering its gaming ambitions with the acquisition of Ready Player Me, an Estonian startup specializing in cross-game avatar creation technology.","Netflix has taken a significant stride in bolstering its gaming ambitions with the acquisition of Ready Player Me, an Estonian startup specializing in cross-game avatar creation technology","Ready Player Me, founded in 2014, has powered avatars for thousands of developers, allowing seamless digital identities in virtual worlds.","\u003Cp>Netflix has taken a significant stride in bolstering its gaming ambitions with the acquisition of \u003Cstrong>Ready Player Me\u003C/strong>, an Estonian startup specializing in cross-game avatar creation technology. Announced on December 19, 2025, the deal - terms undisclosed - will see Netflix integrate the platform's tools to enable subscribers to create personalized avatars that persist across multiple games.\u003C/p>\n\n\u003Cp>This move comes as \u003Ca href=\"https://quasa.io/media/netflix-s-55-million-ghost-project-the-conviction-of-carl-erik-rinsch-and-the-tantalizing-footage-of-conquest\">Netflix\u003C/a> shifts focus toward TV-playable party games and multiplayer experiences, signaling a deeper commitment to interactive entertainment beyond traditional streaming.\u003C/p>\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cpicture class=\"image-align-right\">\u003Csource srcset=\"https://cdn.quasa.io/photos/00/image-2025-12-20t225108014.webp\" type=\"image/webp\">\u003Cimg alt=\"Netflix Acquires Ready Player Me: A Step Toward Gaming Avatars—and a Metaverse Ambition?\" class=\"image-align-right\" height=\"447\" src=\"https://cdn.quasa.io/photos/00/image-2025-12-20t225108014.jpg\" width=\"300\" />\u003C/picture>Ready Player Me, founded in 2014, has powered avatars for thousands of developers, allowing seamless digital identities in virtual worlds. The startup raised \u003Cstrong>$72 million\u003C/strong> from investors including a16z, Endeavor, and angels from Roblox and \u003Ca href=\"https://quasa.io/media/twitch-introduces-mandatory-facial-scanning-for-age-verification\">Twitch\u003C/a>.\u003C/p>\n\n\u003Cp>Post-acquisition, its public services, including the PlayerZero avatar tool, will shut down on **January 31, 2026**, with about 20 employees (including CTO and co-founder Rainer Selvet) joining Netflix.\u003C/p>\n\n\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>Why Avatars Matter for Netflix Games\u003C/strong>\u003C/h4>\n\n\u003Cp>Netflix's gaming division, launched in 2021, now boasts over 100 titles, with a pivot toward approachable, social experiences playable on smart TVs.\u003C/p>\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Persistent avatars enhance immersion\u003C/strong>: Players can "carry their personalities and fandom" across games, from party titles to IP-based adaptations. CEO Timmu Tõke (not joining Netflix) stated the vision aligns perfectly with scaling cross-platform identities globally.\u003C/p>\n\n\u003Cp>The push likely draws from Alain Tascan, Netflix Games President since July 2024 and former Epic Games EVP overseeing *Fortnite*'s ecosystem - known for robust avatar customization and social features.\u003C/p>\n\n\u003Chr />\n\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>Metaverse Dreams or Gaming Evolution?\u003C/strong>\u003C/h4>\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cpicture class=\"image-align-left\">\u003Csource srcset=\"https://cdn.quasa.io/photos/00/image-2025-12-20t225108780.webp\" type=\"image/webp\">\u003Cimg alt=\"Netflix Acquires Ready Player Me: A Step Toward Gaming Avatars—and a Metaverse Ambition?\" class=\"image-align-left\" height=\"298\" src=\"https://cdn.quasa.io/photos/00/image-2025-12-20t225108780.jpg\" width=\"200\" />\u003C/picture>While \u003Ca href=\"https://quasa.io/media/netflix-s-holiday-cheer-70-million-views-for-2025-christmas-movies-despite-a-less-starry-slate\">Netflix\u003C/a> frames this as gaming-focused, it evokes metaverse speculation. Persistent digital selves could extend to virtual watch parties, interactive narratives, or social spaces tied to shows like *Stranger Things*. Netflix has downplayed full metaverse plans, but investments in cloud gaming and IP-driven experiences suggest long-term interconnected worlds—where avatars shop virtual merch for real money.\u003C/p>\n\n\u003Cp>For now, no timeline exists for avatar rollout or initial games. This acquisition follows Netflix's $1 billion+ gaming spend, aiming to boost engagement amid subscriber churn.\u003C/p>\n\n\u003Cp>In a crowded field against \u003Ca href=\"https://quasa.io/media/russia-blocks-roblox-amid-claims-of-extremist-content-and-child-safety-failures\">Roblox\u003C/a> and \u003Ca href=\"https://quasa.io/media/fortnite-the-ultimate-pop-culture-resurrection-chamber-welcomes-tarantino-s-lost-kill-bill-chapter\">Fortnite\u003C/a>, Netflix bets on seamless, subscriber-only personalization. If successful, avatars could transform passive viewing into active participation - hinting at a Netflix-branded digital realm. The metaverse may not arrive tomorrow, but with Ready Player Me's tech, it's one step closer.\u003C/p>\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cpicture class=\"image-align-right\">\u003Csource srcset=\"https://cdn.quasa.io/photos/00/image-2025-12-20t225043106.webp\" type=\"image/webp\">\u003Cimg alt=\"Netflix Acquires Ready Player Me: A Step Toward Gaming Avatars—and a Metaverse Ambition?\" class=\"image-align-right\" height=\"169\" src=\"https://cdn.quasa.io/photos/00/image-2025-12-20t225043106.jpg\" width=\"300\" />\u003C/picture>Also read:\u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\n\n\u003Cul>\n\t\u003Cli>\u003Ca href=\"https://quasa.io/media/pumpkin-town-usa-how-morton-illinois-built-an-empire-on-orange-gourds\">Pumpkin Town USA: How Morton, Illinois, Built an Empire on Orange Gourds\u003C/a>\u003C/li>\n\t\u003Cli>\u003Ca href=\"https://quasa.io/media/china-s-industrial-tourism-boom-factories-as-the-new-national-pilgrimage-sites\">China's Industrial Tourism Boom: Factories as the New National Pilgrimage Sites\u003C/a>\u003C/li>\n\t\u003Cli>\u003Ca href=\"https://quasa.io/media/prada-s-versace-acquisition-reshapes-luxury-fashion-the-rise-of-the-big-three\">Prada's Versace Acquisition Reshapes Luxury Fashion: The Rise of the Big Three\u003C/a>\u003C/li>\n\u003C/ul>\n\n\u003Cp>Author: \u003Ca href=\"https://www.linkedin.com/in/slava-vasipenok/\">Slava Vasipenok\u003C/a>\u003Cbr />\nFounder and CEO of QUASA (quasa.io) - Daily insights on Web3, AI, Crypto, and Freelance. Stay updated on finance, technology trends, and creator tools - with sources and real value.\u003C/p>\n\n\u003Cp>Innovative entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in IT, fintech, and blockchain. Specializes in decentralized solutions for freelancing, helping to overcome the barriers of traditional finance, especially in developing regions.\u003C/p>","netflix-acquires-ready-player-me-a-step-toward-gaming-avatars-and-a-metaverse-ambition","2025-12-20T21:53:55.000000Z","2026-01-04T06:47:00.000000Z","04.01.2026",{"image":82,"image_webp":83,"thumb":84,"thumb_webp":85},"https://cdn.quasa.io/images/news/t5qWfvRKgPZ51HVJiSo6WbbLAOLzgEkSTa8vFZ8I.jpg","https://cdn.quasa.io/images/news/t5qWfvRKgPZ51HVJiSo6WbbLAOLzgEkSTa8vFZ8I.webp","https://cdn.quasa.io/thumbs/news-thumb/images/news/t5qWfvRKgPZ51HVJiSo6WbbLAOLzgEkSTa8vFZ8I.jpg","https://cdn.quasa.io/thumbs/news-thumb/images/news/t5qWfvRKgPZ51HVJiSo6WbbLAOLzgEkSTa8vFZ8I.webp","small",null,1443,1,"en",0,{"id":30,"title":31,"slug":32,"meta_title":93,"meta_description":94,"meta_keywords":95,"deleted_at":87,"created_at":96,"updated_at":97,"lang":90},"Investment Growth Hacks: AI Startups, Crypto & VC Unicorns | QUASA","Investments and life hacks. Forecasts and investment trends in Quasa Media.","Investment, IPO, bonds, Gold, invest. Investments, investor","2021-12-10T10:41:35.000000Z","2026-04-22T15:07:26.000000Z",[99,114,127,139,152],{"title":100,"description":101,"slug":102,"created_at":103,"publish_at":104,"formatted_created_at":105,"category":106,"links":107,"view_type":86,"video_url":87,"views":112,"likes":91,"lang":90,"comments_count":91,"is_pinned":113},"Death Tech in China: Family Creates AI Clone of Deceased Son to Protect Elderly Mother with Heart Condition","In a poignant and increasingly common example of “death tech” in China, a family has turned to artificial intelligence to shield an 80-year-old woman from the devastating news of her only son’s death.","death-tech-in-china-family-creates-ai-clone-of-deceased-son-to-protect-elderly-mother-with-heart-condition","2026-04-22T08:14:27.000000Z","2026-04-25T11:07:00.000000Z","25.04.2026",{"title":43,"slug":44},{"image":108,"image_webp":109,"thumb":110,"thumb_webp":111},"https://cdn.quasa.io/images/news/eCGL1N69PAahxTbJqNJH7pcF8DfWS4DsVRHmZ7pC.jpg","https://cdn.quasa.io/images/news/eCGL1N69PAahxTbJqNJH7pcF8DfWS4DsVRHmZ7pC.webp","https://cdn.quasa.io/thumbs/news-thumb/images/news/eCGL1N69PAahxTbJqNJH7pcF8DfWS4DsVRHmZ7pC.jpg","https://cdn.quasa.io/thumbs/news-thumb/images/news/eCGL1N69PAahxTbJqNJH7pcF8DfWS4DsVRHmZ7pC.webp",43,false,{"title":115,"description":116,"slug":117,"created_at":118,"publish_at":119,"formatted_created_at":105,"category":120,"links":121,"view_type":86,"video_url":87,"views":126,"likes":91,"lang":90,"comments_count":91,"is_pinned":113},"The $500,000 Corporate Retreat from Hell: Plex’s Survivor Trip in Honduras Nearly Killed the Team","The $500,000 Corporate Retreat from Hell: How Plex’s “Survivor”-Themed Trip in Honduras Nearly Killed the Team (But Actually Bonded Them Forever)","the-500-000-corporate-retreat-from-hell-plex-s-survivor-trip-in-honduras-nearly-killed-the-team","2026-04-22T08:03:20.000000Z","2026-04-25T09:52:00.000000Z",{"title":27,"slug":28},{"image":122,"image_webp":123,"thumb":124,"thumb_webp":125},"https://cdn.quasa.io/images/news/gKi9YgxnNHSmqlIlVIvtCakxglLHMQjfc5Spi8ct.jpg","https://cdn.quasa.io/images/news/gKi9YgxnNHSmqlIlVIvtCakxglLHMQjfc5Spi8ct.webp","https://cdn.quasa.io/thumbs/news-thumb/images/news/gKi9YgxnNHSmqlIlVIvtCakxglLHMQjfc5Spi8ct.jpg","https://cdn.quasa.io/thumbs/news-thumb/images/news/gKi9YgxnNHSmqlIlVIvtCakxglLHMQjfc5Spi8ct.webp",49,{"title":128,"description":129,"slug":130,"created_at":131,"publish_at":131,"formatted_created_at":105,"category":132,"links":133,"view_type":86,"video_url":87,"views":138,"likes":91,"lang":90,"comments_count":91,"is_pinned":113},"Inside the Solana Trading Bot Arms Race: Who Wins When Everyone Has the Same Speed?","There is a war happening on Solana right now, and most people watching the charts have no idea how it works. Every time a new memecoin launches on Pump.fun or liquidity gets added to a Raydium pool, dozens of automated bots compete to be the first buyer. The winner gets in at the lowest price. Everyone else pays more — sometimes dramatically more. The entire battle unfolds in under two seconds.","inside-the-solana-trading-bot-arms-race-who-wins-when-everyone-has-the-same-speed","2026-04-25T07:20:56.000000Z",{"title":58,"slug":63},{"image":134,"image_webp":135,"thumb":136,"thumb_webp":137},"https://cdn.quasa.io/images/news/L0T5zVXenp3SBYYimb8xU7vktCyCG6QUp1VtjZuu.jpg","https://cdn.quasa.io/images/news/L0T5zVXenp3SBYYimb8xU7vktCyCG6QUp1VtjZuu.webp","https://cdn.quasa.io/thumbs/news-thumb/images/news/L0T5zVXenp3SBYYimb8xU7vktCyCG6QUp1VtjZuu.jpg","https://cdn.quasa.io/thumbs/news-thumb/images/news/L0T5zVXenp3SBYYimb8xU7vktCyCG6QUp1VtjZuu.webp",61,{"title":140,"description":141,"slug":142,"created_at":143,"publish_at":144,"formatted_created_at":105,"category":145,"links":146,"view_type":86,"video_url":87,"views":151,"likes":91,"lang":90,"comments_count":91,"is_pinned":113},"AI Office Warfare in China: Employees Train AI to Replace Colleagues — Then Fight Back with Sabotage Tools","In Chinese tech companies, a quiet but ruthless corporate war has broken out — and artificial intelligence has become the ultimate weapon in office politics.","ai-office-warfare-in-china-employees-train-ai-to-replace-colleagues-then-fight-back-with-sabotage-tools","2026-04-22T07:22:47.000000Z","2026-04-25T06:14:00.000000Z",{"title":19,"slug":20},{"image":147,"image_webp":148,"thumb":149,"thumb_webp":150},"https://cdn.quasa.io/images/news/4J5ItzmfW5ilMKxjISYPE0jQlZLKjVIPRF6i1a7j.jpg","https://cdn.quasa.io/images/news/4J5ItzmfW5ilMKxjISYPE0jQlZLKjVIPRF6i1a7j.webp","https://cdn.quasa.io/thumbs/news-thumb/images/news/4J5ItzmfW5ilMKxjISYPE0jQlZLKjVIPRF6i1a7j.jpg","https://cdn.quasa.io/thumbs/news-thumb/images/news/4J5ItzmfW5ilMKxjISYPE0jQlZLKjVIPRF6i1a7j.webp",69,{"title":153,"description":154,"slug":155,"created_at":156,"publish_at":157,"formatted_created_at":105,"category":158,"links":159,"view_type":86,"video_url":87,"views":164,"likes":91,"lang":90,"comments_count":91,"is_pinned":113},"China Just Gamified School with Digital Pets — And Kids Are Begging for More Homework","China has gamified school with digital pets — and students are loving it.In a creative twist on traditional classroom motivation, a teacher in eastern China has turned homework and good behavior into a real-life Tamagotchi experience. Instead of nagging students to study, she lets them care for virtual companions that thrive only when the kids do their work.","china-just-gamified-school-with-digital-pets-and-kids-are-begging-for-more-homework","2026-04-22T07:09:46.000000Z","2026-04-25T03:58:00.000000Z",{"title":58,"slug":63},{"image":160,"image_webp":161,"thumb":162,"thumb_webp":163},"https://cdn.quasa.io/images/news/ioOYG0viQEqmDoy0nmvij8rQLYtfYSoykKqXZYE3.jpg","https://cdn.quasa.io/images/news/ioOYG0viQEqmDoy0nmvij8rQLYtfYSoykKqXZYE3.webp","https://cdn.quasa.io/thumbs/news-thumb/images/news/ioOYG0viQEqmDoy0nmvij8rQLYtfYSoykKqXZYE3.jpg","https://cdn.quasa.io/thumbs/news-thumb/images/news/ioOYG0viQEqmDoy0nmvij8rQLYtfYSoykKqXZYE3.webp",79,[166,179,195,207,221],{"title":167,"description":168,"slug":169,"created_at":170,"publish_at":171,"formatted_created_at":172,"category":173,"links":174,"view_type":86,"video_url":87,"views":177,"likes":178,"lang":90,"comments_count":91,"is_pinned":113},"The Anatomy of an Entrepreneur","Entrepreneur is a French word that means an enterpriser. Enterprisers are people who undertake a business or enterprise with the chance of earning profits or suffering from loss.","the-anatomy-of-an-entrepreneur","2021-08-04T15:18:21.000000Z","2025-12-14T06:09:00.000000Z","14.12.2025",{"title":65,"slug":66},{"image":175,"image_webp":87,"thumb":176,"thumb_webp":176},"https://cdn.quasa.io/images/news/mVsXPTMuHZuI7UXCsENgL1Qwp1uSOf7Rz3uVPMfm.webp","https://cdn.quasa.io/thumbs/news-thumb/images/news/mVsXPTMuHZuI7UXCsENgL1Qwp1uSOf7Rz3uVPMfm.webp",71598,2,{"title":180,"description":181,"slug":182,"created_at":183,"publish_at":184,"formatted_created_at":185,"category":186,"links":187,"view_type":192,"video_url":87,"views":193,"likes":194,"lang":90,"comments_count":91,"is_pinned":113},"Advertising on QUASA","QUASA MEDIA is read by more than 400 thousand people a month. We offer to place your article, add a link or order the writing of an article for publication.","advertising-on-quasa","2022-07-06T07:33:02.000000Z","2025-12-15T17:33:02.000000Z","15.12.2025",{"title":58,"slug":63},{"image":188,"image_webp":189,"thumb":190,"thumb_webp":191},"https://cdn.quasa.io/images/news/45SvmdsTQbiyc3nxgbyHY1mpVbisYyub2BCHjqBL.jpg","https://cdn.quasa.io/images/news/45SvmdsTQbiyc3nxgbyHY1mpVbisYyub2BCHjqBL.webp","https://cdn.quasa.io/thumbs/news-thumb/images/news/45SvmdsTQbiyc3nxgbyHY1mpVbisYyub2BCHjqBL.jpg","https://cdn.quasa.io/thumbs/news-thumb/images/news/45SvmdsTQbiyc3nxgbyHY1mpVbisYyub2BCHjqBL.webp","large",71375,4,{"title":196,"description":197,"slug":198,"created_at":199,"publish_at":200,"formatted_created_at":201,"category":202,"links":203,"view_type":86,"video_url":87,"views":206,"likes":194,"lang":90,"comments_count":91,"is_pinned":113},"What is a Startup?","A startup is not a new company, not a tech company, nor a new tech company. You can be a new tech company, if your goal is not to grow high and fast; then, you are not a startup. ","what-is-a-startup","2021-08-04T12:05:17.000000Z","2025-12-17T13:02:00.000000Z","17.12.2025",{"title":65,"slug":66},{"image":204,"image_webp":87,"thumb":205,"thumb_webp":205},"https://cdn.quasa.io/images/news/EOsQhSW3VXyG7a6NPdE1oZd00xfJXe3bjY5aJGb7.webp","https://cdn.quasa.io/thumbs/news-thumb/images/news/EOsQhSW3VXyG7a6NPdE1oZd00xfJXe3bjY5aJGb7.webp",68982,{"title":208,"description":209,"slug":210,"created_at":211,"publish_at":212,"formatted_created_at":213,"category":214,"links":215,"view_type":86,"video_url":87,"views":220,"likes":178,"lang":90,"comments_count":89,"is_pinned":113},"Top 5 Tips to Make More Money as a Content Creator","Content creators are one of the most desired job titles right now. Who wouldn’t want to earn a living online?","top-5-tips-to-make-more-money-as-a-content-creator","2022-01-17T17:31:51.000000Z","2026-01-17T11:30:00.000000Z","17.01.2026",{"title":19,"slug":20},{"image":216,"image_webp":217,"thumb":218,"thumb_webp":219},"https://cdn.quasa.io/images/news/gP8kiumBPpJmQv6SMieXiX1tDetx43VwFfO1P4Ca.jpg","https://cdn.quasa.io/images/news/gP8kiumBPpJmQv6SMieXiX1tDetx43VwFfO1P4Ca.webp","https://cdn.quasa.io/thumbs/news-thumb/images/news/gP8kiumBPpJmQv6SMieXiX1tDetx43VwFfO1P4Ca.jpg","https://cdn.quasa.io/thumbs/news-thumb/images/news/gP8kiumBPpJmQv6SMieXiX1tDetx43VwFfO1P4Ca.webp",42909,{"title":222,"description":223,"slug":224,"created_at":225,"publish_at":226,"formatted_created_at":227,"category":228,"links":229,"view_type":192,"video_url":87,"views":234,"likes":178,"lang":90,"comments_count":91,"is_pinned":113},"8 Logo Design Tips for Small Businesses","Your logo tells the story of your business and the values you stand for.","8-logo-design-tips-for-small-businesses","2021-12-04T21:59:52.000000Z","2025-05-05T03:30:00.000000Z","05.05.2025",{"title":15,"slug":16},{"image":230,"image_webp":231,"thumb":232,"thumb_webp":233},"https://cdn.quasa.io/images/news/Wbx2NtS1CnTupgoQbpFMGspJ5jm4uob2hDOq33r0.jpg","https://cdn.quasa.io/images/news/Wbx2NtS1CnTupgoQbpFMGspJ5jm4uob2hDOq33r0.webp","https://cdn.quasa.io/thumbs/news-thumb/images/news/Wbx2NtS1CnTupgoQbpFMGspJ5jm4uob2hDOq33r0.jpg","https://cdn.quasa.io/thumbs/news-thumb/images/news/Wbx2NtS1CnTupgoQbpFMGspJ5jm4uob2hDOq33r0.webp",41945,[236,237,238,239,240,241,242,243,244,245,246,247,248],{"title":23,"slug":24},{"title":47,"slug":48},{"title":55,"slug":56},{"title":43,"slug":44},{"title":51,"slug":52},{"title":31,"slug":32},{"title":35,"slug":36},{"title":27,"slug":28},{"title":19,"slug":20},{"title":15,"slug":16},{"title":58,"slug":63},{"title":11,"slug":12},{"title":65,"slug":66}]