Santa Monica (est. 2021): Santa Monica, CA - Oldest Metaverse City In America

Events at ancient and historical sites could soon be hosted in the Metaverse and many say this is the future of tourism. In 2021 Santa Monica, California became first U.S. city to enter the Metaverse. This officially makes Santa Monica, CA the oldest Metaverse city in America. The Metaverse is becoming more accessible thanks to Downtown Santa Monica District and FlickPlay. In partnership with FlickPlay, Downtown Santa Monica District has officially become the first major city in the United States to adopt the Metaverse.

FlickPlay takes inspiration from the gamification of the Pokemon GO game to combine it with social aspects like TikTok. Downtown Santa Monica will use FlickPlay's services to join the Metaverse and transform the Third Street Promenade. 

In 2021 the app FlickPlay announced it was partnering with Santa Monica as the first metaverse city (which is where the company is based) so that it would become the first U.S. city to have access to the metaverse through its app. “We are living in one of the most transformative and exciting times in the history of technology,” explains Pierina Merino, Founder & CEO of FlickPlay. “I’m thrilled to announce that FlickPlay will be activating Santa Monica to become the first Metaverse city in the U.S. starting this December. I have no doubt that Santa Monica Metaverse will become a unique case study of disruption and innovation in the years to come.” FlickPlay founder and CEO Pierina Merino also stated “I have no doubt that Santa Monica Metaverse will become a unique case study of disruption and innovation in the years to come,” FlickPlay founder and CEO Pierina Merino said.

Using augmented reality and virtual reality, users of the app will be able to unlock collectibles and rewards to redeem for physical items at retail locations in the city. The initial launch began with 15 digital collectibles and plans to launch a new collectible every week. Another goal of the initiative is to revive parts of town and reduce crime by introducing more traffic and purpose in abandoned areas.