EU £333,000 metaverse party flops

Just six people attended the European Union (EU)’s metaverse party, according to reports.

The EU was attempting to engage with those between the ages of 18 and 35 that were not particularly interested in politics. The European Commission’s foreign aid department spent €387,000 (£333,000/$412,000) on the online space.

Journalist Vince Chadwick attended the ‘gala’ concert, but was one of only six people to have joined.

He wrote on Twitter at the time: “I’m here at the ‘gala’ concert in the EU foreign aid department’s €387k metaverse (designed to attract non politically engaged 18-35 year olds). After initial bemused chats with the roughly five other humans who showed up, I am alone.” 

Chadwick noted in November that the metaverse party was a way to inform young people about the EU’s Global Gateway investment plan. 

Users were able to explore the metaverse as a digital avatar, and navigate a tropical island where stories on EU development cooperation were paying on video screens. There was also a 24-hour beach party with figures dancing to music. 

The Global Gateway campaign was launched in October and a post on Twitter said: “Our shared digital space is the perfect place to get to know and reflect on global issues to make a difference for our shared future.”