Casio to Open Virtual G-SHOCK STORE in the Metaverse

TOKYO, October 3, 2023 — Casio Computer Co., Ltd. announced today the launch of a metaverse-based virtual store for the G-SHOCK brand of shock-resistant watches. The new store will open on October 6, 2023 on the social virtual reality platform VRChat, allowing visitors to enjoy watch customization experiences and more.

In recent years, it has become more and more popular for younger users to create avatars (virtual personalities), explore virtual spaces and engage in communication with each other in the metaverse. A culture of fashion consciousness has become increasingly prevalent in virtual spaces as well, with users adorning their avatars with special clothing, handbags, and other accessories to express their individuality, just as in the real world.

In response, Casio is opening a virtual G-SHOCK STORE space, called a “world” in the metaverse, to encourage a culture of outfitting avatars with timepieces, building on the strong support G-SHOCK enjoys from users for its shock resistance and unique designs. Casio has signed a partnership agreement with VRChat Inc., the operator of the world’s largest social virtual reality platform, VRChat. This marks the very first time a watch manufacturer has opened a world (virtual space) in VRChat.

The G-SHOCK STORE virtual world will provide a watch customization service that allows users to combine different components to create their own personalized G-SHOCK watches, as well as to see how their VRChat avatars look wearing the watches they created. In addition, users can purchase watch components as digital items for use in VRChat at the official Casio online shop on BOOTH, a global online marketplace for creative endeavors, to create virtual G-SHOCK watches that can be worn by their avatars in the G-SHOCK STORE and other VRChat worlds. These virtual watches are linked to the time at the user’s location, allowing users to check the time within VRChat.

Additional content will be released on an ongoing basis, including a collaboration with a popular avatar on VRChat planned for November 2023. In the G-SHOCK spirit of never-ending evolution, Casio aims to bring new value and experiences to the metaverse.