Friday 20 May 2022 02:40 PM NASA is offering $70,000 as a prize for the best design for a Martian metaverse trends now
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NASA is offering $70,000 (£56,000) in cash prizes to developers who can design the best Martian metaverses to help train astronauts.
The US space agency put out a plea for 'a new virtual reality research, development, and testing environment to help prepare for the experiences and situations that will be encountered on Mars.'
'The goal is to create an immersive, engaging, and realistic experience,' NASA added.
Officials have partnered up with virtual reality simulation developer Buendea and Fortnite maker Epic Games for the scheme.
NASA is offering $70,000 (£56,000) in cash prizes to developers who can design the best Martian metaverses to help train astronauts
Both companies have already partially completed a virtual version of Mars.
The virtual 'operations support system' world is being developed on Epic Games' Unreal Engine 5, which is a platform used by firms to host interactive experiences and virtual reality environments.
So far the programme has realistic conditions for the Red Planet's gravity, weather and 154 square-miles of terrain.
It even has full Martian days complete with 'the orange hues of day transitioning to blue at night.'
Developers have been asked to pitch designs in five categories: scientific research, exploration, setting up camp, maintenance and 'blowing our minds'.
The overall winner of each category will win $6,000 (£4,800), with the entire $70,000 pot split between 20 individual prizes.
The contest closes