The Detroit Pistons later this year will launch Detroit Pistons World, a virtual fan marketplace with themed games, merchandise for purchase, gated content, and more.
The announcement was made by Los Angeles-based immersive AI company MeetKai, which is providing the technology for the new world, at the MWC 2024 industry event in Barcelona, Spain.
By deploying MeetKai’s AI-enabled, digital twin technology, the browser-based virtual fan marketplace will be an exact digital replica of the physical Detroit Pistons Team Store at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.
It will feature the same merchandise as in the store, plus access to collectibles and clothing items available for purchase that can be used by the user’s avatar or shipped home in person. New content and merchandise will be made available throughout the season.
“We are proud to welcome MeetKai as our newest partner,” says Adam Falkson, vice president of business intelligence for the Pistons. “This partnership is part of our continued commitment to make the Detroit Pistons one of the most innovative and fan friendly sports and entertainment organizations in the industry. MeetKai is the perfect partner for us on this journey.”
MeetKai’s avatar customization solution also will be deployed in the Detroit Pistons World, which is standard across all of MeetKai’s immersive web experiences. Once on Meetkai’s platform, which is accessible through a user’s desktop or mobile device, users can create an account, upload three of their favorite selfies and their avatar face will be automatically generated using MeetKai’s advanced AI offerings.
From there, users can customize body type, hair styles, and accessories, plus select regular and Pistons-themed clothing items to wear, along with any digital merchandise purchased in the world.
“Both MeetKai and the Detroit Pistons are thrilled about this partnership,” says James Kaplan, co-founder and CEO of MeetKai. “We’re hitting the ground running on the development of the Detroit Pistons World and couldn’t be more excited to offer its fanbase a never-before-seen, virtual experience like no other. This world will not only expand and extend basketball fandom into new realms but be a special opportunity for the Pistons to reach new audiences globally in new ways.”
Weili Dai, co-founder and executive chairwoman of MeetKai, says: “We’re extremely proud of MeetKai’s cutting-edge AI technology and of how it’s been adopted so quickly by the sports industry. It’s a testament to the differentiators of our technology and their impact on the consumer experience, offering fans new ways to gain value and experience the teams and players they love.”
For more information and to follow future developments of Detroit Pistons World, visit meetkai.com.
