For Web3 collectors, Neal Stephenson’s 1-of-1 NFT is the ultimate custom tool metaverse artifact

by James · March 3, 2023

celebrating the 30th anniversary of the release of Neal Stephenson’s Snow Crash.

Weta workshop

Neal Stephenson needs no introduction. From coining the term Metaverse in his 1994 sci-fi novel, Snow Crash, to serving as Magic Leap’s chief futurist, to recently co-founding Lamina1 with crypto pioneer Peter Vessenes.

Now his legacy comes to Web3. In partnership with Sotheby’s and Sir Richard Taylor’s WETA Workshop, the auction house is offering a range of unique, and sometimes bespoke, items from Neal Stephenson’s Snow Crash archives and history, comprising physical and digital artefacts relating to the book.

The auction celebrates 30^th the anniversary of the release of Snow Crash, considered by many to be one of the pillars of the cyberpunk genre and one of the most important works of modern science fiction, as well as an influential source code from the metaverse to cryptocurrency, mobile computing to augmented reality, and much more.

Over the past 18 months, WETA has been working with Stephenson to prepare for this moment of cultural significance for the gaming and Metaverse industries. WETA worked with the sci-fi author to create a bespoke piece, a cultural and historical artifact, that derives from the unique mythology of his new and upcoming Snow Crash universe. This was done in the form of a Snow Crash-inspired sword, scabbard and display case. While it’s hard to fathom how bespoke this auction item is, the reality is that it has to be seen to be understood.

“The sword took us a year to make and is one of the finest crafts WETA has created,” said Sir Richard Taylor, founder of the WETA workshop. “The entire collection is then placed in a box from a fictitious gaming company which in theory has owned this sword which has now come up for auction. It’s an insane, inworld fusion of ancient craftsmanship with the digital age.”

Taylor adds that “The Swords Tansu storage case itself is an automated, internally powered, magnetically activated, very unique box, with hidden compartments, secret items, coded messages, and other special nods to the world that Neal has written.”

the legacy and history of Snow Crash, but can also serve as a springboard to further expand the Snow Crash universe.

Weta workshop

This auction will not only celebrate Stephenson’s legacy and the lore of Snow Crash, but may also serve as a springboard to further expand the Snow Crash universe. For Taylor, they are creating a body of creative work that blurs the line between the physical and the digital, which we have affectionately dubbed ‘Masterworks for the Metaverse’.

A piece of Cyberpunk history

Of particular interest to Web3 collectors is a unique NFT.

“A 1-to-1 digital twin of the physical Snow Crash Tachi sword that is a seamless blend of the virtual and the physical. Not only captures every detail of its physical twin identically, but also showcases the beauty of the sword’s physical materials and craftsmanship in a virtual environment. It is our hope that the NFT Snow Crash sword will be part of future transmedia developments that Neal is currently exploring,” highlighted Taylor.

Web3 collectors are already excited about the opportunity to own this historic piece of sci-fi/Metaverse/ and Web3 history. For many buyers, it’s “a chance to own a piece of history that symbolizes humanity standing on the edge of a new era, as many continue to explore the digital frontiers of the future.”

The auctioned items include a never-before-seen original written and annotated original manuscript, an original Snow Crash book cover artwork, and a beautifully and masterfully designed and crafted Snow Crash Tachi Sword. A real item from the fictional world of Snow Crash.

“Snow Crash is set in both the physical and digital worlds, and to celebrate this we also created the digital twin of the Tachi sword in the form of an NFT. A highly accurate digital model, which not only identically captures every detail of it physical sword, it may also grant its wielder special abilities in a yet-to-be-revealed Neal transmedia project, Taylor says.

The items have already garnered several high-value bids and are well received by collectors from all over the world, including web3 and NFT collectors.

The auction ends on 6 March 2023 at 2 p.m. ET.

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Cathy Hackl is a globally recognized metaverse leader, luxury and fashion innovator and technology futurist who has worked with Ralph Lauren, Clinique, HTC VIVE, Magic Leap and AWS. She leads Journey’s Metaverse Studio and helps brands with metaverse/Web3 strategies, NFTs, games and virtual couture. Her team created Walmart Land and Universe of Play for Walmart in Roblox, and she produced Electric Fest, a virtual concert in Walmart Land. She styled Kane Brown, Madison Beer and Yungblud in virtual couture looks for the festival. In 2023, Hackl will launch several luxury web3-connected fashion collections and will delve deeper into virtual fashion. She was handpicked by the Vogue Business editors to be included in their first Vogue Business 100 Innovators List.

Hackl has been writing about the Metaverse and the Direct to Avatar trend since 2020. She chaired the first Metaverse Fashion Week and her new book, “Into The Metaverse: The Essential Guide to the Business Opportunities of the Web3 Era” will be available early 2023. Hackl has been called the “Godmother of the Metaverse,” and hosts Adweek’s Metaverse Marketing podcast.