The Format #015

And just like that… it’s December.

Spotify Wrapped has dropped, the UK has got very cold (although I’m still in shorts…) and the race to the holidays is on.

Here are some of the more interesting updates and articles we’ve found this week:

What is Parallel Colony? A 101 💪

If you were playing emerging tech buzzword bingo, then this game would be the jackpot, the only thing it’s missing is maybe ‘The Metaverse’. And yet despite all the jargon, it actually looks interesting, potentially even the start of something very cool. NPC’s (non-playable characters) that exist, interact, manage a game economy and live their lives with or without human interaction.
A dynamic and persistent game.

Exclusive: Key Insights from 3,200+ NFT Patents

In late 2023 it feels like it’s almost a sin to say the word NFT. It’s became a very loaded word, and brands are avoiding it like the plague… with the common alternatives being ‘badge’, ‘collectible’, or my favourite ‘digital pin’. Yet NFT’s are still playing a huge role in brand innovation:

• Nike applied for a patent where customers can ‘breed’ two sneakers to create a unique sneaker ‘offspring’

• Snap wants to give AR NFT’s via a virtual unboxing experience

• And Ferrari applied for a patent titled: “An automotive competition method for having at least a first real road vehicle and a second virtual road vehicle race with each other” 🤯

These Clues Hint at the True Nature of OpenAI’s Shadowy Q* Project

OpenAI has had more drama than a bingeable Netflix teen drama in the past couple of weeks. Since our last issue Sam Altman was OpenAI CEO. Then he wasn’t. Then he was again.

OpenAI’s little internal dispute changes nothing, but then maybe it changes everything. Nothing concrete has came out as to the reasons for the oust, but many believe it has something to do with the mysterious project Q*, not to be confused with Q the Amazon AI assistant released last week.

Proton Mail Plans to Tap Blockchain Tech for Email Encryption Key Verification

Proton is the OPENFORMAT email provider of choice. It’s given us countless problems, but we’ve stuck with it because of the end-to-end encryption it offers. This new announcement feels like another step in justifying our teething pains. Plus it’s a great showcase of blockchain being used as a problem solving technology, not just a technology.

OPENFORMAT News:

Co-chair of the BIMA Web3 Council

BIMA (British Interactive Media Association) have announced that our CEO Sarah will be co-chair of their Web3 council. This has been in the works for a while and we are very excited for the council’s new direction. 🌞

OPENFORMAT Progress Update November 23

Lots of updates. Lots of progress. And a tech change log.

The TL;DR for this one:
Our £2m seed round is well underway, our early access developer programme has begun and we have a tag line, well it’s more than a tagline, it’s a belief system…

Everything is a Game.

And that’s all for this week.

Have a great weekend, Dan and the OPENFORMAT team 👋🏽

Prompt (Generated using Dalle-3): “An imaginative illustration depicting two sneakers personified as parents, with a smaller 'baby sneaker' between them, showcasing a family concept. The parent sneakers should be larger, each with distinct and contrasting designs, symbolizing their unique characteristics. The baby sneaker, in the center, should be a creative blend of both parent sneakers, featuring elements from each in a smaller, cuter version. The background should be warm and inviting, enhancing the family theme, with soft colors and a gentle ambiance.”