Warner Music Group has teamed up with The Sandbox, a decentralized gaming virtual world and a subsidiary of Animoca Brands, to introduce a new gaming experience centered around legendary rapper Notorious B.I.G.
The immersive game, called Breakin’ B.I.G., pays homage to side-scrolling games from the 1990s and places players in a neighborhood dominated by Biggie, according to a press release on Monday (December 4).
Breakin’ B.I.G. is a 2D arcade-style game that is set in a Brooklyn neighborhood in the ‘90s. Players will take on the role of an aspiring rapper who is trying to make it big in the music industry, engaging with Biggie and other characters. They will need to complete quests, earn the respect of The Notorious B.I.G., confront challengers to Biggie’s influence and revitalize Brooklyn neighborhoods.
Scheduled for a December launch, the game comes with a number of activities for fans, besides the playable gaming experience, including an exclusive avatar collection and a revamped Warner Music Group social hub.
“I’m excited for our players to explore a rich Brooklyn environment with an arcade-inspired feel unlike anything we’ve done before. Fans will interact with Biggie in entirely new ways as they immerse themselves in a throwback 90s adventure.”
Sebastien Borget, The Sandbox
Sebastien Borget, COO and Co-Founder of The Sandbox, said: “The Notorious B.I.G. is one of the most respected hip-hop artists of all time, so we are honored to be included in his lasting legacy through our partnership with Warner Music Group.”
“I’m excited for our players to explore a rich Brooklyn environment with an arcade-inspired feel unlike anything we’ve done before. Fans will interact with Biggie in entirely new ways as they immerse themselves in a throwback 90s adventure.”
Elliot Osagie, Chief Strategy Officer, the Estate of The Notorious B.I.G., added, “The 90s created a modern iconic decade similar to the 1920s. No artist represents the style of the 90s more than Biggie. By bringing the appeal of the 90s style side-scrolling game, starring Biggie’s music, to an innovative Web3 platform, we are ensuring that the world he built will continue to be enjoyed by day-one fans and discovered by today’s new generation of fans in fresh innovative ways that remain authentic to Biggie’s brand and goals as an artist.”
“By bringing the appeal of the 90s style side-scrolling game, starring Biggie’s music, to an innovative Web3 platform, we are ensuring that the world he built will continue to be enjoyed by day-one fans and discovered by today’s new generation of fans.”
Elliot Osagie, the Estate of The Notorious B.I.G
The launch of Breakin’ B.I.G. comes nearly two years after Warner Music and The Sandbox teamed up to create what they described as “the first music-themed world” within The Sandbox gaming metaverse. The partnership was The Sandbox’s first major label deal at the time. It went on to partner with Universal Music Group’s brand management division, Bravado, for a virtual experience in the metaverse featuring Jamiroquai, the seminal jazz-funk band led by Jay Kay.
The Sandbox has since partnered with other major brands including Ubisoft, The Rabbids, Cut the Rope, Tony Hawk, Gucci Vault, The Walking Dead, Invincible, Snoop Dogg, Adidas, Deadmau5, Steve Aoki, SM Entertainment, The Smurfs, Care Bears, and Atari.
For Warner Music Group, the new venture follows the launch of a visual podcast series exploring the final album of The Notorious B.I.G in April on The Roku Channel. The series, entitled Iconic Records: Life After Death, was hosted by radio personality Angie Martinez.
Earlier this year, Biggie’s birthday and anniversary milestone was celebrated via a campaign that featured box sets, live events and a collaboration with Atlantic artist Ty Dolla $ign for the single G.O.A.T. It was organized by the team of Kevin Gore, President of Global Catalog at Warner Music Group.
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