TIME’s Metaverse Cover: The Story Behind It

The story that stands behind TIME magazine’s Metaverse cover.

A few weeks ago, TIME Magazine continued its foray into the world of cryptocurrencies and NFTs by partnering with blockchain-based gaming company The Sandbox to build TIME Square in the metaverse. This partnership was part of TIME Magazine’s ongoing effort to expand its presence in the digital economy.

Now, TIME Magazine has come up with its own version of a metaverse magazine. According to the company’s blog, in order to accurately portray the metaverse on the cover of TIME, they enlisted the services of a well-known digital explorer to lead them through this novel and the fantastical universe.

Ex-MLB shortstop Micah Johnson, now a computer artist, created a picture of a virtual doorway with his character Aku, whom Johnson deems the world’s first digital explorer.

Upon overhearing a little child question his mother, “Can astronauts be black?,” Johnson created Aku and gave him a big astronaut helmet and a desire to go on adventures when he designed the character. 

Johnson told times on AKU cover:

“I wanted to present him in a way that he’s welcoming others into the world that gave him this incredible platform to begin his journey; he’s most interested in exploring the past. He is able to learn from the giants that came before him who achieved their dreams in the face of adversity, and he’s also able to see people who were denied access to their dreams because of their socioeconomic situation, gender, their race, or any other limiting circumstances.”.

Johnson became the first NFT artist to obtain a big TV and film development agreement as a result of the success of his digital character, which produced more than $20 million in sales in less than a year and made Johnson the first NFT artist.

According to what was written by Matthew Ball in the cover story of this issue of TIME, the metaverse is a network of linked immersive digital experiences that will one day come to include practically all locations, people, and aspects of our existence. Johnson, who is 31 years old, also desired the cover picture to convey what he views as the book’s boundless potential.

Before recognizing the potential of NFTs and digital art, Johnson began his artistic career by painting on a conventional canvas. Today, Johnson is the owner and operator of a 3D animation business.

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