Vket Mall pre-opens August 14-28, 2021

VR’s First Permanent Shopping Mall - Vket Mall to Pre-Open on August 14, Now Accepting Exhibitor Applications

14 May 2021

Vket Mall, the first permanent comprehensive shopping mall to be born in the virtual world, will pre-open August 14 - 28 alongside Virtual Market 6 (Vket6). Exhibitor applications are accepted until May 31.

TOKYO, Japan, May, 2021 -- Tokyo’s VR Company HIKKY Co., Ltd. is now accepting exhibitor applications for the pre-opening of Vket Mall, the company’s newest addition to its successful Virtual Market series which will become the first permanent comprehensive shopping mall in virtual reality. Ahead of its official launch later this year, Vket Mall will be accessible alongside Virtual Market 6 (Vket6) taking place August 14 - 28, 2021.

The permanent VR marketplace will enable 3D model authors and creators to easily show and sell their works to a global audience. There will be more than 20 different concept shops that sellers can choose from to place their products, which offer an exciting shopping experience for visitors from around the world, 24-7.

Vket Mall hopes to create a living, moving space that is close to the people living and socializing in VR."

What is Virtual Market?

Virtual Market, often referred to in short as Vket, is an online convention and marketplace on the VRChat platform that hosts C-to-C and B-to-C retail of digital and physical goods. Organized by HIKKY, a VR events company based in Tokyo, Virtual Market has taken place bi-annually since its launch in 2018 and has rapidly grown into the largest of its kind. A pandemic-proof social gathering, Virtual Market hosts more than a million visitors and numerous high-profile exhibits by global brands and corporations. Recent editions of Vket feature a vast array of shoppable merchandise and state-of-the-art retail experience, offering a glimpse into the future of VR commerce.

Visitors can catch a train ride for a scenic tour of the sprawling landscape, watch a movie at the cinema, or dance with friends at a live music event, all within Virtual Market. Friends can interact with one another in real time conversation, shop together, make new friends, or run into and strike up conversations with celebrities.

The virtual venues on VRChat are globally accessible with or without VR devices, on a computer or smartphone browser, at all hours of the day between August 14 - 28 for Virtual Market 6 and the pre-opening of Vket Mall. Navigation will be shown in English and Japanese.

Vket Mall, a Permanent VR Mall to Buy and Sell 3D Model Products

Vket Mall will be unveiled at Vket6 as a preview of the newest addition to the Virtual Market series. Vket Mall is scheduled to open later this year as a permanent VR marketplace that enables 3D model authors and creators to easily show and sell their works to a global audience. There will be more than 20 different concept shops that sellers can choose from to place their products.

Vket Mall interior view

Vket Mall will pre-open alongside Virtual Market 6

(Turn on subtitle for English)

While exhibitors are required to create their own booths at Virtual Market, Vket Mall enables exhibitors to participate more easily, simply by choosing a world to exhibit in and submitting model data of the product to put on display.

Offering a variety of 3D model products such as avatars, worlds, and accessories, Vket Mall hopes to create a living, moving space that is close to the people living and socializing in VR.

The entrance hall will be surrounded by 5 shops and multiple communication spaces. A total of approximately 100 items will be displayed and available for purchase. Shops and products together will rotate every 2 weeks, making shopping at Vket Mall a constantly fresh experience.

In comparison to limited time Vket events that are only weeks long, a permanent Vket Mall is designed to be more convenient, user friendly and practical, all while continuing to develop and enrich the virtual space.

Vket Mall's 20 Shop Concepts

Vket Mall will rotate a variety of more than 20 different concept shops (shop logos shown above)

Shops at Vket Mall; top left: Furry Fury, top right: Jack’n Box, bottom left: Argento, bottom right: Eisenburg

Names and concept stories of each of Vket Mall's 20 concept shops are listed below.

Furry Fury

A store tailored for Kemono/Furry avatars and accessories. Feel the warmth of the wild habitat in this store, featuring a carved-out environment and woodworks. Named after the Japanese onomatopoeia for the sound of a wagging tail and the excitement for furries, Furry Fury is a boutique for Kemono/Furry fans like you.

Jack'n Box

Jump into your toy box! The virtual toy shop Jack'n Box specializes in 3D models of toys and contraptions with gimmicks. This shop is like a jack-in-the box, bringing you surprise and wonder with each unboxing.

Argento

Specialty shop for male avatars. The boutique bears the name Argento meaning “silver”, signifying strong but delicate men. The symbol of this shop is the iris. In Japan, the flower is considered to be a lucky charm for men, while in Europe, it is the origin of the classic motif Fleur-de-lis that signifies antiquity and chivalry.

Eisenburg

Eisenburg is a specialty store of gigantic robots and mechs. Meaning “Iron Castle” the shop is divided into two areas: the corridor area to display life-sized models, and the dock area to exhibit gigantic models. In the corridor area you can try the models on. In the dock area the extra-large models will rotate on the turntable, providing a view from all angles.

Shops at Vket Mall; top left: Ratatoskr, top right: Anne Nielsen, bottom left: MORNING GLORY, bottom right: Open Closet

Ratatoskr

Ratatoskr is a specialty store for Isekai fantasy items. Designed with the adventurers' guild in mind, inside the shop are a line of quest boards and bar counters. The spacious two-storey wooden building and warm light of torch fire will make JRPG-like fantasy avatars and items look even more appealing.

Anne Nielsen

The furniture franchise Anne Nielsen is a boutique shop of household properties founded with the motto “quality life is realized through rendezvous with quality furniture.” In this comfortable space, you'll find the very best furniture ideal for your lifestyle, to your heart's content.

MORNING GLORY

A store that dresses female avatars in a variety of colors for their everyday lives. The theme of the shop is casual yet fashionable, and is based on your natural daily life. The name MORNING GLORY is taken from the flower. These flowering plants have a wide variety of species and colors with different meanings. The name veils in its petal the dedication to cherish individuality and diversity.

Open Closet

Let your avatar change clothes with more ease, and enjoy your avatar longer. The Open Closet is a specialty store for clothing by various creators where your avatar can try them on as you shop. Open Closet wishes to support the avatar fashion culture.

Shops at Vket Mall; top left: Funky Picky Monkeys, top right: Colorful Cafe, bottom left: Tracy & Percy, bottom right: Kemomimi Girls

Funky Picky Monkeys

Cartoon items, avatars, and a wonderful shop full of anime-like humor, that’s the Funky Picky Monkeys! If you wish your life was something like a bag of camouflage jelly beans, you’ll want to party with our Funky, Picky Monkeys!

Colorful Cafe

Welcome to the Colorful Cafe! This shop is dedicated to food items to sate your appetite while socializing in the virtual space. Numerous gourmet items are lined up buffet-style. If you get hungry looking, you’re welcome to sample the food too!

Tracy & Percy

Tracy & Percy is a specialty store that features virtual jewelry and accessories. Accessories play a major role in expressing a person’s individuality. As the French say, “Chacun à son goût.” You are sure to find your own unique piece — or maybe a gift for a loved one. Find a glittering piece of personality for all people living in the virtual world.

Kemomimi Girls

The Kemomimi Girls is a specialty store for Animal-eared (Kemomimi) avatars. Wouldn’t it be great if we could take the cutest parts from both humans and animals? The shop embodies such a trend unique to the virtual world. This is the shop to go to if you’re dressing ahead of the game!

Shops at Vket Mall; top left: Three Thousand Worlds, top right: Garage. Avatars, bottom left: Garage. Worlds, bottom right: Yake

Three Thousand Worlds

Three Thousand Worlds is a store focused on worlds. 10 showrooms in the shop each display masterpiece worlds as miniatures. The shop is named Three Thousand Worlds referring to the entire universe and everything in this cosmos. May you meet a favorite world of your own from this innumerable assortment of worlds.

Garage. Avatars

Garage. Avatars of the Garage. gimmick shop series is a specialty store focused on avatar gimmicks (expressions), animations, and editor extensions useful for avatar production. The shop name comes from the anecdote that IT giants once started their businesses from their garages at home.

Garage. Worlds

Garage. Worlds of the Garage. gimmick shop series is a specialty store focused on world gimmicks and editor extensions useful for world production. The shop name comes from the anecdote that IT giants once started their businesses from their garages at home.

Yake

From underground items to shady looking avatars, Yake offers a wide variety of products. In the past, there were a number of dentists in the Kowloon Empire Imperial Citadel’s Ketsuban Boulevard. One of these clinics is said to have engaged in trade of various illegal products and psychoactive substances, aside from medical treatment service. The anonymous shop is going by “Yake,” or the “Dentist.”

Shops at Vket Mall; top left: Philip’s Sheep, top right: Scratch Road, bottom left: Goshikiya, bottom right: Twinkle-Twinkle

Philip’s Sheep

Philip’s Sheep is a specialty store for cyberpunk, gleaming in adamantite and attended by an android shopkeeper. The shop interior and exhibit inspired by quantum physics provide the perfect backdrop for your product to look beautiful and gorgeous. If you dream of electric sheep, please pay a visit to our shop drifting in the sea of electrons.

Scratch Road

“Wear the street” is the theme of this specialty store that carries street-style avatars and fashion.

Goshikiya

Founded in the first year of the VR era, Goshikiya has operated as a specialty shop for kimonos and avatars in Japanese clothes. Japanese-style room decor and accessories also add to the shop’s broad range of products. The lucky cat at the end of the shop raises both hands, hoping to ring in both customers and luck.

Twinkle-Twinkle

Twinkle-Twinkle is a specialty store for sweet and hip teen-girl items such as avatars, accessories, and dresses for fashion-conscious girls.

Vket Mall Exhibitor Application Now Open

Vket Mall exhibitor applications are being accepted May 12 - 31. To submit an application or inquiry on registering for an exhibit space at the Vket Mall, or to see update notices, please visit the website below.

https://mall.v-market.work/en.html

Vket Mall Event Summary

Dates: August 14 - 28, 2021 (Japan Standard Time) for 15 days
VR venue: VRChat
Exhibition charge: free
Compatibility: Vket Mall is compatible with PCVR, desktop, Oculus Quest, and smartphone browsers (Vket6 is only compatible with PCVR and desktop)

About HIKKY

Founded in 2018, HIKKY is a VR company that organizes, produces, and promotes large scale VR/AR events and contents. Its founding members include top-level creatives who lead the entertainment VR scene and are collectively committed to shedding light on talents that comprise the virtual communities. In partnership with various businesses, HIKKY continues to develop new opportunities and groundbreaking concepts in the budding XR industry.

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