According to PANews, Neal Stephenson, the author of 'Snow Crash,' has announced a new project named 'Artefact.' This initiative is a collaboration between Stephenson's blockchain platform Lamina1 and Wētā Workshop, a special effects company renowned for its work on films such as 'The Lord of the Rings' and 'Avatar.'

Artefact is described as an open metaverse project aimed at developing intellectual property (IP) within a decentralized, blockchain-driven environment. The project draws inspiration from themes and concepts in Stephenson's literary works and will revolve around a series of digital objects or 'artefacts' that users can explore and interact with. These artefacts will serve as the foundation of the story, allowing participants to discover and piece together narrative elements. This interactive approach is designed to create a dynamic storytelling experience, enabling the community to play an active role in expanding and shaping the universe. Artefact is expected to launch later this year and will invite creators and users to participate in the ongoing development of its virtual environment.