According to Foresight News, Neal Stephenson, the author of 'Snow Crash,' and his blockchain platform Lamina1 have partnered with Wētā Workshop to launch a new metaverse project called Artefact. Wētā Workshop is renowned for its special effects work on films such as 'The Lord of the Rings' and 'Avatar.' This new initiative aims to develop intellectual property (IP) for a blockchain-driven metaverse. The platform will also feature digital item ownership, exploration mechanisms, co-creation opportunities, and AI-driven tool integration.