This partnership comes from Upland player and host of “Perpetual Good in the Metaverse” on Twitter, UCC Dak, who has focused on how the web3 community can use the power of web3 technology and user-generated content (UGC) to do good in the real world through distributed fundraising to create new revenue streams, open markets and expose new generations to mission-based organizations. With an aligned position starting from UCC Dak’s vision to create a partnership inspired by his altruistic approach to web3 technology, Upland and KABOOM! will feature a sale of five user-generated map asset (NFTs) inspired by the playgrounds built by KABOOM! Nationwide.
The KABOOM! playground map assets in the first sale in Upland are designed by The Toss-Shak, a 3D design studio in Upland that builds user-generated 3D assets for the platform. Consisting of three Upland players, TossHed, Shaktikyn, and Fadi04, together they brought to life the following playground-inspired items for Upland:
- KABOOM! Dino: A one-of-a-kind play structure is where imagination and adventure come to life. From climbing to sliding, the KABOOM! Dino not only provides a range of play opportunities, but also promotes physical development and social interaction.
- KABOOM! Swings: An ultimate playground essential offering a thrilling experience for kids as they soar through the air.
- KABOOM! Monkey Bars: A classic play structure allowing endless opportunities for kids to swing, climb, and hang.
- KABOOM! Loop Monkey Bars: A variation of the classic monkey bars that allows kids to further challenge themselves on the playground.
- KABOOM! Crescent Monkey Bars: A twist on the classic playground favorite that makes an exciting and innovative addition to any play area.
“We at KABOOM! are mission-driven builders — we build great places to play for kids who are too often cut off from the simple joys of childhood. That is why we are so excited to be collaborating with the Upland community, which is all about building a better world,” says KABOOM! Senior Fellow James Siegal. “And what better way to start than by bringing virtual playgrounds to Upland’s world as a way to accelerate our work. Together, we can literally put playgrounds on the map and build a better, more joyful world for every kid.”
“We are thrilled to announce this transformative partnership with KABOOM!, a visionary organization that has been dedicated to reshaping communities and enriching the lives of children,” says Upland Chief of Staff Danny Brown Wolf. “ KABOOM’s unwavering commitment to providing safe and inspiring play spaces for all children perfectly aligns with Upland’s mission of using technology to enhance the quality of life in communities. Together, we will leverage our collective expertise to create inclusive, cutting-edge play environments that will leave a lasting impact on generations to come.”
KABOOM! Is based out of DC, and as part of this partnership, will be opening a KABOOM! office in Chicago, in the form of a factory and showroom in Upland, whose platform happens to be mapped to the real world. These two locations in the Upland metaverse have a direct relationship with the KABOOM! cause at the exact addresses in the real world. Located at 6727 South California Avenue in Upland Chicago, the KABOOM! Showroom is located at the same address as the real world site of a playground that was built with Catalyst Schools 10 years ago. This property is across the street from Marquette Park, which has historical significance to the KABOOM! cause, where the Chicago Freedom Movement and Martin Luther King, Jr. led a march through Marquette Park in 1966. In addition to advocating for fair housing, MLK and the Chicago Freedom Movement pushed for equitable access to parks, playgrounds, pools, and other recreational facilities. The KABOOM! Factory is located at 10402 S Maryland Ave, Chicago, IL 60628, which is only 2 blocks from another meaningful playground. In 2018, KABOOM! was asked to build a playground in the historic Pullman neighborhood on Chicago’s South Side as commemoration of a truce between two rival gangs, who sought to end the violence plaguing their community.
“I’m a big kid at heart and supporting the mission of KABOOM! to create playspaces for kids where they can do the most good, well – it aligns with my core values and the kid in me,” says UCC Dak about this passion for this partnership. “I want to play on that Dino slide!”
The KABOOM! Map Assets in the Upland Metaverse will be available on Google Play and the App Stores, as well as on the web for an even more immersive experience.
